| A friend has this quotation on his office wall: "I | | | | no thoughts at all. It's a peaceful place, which is |
| know worry works because nothing I worry | | | | why I stretch the moment. I want to strengthen |
| about ever happens." | | | | the connection to something greater than my |
| I think I must believe that, because I worry a lot | | | | worries. |
| -- and about the most insignificant things. I worry | | | | 3) When I told my good friend Rosie about my |
| about the big things, of course, like health, | | | | worry project, she told me about her approach, |
| relationships, and finances. But I'm also liable to | | | | which is to do one of three things: decide to |
| fret about anything and everything that finds its | | | | address the issue right then; if you can't do |
| way into my consciousness. | | | | anything about it at the moment, give yourself a |
| Because I spend so much time on worry, I've | | | | time to address it later; or decide that it is not |
| decided to embrace it with a personal research | | | | important and let it go. In other words, act on it, |
| project. Maybe you'd like to join me. | | | | file it or throw it away. |
| Here are two avenues I'm exploring: | | | | 4) Finally, one of Rosie's favorite worry stoppers |
| 1) I practice catching myself at it. "Hey, I'm | | | | (and mine) is to sing. Connect with your self, your |
| worrying again." During a recent morning swim, I | | | | creativity, and the place where everything really is |
| caught myself worrying 10 times during one lap! | | | | okay. |
| I'm not kidding. On rare days when I don't have | | | | Awareness and acknowledgment are the keys to |
| anything to worry about, I find something. What | | | | changing our habits. Morihei Ueshiba, who founded |
| I've learned is that worry is a mental habit. I can | | | | aikido and spoke of it as the Art of Peace, said |
| change habits; I've done it before. There's hope. | | | | we must "always practice the Art of Peace in a |
| 2) My second approach is to practice presence. | | | | vibrant and joyful manner." Perhaps my research |
| By this I mean stopping my thoughts. In my | | | | project on worry will help me to lighten up, smile, |
| workshops, I ring a bell to help participants | | | | and live each day in such a way. |
| practice centering. The quieter we are, the longer | | | | Are you worrying? Stop your thoughts for a |
| we hear the bell. There's a lovely moment when | | | | moment. Listen to the sounds around you, pay |
| we all listen . . . until the ring is barely audible . . . | | | | attention, and be present to this key moment. |
| then just a memory. I relish that moment of | | | | And smile . . . for no reason. You may find that's |
| quiet before my thoughts re-engage. There is no | | | | the best reason of all. |
| future or past, just Now. No worrying thoughts -- | | | | |