“You know, it just feels as though there’s something missing. Don’t know what it is, but there’s always this void.”

So as you’re reading this article – right this very moment – what is it you’re looking for (in life)?

You may be shaking your head and saying to yourself, “Bill, that’s a silly question!” I mean, you’re on a mood and anxiety disorder education and healing blog. So I’m thinking you’re thinking your personal search (and rescue?) mission is about relief from depression, anxiety, and/or degrees of mania.

Would only make sense, right?

Hmmm, but if you engage the brakes on your personal runaway train, and invest some thought and feeling, maybe the mission is about securing…

• Fulfillment
• Purpose
• Validation
• Renewal
• Your Turn
• Companionship
• …and so much more

Am I onto something? And if I am, and now you too, doesn’t it underscore the importance of truly understanding the objects of our searches?

You know, as a lifelong anxiety disorder, with some mood twists and turns, veteran, I’ve learned to carefully screen my search missions – as well as my battles.

Along the way, I’ve gained the insight that accepting my thoughts and feelings on the first run-through often leads to boo-boo’s and subsequent misery. Arriving at this slice of wisdom had much to do with coming to understand how deceptive – stealthy – our “issues” really are.

But this isn’t about me, I’m writing for you. In the midst of your frustration and angst, do you find yourself constantly looking for reasons and answers?

Who wouldn’t, right? That said, you have to make sure you’re target-on in terms of what it is you’re actually looking for.

I’m suggesting you give that which burns inside your mind and heart a second or third (maybe even fourth) swirl-around. I can’t over-emphasize how important that is. Not only will it save you a ton of “misdirectional” distress and despair, it’ll pave the road to victories.

I mean, how could you ever expect to notch-up feel-good successes if you’ve missed the mark in terms of what you’re looking for?

Why not begin to take a fresh look at your personal search (and rescue?) mission after you finish your reading here?

Find yourself a quiet place to kick-back and reflect. And don’t do it with the purpose of finding immediate answers. Approach it as a beginning to the correct journey.

After a worthy session, let it go – time does some very cool things. My bet is, insight and answers will evolve and come to you. And then you can build upon – and harvest – what you’ve planted.

Keep looking, chipur reader – don’t give-up! But just make sure you have your eyes on the right prize.

(This piece is a slight edit of the featured article in this week’s chipur newsletter.)

Looking for more chipur Feelin’ Better articles? Well, here ya’ go!