I came across this quote yesterday:
The art of living is to deal with problems as they arise, rather than destroy one’s spirit by worrying about them too far in advance.
Amen to that.
I assume that most readers here don’t spend much time worrying, that they take appropriate action if possible then spend their time doing something more interesting. What do you think?
I worried a lot when I was a kid, but then I decided I wasn’t going to run scared all my life. It was good choice. I’m still a pessimist (albeit a cheerful one), and I’m continually amazed at how well things have turned out so far.
“So far” is the operative phrase. It reminds me of the fellow who fell off the Empire State Building. As he passed the eighth floor someone yelled, “How is it going?” He replied, “It’s going great so far!” As I said, I am a pessimist.
What about you? If you’re not a worrier, did that come naturally or did you have to learn how?
April 5, 2014
My siblings and I inherited that trait from our mother. None of us worry. I must also qualify that by saying that normal short term worrying like sitting in a traffic jam and worrying about reaching the airport on time will happen but the kind where one becomes ill thinking that somethings will go wrong don’t happen to us.
Your qualification is a good one. Your mother gave you all a great gift. On the other hand, it’s also fun to figure it out for one’s self. The main thing is, we don’t let worry ruin our lives.
I envy you. I’ve been a worrier most of my life and if anything it gets worse rather than better. I worry a lot about the future, even though by definition it’s unpredictable and unknowable so what’s the point? But reason has little influence on ingrained habits.
Of course, reason has little influence. It’s the irrational subconscious that runs the show. There are plenty of techniques for communicating and influencing the subconscious if one is willing to spend the time.
I was fortunate to learn that when I was 16. I had been traumatised by a dentist (drilled straight down to the nerve without novocaine when I was 8) and was in terror of some work I needed to have done. So I did some research and found a book on self-hypnosis and cured myself of the phobia. That’s powerful stuff. I never again believed we’re victims of our upbringing, and it was the start of a lifetime hobby. That’s where Item 6 of the Traits of Stress-Hardy, Resilient People comes in:
I’m not much of a worrier. I think I’m naturally phlegmatic; having a safe childhood no doubt helped.
I assume you do have a lot of joy in your life though?
Yes, though for me joy is quiet rather than rowdy; my paraphrase for it is ‘elated calmness’.
well… as you know i recently admitted in public to worrying! LOL.
i laugh because truth to tell… i really don’t know if i’m a real worrier or not! true!
i seem to worry about stupid stuff. the big stuff i never worry about. it’s odd.
for instance… health. the heart thing. the big clot that could break loose and kill me…
and whether or not the surgeon really “got all” the cancer…
i couldn’t care less about all that. really. i just don’t even think about it.
but when the marine goes on one of these darned wilderness hikes … i worry in the back of my mind until he’s safely back home. silly. to worry. i have absolutely NO control over his trip. his safety. his coming home. but still. yes. i worry.
so. i guess i’m sort of a part time worrier. 😀
I can well understand why you have more peace of mind when he’s around. And hiking alone in the wilderness can be dangerous. At least you’re not worrying about everything, all the time. It’s better than nothing!
I have a couple of worries waiting for resolution…they aren’t big as some might think…but to me they need to dealt to. But I do know how to work through things, but usually not more than one at a time 🙂
One thing at a time. That’s me. And I don’t like things hanging over my head, waiting for resolution. If something needs to be dealt with I like to do it and be done with it.