In the article of " Anxiety: challenge by another name," Jame Lincoln Collier reveals that anxiety is a very common part of our society, that to defeat anxiety is to confront it and that we grow and learn from instead of backing away. Collier wrote about how he discovered if you face your anxieties, you will be happy in the end because of your accomplishment instead of being depressed. He used several of his many experiences that he confronted in his life and was able to learn four rules regarding the facing of anxiety. This helps him to be more accomplished and happy.
Firstly, he had a chance to go on a trip to Argentina with his friend, but he turned down the invitation because it scares him being in a new country and place. He regretted not going a trip to Argentina, and it taught him a lesson. This lesson taught him to set up the first rule by "do what make you anxious; don't do what make you depressed" (Collier 4.) Thus, he spent his summer depression instead of going to Argentina. He realizes if he worked through his fear, he would find an opportunity in his life. I reflected my own anxiety of having a chance to settle in United States. It was a tremendous challenge to me because I have to leave my family and settle in a new country with a different languages, and bazaar stipulations. Thus, I remembered I felt so stressed with the anxiety that followed and stuck on my mind that I was afraid to resettle. Every time I thought about the resettlement, I would fall into depression and lost confidence in myself and doubted how I would overcome the life there. It sometimes threatens me in my dreams I couldn’t even sleep well for many days until I found a new way to overcome my anxiety. Through the inspiration of my friends and family, I finally decided to make an attempt and seek a new life. I would never forget the day that I had a physical test and the interview from Department Homeland Security. I have seen some people fails in their interviews, and my anxiety was soaring higher than ever as I noticed the people who had failed interview before me. Even though I have been practicing the interview for several months, I still lost a confidence and belief on myself. In the last minutes before I started my turn, the voice of reason screamed in my mind to eliminate my anxiety and do it the best way as I have practiced. I attempt to appease myself and did a meditation for a while to control my anxiety of the interview. After all, I successfully passed the interview and was able to settle in this country.
Secondly, Collier found himself depressed and having to struggle with what career path to choose, one that someone suggested what he would be good at, or the one he wanted to do. Thus, he came up with the second rules, “to avoid what kind of depression meant, inevitably, having to endure a certain amount of worry and concern” (Collier 8.) He figured out that even if the stakes are high and road rough, you have to choose what you want to be. He also states, "Kierkegaard believed that anxiety always arises when we confront the possibility of our own development. It seems to be a rule of life that you can't advance without getting that old, familiar, jittery feeling" (Collier 9.) After I came to the United States, I was working full time to maintain my current situation and going back to school. I took some high school credits in order to satisfy my high school graduation requirement. I knew if I didn't get through school, I would have nothing to fall back on. On the other hand, the language interference sometimes makes me want to forfeit on my dream, and I even considered quitting school frequently. The anxiety of learning another language was exceedingly overwhelming and frustrating. Eventually, I ended up my last semester with a 3.5 GPA. I thought I was doing better than some of the native speakers. I attempt to maintain myself and master my communication as much as I can. Through my perseverance and persistence, I obtain outstanding graduate status and achievement.
Thirdly, he also figures out that the person he admires," Duke Ellington" still has stage fright, even though he has been performing over thirty years now. By knowing the anxiety that Duke Ellington confronted, it inspires him to develop the third basic rule of anxiety. After doing a couple of interviews, he realizes he is not scared anymore. He benefited and discovered the "extinction" which came up with the second rule “you will never eliminate anxiety by avoiding the things that caused it"(Collier 16). He also reveals," it is one thing to urge somebody else to take on those anxiety-producing challenges; it is quite another to get ourselves to do it" (Collier 16.) I remember once I had a chance to deliver a speech in church. It was the first time that I ever gave a speech in my life. I realized several people would show up because we were celebrating the anniversary of our church. At first, I refused to deliver the speech and told the pastor to give a chance to somebody else. Unfortunately, he rejected my request and assured my name was on the list. The day before my speech, I felt extremely overwhelmed and full of excitement. I could recall that I was praying several times and appeasing myself by doing exercise and hanging around with my friends in order to control my anxiety and overwhelming feeling. I wrote down the information and practiced it many times. Luckily, I overcame the anxiety of fearing the audience and gave the awesome speech in the anniversary. The more speech I gave, the less anxiety I felt. As Collier states, we can eliminate the anxiety by confronting it.
To state his fourth rule, some years ago he did a research writing assignment that required him to travel in Europe about three or four months. Moreover, he didn't even speak French that didn't stop him from doing his research paper. Thus, he develops the fourth rule "you can't learn if you don’t try" (Collier 18.) I learned this in the last year of my high school when I would initiate my college experience. I knew it was a tremendous challenge to me. In my family, I'm the only one who had a chance to step my foot in college. Thus, I scared that I wouldn't accept into my program unless I scored the requirement scores on placement test. Needless to say, it was a challenging test to me and when it was finally over I was glad. Then, the real anxiety set in. I questioned myself, "How could I possibly achieve the English score when it is the biggest challenge test of all? A mentor of mine told me that it was all right to feel anxious because English is not my first language. Then, I took sometimes to study the placement review. I realized the test wasn't hard for me especially in the math part. I knew I could pass easily in the math placement test. In contrast, the anxiety was so dominant in my mind that I wasn't ready to take the English test. Later, I discovered myself at least to make the best. I finally passed the test with higher scores than the requirement and was fully admitted into the program I want.
After I overcame my anxiety of taking the placement test, I thought I had accomplished my first step of college experience. I then had a chance to study what I want to be, and it wouldn't benefit only me, but the life of the new immigrants who are in need. I recently had a chance to give a speech in front of new comers, which brought up new anxiety of speaking in front of people and presenting a speech to students who have more experienced than I. I accepted to give the speech and shared my unpleasant experience. I'm currently working at FedEx as well as helping out my community. I'm also eager to help out people who are in need. I also aim to obtain a degree in Computer Science, and I'm currently working hard for it. I agree with the Collier's statement, "the new, the different is almost by definition scary. But each time you attempt something, you learn, as the learning piles up, the world opens to you (Collier 20.) When I look back I can see if I had let the anxiety rule out my decision, I wouldn't have gone so far. If I had not chosen what I did them, I wouldn’t have discovered my abilities. I also wouldn't have discovered my confidence. Thus, I wouldn't let the anxiety stop me from doing what I want to be. When I confront with the anxiety, I find myself willing and ready for the challenge.
