Worrying times

January 25th

Some people dwell too much on their current problems. They turn them over and over in their mind and then feel thouroughly miserable.

How long do you think we should dwell on negative feelings? And it may be that some people dwell on things that have happend many years ago, and yet still they continue to create those same negative feelings that go along with them. What is more to the point is what good do they do to continue with these same kind of thoughts? they certainly don't make us feel any better, and often we are dwelling on thigns that we cannot change, or things that did not go our way, the way we would like them to. many people spend far too much of their life worrying needlessly. If something in the past happend, then it is the past and probably you cannot change it. If you are worrying about the future, then it has not yet happend. It might happen and then you could begin worrying because that may be the appropriate thing to do at that time, but what is the point of worrying over something that has not happend?

In this climate, and I don't mean the weather, more people are worrying about the future, and making themselves feel very depressed. All they can see is doom and gloom,a nd to go with them on that thought, yes we could say, what if the world ends tomorrow? Would it be facetious to say if it did none of us would have anything else to worry about? how long do you continue worrying?

A mother who worries constantly about her child will continue to worry every time they go out on thier own. her body is on constant alert thinking of all the possibilities that may happen to them. When they arrive home safe and sound, mother breathes a sigh of relief and puts of any more worrying until the next time. I am not saying dad's don't worry the same, they can do, and the principal is the same.

What would happen if you just stopped worrying, and only worried when it was necessary? Your body would not be on high alert for much of the time and you could relax a bit more.

Try this next time you begin to worry:

Let yourself think of the worry. Is there anything you can do about it right now? Do you need to talk to someone who will end the worry for you? Is it something that happned in the past or is it something about the future, a fear?

Now tell yourself that you will allow yourself to worry for about ten minutes. no more no less. Worry as hard as you can, make it worse than ever if you must. Time yourself, and then as soon as the ten minutes is up, stop worrying, put it away, sa if putting it to the back of your mind. Let it go. Remind yourself that if it is something about the past, it may be too late now to change it. If it is something about the future, wait and see what happens and then deal with it at the appropriate time. notice how much better you can feel when you do this. All those horrible feelings in your chest or stomach disappear,a nd you can get on with your day or go to sleep if you are in bed.