On General Hospital, Sonny had been easing off the accelerator in ways long-time viewers didn’t expect. He had worked with people he once would’ve bulldozed, like Kevin and Ned, backed Laura without asking for anything in return, and shown a level of patience that felt earned rather than performative. Even his conversations had changed as he demonstrated less posturing and more listening. It was a version of Sonny shaped by experience instead of impulse, which made what Maurice Benard shared online this week feel less like a detour and more like a continuation.
Key Takeaways
- Maurice Benard shared that he manages anxiety by not running from it and by learning to live with it instead of treating it as a threat.
- He emphasized accepting life’s ups and downs while spending time with his granddaughter and animals.
- Fan responses focused on feeling seen and comforted by Benard’s honesty and the calm, personal nature of the moment.
Sitting With It Instead of Running
On Instagram, Benard wrote, “The way to beat anxiety is stop trying to beat it. Be as one. Stop giving it power. It’s not a monster. The monster is in your thoughts. at least that’s what my wife says 😎.”
In the video that followed, Benard explained that he had anxiety the night before and chose not to run from it. He explained, “I stay in it because we have to learn how to live with anxiety and not run from anxiety. And I’ve In my life, I’ve made it a monster. And that’s not a good thing to do.”
Suddenly, TT’s tiny giggling could be heard as Buddy the Goat skipped on by. “Hey, Buddy,” Benard said, and continued, “So here I am right now…with the animals and my granddaughter TT.” After seeing what Buddy was up to, Benard continued, “And, you know, listen, life is what it is. Good things happen, bad things happen, the ups and downs. We have to learn how to ride that roller coaster of life. We have to navigate life. Once we can learn how to navigate it, it won’t be as difficult.” (Why did Justine change her mind about Sonny?)
Why It Hit So Hard
The responses came fast and stayed personal. One follower wrote, “My loneliness is what creates the Monster Anxiety… Missing my late husband.” Another said, “Sometimes it just creeps up and takes your breath away. Deep breaths 🙏.” Someone else kept it simple: “I needed this reminder today. Thank you.”
Others latched onto the texture of the moment. A viewer noted, “That sweet laugh from your granddaughter. ❤️❤️.” And another added, “Children and sweet animals make the world a better place ❤️ ❤️.”
On a show where Sonny has been redefining strength through restraint, Benard shared something quieter but just as deliberate. He didn’t try to defeat anxiety. He let it sit there, unchallenged, until it lost some of its power.
