Tags
200 words, Act, Diana Schwenk, Diana's Enormous Book of Quotes, Fear, fear of failure, health, living in the moment, mindful, power, trust, worry
“Why worry? If you’ve done the very best you can, worrying won’t make it any better.” – Walt Disney
The image above seems to say, “This is how your spirit feels when you let go.”
Many of you provide tips to living well in your blogs.
You use words like mindfulness, living in the moment.
You talk about letting go of the outcomes.
Do what is in your power to do and then let go.
And trust the process.
I’d be lying if I told you that I have this down pat, but I am learning!
If I were to rate myself on a Worry Scale of 1 to 10; 1 being I never worry, 5 being I worry, but examine why I’m worrying, take action where I can, then let it go and 10 being I’m a chronic worrier, I would select 5 as the norm, and 7 in this moment.
~ DIANA’S ENORMOUS BOOK OF QUOTES ~
Where would you rate yourself as the norm? At this moment? Do you think worrying is related to gender or the same across the board? What one issue do you worry about the most? If you’re a worrier, how do you manage it?
related post: STOP and Find Balance
talktodiana 
Years ago, I was a 10+. Now, I’m closer to a 2 or 3. After stress and anxiety almost claimed my life, I realized that’s life’s too short – and precious – to spend it worrying over something I can’t control. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
When I was in my 20s Rachel, I didn’t worry about a darn thing. I had this feeling that everything would just work out. I seem to worry more as I get older. weird eh? ❤
Diana xo
LikeLiked by 1 person
Why worry,
There must be laughter after rain,
These things have always been the same.
Why worry now.
With a great tube by Dire Straits. 😀
LikeLike
Why worry indeed? ❤
Diana xo
LikeLike
Diana, at 10 a.m. I’m a 2 or 3 at worst. But at 3 a.m., or 4 a.m., I’m an 8. Always darkest before the dawn, right?
LikeLike
(smiling) Here’s hoping you sleep through till 10am Jim! ❤
Diana xo
LikeLike
We all worry if we want or not, but as you say it does not change the situation but often make it worse…. so I try not to worry and stay more on the lower scale. Rather find a solution than keep worrying….
LikeLike
You’re a wise woman Ute! ❤
Diana xo
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’d love to be at a moderate 5, Diana. Lately I’m more 6.5, 7, 7.5 …
It’s working-world/job-searching stress, coupled with winter cold and snow topped with biorythms. I’m a bit of a bundle of nerves.
LikeLike
You know Mark, I could have sworn I already replied to your comment here, but it would appear, I haven’t. I can relate to your job-searching stress and hope something happens soon to bring your stress level down to 5. As for the cold, sending warm thoughts your way my friend! ❤
Diana xo
LikeLike
Thank you on both fronts, my dear friend Diana. ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
“What, me worry?” ~Alfred E. Neuman XD
(Can’t believe no one has tossed that out, yet!)
I don’t really have anything worry about any more… [shrug]
LikeLike
Lucky you Smitty! ❤
Diana xo
LikeLiked by 1 person
Am probably around a 6-7 a lot of the times. For stuff completely not my area of expertise it’s a 5. It’s a bit difficult to extricate from worry, if the matter keys into one’s area of work expertise. It’s a balance of knowing what is truly one’s own control to effect good change without upsetting the agendas of others.
On the personal front, I only worry about stuff in Alberta. My siblings are dealing with the outfall of estate matters in Ontario, etc. after father’s death and some major communication problems with mother. (Will have a blog post about bilingual/multilingual life.)
A bit of knowledge can be a dangerous thing: it can cause 6-7 rating, whereas ignorance puts one blithely in 4-5….especially in legal matters or simply knowledge of Canadian justice system.
Being so far away, puts me in only zone 5 by offering advice when they ask. They just phoned me.
I cannot even begin to say how important to understand key NGOs and government services in other provinces. One can bring at 9 rating down to 6, with the right knowledge. Hopefully.
LikeLike
Wow, you sure have a full plate lately Jean. Thank you for your thoughtful comment.
I love the response I’ve been getting from this post from the way folks rate themselves, to where they indicate the ideal rating is, to the interpretations of what they think each number in the scale means to them. ❤
Diana xo
LikeLike
Diana I use to be a huge worry queen and then I lost my brother and I realised something. There is no point worrying about the little stuff and we do not have much control over the big stuff. So now I try to be more positive, somedays I do okay… some days not.
LikeLike
Thanks for weighing in Kath. I’m so sorry you lost your brother; I cannot imagine losing my brother – hugs to you. ❤
Diana xo
LikeLike
Let’s put it this way, Diana. When I have nothing to worry about, then I worry about that. 😉 I’m trying to focus on the positive and put hope those worrisome thoughts will float away like in the movie, “The Red Balloon.” So I range between a 5 and a 7. 😉
LikeLike
Judy I think that’s ok. As mentioned here in the comments by several people, even fear-based emotions designed to keep us safe, have a place in our lives. ❤
Diana xo
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m a 5 too but used to be a 10! Nowadays I try to either do something practical about the particular worry (like a difficult relationship with a friend) and/or give up if that makes any sense!
LikeLike
Julie, I’ve seen you go from a high number to a 5 on your blog and I am so, so happy for you! ❤
Diana xo
LikeLike
I have come from a long line of worriers! Still, overtime I came to realise that most of the time I do not know the outcome of any situation, or the future for that matter, so why do I waste energy on worry.
Its a habit and I began to become consious of my thoughts and question myself “What do you know?” I remember I only know what this moment holds and it can always be positive or negative, worry is normally negative for me, so I just keep practising letting that go 🙂 Its hard!!!
LikeLike
Thanks for sharing your experience here Karen!
You have reminded me that often people who are anxious or worry a lot are living in the future. While those who are often down are living in the past. Mental note to self: come back to the present. ❤
Diana xo
LikeLike
I tend not to be a worrier, but when I do it is usually when “I know what I don’t know”. I’m not great with ambiguity and if I can’t act on it to get out of it I tend to worry.
To interject some theory into this, worry is classified as a fear-based emotion in the world of emotional intelligence. Every emotion has a gift to us, even the distressing ones, and the gift of fear is the desire to protect ourselves. For those that experience no worry, they may miss risks to their safety and health.
LikeLike
Great point Ian – thank you for noting it here!
You know it reminds me of when my dentist gave me valium to be taken an hour before going to his office to face a very scary (for me) dental procedure and warned me not to drive.
After taking it, I know why – it takes away 90% of your psychological fear and concern and if I’d been driving, perhaps I would have taken stupid/dangerous/life-threatening risks.
Sometimes our survival depends on fear-based emotions. ❤
Diana xo
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is something that I have grappled with for a long time … the concept of ‘don’t worry, be happy’, just ignore them and your problems will go away. In that regard, to me, meditating, going for a walk, or to the movies – anything that gets me to stop worrying – also prevents me facing what needs to be faced. To be honest, there are many things that we need to work through rather than put aside. I believe your # 5 is spot on as the best place to be. As for getting from a # 7 to a # 5, then maybe that is where the things above do work – they bring me right down to a # 1 temporarily until I recover and recharge. However, THEN I move up to your # 5 logical, solution-finding part of me. That is where hope resides.
LikeLike
Elizabeth I hear what you’re saying. I agree, one should not ignore issues, hoping they’ll go away, although sometimes I procrastinate,
I think where we need to let go, are those worries that are out of our control, i.e., depends on the actions of another or like those poor Bostonians with all that snow! ❤
Diana xo
LikeLiked by 1 person
I would be somewhere in the middle I can worry with the best of them, but mostly I try not to, I usually think what good is worrying going to do and if the answer is none then I try to not bother with worrying but of course sometimes that is easier said then done
LikeLike
I agree Jo-Anne – sometimes it’s easier said than done. ❤
Diana xo
LikeLike
Probably quite high– I’m definitely more the worrier than my husband. I got it from my father, who worries more than my mother. My husband says worrying is a wasted emotion– and it’s true why worry about things you can’t control. But I still do– mostly about the kids and grandkids, etc.
LikeLike
Your dad worries more than your mom, Lisa? That’s interesting! Truth is, if someone else is worrying about something, I don’t worry about it. It’s as if I just need someone to be worrying haha. ❤
Diana xo
LikeLike
I think I am about in the middle on the scale….I don’t intend to worry….and I do believe in prayer…but I have this “control” thing in me…no….it’s a “fixer” thing. If I cannot fix the problem at hand ….I tend to worry. And no matter how old our children come to be….we worry! Hugs to you…..breathe…..♥
LikeLike
I don’t like when I can’t fix things either. Hugs back at you. ❤
Diana xo
LikeLike
Hope all is well. I think that am usually around a 4-5. I am a loose planner and find myself crossing the line when there are too many variables and time is too limited for plan B and C to work.
LikeLike
Good for you Katie! I’m usually around there too.<3
Diana xo
LikeLike
maybe to plan is to worry. Most times I’m a sparrow.
LikeLike
Interesting perspective on planning Bill! What do you mean by being a sparrow? ❤
Diana xo
LikeLike
“Are not two sparrows sold for a cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. “But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. “So do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ahh that sparrow. ❤
LikeLike
We are all that sparrow
LikeLike
But not all of us know it Bill. 🙂
LikeLike
I’m glad you do
LikeLiked by 1 person
Diana, attempting to read between the lines here. I hope whatever you are struggling with gets resolved soon. I rarely worry over things I can’t control, and as for the things I can control, there is an action for that. Hope this helps! ❤
Jennifer xo
LikeLike
Yes, thank you Jennifer. ❤
Diana xo
LikeLike
Thanks for asking but I broke the worry scale a long time ago. My worries have worries.
LikeLike
Oh my Don! *hugs* I hope you’re partially kidding. 🙂 ❤
Diana xo
LikeLiked by 1 person
Do I look like someone who would kid?
LikeLike
haha, a little! 😉
LikeLike
I am a Virgo. You know what that means? The commandment for Virgos is: Thou shalt worry.
LikeLike
I’m an Aquarius. You know what that means? I float about 3 feet over everyone’s head including my own, whatever that means… 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have heard that Aquarians love humanity. It’s people they can’t stand. Is that true?
LikeLike
I hesitate to disagree only because my daughter once said to me, when I mentioned I cared about someone, Mom you don’t care about people, you’re fascinated by people. I do think I care but kids are pretty amazing knowers of who you are… Yet, to answer your question: I don’t think I’m a people hater. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Btw, how do you float above everybody’s head. I tried that and I kept crashing. But I can walk between raindrops.
LikeLike
It’s an aquarium thing…a-hem, I mean Aquarian…
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hear swimming with the fishes is a Mafia thing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great post Diana! It made me think. Maybe being a mother brings more worry.
I don’t have children and am not really a worrier…. I trust that things will be okay for the most part.
On the other hand I know I am a resistor!!!!! I resist change when it happens and things that are out of my control. 🙂
LikeLike
Yes being a mother changes things completely and forever haha!
I think most of us resist change, at least at first. I know I’ve called myself a Change Agent in the past, but what I really meant is that I have tested practices that I would like someone else to accept and implement, professionally speaking. 😉
Diana xo
LikeLiked by 1 person
I call myself a change agent too. Love implementing it and getting others on board …. When its the biggest learning for myself!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Diana my friend, how can I be of support to you in moving the 7 back down the scale? I am here.
Hugs. ❤
LikeLike
❤ Louise, you're 'I am here' comment in itself, just moved me down the scale. Thank you ❤
Diana xo
LikeLike
I know I worry too much. But it’s not usually about what I’ve done or have to do. It’s about things not in my control at all. That’s when I start (trying) to focus on what I know to be true, that worrying about it does not change it at all. But boy oh boy….sometimes it isn’t easy. 😉
LikeLike
I hear you – sometimes I also worry about things I have done or not done as well. But you can’t go back so I remember quotes like: The best time to plant an oak is 20 years ago, the second best time is now.
I’m curious, where would you rate yourself on the scale Colleen? ❤
Diana xo
LikeLiked by 1 person
Probably a 5 but I think I sometimes bounce up to a 7 or 8, then I have to talk myself down to a 5.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think we are sisters from a different mother!
LikeLike
Hahaha! Very possible!!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person