Anxiety

There are a number of buzzwords at play at the moment.  One that is highlighted is the word “unprecedented.”  Many people are declaring that this Covid19 time is “unprecedented.”  Another buzz word (though it is two words) has been “petri dish.”  The cruise liners were described as petri dishes of infection because they were a closed environment.  Unfortunately, the same goes for nursing homes.
A word that has not achieved the status of buzz word, but I reckon it could because it is expressed so often is “anxiety.”  I looked up the meaning of that word and the one to me that is closest to what is going on at the moment is, “extreme uneasiness of mind or brooding fear” (Merriam-Webster).
I believe anxiety is a consequence.  To me the process is problem, concern (positive), solution.  In a lot of cases it seems to be problem, anxiety (negative), solution (despite anxiety, rather than because of it).
I looked up concern and it describes how I feel. “be connected with; be of interest or importance to; affect” (Dictionary.com).
I reckon it is right I be concerned about what is happening.  I follow all the advice because of my concern.  If I were not concerned, I would flagrantly disregard directives.  That would put me and others in danger. My concern is mostly for others.  I do not wish ill health on anyone.  It seems incredibly selfish, but my chief concern is for those close to me – my family and friends.
I am concerned about what I see in the world.  The staggering number of deaths.  But I am not anxious.  Anxiety to me implies a lack of hope.  It is a choice or reaction to an event.  Anxiety can promote my running around like a chook with its head cut off and a woe is me attitude.  Whereas concern seems to promote a more considered response.
I am concerned there might be a snake in the grass, but I would not say I am anxious.  Though I battle that one.  The last thing I want is unreasonableness.  Unreasonableness to me can mean I do nothing in case there is a snake whereas concern means I take all reasonable precautions to avoid an encounter with a snake.
I can understand there being anxiety at this time.  After all what we are going through is unprecedented (yup, there is that word again) in our time. That does not stop me thinking though that anxiety is a choice built on a lack of hope.  I have never seen a positive outcome of anxiety.  Concern yes, anxiety no.
That is easy for me to say, and the proof of the pudding is in the eating, but I am a strong advocate of holding to something in the dark, if I held to it in the light.  As Dylan sang “you either got faith or you got unbelief, there ain’t no neutral ground.”