Musings: Ten Things To Stop Worrying About…
“The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, worry about the future, or anticipate troubles, but to live in the present moment wisely and earnestly.” Gautama Buddha
Why do we worry so much about events that haven’t happened or about things we think we can’t control? The word worry comes from the Old English wyrgan, meaning “to strangle.” When we worry about situations we think we have no control over, we are needlessly strangling ourselves; cutting off our air, clarity of mind and even the opportunity for good things to happen. Martha Beck writes a monthly piece for O Magazine and always inspires us with her practical tips and advice on how to live life fully regardless of our current circumstances. I can be a bit of a worrywart so her article on how to stop worrying made my heart sing and put a smile on my face. Several of the tips were spot on and others were aha moments. Below is my summary of the 10 facts … in brief. Now breathe…
“Don’t worry about the world ending today. It’s already tomorrow in Australia.” Charles M. Schulz
Musings: Ten Things To Stop Worrying About...
If you’re worried 😉 that I missed out some factoid or crucial detail, mosey on over to the article at Oprah.com and read the rest of it. If you wish to stop strangling yourself over mundane stuff; keep in mind it happens to all of us, then follow these 10 Tips and stop worrying: What’s on Your Plate – Stop worrying about finishing all your projects. Accept the load and do the work at a sensible pace.
Needing Help – Ask for help when you need it and stop putting on a show of being self-sufficient. I’d say Ask. Believe. Receive.
Your Children – Our children are a gift from God and we must learn to trust that they are and will be divinely protected. Love them and let them bloom where they are.
Your Face (and Hips, and Butt…) – Our genetic make up/DNA pool ascribes certain features to each of us. Embrace the package. If you must, do seek a solution that works, and stop stressing over the details…
What You Own – The fine china and delicate diamonds are to be enjoyed… why lock them away and wait for what? Don’t worry, relax and enjoy your good stuff for tomorrow may never come. Take another deep breath… More below 😉
“The reason why worry kills more people than work is that more people worry than work.” Robert Frost
Musings: Ten Things To Stop Worrying About...
Typically, most of us worry because we believe we can’t control events unfolding around us. We are afraid that we will lose everything. One way to shift that thinking is to recognize that we can control how we respond to events and, by that token, we are fully in charge of outcomes… The more we worry, the more paralyzed we become, and the less capable we are of taking effective action… Relax. Release. Respond calmly. Here are the rest of the tips and please stop worrying:
Everything You’re Doing Wrong – Perfection is not a requirement for life or even success. Relax and know that everyone has limitations… It’s allowed.
The Past – The past is history. We can reference it for lessons learned and wisdom gained but don’t dwell there. Be present and create new positive memories
What People Are Saying About You Right This Very Second – Martha says to be like a Martian gathering data to help others and not focus on what others say. I’d add that part of being alive is that others will have something to say about you; good and bad. Be at peace with it.
Your Account Balance – How much we have in the bank is not the full measure of our self worth or our capacity for joy. Instead of fretting over those numbers, be proactive at improving our life with a positive vision, wise choices and self effort. Ask for help too. Miracles happen daily.
Worrying – Take a deep cleansing breath and release the anxieties and worries that are furrowing your brow. Each step we take to laugh, show gratitude for what is, hug ourselves and let go, is one step closer to becoming worry free … well, almost. 😉
What are your thoughts? Are you a worrywart? Do you remember the last thing you worried yourself silly over? How did you resolve it? Do share! Thank you. 😉
*Please bear with me as I continue to catch up on your blogs and commenting… Thank you all for your patience! 🙂
Positive Motivation Tip: The more we worry, the more paralyzed we become and the less capable we are of taking effective action… Relax. Release. Respond calmly.
PHOTO CREDITS/ATTRIBUTIONS: All photos Worried woman, Worried people 2, Worried people 3, via Wikipedia and/or via Flickr
Until Next Time…
Ask. Believe. Receive. ©
Elizabeth Obih-Frank
Mirth and Motivation
Positive Kismet
Related articles
- Ways to beat your WORRIES | Follow these Seven Tips to Beat your worries (indiavalley.wordpress.com)
- how to have a problem-free life (sacredlymundane.com)
- Worry and Time Management (georgesecko.wordpress.com)
- Worrying: Is it Holding You Back? (tghil.wordpress.com)
- How to stop worrying about what people think (newlifeparties.com)
- The Word for “Worrywarts” (trinityspeaks.wordpress.com)
- “Today Is The Yesterday You Worried About” (chindeepinlife.wordpress.com)
This is great!
TY so much! You are great! 🙂
It’s a sin to worry! Phew!
Thanks for sharing this. How timely… I had been crying since last night until this morning but God reminded me to just “be still” and just NOT worry.
Hi Viviene! Hope you are doing well? I’m so behind on blog comments that I haven’t been over to read/comment.
I’m slowly catching up on all the blogs I support; one alphabet at a time…
Praying for you lady!
Blessings
Now I understand why this blog is called Mirth and Motivation!!! I always get both when I come by!!! Thank you as always! Sharon
Oh you are sweet Sharon… I wish I could add extra doses of mirth daily. 🙂
Good advice, as always 🙂
Merci Ms. Bud! 😉
Great post, as always. I’ve taken a deep breath and swallowed all the advice.
TY and I am doing same. 🙂
Great post, and great advise!!!
TY Jim! 🙂
Great advice today! I need to take some of it to heart.
TY! Same here… 🙂
I too am a bit of worrywart so thanks for this post.
TY and I can relate. 😉
Thanks for my daily dose of Mirth and Motivation! 🙂
TY and I hope you come back for more… 😉
I’m sharing this with my husband! Wonderful quotes again…! (Husband worries constantly and I am always trying to tell him “live in the present”…)
Thanks a million my dear!
TY Petchary! Plus, I owe you visits… Tx for your patience. 😉
thanks for sharing @Mirth, nice article
TY too! 🙂
Thank you for this wonderful does of motivation! I tend to spend too much time worrying (in particular forgetting that perfection is not a requirement) and let it paralyze me and keep me from some of the things in life that I should have. I needed to read this… Thank you for sharing! 🙂
TY for the feedback… I share your sentiments too. 🙂
This fit perfectly today. Thank you.
TY Karen… Oh dear!!! I need to visit soon. 😉
I’m a perfectionist, but I’ll try to relax, release and respond calmly. I need to just let it go. Thank you Elizabeth. 🙂
I hear you and it is not easy but we can only do our best. 😉
I totally concur. I don’t worry as much anymore. I used to worry about everything, but I’ve learned that most of what we worry about is based in fear and usually we fear things we have no control over, so basically … way too much energy expended on something you can do nothing about. But, like you said, it you’re worried about something you CAN do something about, then do something about it. That’s how I look at things now. Not that I never worry. But, I worry a lot less than I used to. 😀
I agree with you too… Fear of loss and we start to panic. I had a chance to take my own advice today. I found out that we will have an exam for a class I’m attending. After much fretting, I dropped the worry. Que sera sera and I feel better already. TY! 🙂
Interesting that worry comes from the word strangle. It makes sense in a visceral way. Thanks Eliz.
Doesn’t it? 🙂
Love this – and yes – it’s all connected to fear and wanting to control things. I love that you wrote that what we can control is our response. I recently wrote about worry! http://livingwildandprecious.com/2012/04/03/why-you-dont-need-to-worry/
TY and I enjoyed your post too. 😉
I worry all the time! This is a great reminder to let things be and go with the flow.
B
You’re not alone… TY! 😉
All of these thoughts are timely and important, but the one I most live by these days is to let go of what others “may” be saying about me. Good and bad…let it go. It robs me of energy. If my conscience is pricked about something I may have said or done, I can rectify that perhaps, but if not, breathe deep and move forward! Love it Elizabeth. Debra
Great response… I’m with you on that approach.
At some point in the past I stopped worrying about stuff i can’t control and now people think I am unbelievably chilled and don’t get it!
You are blessed in that decision… not easy to do. 😉
A great list! I always tend to worry about the past or about what people are thinking of me although these are bad thoughts… but everyday I try to relax… thank you for this inspiring post!
TY and keep it up! 😉
I don’t think I worry too much but when I find myself getting worked up about something, I remind myself that God takes care of everything. I relax and somehow, miraculously, something shifts, I think of the answer or I see the problem in a whole new way. Always. But we’re human.
Thanks for this insightful and beautiful post, Elizabeth.
TY! God dey. 😉
Of course I love the quotation about Australia! So true, it is already tomorrow here! 😆 I am looking at the world clock on my screen as I type this and I think it is nearly 7pm Saturday for you, while here it is almost 9am Sunday. Tomorrow is going to happen! 🙂
I try not to worry nearly as much these days as I did during 2010. That was a very worrying year.
I can imagine the stress of 2010 for you… I loved the quote too. 🙂
Thanks for putting a lot of this little worrying in the right perspective!
TY for your feedback. 🙂
speaking words of wisdom . . . Let IT Be! 😀
Amen to that! 😉
Nice one Eliz! I don’t worry about my hips and butt though, I depair 🙁 And great idea to catch up one alphabet at a time, although I wish there were only 12 🙂
Same here… Oy Vey! 😆
I am very pleased to see you giving us the older meaning of “worry”–to strangle! That is exactly what we do to our spirits when we worry! No energy available to live victoriously and step out bolding in gratitude for every blessing when we strangle ourselves!