For some reason this week everyone seems to be talking about worrying. The subject has come up time and time again. From someone stating that they were actively worried about something to several people just saying "don't worry". So this has gotten be to thinking about it. Why do we worry and what can it accomplish. And while it may be very difficult to blog about worrying without mentioning that Bobby McFerrin song, I shall attempt to do just that.
The thing that really got me to thinking about this and wanting to write about it was when, in an email, my sister said "don't sweat it". What she was referring to is irrelevant in the context of this blog, but it really struck me. "Don't sweat it". Seems simple enough. But it really isn't, is it? To someone prone to letting things get to them, someone who dwells on topics they usually have no control over, people known as "worry warts", this command is damn near impossible to obey. It's like asking the tide not to come in. It's like saying "excuse me moon, but could you not reflect sunlight in an ever changing amount".
I know about worrying. I do it all the time. I used to be very good at it. I did it a lot. I'm getting better with it, I think. But I still do it. Everyone does to a degree. But why? What good does it do? None. People usually worry about things that are beyond their control. So why worry. If you can affect the situation upon which you are fixating, that is another thing completely. If you can do something then do it. Don't just sit and worry. And if you cannot do anything, then accept that and try and move on. It doesn't mean you have to like the situation. But if there is nothing you can do, well, try not to let it ruin everything else.
See the thing about worrying, just like being angry or mad or sad, is that they are unnatural states for the soul. Now, I know that sounds kind of deep but hear me out. When you worry, what do you have to do? You have to think about the thing you are worrying about. And I don't mean just a passing thought, you have to really concentrate. Same with being mad or when you claim to hate something. You really have to work at it. It is a huge waste of time and energy to achieve something that everyone admits they don't like. No one likes to worry or be mad or sad or angry.
Happiness is the natural state of a soul. Think about it. Worrying or being angry or whatever takes a lot of time and energy. But being happy doesn't. When you are happy you are, usually, completely at ease. Joy, happiness, contentment are all effortless. And much more enjoyable than being upset in some way. They flow through you and fill you up and, hopefully, may even spill over to others around you. Those other emotions, the bad ones, you have to hold onto. You have to work to keep them bottled up inside you. Even they know they belong inside us. And they are usually all to eager to blast out of you toward others.
I know it is impossible to say "don't worry" or "don't be sad" and expect someone to be able to just turn it off. Sometimes we can't help worrying or being mad or whatever. But just remember that those are all things you have to work at. Just let go. Focus that energy you are using to keep those emotions close to you on pushing them away. Let the effortless happiness take over. Let the peace inside you free.
