A Facebook post suggested picking up the book nearest to you and reading the first sentence on page 45. The idea was that it would tell you something important and meaningful. Unusually for me I did what it said. My sentence? The title of this blog.

I had picked up Don Weed’s introduction to the Alexander Technique ‘Reach Your Dreams’. It may seem quite a coincidence, as this is an Alexander Technique blog, but it really was the book nearest to me. My sentence ‘What are you making such a fuss about?’ resonated. Why? Well there had been some changes in my life and I didn’t like them. So, what was I doing? Making a fuss.

As I considered the question I realised that my ‘fuss making’ was adding a layer of impact that was separate and additional to the impact of the changes themselves. I was making things worse for myself by the way I was choosing to react.

How does this relate to the Alexander Technique?

In many ways.

One way is how it illustrates the value of asking questions. Questions are a big part of the Alexander Technique. For example, a person about to go for a walk might find it useful to ask themselves ‘what do I need to do to walk?’ By asking a question, rather than continuing regardless, an opportunity is provided to decide what is necessary and appropriate. To reason rather than just react.

Another way is to consider the idea of usefulness. Yes, making a fuss might feel temporarily satisfying but is it of any use? In my case not only was it of no use, it was causing me harm. The harm included me increasing the tension in my body and causing various aches and pains.

I don’t usually do anything Facebook suggests but on this occasion I was glad I broke my own rule. By asking this question, and deciding to stop the ‘fuss making’, I saved myself a lot of unnecessary effort, anguish and aching.

What might you question today that could do the same for you?

Is there any ‘fuss making’ you could decide to stop?