Thoughts on Worry

Worry is the anxiety driven demand to fathom a future that is largely unknown, and the vain attempt to prevent the potential for harm that comes with risk taking. The worrier believes the only way to get through today is to live for tomorrow first.

Living can only occur in the present. We cannot get to tomorrow without going through today. The irony for the worrier is that attempting to control the unknown brings unnecessary emotional harm. Research shows that anxiety arises when a person attempts to control those things that cannot be controlled, including:

1) People's opinions

2) The weather

3) The economy

4) World events

5) Loss

6) Illness

7) Job uncertainty, etc...

Everyone worries. It's in our DNA. To manage better, here are some suggestions for practicing what is within your control:

1) Work at staying present minded: "My todays help me take care of my tomorrows. I'll focus on what I can do to help myself now."

2) Living better means taking risks: "I embrace risk taking. It might not work, but to avoid acting is a mistake, and a guarantee that I won't get what I want."

3) Increase your frustration tolerance: "It's frustrating not to know if I'll be accepted, but I don't need another's approval to live according to what I value, and what I think is best for me."

4) Give your best and embrace the results: "I did the best I could. I can be proud of my effort. I can always learn from this failure, but this doesn't mean I'm a failure."