A friend has this quotation on his office wall: “I know worry works because nothing I worry about ever happens.”
I think I must believe that, because I worry a lot — and about the most insignificant things. I worry about the big things, of course, like health, relationships, and finances. But I’m also liable to fret about anything and everything that finds its way into myconsciousness.
Because I spend so much time on worry, I’ve decided to embrace it with a personal research project. Maybe you’d like to join me.
Here are two avenues I’m exploring:
1) I practice catching myself at it. “Hey, I’m worrying again.” During a recent morning swim, I caught myself worrying 10 times during one lap! I’m not kidding. On rare days when I don’t have anything to worry about, I find something. What I’ve learned is that worry is a mental habit. I can change habits; I’ve done it before. There’s hope.
2) My second approach is to practice presence. By this I meanstopping my thoughts. In my workshops, I ring a bell to help participants practice centering. The quieter we are, the longer we hear the bell. There’s a lovely moment when we all listen . . . until the ring is barely audible . . . then just a memory. I relish that moment of quiet before my thoughts re-engage. There is no future or past, just Now. No worrying thoughts — no thoughts at all. It’s a peaceful place, which is why I stretch the moment. I want to strengthen the connection to something greater than my worries.
Read more: http://healthmad.com/mental-health/are-you-worried-four-steps-to-peace-of-mind/#ixzz16ws72ruA
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