Buddhist monks and Zen practitioners have a saying on why there is no use in worrying.
The Buddhist proverb on worrying:
“If you have a problem that can be fixed, then there is no use in worrying. If you have a problem that cannot be fixed, then there is no use in worrying.” – Buddhist proverb
People worry about what might — or might not — happen in the future. Worry is all in our heads — it is anticipation. Worry goes hand in hand with fear and anxiety… as if the three of them are merrily skipping along in a field of poison poppies; Worry serves absolutely no purpose… in fact, worry will make you physically sick if you worry long enough.
Worry is a cognitive process in the brain, which means it comes from the thinking part — the part that visualizes and thinks; the part that is responsible for our mental processes of perception, remembering, thinking, memory, awareness, judgment, and reasoning.
Lately, I have been worrying about:
1) Getting this last paper finished
2) Receiving my new debit card in the mail
3) Christmas shopping
When I worry, I do three things. First, I calculate its importance. Is it going to happen soon? Do I really need to be thinking about this right now? Next, I ask if I have any control over it. Is worrying going to change the outcome? Finally, if I have decided I have at least some control, I decide what I can actually DO to ease my worry. What action can I take?
Let’s look at my list again, now evaluated:
1) Getting this last paper finished – This is high priority (Due Friday), and I have control over getting it done.
2) Receiving my new debit card in the mail – This is important, but I have ZERO control over when it arrives. So why worry?
3) Christmas shopping – This is important, but I can control how I organize my shopping to be less stressful. I love making lists.
Worry can be stopped — the mental process can be tinkered with. After going through my steps, I feel better. I feel like I have more control, even if I really don’t. Remember, it’s a cognitive process so you have control over it! Worry is really all about the imagery in your mind. Create a more positive image, and focus your thoughts on it. There is no point in dedicating energy to something that may — or may not — happen. If it does happen you’ll deal with it when the time comes. If it doesn’t happen, you’ve just wasted your energy. Worrying does nothing at all to benefit any situation. In fact, it just drains you mentally and physically.
As my mother says, “Just Breathe.”
