--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Could we take anxiety to be something…" description: "\"Could we take anxiety to be something that may be of importance, may even be meaningful? And it says something about your history, and could we learn t..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/331/steven-c-hayes-19351_anxiety_could-we-take-anxiety-to-be-something-th_2195859.png" --- # Could we take anxiety to be something that may be of… ![“Could we take anxiety to be something that may be of importance, may even be meaningful? And it says something about your history, and could we learn to sort of hold it in a way that's more compassionate, to sort of bring the frightened part of you close and treat it with some dignity, and keep…” quote by Steven C. Hayes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/331/steven-c-hayes-19351_anxiety_could-we-take-anxiety-to-be-something-th_2195859.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/331/steven-c-hayes-19351_anxiety_could-we-take-anxiety-to-be-something-th_2195859.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/331/steven-c-hayes-19351_anxiety_could-we-take-anxiety-to-be-something-th_2195859.png) > “Could we take anxiety to be something that may be of importance, may even be meaningful? And it says something about your history, and could we learn to sort of hold it in a way that's more compassionate, to sort of bring the frightened part of you close and treat it with some dignity, and keep focused instead on what kind of life you want to live connected to what kind of meaning and purpose. That's going to be a quicker, more self-compassionate and more certain journey forward inside things like panic disorder.” [Steven C. Hayes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-c-hayes/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Anxiety can be meaningful, reflecting personal history; by compassionately holding it, we can transform it into purpose‑driven action, especially in disorders like panic. **In simple terms:** Anxiety can guide us if we treat it kindly. Key Takeaway Use anxiety as a compass toward meaningful life. Themes mental health self‑compassion purpose mindfulness Mood hopeful reflective Type therapeutic inspirational When to use this quote - therapy - personal development - mindful coping - panic disorder management Key Concepts anxiety meaning‑making acceptance Questions to Reflect On - How can you honor anxiety without being overwhelmed? - What purpose can you derive from your anxious moments? A Different Perspective Over‑identifying with anxiety can worsen distress. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Anxiety](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/anxiety/) [Compassionate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compassionate/) [Dignity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dignity/) [Focused](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/focused/) [Journey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/journey/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Meaningful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/meaningful/) [Purpose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/purpose/) ## Related quotes > [“When we’re kind to ourselves, we create a reservoir of compassion that we can extend to others. Our children learn how to be self-compassionate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bren-brown/when-we-re-kind-to-ourselves-we-create-a-reservoir-of-compassion-that/) [Brené Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bren-brown/) > [“The ability to be self-compassionate is closely linked to the ability to be compassionate toward others.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carmel-sheridan/the-ability-to-be-self-compassionate-is-closely-linked-to-the-ability/) [Carmel Sheridan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carmel-sheridan/) > [If you're self-compassionate, you'll tend to have higher self-esteem than if you're endlessly self-critical. And like high self-esteem - self-compassion is associated with significantly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-d-burns/if-you-re-self-compassionate-you-ll-tend-to-have-higher-self-esteem/) [David D. Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-d-burns/) > [Self-compassion is being willing to look at your mistakes or failures with kindness and understanding without harsh criticism or defensiveness. People who are self-compassionate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/self-compassion-is-being-willing-to-look-at-your-mistakes-or-failures/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“To be self-compassionate is not to be self-indulgent or self-centred. A major component of self-compassion is to be kind to yourself. Treat yourself with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-dines/to-be-self-compassionate-is-not-to-be-self-indulgent-or-self-centred/) [Christopher Dines](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-dines/) > [“Our culture does not emphasize self-compassion, quite the opposite. We’re told that no matter how hard we try, our best just isn’t good enough.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristin-neff/our-culture-does-not-emphasize-self-compassion-quite-the-opposite-we/) [Kristin Neff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristin-neff/) > [Surprisingly, it's forgiveness, not guilt, that increases accountability. Researchers have found that taking a self-compassionate point of view on a personal failure makes people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-d-burns/surprisingly-it-s-forgiveness-not-guilt-that-increases-accountability/) [David D. 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It either makes you compassionate or it makes you hard.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-wilson-howarth/seeing-human-suffering-changes-you-it-either-makes-you-compassionate/) [Jane Wilson-Howarth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-wilson-howarth/) > [A hard heart makes for hard judgments; a compassionate heart understands the humanity of the one we presume to judge.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-d-chittister/a-hard-heart-makes-for-hard-judgments-a-compassionate-heart/) [Joan D. Chittister](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-d-chittister/) > [More compassionate mind, more sense of concern for other's well-being, is source of happiness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/more-compassionate-mind-more-sense-of-concern-for-other-s-well-being/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [“No one has any right to tell you that the way you perceive yourself is wrong. Because by doing so, they also discourage the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kamand-kojouri/no-one-has-any-right-to-tell-you-that-the-way-you-perceive-yourself/) [Kamand Kojouri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kamand-kojouri/) ## More by Steven C. Hayes > [“If you were on a bus trying to go east in a maze of dirt roads in a large valley, you might not be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-c-hayes/if-you-were-on-a-bus-trying-to-go-east-in-a-maze-of-dirt-roads-in-a/) [Steven C. Hayes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-c-hayes/) > [If a therapist is feeling insecure in therapy, a lot of therapists will try to sort of push that aside to try to do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-c-hayes/if-a-therapist-is-feeling-insecure-in-therapy-a-lot-of-therapists/) [Steven C. Hayes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-c-hayes/) > [ACT psychology is a psychology of the normal. 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Hayes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-c-hayes/) > [What keeps me up at night in a negative way is, if we don't solve the problems of the human heart and of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-c-hayes/what-keeps-me-up-at-night-in-a-negative-way-is-if-we-don-t-solve-the/) [Steven C. Hayes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-c-hayes/) > [There are times when you felt especially important to another person, or cared about or loved or accepted. Well, loving relationships aren't something you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-c-hayes/there-are-times-when-you-felt-especially-important-to-another-person/) [Steven C. Hayes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-c-hayes/) > [I kind of look at what's on the T-shirts and I see another solution, which also worries me. I see "Just do it." "No…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-c-hayes/i-kind-of-look-at-what-s-on-the-t-shirts-and-i-see-another-solution/) [Steven C. Hayes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-c-hayes/) > [The definition of happiness being very emotion-oriented - the problem is that there's too many quick and dirty ways to chase that in ways…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-c-hayes/the-definition-of-happiness-being-very-emotion-oriented-the-problem/) [Steven C. Hayes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-c-hayes/) > [But this cheap-thrill version, this sort of ease definition, the feel-good definition of happiness is an empty promise. Unless we get wiser as to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-c-hayes/but-this-cheap-thrill-version-this-sort-of-ease-definition-the-feel/) [Steven C. Hayes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-c-hayes/) > [Most people are hurt deeply by betrayals in relationships. It might be better to really get up against and sort of contact that caring,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-c-hayes/most-people-are-hurt-deeply-by-betrayals-in-relationships-it-might-be/) [Steven C. Hayes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-c-hayes/) > [Get Out of Your Mind and Into Your Life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-c-hayes/get-out-of-your-mind-and-into-your-life/) [Steven C. Hayes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-c-hayes/) [Explore all 33 Steven C. Hayes quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-c-hayes/) ## More Anxiety quotes > [“Anything that you find yourself worrying about regularly may find you suddenly wanting unrealistic changes.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nagisa-tatsumi/anything-that-you-find-yourself-worrying-about-regularly-may-find-you/) Nagisa Tatsumi > [Bein Crazy is the least of my worries.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kerouac/bein-crazy-is-the-least-of-my-worries/) [Jack Kerouac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kerouac/) > [The answer to deep anxiety is the deep adoration of God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-voskamp/the-answer-to-deep-anxiety-is-the-deep-adoration-of-god/) [Ann Voskamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-voskamp/) > [“Fear of seeing a police car pull into the drive. Fear of falling asleep at night. Fear of not falling asleep. Fear of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raymond-carver/fear-of-seeing-a-police-car-pull-into-the-drive-fear-of-falling/) [Raymond Carver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raymond-carver/) > [I get nervous when I don't get nervous. If I'm nervous I know I'm going to have a good show.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beyonce-knowles/i-get-nervous-when-i-don-t-get-nervous-if-i-m-nervous-i-know-i-m/) [Beyonce Knowles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beyonce-knowles/) > [“Every invention comes through anxiousness.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rakesh-wadhwani/every-invention-comes-through-anxiousness/) [Rakesh Wadhwani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rakesh-wadhwani/) > [“Do Not Be Anxious 25 e “Therefore I tell you,  f do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/do-not-be-anxious-25-e-therefore-i-tell-you-f-do-not-be-anxious-about/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Nothing happens on its own, you have to make things happen. If you really want to come out of your stressful situation than you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/subodh-gupta/nothing-happens-on-its-own-you-have-to-make-things-happen-if-you/) [Subodh Gupta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/subodh-gupta/) > [“I guess if we're talking about my anxiety, the even truthier truth is it started way before that.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kerry-winfrey/i-guess-if-we-re-talking-about-my-anxiety-the-even-truthier-truth-is/) [Kerry Winfrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kerry-winfrey/) > [I was a very good student. Procrastinating gives me anxiety, and getting a B really ticked me off. Sure, I didn't always want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josie-loren/i-was-a-very-good-student-procrastinating-gives-me-anxiety-and/) [Josie Loren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josie-loren/) > [“The suspense: the fearful, acute suspense: of standing idly by while the life of one we dearly love, is trembling in the balance; the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dickens/the-suspense-the-fearful-acute-suspense-of-standing-idly-by-while-the/) [Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dickens/) > [The party in Alobar’s head, which agitation and anxiety were throwing, now was crashed by a notion: existence can be rearranged.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-robbins/the-party-in-alobar-s-head-which-agitation-and-anxiety-were-throwing/) [Tom Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-robbins/) > [As you know, I have been very open about my struggle with social anxiety.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/summer-walker/as-you-know-i-have-been-very-open-about-my-struggle-with-social/) [Summer Walker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/summer-walker/) > [Anxiety is not to be managed it is a sin that needs to be repented of](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-driscoll/anxiety-is-not-to-be-managed-it-is-a-sin-that-needs-to-be-repented-of/) [Mark Driscoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-driscoll/) > [“I’ve always seen this in you, ever since you were a little girl — this hunger to love other people into their highest selves…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-elisabeth/i-ve-always-seen-this-in-you-ever-since-you-were-a-little-girl-this/) [Jennifer Elisabeth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-elisabeth/) [Browse all 4,944 Anxiety quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/anxiety/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Could we take anxiety to be something that may be of importance, may even be meaningful? 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