Barbara J. Hamby

sign-up for our email list

The Worry Button

We probably all know, at some level, that worrying is a waste of time and energy. It’s been said that most of the things we worry about never happen. However, I’ve noticed that quite often when I’m trying to push the Don’t Worry button, something I didn’t have sense enough to worry about sneaks around and bites me in the butt.

When our children are young, we delude ourselves that we won’t have to worry about them any longer when they’re grown. At some pre-determined age, 21, 30, 40, 50, or (fill in the blank) we will be able to stop concerning ourselves with their lives and their welfare. Wrong. Whether or not worry is justified, most of us can’t stop such an ingrained habit.

I’ve convinced myself that I don’t waste time or court wrinkles by worrying unnecessarily. We could argue about what, if any, worry is necessary.

Busy people don’t have much time to worry. So we steal sleep by saving worries for bedtime when we’re trying to rest.

A number of years ago when I first learned to meditate, I was able to crowd worries and all thoughts out of my mind. I’m sure it would behoove me to return to that practice.