Worried about worrying

Worrying never really helped anything. Oh sure, I read the cartoon where Charlie Brown was asserting "what do you mean that worrying never helps? Most of the stuff I worry about NEVER HAPPENS!"--implying of course that perhaps if he did NOT worry, it just might have happened.

There are so many things a person can worry about. If you want to worry, you can just pick nearly anything and then start worrying about it. Make up something if you have to -- like, "suppose my clothes fall apart while I am walking down the street?" Or how about, "what if a meteor falls from the sky and crushes me!" Your worries don't have to be about things that are likely to happen. You can worry about all kinds of things. "Suppose I trip over a crack in the sidewalk and break my leg in three places, and then I can't go to work, and I can't pay the rent, and next thing I know, I am homeless, living on the very sidewalk where I first tripped."

Most people worry about money--either they don't have enough, or if they do have enough, then they are worried they might lose it, or somebody might want to take it from them. The more possessions we have, the more we can worry about somebody stealing them from us. It doesn't take much to get some people worrying. "Oh, you are going on a trip! I sure hope you don't run out of gas, have a flat tire, the car engine blow up, and you get lost and are never heard from again."

If you point out to these worry warts that you think they are worrying far too much about too little, they will then start worrying about you! Are you crazy? Can't you see that not worrying is dangerous?

Or they might start to worry about worrying. "Maybe I do worry too much. I am now worried about that!"

There is no way to prepare in advance for every possible outcome, no matter that the motto of the Boy Scouts is "always be prepared." But I am of the opinion that worrying is a CHOICE. And I don't choose to worry any more. Plan ahead, yes. Consider alternate contingencies, sure. But no more worrying. It isn't worth it!

So stop worrying and enjoy life. Live in the "Now."
David A. Youngs

Worry, Sleep Loss, and Health

Have you ever been really emotionally involved in a situation? Perhaps your loved one was ill and in danger of dying. Maybe you had just lost your job and had no idea how you were going to pay all the bills piling up. Or perhaps somebody you knew had just made a horrible decision and you knew the outcome wasn't going to be good. Whatever was the cause, you were very worried.

And when night came, then your worry kept you awake. You could not fall asleep. You might try warm milk, counting sheep or whatever, but it doesn't work. You are still worried and still wide awake. And growing more tired by the hour.

You know you have to get up tomorrow, and your inability to fall asleep is really starting to worry you. Its really ironic: you are starting to worry about being worried. How many of us have spiraled in on this situation.

I suppose you could take a sleeping pill. There are hundreds of different varieties available. But it seems to me that every sleeping pill made has potential side effects, and that worries me. Yet another worry!!

If you could just relax and stop worrying, you would fall asleep almost instantly. You are so tired. And so very worried.

The fact that worry never helped a single situation probably never occurs to you. Of course you might be of the mind set "what do you mean worrying doesn't help. Most of the things I worry about never happen!!" Implying that if you did not worry about them, they might happen.

Worry can rob you of sleep, and ultimately of health. Believe it or not, worry is a choice. I choose not to worry.

No more worrying,
David A. Youngs