I can’t count the times I’ve worried and fretted over something that never came to pass. How much time have I wasted thinking through arguments as they might happen with someone, only for them to never materialize? How many mornings have I started the day in the shower dreading some potential confrontation?
It’s good that the conflicts don’t come to pass, but frustrating that I would repeat the practice in my mind unnecessarily.
I’ve heard it said that most of the things we worry about never happen. I believe that. Believing it doesn’t stop me from worrying, however.
Occasionally I catch myself fretting over something imaginary to the point of getting physically uptight. I have to then take a breath and change courses mentally to back away from that ledge.
So today’s lesson is about recognizing when you are unnecessarily upsetting yourself imagining something that may well not come to pass, and then changing the subject in your own mind to something more productive. Try to remind yourself that if you’re worried about it, it probably won’t happen.
Leap year lesson #39 is Worry is a waste of time.
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