Most of us have felt it before: the racing heart, the tightness in the chest, the restless energy that builds before a big moment. Our minds quickly label this experience as anxiety. But what if that same physical sensation was simply excitement in disguise?
Spiritual teacher Bashar once said, “Anxiety is simply excitement filtered through a belief that something bad is going to happen. If you remove the negative belief, the energy reveals itself as pure excitement.” This perspective flips the way we see anxiety on its head—and opens the door to transforming fear into usable fuel.
The Thin Line Between Anxiety and Excitement
Biologically speaking, anxiety and excitement look almost identical in the body. Both trigger a rush of adrenaline, increased heart rate, heightened alertness, and a burst of energy. The difference lies not in the sensations themselves, but in how we interpret them.
- When we believe something bad is coming, we call it anxiety.
- When we believe something good is coming, we call it excitement.
This means the dividing line isn’t in the body—it’s in the mind. Your beliefs are the filter through which raw energy takes shape.
The Role of Belief
Imagine standing backstage before giving a speech. Your palms are sweaty, your stomach churns, and your heart pounds. If you believe, “I’m going to fail, people will laugh, I’ll embarrass myself,” those sensations turn into crippling anxiety.
But if you believe, “This is my chance to share something meaningful, I’m ready, I’ve got this,” the same sensations feel like anticipation and excitement.
The body doesn’t know the difference—it just provides the energy. The mind decides what that energy means.
How to Remove the Negative Filter
If anxiety is just excitement interpreted through fear, the key is shifting your interpretation. Here are a few practical ways to reframe the energy:
- Name It Differently. When the rush begins, consciously tell yourself, “This isn’t anxiety—it’s excitement.” By renaming the sensation, you rewire your response.
- Breathe Into It. Deep breathing helps settle the nervous system and creates space between the sensation and your thoughts. In that space, you can choose a new perspective.
- Anchor to a Positive Belief. Remind yourself: “This energy means I care. This means something important is happening. This energy is my body preparing me to rise to the moment.”
- Visualize the Outcome. Instead of replaying what could go wrong, see yourself succeeding. Feel the energy as supportive rather than threatening.
Turning Anxiety Into Fuel
Once the fear filter is removed, what remains is pure energy—energy you can direct toward creativity, performance, and presence. That restless buzz in your body becomes rocket fuel for taking action.
Think of athletes before a game, performers before a show, or entrepreneurs before a big pitch. Do they feel the same sensations as you when you’re anxious? Absolutely. The difference is that they welcome the energy, channeling it into their performance.
The truth is: energy is neutral. It’s the story you attach to it that determines whether it works against you or for you.
A New Way to Meet Your Feelings
Next time you feel anxiety rising, pause before automatically resisting it. Ask yourself:
- What if this isn’t anxiety at all?
- What if this is excitement trying to push through?
- What belief is making me see this as negative?
By questioning the belief behind the feeling, you open up a doorway into a new state of being. You stop battling with yourself and instead allow the natural energy of life to move through you.
Conclusion
Anxiety and excitement are two sides of the same coin. They share the same physical energy—the only difference is the story you tell yourself about what that energy means.
When you release the negative belief, what’s left is pure excitement: energy that can carry you forward, inspire action, and expand your sense of possibility.
So the next time you feel the rush of nerves, don’t run from it. Rename it. Reframe it. Redirect it. Let anxiety transform back into what it always was—excitement waiting to be expressed.
TheSpiritualExplorer 