Gigi Langer

Worry Less Now!

 Love More Now!

ABOUT LIFE: A CHRISTMAS LETTER FROM LOVE

My friend, Maureen Power added this reading to her 1990 recording of A Course in Miracles workbook lesson titles. I’ve been unable to find its source.

But, reading it has changed my life. I hope you too find inspiration in these words.

With deep Love from Gigi Langer, December 2021

“So dear are you to me. I see you struggle and let go, struggle, and let go again.

“And that is the dance of life. Seek not to end the dance. The earthly dance moves from ballroom to ballroom, from dance floor to dance floor. The cosmic dance moves from era to era. But the dance must continue until all the music has been heard. 

“You learn the dance of prosperity and the dance of scarcity, until you realize that all the dances are the same. You move to the rhythm, sway to the beat. You pause to start again. You feel the heartbeat of the music until your heart and the beat of the music are one. Then that dance is over.

“Worry not, my child. All earthly experiences teach only one thing: That you are a child of a loving God who punishes you not. You’ve elected to learn these lessons so that you can be free. You can’t be free until you have faced, and then walked through, your worst fear. What your worst fear is changes from time to time. 

“Walking through your worst fear transforms it into an old meaningless fear. Then a new worst fear will come to take its place. Call the fear poverty, rejection, abandonment, loneliness, death, meaninglessness, or helplessness. Walk through them you will, until they are all gone. 

“What you forget is that you don’t have to walk through them alone. I am here and will walk through them with you. Trust me, my child. Ask not that any specific burden be lifted. Ask instead for my presence to walk through with you. We are simply rendering the barriers to love harmless by walking through them together. 

“The human experience provides all these lessons to all who walk through them. You walk through them with pain and sorrow if you choose to do it alone. Or you walk through them with peace and joy if you take me along. 

“Ask me to guide you. Ask me not to solve what you perceive as your problems. What you perceive as problems are dreams, and dreams are not real. Practice fearlessness, my child. Turn over all your fears to me. My way will lead you to discover the light which is already within you. 

“The thoughts of the mind are undisciplined, but the mind is at home in the heart of God. Call to me dear soul. When you call from the part of your heart that knows we are together still, I will be there, and you will be here in an instant. 

“Peace and joy to you, dear one. Only joy and peace are eternal. All else is illusion. You have been to joy and peace, and you do know the truth. Ask me to remember, and I will. Peace. Peace. Peace.”

Source Unknown. My friend, Maureen Power added this reading to her recording of A Course in Miracles workbook lesson titles. I’ve been unable to find its source. Perhaps you can? If so, please send it to me at glanger2202@gmail.com. Thanks!

In the meantime, please let its loving message bring you peace and joy every time you read it.

Worry Less Now; Gigi Langer

Gigi Langer has been sober 35 years, and holds a PhD in Psychological Studies in Education from Stanford University. Formerly crowned the “Queen of Worry,” Gigi resigned her post many years ago and now lives happily in Florida with her husband, Peter and her cat Murphy.

Worry Less Now Cover

My award-winning book, 50 Ways to Worry Less Now, describes how to reject the faulty thinking leading to addiction, dysfunctional relationships, perfectionism, and worry about loved ones. Check out the practical directions, personal stories, and other helpful growth tools. Amazon: 4.8 stars (Buy Discounted Paperback, e-book, OR audiobook HERE)

WHY IS THE “NOW” IN WORRY LESS NOW?

Some have asked why I added the “Nworry less now audiobook gigi Langerow” at the end of “50 Ways to Worry Less.” At first, I didn’t think much about it; it just seemed to have a better rhythm. But, as I’ve pondered it more deeply, I realize the word “now” clarifies a point that eludes many of us:

We don’t stop worrying all at once and forever. It’s a minute-by-minute process in each “now” moment.

So many believe if we could just find the one right answer, we could be forever free of fear and limitations. But that hasn’t been my experience. In fact, personal growth is a rather mysterious process. We work away in therapy and/or recovery, and often doubt that much is changing.

But, then we find little sparkles of light sprinkled along the way. It’s those illuminated “now” moments that signal we’re on the right path: a feeling of deep appreciation for a former enemy, a life-stopping moment of beauty, or acting courageously in situations that used to baffle us. Such miracle-moments show us that something bigger than our limitations is helping us become better people.

So, when I say we can “worry less NOW,” that’s exactly what I mean. Don’t be bothered by your worry a few minutes ago. Don’t go into the future and predict your problems will get worse. Just get quiet right now and remember who you are—a loving, loved, and loveable person guided by your own higher power (true self, universe, goddess, spirit, etc.).

This attention to the present moment is why meditation is so powerful: it teaches us to unhinge our attention from the details of the past and future, and to focus on what is happening right now. Meditators know how to observe their thoughts, and when they are disturbing refocus them onto the peace of right now.

This is truly the ONLY control we have over anything in our lives: what we choose to think about RIGHT NOW.

This skill, however, is one of progress, not perfection. My own mind often projects future scary scenarios that typically never happen. And so often, I’m not even aware of my mind’s focus…it’s just on autopilot, going wherever it goes. In spite of this tendency to “check out,” I can remember to check-in with myself, perhaps by noticing a tension in my jaw or shoulders. Then I can ask myself what thoughts might be prompting this fear, and replace them with loving ones.  

So how do you choose what to think about? It takes commitment to learn new, positive thoughts to replace the usual negative ones. That is one reason many of us read daily meditation books, or study daily lessons of ACIM, or learn specific prayers, mantras, or affirmations. We need a bank of positive ideas to use when we notice our worry-thoughts. One of my favorites is, “Help me to see this differently.” In this request, I’m acknowledging that I don’t like what my mind is picturing, and I want the light of the present moment to fill my mind instead.

For example, my sister recently had surgery, and I kept imagining I would lose her. I hated how I felt—jittery and full of panic. Once I acknowledged I was scaring myself with  my thoughts, I asked to see it differently. Then I repeated this phrase “all false beliefs, all negative appearances are dissolved right now by love.” I regained my peace of mind for that moment. Then when my mind reverted to worry, I noticed it, and returned to the beauty of right now.

I’D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU: How do you redirect your thoughts into a pleasant and peaceful appreciation of Now?

Gigi Langer has been sober 35 years, and holds a PhD in Psychological Studies in Education from Stanford University. Formerly crowned the “Queen of Worry,” Gigi resigned her post many years ago and now lives happily in Florida with her husband, Peter and her cat Murphy.

gigi langer worry less now
WORRY LESS NOW GIGI LANGER
My award-winning book, 50 Ways to Worry Less Now, describes how to reject the faulty thinking leading to addiction, dysfunctional relationships, perfectionism, and worry about loved ones. Check out the practical directions, personal stories, and other helpful growth tools. Amazon: 4.8 stars (Buy Discounted Paperback, e-book, OR audiobook HERE)


Fabulous New Magazine: HOLA SOBER!

I just LOVE this new FREE full-feature e-magazine–Hola Sober–for sober folks. 

And SURPRISE! The December edition includes Karen Laird’s interview with me! I met Karen last spring in my Worry Less Study Group, and she wrote this fabulous article about it. Thank you, Karen! 

Hola Sober is a fresh, colorful magazine focused on alcohol-free in a drink-drenched world, showcasing sober gold moments, offering inspirational stories, and motivating healthy wellness lifestyle choices.  It is a FREE magazine as the editor believes no one should have to pay for sober inspiration in 2021. 

Here’s the link to the December issue: Click HERE  (If it doesn’t work, you may need to subscribe, but it’s FREE!) Please subscribe HERE.

gigi langer worry less now

Gigi Langer has been sober 35 years, and holds a PhD in Psychological Studies in Education from Stanford University. Formerly crowned the “Queen of Worry,” Gigi resigned her post many years ago and now lives happily in Florida with her husband, Peter and her cat Murphy.

worry less now gigi langer

Gigi’s award-winning book, 50 Ways to Worry Less Now, describes how to correct the faulty thinking leading to addiction, dysfunctional relationships, perfectionism, and worry about loved ones. Check out the practical directions, personal stories, and other helpful growth tools. Amazon: 4.8 stars (Buy Discounted Paperback, e-book, OR audiobook HERE)

WHEN LIFE IS SCARING THE S*** OUT OF US!

For the past two months, my dear Peter has been quite ill. You may remember that he’s my fourth husband, after many failures due to codependence and substance abuse. I’ve now had the blessing of 32 ½ happy years with a caring, responsible, and extremely fun partner.

   I love him dearly and am grateful for every day together. Don’t get me wrong, though; I haven’t made him into my higher power as I did with so many other men. No, I stand in the strength of spirit, and we hold hands as we meet life’s adventures together.
   So, in this latest adventure, we recently learned that Peter has significant heart disease; and then yesterday, he had all the signs of a heart attack! So went to the ER, and they kept him at the hospital overnight. YIKES!
     So, how do we handle things that are scaring the shit out of us? A well-worn statement from Alanon is: The more we talk about the problem, the less we focus on the solution. So, let’s get to the solutions:

  • focusing on love rather than fear,
  • not numbing my feelings, and
  • clinging to strong supportive friends.

Not Scaring Myself: Choosing Love 

Thank God, I recently signed up for Carol Howe’s short daily recordings of ACIM  (A Course in Miracles) lessons. ACIM teaches us over and over that our fearful, self-centered mind (ego) causes our upsets because it always “thinks” something is keeping us from getting what we want. For example, my fearful voice was crying, “Will I be left alone? Can I handle Peter’s declining health?”
   You can see these are all ego-questions about “me, myself, and I.” But these imaginings are only projections of past pain onto the future. They have nothing to do with the truth. 
My only path to peace is to reject the ego’s lies and focus on Love. So, I chose new thoughts: ”I will not see this situation through fear; I see it only through Love. Nothing can separate me from goodness; and the same goes for Peter. All is well.”

Staying Present with Support                                                          

During my tough times, I have two non-negotiables:

  1. I mustn’t consistently numb myself out with drugs, alcohol, food, shopping, or overactivity. I sure did eat a lot of sugar this week; and I’ve been known to veg out in front of movies to soften the blow of fear. But I don’t do this for long, and I continue my footwork. If I go for days with self-numbing and no positive self-care, I am in trouble and need help.
  2. I must reach out for support from friends on a similar growth path. This is not usually a family member or romantic interest; and it’s not someone who judges or tries to fix me. Most of my support buddies are healthy, sober women.

Your Prayers Rock!

So yesterday, I sent out a call for prayer and support from my recovery buddies, and WOW! did they ever pull through! I got so many sweet, comforting texts (Some who sent them are reading this, and I thank you SO much!)
      Here’s one example from my dear friend, Eileen, who sent this request to Rosary Circle, Carolyn Myss’ prayer community: 
“Please pray for Peter, the husband of my dear friend, Gigi. Peter has been ill for a couple of months with influenza B and was recently diagnosed with heart disease. Please visualize Peter eagerly learning about cardiovascular disease and embracing the dietary and lifestyle changes that will improve his health. Pray that he finds educational resources that fit his needs and budget, that he experiences hope and that he feels the love of family and friends. Bless Gigi as she supports Peter and bless his caregivers as they develop an effective and efficient plan to monitor and treat him. We gratefully anticipate Peter’s return to health that he may use his life to serve you.”   Thank you, thank you, thank you. It is done!   

The Good News

Tonight we came home from the ER with a good report: Altho’ Peter has heart disease, he has not had a heart attack, and he passed the stress test quite well! (He does still have Influenza B even though we had flu shots). But, there is so much to be grateful for.
    I am so glad I’ve learned to keep my serenity bank full by praying, meditating, and joining with my friends in AA, Alanon, and ACIM. When the scary times hit, I can call on that reserve to help us through it with trust and calm. 

Worry Less Now; Gigi Langer

Gigi Langer has been sober 35 years, and holds a PhD in Psychological Studies in Education from Stanford University. Formerly crowned the “Queen of Worry,” Gigi resigned her post many years ago and now lives happily in Florida with her husband, Peter and her cat Murphy.

Worry Less Now Cover

Gigi’s award-winning book, 50 Ways to Worry Less Now, describes how to correct the faulty thinking leading to addiction, dysfunctional relationships, perfectionism, and worry about loved ones. Check out the practical directions, personal stories, and other helpful growth tools. Amazon: 4.8 stars (Buy Discounted Paperback, e-book, OR audiobook HERE)