This question has been my anxiety guide for quite a while now. It seemed only fitting that it would help form the name of my practice.
Does this moment require action or stillness? The action, in this case, is represented by the Hawk. Hawks are fierce and decisive; hawks get things done effectively. The stillness is represented by the Heron. Herons are cool under pressure; they wait patiently until good things come to them. There is absolutely a time and place for both energies, particularly when feeling anxious. The trouble is, anxiety complicates the way we show up. Often our anxiety demands action; our bodies flood with adrenaline and our minds say, "do something!", when in actuality the best course of action is to wait and see. Other times anxiety urges us to avoid at all cost when the best course of action is to approach the thing we're avoiding.
So, which energy do you need to bring forward to find better balance in your life? Are you a Hawk or a Heron?