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200 words, believe, Corrie ten Boom, Diana Schwenk, Diana's Enormous Book of Quotes, faith, Fear, trust, worry
Worrying is carrying tomorrow’s load with today’s strength–carrying two days at once. It is moving into tomorrow ahead of time. Worrying does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow; it empties today of its strength. ~ Corrie ten Boom
Worry
photo credit: PositivityBlog
We all do it.
Most of the time our fears don’t play out as scary as we had imagined, if they are realized at all.
And if they do – we figure it out – we find a way.
Sometimes we even look back and are thankful our plans did not work out at a certain time.
Maybe its time had not yet come. Maybe we weren’t ready.
I know that I am way less stressed when I:
Trust the process
Trust my instincts
Trust the right doors to open at the right time
Trust and continue to follow my heart.
Maybe things don’t work out the way I planned.
But worrying about it before it happens only serves to fill me with fear in the NOW.
Who knows…it may even work out better than I had originally hoped.
Today’s quote suggested to me by Tracy Lee Karner
~ DIANA’S ENORMOUS BOOK OF QUOTES ~
talktodiana 
A great reminder – I love that quote from Corrie ten Boom – amazing. I think that if we live in the NOW – if we look at what we are experiencing at this moment – that there is no time for worry and no benefit to it.
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She led an amazing life didn’t she? I imagine you read The Hiding Place?
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Yes – many times. She really was an amazing example of living out forgiveness. The story of her forgiving the guard still chokes me up.
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I know – gives a whole new meaning to the term hand shake!
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worry is such wasted energy. We ponder things we cannot control. What we can control we can take action and prepare/remediate.
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wise words Bill!
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worry must mean ” thinking about things we cannot control” — otherwise we take action.
I used to tell my martial arts students who got very nervous before performances that they needn’t worry, they had prepared.
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You taught martial arts?? You’re just one surprise after another!
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dreams of past glory… http://bwthoughts.wordpress.com/2012/08/19/and-the-band-played-waltzing-matilda/
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Ahh yes the ribald factor… Help me connect the dots to martial arts, would ya? 😉
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red funny uniforms, yin-yang symbol, Kung Fu 🙂
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haha see this is the thing: I look at words before, and sometimes instead of, pictures! So reading the post confused me and now that you’ve explained, it all makes sense and I’m giving my head a shake!
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that was me as a teacher of Kung Fu and Tai Chi.
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You are a man of many talents grasshopper!
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sometimes I sits and thinks, sometimes I just sits – Satchel Paige
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Let me think about that – Diana Schwenk
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Don’t look back, somebody might be gaining on you – Satchel Paige
He’s one of the most colorful sports personalities of all time.
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Ok I give. You win!
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You are so right, I think most things are not as scary as we thing they will be as the biggest fear is the fear of the unknown.
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I think you may have something there Joanne!
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I have two minds about this one. To me there is warranted worry and unwarranted worry. Unwarranted worry is a waste of time and it is best that we just go with the flow (eg worrying about being late when things crop up). On the other hand, warranted worry is a good thing. By that I mean, legitimate concerns need to be addressed and putting them aside or hoping that things will simply turn out for the best does not mean the problems will go away. For example, if you have a sudden drop in income then simply trusting that things will work out or that another door will open will not make the problem go away. You actually have to sit down and work out how to manage on less or make some big lifestyle changes. You have to face your changed circumstance. Then again simply ‘worrying’ about it without actually doing anything about it will not do any good either, so I think what I am saying is the key to your post were the words “we figure it out”.
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I agree you have to take action Elizabeth and you, for one, are a great example of this in your blog. I’m always amazed how thoughtful you are in identifying and resolving issues!
xo
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Identifying issues – yes,
Strategic planning – yes,
Resolving?
Hmm…
I am still striving towards that one 🙂
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I’m sure you’ve come further than you even realize!
xo
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Yes, Diana, your quote, Bob Marley and you are oh so right. Worry is a useless emotion that doesn’t get us anywhere. Trusting in the process, in life, and in yourself means being armed with preparedness and positivity, and not giving in to doubt. Just the added push I need to start the new week. Thanks!
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great summary – thank you Jennifer!
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..and I think, often does turn out better than our worries. People have remarked about my situation recently and dealing with it in humour. I tell you I can as the whole experience was so much easier than the way I thought or worried it would be. I have been in such a good mood from this that I can find and I guess illustrate with words what I am feeling. Trust me, if I were in a hospital bed I would have no sense of homour. Prepare for the worse and be thankful for anything less!
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You’ve been amazing Andy, in your situation! And I’m happy for you.
xo
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There is a point where positivity becomes empty-headed, but it’s a really tough call where that is, because being positive is so very important. I’ve never been one capable of giving support along the lines of, “It’ll all be okay,” because I’m well aware that it might not be and truth matters to me even more than emotional support. (I really don’t like it when people tell me it’ll all be okay when I know damn well it might not be. I know they’re intending support, but to me it’s empty promises.)
But I am one to be positive about not giving up and always trying and always doing your best, because those things are always true! I guess I’m the one that focuses on the part of the equation where, as you said, “And if they do [turn out badly] – we figure it out – we find a way.” As is common among men: weaker on the unconditional emotional support side, strong on the problem-solving side. (And in my case, rather good at it, if I do say so myself. :D)
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I agree with not giving empty promises of ‘It’ll be OK’, when it might not be, and yet remaining optimistic and keep trying to give our best. There is a fine line sometimes.
Although I disagree that it is men who are the better problem solvers. I feel it is women who are stronger at turning difficult situations around and finding solutions.
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Let me clarify: I wasn’t meaning to say that men are better at problem-solving, and I can’t agree that women are, either. I see problem-solving as a mostly intellectual activity, and I don’t see much functional difference between men and women intellectually. I do think there are problem domains where one point of view or another can be more effective, but generally speaking I think men and women solve problems equally easily (or difficultly).
What I was getting at was the male tendency to view everything as a problem to be solved. Go to a man when you have a problem, and the most likely response is a solution. Women are more likely to offer what’s really being sought: sympathy and support. This is all part of how women (in general) have a consensus-based posture, whereas men tend to have a conquer-based posture. It’s about different ways of viewing the world rather than differing skill levels.
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As far as problems go, I think there are four areas that need to be solved. The outcome (the WHERE and WHY); the method (the HOW); and getting it done (the WHAT). Herein lies the difference between man and woman. A man is presented with a problem, he sees the end point only (the outcome) and thinks he has found a solution. A woman knows the multitude of steps involved to get to that outcome and takes quite some time to fathom out how to manage each step in order to get there. That is why other woman are sympathetic (empathetic?) as they too understand what is REALLY involved. Meanwhile the man can sit back and relax because his work is done.
Getting back to Diana’s post on ‘worry’. It is easier to stop worrying if you focus on the outcome, rather than become overwhelmed with each step along the way. In that regard, maybe taking a leaf out of the book on the opposite sex is not all that bad. 🙂
And I am being facetious here. I do not really think we can easily divide this into male / female characteristics. But perhaps we can divide into the various ways people with different personalities tackle problems.
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Well, I’m glad you’re being facetious here, because I really can’t agree with your characterization. Last time I checked (which was quite recently, actually) I was a man, and I’m entirely conversant with the WHERE, WHY, HOW and WHAT (also WHEN and a bunch of other W words). So are many other men I’ve worked with over time. Astonishing as it may seem, empathy and understanding are not the exclusive property of women! 😀
I think smart people have understood what’s REALLY involved in problem solving for a long time. The root problem, as far as I can see, is today’s abysmal lack of smart people.
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A-ah! When and who! I forgot about those. I concede defeat.
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Nah, it’s not defeat (or de-arms); it’s expanding the crazy things you’ve heard on the interweb! 🙂
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🙂
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I’m not sure problem solving is gender specific. I’m loving the discussion! Elizabeth, meet Smitty. Smitty let me present to you, Elizabeth.
xo
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well I don’t think I’m empty-headed LOL but who knows?… I think even in worst case scenarios like divorce or death one can choose to move on and eventually be ok and have learned something, made peace, grown?… know what I mean jelly bean?
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Mmmmmm: Jelly Beans! {{especially the black ones!}}
My guess is you are optimistic, but level-headed, aware of the realities and able to find the upside of the situation. I’m talking more about what’s often called “rose-colored glasses.” A positive attitude is one thing (really great!), but an awareness of reality is crucial, I think.
[waves] Hi, Elizabeth!
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Thank you for your kind words. I may have on occasion worn rose coloured glasses though…oops 🙂 !
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Well, ya can’t fight your inner nature! (Or, at least, you shouldn’t! … Unless maybe your inner nature is to be a serial killer. Or telemarketer.)
BTW: I love that Bob Marley tune! It’s tied for favorite with this one:
And are you already familiar with Michael Franti?
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Had no clue Marley did that song! and never heard of Franti – will give it a listen now.
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It’s originally by Johnny Nash; Marley covered it. (Unlike Three Little Birds, which he wrote, and which is his most popular tune.
I think you’ll enjoy Franti! 🙂
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Very few things are as scary as we imagine them to be. Now if you can bottle this — in a way where worry goes away, well, you’d definitely not have to worry about income. ;). Seriously, though I feel so much better when I don’t worry and fret and sometimes I’m good at it — being in the now, others times not so much. It’s all a process and life is good anyway, yes?
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yes, life is remarkable and very, very good! Maybe bottling this concept would ruin it somehow, rob us of the journey we take to learn it?
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I loved this… worrying helps nothing.. when one plans for all that can happen.. it never happens as you script it.. so don’t worry be happy.. and face the problems when they happen is my motto…
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Somehow I knew that about you – that part of your character shines through with bright intensity!
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One of my favorite quotes ever, by an author whose book I read at least half a dozen times during my teen years. Only someone who KNOWS the truth of this, could have written it so well. Great quote, Diana.
P.S. — my next blogging-community post is going to be “pumpkin party.” Do you have anything pumpkin-related I could link to (a recipe, a musing, a picture, a thought or quote?) If you do, please email the link to me at tracyleekarner (at) gmail (dot) com
thanks!
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The Hiding Place – indeed an inspirational story! Thanks for stopping by and for your generous comment.
xo
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The quote is wonderful. My mother always really liked The Hiding Place.
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smart lady, your mom!
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Yup. And filling myself with fear in the moment only gets more of what I fill myself with!
Love this!
Thanks Diana.
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Yes, so true…now if only I could take my own advice!
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