I love many quotes, so for me the question is more, which quote means the most to me today?
And it's this one:
I'm a worrier. I've gotten much better over the last year and I honestly don't know if it's because I finally understand how destructive and unproductive worrying is...or if I have less to worry about.
Probably a little of both.
I have come to accept that worrying doesn't change the outcome of whatever I'm worried about. Not one iota. It doesn't help the situation and in fact, only makes it worse because it's so emotionally draining there is no strength left to deal with anything else.
Worry is caused by a negative reality we create for ourselves. It's fear of things that haven't happened. If they haven't happened, they aren't real. It's like the child afraid of the monster under her bed.
Worry is a soul-sucking, strength-draining monster. And it doesn't change a thing.
I read an insightful post by David Cain, who writes the blog Raptitude. It's an amazing blog full of his deep observations about what it means to be human. I love reading his stuff.
Anyway, his post explains this graphic and what steps are involved to follow the arrows and get to the holy grail in the center:
It's really very simple. If you have a problem (a "problem" being anything that affects you emotionally) and you can't do anything to solve it, don't worry. If you can do something, then do it. It's not rocket science, but it's hard.
But back to my quote.
Its truth applies to any negative emotion. Substitute the words "regret," "guilt," "self-pity," or "anger" for "worry" in this quote and they all work. They all empty today of its strength.
Acknowledging this fact is the first step to letting go of these negative emotions and letting yourself be happy. Letting myself me happy.
Bobby Ferrin was right. Don't worry, be happy.
Yours,
Worry-Wart
Thanks to Mama Kat for her inspiring and varied writing prompts. If you've never participated in her Writer's Workshop, you should give it a try. She sends you cake if you do. No, not really. But she might make a video of herself eating cake and laugh at you. And her videos are pretty funny.
12 comments:
I used to be a worrier, but life has gotten so overwhelming that these days there's not much room for worry! I am sure, though, that when my life slows down to normalcy again, my brain will resume normal functioning and the worrying will commence. Then I'll head back to your blog for that handy little chart you shared... that was pretty cool! PS: Thing 1 didn't puke... there were fruit flies in my WINE!!!! Ewwwwww
Worrying certainly kills a lot of brain cells and doesn't get the job done. Sometimes it is hard not to worry but when you take action it goes away. Visiting from Mama Kat's
Well, you definitely had something to worry about for a while there! And I agree that worry can be extremely counter-productive. But when you are in a situation where you have to make choices, it is really HARD not to have some self-doubt and not to worry about the road not taken. In other words, that graphic is too simple. It should have a line that says, "Is there something more you should do?" that leads straight to a picture of someone pulling their hair out. The what-ifs can just kill you.
Some good points here, but this does not apply to every situation. Anxiety is a hardwired response to our environment, after all. In my situation, I think worrying is part of the whole process, although I'm doing my best to just accept it that and not let it bog me down.
I agree, worrying is unproductive. There is no sense in anticipating something that hasn't happened. In most cases, you have worked yourself up for nothing. Anyway, that has been the case for me.
I love this post - the quote, the diagram and the explanation! Seriously loved it. I'm printing it out to have on hand when I need a reminder:)!.
I agree - The what-ifs are a whole ‘nother post! That’s the guilt and regret eating away at you. But then I try to apply the other mantra I’ve grown to live by these past couple years, “I can’t change the past. I can only change right now and maybe that can change the future, but I can’t change the past.” Then I try to make the best choices I can right now. That’s all I can do.
I tend to go through worry phases. Something will worry me, then it snowballs.
I'm a worrier too. Sometimes it cripples me and I can do nothing at all. I can totally relate to your quote. Loved your post today, you've offered some really good tips. Stopping by from mama kats kelley at the road goes ever ever on
I'm a worrier too. I need to frame this quote or something! Maybe keep one in my pocket. Stick one in the car. Screensaver for my phone and computer... You get the idea. LOL
That is one of my fav quotes, too, though I didn't use it this time.
Anxiety...worry...totally my enemy. I love this post so much. Simple and to the point - and 100% right. I'm adding it to my morning "anti anxiety" reading.
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