I can give you the power of a warrior.
I can bring you to your knees with panic and despair.
I can control your heart, your lungs, your stomach, and every muscle in your body.
No matter how the world appears, I govern how you see it.
I can give you life. I can wring the life out of you.
My entire existence is dedicated to keeping you safe. No matter what it takes.
I’m your nervous system.
The most brilliant, intricate, delicate, ferocious system on the planet. Here, within you. An integrated, inseparable part of you.
Yet, you barely even know me.
We don’t talk. For the most part, you ignore me, yet I remain here, keeping you safe, keeping you alive.
Until now, I’ve spoken to you in symptoms: anxiety, racing heart, twitching muscles, flared temper, and your churning stomach.
But I’ve decided that it’s time we talk. There’s so much I need to share with you.
When you understand me, you’ll begin to understand why you feel anxious, why you can’t sleep, why certain people set you off, why you shut down, and why your body behaves in ways that make no sense to you.
Each day, I’ll send you a short message that will bring us closer.
If you listen to me, everything gets easier.
If you ignore me, I’ll get your attention in ways you don’t want.
Yours, literally, forever,
Your nervous system