In the book of Ecclesiastes, the author takes a hard and realistic look at life. He wrote: "Vanity of vanities... All is vanity. What do people gain from all the toil at which they toil under the sun? A generation goes, and a generation comes, but the earth remains forever." (Eccl.1:2-3)

But the author also wrote: "Go, eat your bread with enjoyment, and drink your wine with a merry heart; for God has long ago approved what you do. ... Enjoy life with the wife whom you love, all the days of your vain life that are given you under the sun, because that is your portion in life and in your toil at which you toil under the sun." (Eccl. 9:7 & 9)

"Otherwise" by Jane Kenyon, in Poems to Live by in Uncertain Times, Joan Murray, ed., (Boston: Beacon Press, 2001)

Dear Friends,

This has been a mostly terrible week for the economy. We've watched or read the news about the cataclysmic series of events has descended upon us: the steep decline of the stock market, the further collapse of banks, the freezing of credit... even the problems with banks and economies of Europe and Asia. We've witnessed shrinking investments, retirement savings and pensions plans. We see dire predictions for the future... at least over the next few months.

You've probably heard about the crisis in the state budget and the real possibility of cutbacks in state jobs. The Lt. Governor gave the softening message that local aid to the cities and towns isn't going to be cut yet. But do we believe these reassurances? And there's the further threat of Question 1 on the state ballot which would repeal the state income tax. A most reckless and irresponsible idea, which, if it passed, would cut the state budget by 40%! It's inconceivable what might happen then. I'm so glad teachers, librarians and mental health workers... and many business groups and the media have spoken out against this one. It must not pass!

We also worry that even if the best, wisest and most honorable politicians are elected to office in November, the problems of the economy might be too severe to avoid a depression.

All in all, my friends, these are most distressing and anxious times. I'm a real news junky... especially about politics, the economy, and the general state of the world. I wonder if your anxiety level is as high as mine! And here I am a minister, who's supposed to be a "non-anxious presence" standing as a rock of strength, courage and wisdom in front of you.

Some days I just don't feel that way. It's like I'm swimming with all my might to stay afloat in a strong current of anxiety. It's not likely, but I can imagine some day, some awful day, just sinking under that current.

Yet, despite all my anxiety and feeling of powerlessness, feeling that it might all be vanity, I stand here, your humble servant, hoping that my words can have a positive impact. I'm anxious, but still hopeful.

You might be thinking this moment, "Well, if we weren't filled with a lot of anxiety and worry before, we are now! Thanks, Rev. Rachel. Thanks a lot!" But let's be frank here. I'm not trying to scare you. These past few days I'll bet many of you, too, were struggling to stay afloat in a river of anxiety. You may feel powerless; you may worry about the futility, the vanity of all this toil and struggle.

So this morning, I'd like for us to sit for a moment with this anxiety. Let's acknowledge it. For to avoid thinking about our anxiety only makes it worse. Let's share it, for to know that others struggle with it, to know we're not alone in it, makes it more bearable. As the wise old saying goes, "a burden shared is a burdened lessened."

We know the power of anxiety is real. It creates a powerful undertow. Maybe by talking about anxiety, we can learn how to help ourselves to stay afloat and swim to the other side. In the words of Audre Lorde: "And when we speak we are afraid our words will not be heard nor welcomed. But when we are silent we are still afraid. So it is better to speak remembering we were never meant to survive." Maybe by sharing it, we may also think of ways we can advise and help others when it looks another person is in danger of losing heart and strength... and sinking to the bottom.

First, I need to make a distinction between clinical anxiety and normal, every day anxiety. You may be experiencing clinical anxiety, which is more serious and long-lasting. If you frequently worry about pleasing people, if you always predict and fear the worst for the future, if you think you can't cope or if you think you need to be perfect or in absolute control, you may have clinical anxiety. If you avoid many social events, leave situations which make you anxious or never take reasonable risks, you may have clinical anxiety. If you suffer frequently from a racing heart, butterflies in your stomach, dizziness, muscle tension, nausea or sweaty palms, you need to see your doctor.

These could be a number of causes: clinical anxiety, a physical illness or a medication you're taking for another condition. If physical causes are ruled out, I suggest that you seek a mental health professional. If your symptoms aren't really so severe or if you're unsure, you may want to buy a self-help book like Overcoming Anxiety For Dummies by Charles Elliott and Laura Smith (New York: Wiley Publishing, Inc., 2003).

On the other hand, what you... and you... and you may be suffering from is the situational anxiety which many people are feeling. You would have to be a hermit on an island without a television or radio ... living pretty much "off the grid" not to experience some anxiety. You would have to be pretty insulated physically or emotionally from the rest of humanity not to feel it. It's an understandable reaction to the situation we're all living in. We're not weak or cowardly for being worried and anxious. We're reacting to a real situation around us. So don't blame yourself; you're only human after all.

In fact, anxiety often serves a very useful purpose. A certain amount of anxiety keeps us on our toes. We need to watch out for poisonous snakes on the footpath... or for potholes in the roadway. We need to worry about meeting deadlines and doing a good job at work to please the customer... or the boss. We need to worry about putting away some savings for a rainy day or for retirement. Anxiety helps us to anticipate and prepare for challenges and dangerous situations. It helps us to survive. So anxiety isn't all bad.

But an overpowering, gripping anxiety that prevents us from acting wisely or drains our creative energies or keeps us from enjoying life isn't useful. It's harmful. It causes fear and panic. Even though it may not drive you crazy, it can cause physical symptoms which are really uncomfortable and even life-threatening... like type 2 diabetes or abnormal heart rhythms. Just because anxiety may be "normal" this does not mean that it's not toxic in excess.

How are we to combat this normal, everyday, garden-variety anxiety which has gotten out of hand? We can stop and slow down and take a deep breath. We can walk or bike outside in the fall foliage. We can meditate or knit or cook... whatever gives you pleasure.

The wisdom teacher in the book of Ecclesiastes tells us that even 'though (or because) all in life is vanity and even though we don't know our fate, that we should try to enjoy life today. "Go, eat your bread with enjoyment and drink your wine with a merry heart; for God has long ago approved what you do." (Eccl. 9:7, 9)

Maybe that sounds a little too cheery for you? Maybe "a merry heart" is a goal you long for, but it's not something you can feel today? The real lesson from Ecclesiastes I think is to cherish this gift of life and enjoy it as much as you can. Each day is a blessing from God. Try to think of those things which give you satisfaction or joy or peace and be grateful. Think, like the poet Jane Kenyon, that you are fortunate for "It might have been otherwise."

You may try this exercise: Write down in a journal those things which cause anxiety. And then write down those things which give you joy or pleasure, everyday blessings, large and small. If you do this for a few days, it might just make a difference in the level of anxiety you feel.

Another thing I've found helpful is the simple act of turning off and turn away from the news. News is my addiction and my plague. So I put myself on a news diet. Now I get a little update in the morning and then again in the evening, just to keep up with what's happening. For my own peace of mind, I listen more to music or watch the birds at the backyard birdfeeder or ride my bike or simply walk around the neighborhood.

In moments of mounting stress, I stop and close my eyes and take a deep breath. I think of the breath going down to my core where I imagine a beautiful glowing light of goodness and strength and calm. I'm aware of my chest rising and falling as I breathe. I do this for several minutes and feel a lot calmer. Just try this to find your own center of strength and light.

I don't need to remind you, I trust, that we are social beings. We need friends and companions on this journey. We need kind people to be sympathetic ears and sounding boards. We need others who are perhaps wiser or more informed to correct our misperceptions. We need helpers to give us a hand when we can't do something for ourselves. We need cheerleaders to empower us by telling us we're stronger and smarter than we think we are.

I urge anyone who needs a sympathetic ear or a sounding board, a helper or a cheerleader to call on me or a trusted relative or friend when you feel the need. There's no shame in that! But if you're having trouble with your finances... if you're worried about investments or are in debt... please don't turn to me for advice! I suggest seeking this out from a financial expert or attending a financial management workshop.

Another strategy to cope with anxiety which I recommend is this: doing something in some way ... small or large... to change the world. Politics is my passion, so I turn to this as an example. You may have your own ideas. If you believe in a political candidate, work for that candidate. If you are for or against a ballot question, work for or against passage of that ballot question. If you believe in a cause... like justice or peace or saving the environment, work for that cause. There's nothing so invigorating and uplifting as being among like-minded, committed people. Positive vibes and enthusiasm are catchy.

There is much to be gained in joining with others. Even in the roughest waters, they can buoy us up. Their gifts of words and laughter, spirit and song can give us much to be grateful for.

In the words of the singer and songwriter Pat Humphries:

"When we get there we'll discover
All of the gifts we've been give to share
Have been with us since life's beginning
And we never noticed they were there.
We can balance at the brink of wisdom
Never recognizing that we've arrived.
Loving spirits will live together;
we're all swimming to the other side."

(from Swimming to the Other Side by Pat Humphries, on album "Seed on the Prairie" 1994).

May it be so. Amen.