Don’t Worry, Be Happy

In the spring of 1871, a young man picked up a book and read twenty-one words that had a deep effect on his future.

He was a medical student at the Montreal General Hospital, and was worried about passing the final examination. He was also worried about what to do in the future, how to build up a medical practice, and how to make a living.

These twenty-one words helped him to become the most famous physician of his generation. That’s not all. He organized the world-famous John Hopkins School of Medicine.

He was knighted by the King of England. When he died, two huge volumes containing almost 1,500 pages were required to tell the story of his life.

This man was Sir William Osler, and the twenty-one words that helped him live a life free from worry were – “Our main business is not to see what lies dimly at a distance, but to do what lies clearly at hand.”

Do you worry?
When you think about the future, are you filled with hope or worry?

If you are like most people, the likely answer is the latter – that you worry about your future.

If it’s true, it is because you believe your worry is a barometer or sign of future catastrophe. You live under the assumption that your worries predict what the future holds. If it’s on your radar as a cause for concern, it must, therefore, be a true threat.

Although, worry pretends to be necessary but serves no useful purpose.

According to Dr. Robert L. Leahy, the author of “The Worry Cure: 7 Steps to Stop Worry From Stopping You”…

People who worry activate a hyper-vigilant strategy of worry and think that ‘if I worry I can prevent this bad thing from happening or catch it early’.

Why we worry?
Worrying is a basic human tendency. We tend to worry about the things even if we can’t change them.

• Kids worry about leaving home and maybe their friends behind. It’s impossible to guess what’s inside a child’s mind. Maybe she might be worrying about something like the colour of her bedroom walls!
• The youth is worried about competition they have to face in life to earn money.
• The unmarried is worried about getting a loving partner in life.
• Parents are worried about how their children will grow up.
• Employees are worried about the performance of their jobs.
• A mother is worried about the health of her family.
• A middle-age person is worried about how old age will treat him
• The old is worried whether he will get ‘moksha’ or not.

Now, just stop for a moment and think, and then answer me where do you fall amidst the above categories.

Give some time to introspect that you are more worried about the future than living in the present to the fullest.

Why worries arise?
“I’m constantly worrying about my future.”

How often have you said this to yourself or others?

Or let me change my question to – How often have you promised yourself of not worrying about your future, and then failed at your promise?

If you are like me, maybe several times! 🙂

You see, worries arise because we realize that we cannot predict what is going to happen tomorrow and know that we cannot have full control over how events turn out.

However, we wish we didn’t spend as much time worrying as we do, but we just can’t help it.

The worst thing about is that only about 10% of the things we worry about really matters; the rest is stuff that has never happened and we have no idea when it’s going to happen (the world is coming to an end!) or stuff that has already has happened but we can’t do anything about it (losing money on the stock market).

Most people’s worries aren’t due to an immediate threat; they’re usually about a long-term threat.

Is worrying bad for you?
Constant worrying causes you body stress, and can cause further health problems like anxiety, depression, heart ailment and high blood pressure.

Chronic worrying also affects your daily life so much that it interferes with your appetite, lifestyle habits, relationships, sleep, and job performance.

Many people who worry excessively are so anxiety-ridden that they seek relief in harmful lifestyle habits such as overeating, cigarette smoking, or using alcohol and drugs. It also reduces your efficiency of doing the things in the present.

‘Worrying doesn’t empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strength’

Break the worry habit…
…before it breaks you!

Smile as much as you can. Smiling at others makes them feel good too. So smile, fake or not, it is good for you and good for your recipient.

Keep worry out of your mind by keeping busy.

Don’t fuss about trifles. Don’t permit little things to ruin your happiness.

Let the past bury its dead.

Co-operate with the inevitable. If you know a circumstance is beyond your power to change or revise, say to yourself: “It is so; it cannot be otherwise.” Don’t keep yourself at fault.

Talk to a friend, exercise, get enough sleep, or get a relaxing massage, to help relieve your stress. Taking a couple of deep breaths is a simple and cheap remedy; after all air is free.

Don’t stew about the futures. Just live each day until bedtime.

Don’t worry, be happy
“I vow to let go of all worries and anxiety in order to be light and free.” ~ Thich Nhat Hanh

You need to understand that the future is only a figment of your vivid imagination.

The future never comes because it’s always ‘now’, ’today’, ‘this moment’, ‘the present’.

So the next time you worry about anything, tell yourself, “I will deal with the situation as it comes and I’ll not let ruin my present by worrying for the future.”

Then calmly try to improve upon the worst – which you have already mentally agreed to accept. Remind yourself of the exorbitant price you can pay for worry in terms of your health.

Remember – Those who do not know how to fight worry, die young.

Therefore, don’t worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself.

Don’t worry and be happy…for life is short, and you are amazing!