Kirk J. Schneider’s new book, Life-Enhancing Anxiety: Key to a Sane World, is a series of essays that shift the lens on our usual experience, opening a conversation about the complexity of anxiety, beyond symptom-needing-treatment. He presents anxiety as a fundamental, essential human condition, saying systemic efforts to avoid anxiety are limiting and can even be destructive. His perspective on enlivening anxiety emerged from years of experiences and my essay highlights some of his key points, paying regard to his intimate style by also sharing a few of my personal recollections; moments that became generative touchpoints for me through encounters with anxiety.