This old saying has been going through my head a lot lately:
For every problem under the sun,
There is a solution or there is none
If there is one, try to find it,
If there is none, never mind it.
Sounds simple, right?
Years ago I was a worrier, and when Andy and I were going together, I asked him,
Do you ever worry?
He said,
No, I’m too busy thinking about physics to have time for that.
I had already decided that I would have to find something besides physics to grab my attention. It took quite a while before I found something that worked for me, but it was well worth the trouble.
What about you? Do you worry much or do you have things that are more rewarding to think about?
January 7, 2021
I’m like you, I used to worry but I learned to let it go.
Good. When my mother was 70 she said her greatest regret was she had spent so much of her life worrying.
I have been known to be a worrier…
Hopefully not all the time.
Just came over from Beside a Babbling Brook:) Oh dear! I am the biggest worrier ever. My husband (of 50 yrs.) says if I don’t have something to worry about, I will look for something. Well, I don’t really think that’s true but I am a terrible worrier. My mother has always been and I think I just learned it from her. I absolutely hate it about myself and have tried and tried to not worry…have prayed and prayed about it…but it’s just a part of who I am.
You’re not cast in concrete, it takes work and a sense of adventure, but you can focus your energy and attention on other things, your deepest values. Item Seven in the Traits of Stress-Hardy, Resilient People is
My motto is
Life is a lot more fun when we’re empowered rather than helpless.
Yes, I am a worrier, and I always think ahead about what will happen if any action is taken. Worry doesn’t get us anywhere or change anything, unless it is constructive. But it is not wasy to stop.
Another phrase I like is, “Do the work of worrying.” That means thinking ahead before taking action, and gathering data. That helped a lot when a CT scan showed Andy had a carotid artery dissection. The neurosurgeon wanted to operate and put in a shunt… I did a lot of research and we decided the operation was way too dangerous, watchful waiting was the best approach. That was 2 1/2 years ago and he hasn’t had any problems with it so far.
I’m trying to be more decisive. and to let habits like worrying GO.
it’s just a habit I think. at least it is for me. even with all that went on yesterday I find I feel very good about this new year. I refuse to worry about all of it!
Yes, no sense wasting our lives worrying about things we have no control over.
I constantly work on ‘letting go’. It’s not easy for me, but meditation helps.
There are all sorts of things we can try. Whatever we choose needs commitment and practice.
It depends. Worry is a state of mind. I used to, a lot. Now when I find myself in that turmoil, I stop, and tell myself “100 years from now, it’ll make no difference”. Then, my thoughts ease up.
Yes, when I look at the state of the world and U.S. politics I ask, what trends will be relevant a hundred years from now? I’m watching The Great Courses Plus course on American history…it’s interesting how little attention is paid to individual politicians.
Those are good words to live by. Yes I’m a worry all the time. I try to get out of my head by watching movies and blogging helps too.
I stream videos, blog every day, exercise, and when I’m really thrown by something and can’t take action, including gathering data, I do jigsaw or other puzzles. Also, I was depressed for a while when I was a kid, so whenever I start to get thrown by something I say, “I’d rather be scared than depressed.” It reminds me I’m not helpless.
I am not a worrier, nor as far as I know never have been. That doesn’t mean that I don’t have moments of concern from time to time, but I have never been one to dwell on things, especially those I can’t control anyway. And the older I get the less I worry. Time is too short for that!
I agree. 🙂
I try not to worry….
Now isn’t that, what most people, say….?
I have to believe that even you, have to continue to work on, not allowing worry to waste your time/life. Yes…? -smile-
Because if not, you have attained “Super-Person-Hood.” And I would thus, have to be in awe of you!!!!!!! -grin-
And in the end, WORRY does nothing. Planning, can do something. Preparing can do something. Looking deeply for information, can do something.
But WORRY, in and by itself, does nothing… 0….Zilch….Nada…
Sooooooooo……
Why do humans worry????????????????????????????????????
Sure, commitment and practice. I practice what I preach…I taught classes and led groups in stress management, emotional aikido, etc. for about ten years after we retired twenty-seven years ago. It’s down in my bones by now.
Like my mother before me — I’m a worrier. Unfortunately, the ‘what-iffers’ come to visit at 3 or 4 in the morning, when there’s no opportunity to call my BFF or get up and dance like a crazy lady to ABBA. Trite perhaps, but I make myself visualize at least 10 things for which I’m thankful. If that doesn’t work, I visualize writing on a blackboard: 99, 98, 97 …. so on. It’s important (to me) to visualize every numeral. And if my mind should wander, I make myself go back to 99 and start over.
My mother was a worrier and I was too. “The quality of our lives depends on how we focus our energy and our attention.” It sounds as if you know that. I listen to audio books when I go to bed. I usually fall asleep, and I rigged them up so my MP player shuts off after ten minutes so they don’t interfere with my sleep, but if I can’t sleep at least I’m learning something, having a good time.
I worry too much, and have done for most of my adult life. As far as worry goes, I don’t think you can teach an old dog new tricks! But I enjoy myself a lot more than I worry.
That’s the main thing. 🙂
I’m a worrier, but I think I’m a bit better? Maybe?
It’s a struggle for me although I know it’s senseless.
Whatever I’m worried about is going to happen or not happen, whether or not I worry about it….
I think as I find myself worrying, I’m trying to turn myself into more of a “planner”. Of course this stupid cancer has me worrying even when I try to just think positive and envision a positive and happy future. That’s what I call -my plan. Although when I have weird spots of pain or find myself no longer able to do what I could just do without a problem before… I worry.
I’ve had multiple people tell me it’s just “aging” so I try not to worry about aging. Yeah….
It helps me to just keep making plans. Plans for whatever the worry is.
Xoxoxo
I’m a planner at heart too. Not that I expect my ideas will always work, but at least I’m doing something constructive with my energy.