Worry

We worry about so many things don ‘t we? We especially worry about what other people think of us. We also worry about our children, the state of the world, where the next meal is coming from (if we are short of money), our weight, our health, if we’ll mange to catch that bus or this flight. The list appears endless.

What do we achieve by all this worrying? One thing we do not achieve is the resolution of whatever the problem is that is worrying us. Indeed we achieve the reverse. Worrying blocks the normal creative processes of the mind so the solution, which our minds would find if left free eludes us. This piles more worry on top of that we already have. The worry seems to take over everything; we scarcely have time to focus on anything else. That is not all. Worry makes us irritable with those around us, who in their turn become irritable back and so au unwholesome circle of irritability is created merely because we are occupying our minds in a negative way.

Worry is a mental activity and all mental activity creates thought-waves that people around us sense and not always just those in the immediate vicinity. Thought-waves respect no geographical boundaries. Thus, our worry-filled thought waves are bombarding others. Some, but by no means everyone, are mentally strong enough to resist being made negative by them. Those that are not strong enough to resist begin worrying themselves and they have no conscious idea why. We always need to guard our thoughts closely because thoughts precipitate action. Because personal responsibility is a spiritual law applying to all, who do you think is responsible if one person acts upon the thoughts of another, without consciously knowing that?

What can we do to prevent ourselves from worrying? First, try to be thorough in everything we do. Take our time and don’t act hastily. It has been wisely said, “Act in haste and repent at leisure.” Worry is often the result of us knowing subconsciously that we have done something we shouldn’t or left undone something that we should. If we try harder to be as thorough as we can, it will reduce the number of times we will be inclined to worry. In particular try to take care of what needs taking care of today, don’t procrastinate. Despite this, things will still go wrong, that is part of life’s uncertainty. When that happens, we should try to see where this might be leading us, what lessons there might be for us. In any event, it is no good worrying we need to focus our minds on repairing the damage, correcting the wrong or using the new circumstances to further our education.

It may have been Henry Ford I think, who said,

“I always put problems that are referred to me in the pending tray. After several days and sometimes weeks, I look at these ‘problems’. You would be surprised how often I find they don’t exist anymore!”

There is much to be said for this approach and it certainly teaches us that ‘problems’ tend to be ephemeral. Look upon each problem as a challenge, refuse to be worried by it and you will be amazed how much simpler and more enjoyable life becomes. As they say, “Life is too short …” Be kind to yourself, remember “to err is human …” and don’t go berating yourself because you made a mistake. Learn from it and be determined that the same mistake will not happen again. Be kind to your family and friends by not worrying and this will then spare them subconsciously picking up on your worries and worrying themselves. Above all remember the old adage:

“More people die from worry than from old age!”