My Own Worries…
Worry is just a FIVE letter word.
The definition of Worry is – to torment oneself with or suffer from disturbing thoughts.
In talking with a friend some years back we began discussing life and ultimately the difficulty we both struggle with in trying to enjoy each day to the fullest without “Worrying”. I asked my friend Scott Redman who was terminally ill if you could go back and change one single thing what that would be. His response was
“ I wouldn’t have Worried so much”
This led me to think about the concept of Worrying in various aspects of my life and how I have dealt with these situations without being paralyzed by fear. I can assure you that I will not stop worrying any time soon. I would not be honest if I said I have not struggled with this issue over my life but what I can attest to is a dedication and relentless attempt to not allow the committee in my head, my own fears, to leave me feeling paralyzed and in a constant state of worry as life is unfolding.
While I am sure there are many books written on depression, anxiety and all manifestations of the thought process I have seen tremendous growth in my own life using certain principles which have helped me be more in the moment and accepting of where I am at. Getting out of self and helping someone else is a good beginning. So many of my issues stem from self-centeredness and self-centered fear.
One of the things I noticed and at times have been guilty of worrying about is the messaging we send our kids about their future success. We have been telling our kids that the path to a successful life is predicated on working really hard to get good grades, then spend 12-24 months being over tutored to score well on the standardized tests, go to a “great college”, talk about graduate school and shortly thereafter you will be “happy” and “successful”. I have one question for all of us in relation to these precious future rewards we so desperately seek for our children and ourselves, do we have to be miserable until we get them? I say No…
