Overcoming Worry

People get so in the habit of worry that if you save them from drowning and put them on a bank to dry in the sun with hot chocolate and muffins they wonder whether they are catching cold. ~ John Jay Chapman

The holidays are a very stressful time for everyone and an exceptionally hard time for some.  So, until the New Year I’ll be posting a Holiday Happiness post each day to try help folks out who are struggling.  As always you can reach out to me at Happinesskane@aol.com for a kind word or someone to listen. ~ Rev Kane

I sometimes think that worry is the number one thing that keeps people from being happy.  We spend so much time worrying about what other people think, did I make the right decision, what might happen next?  Most worry is a total and complete waste of time, what others think rarely truly matters, once a decision is made whether it was right or not is irrelevant you just have to deal with the consequences of the decision you made, and finally worrying about what might happen, well that’s an infinite well you’ll never get out of and still be happy.  So tonight a tour around the web to find you some resources and advice on how to worry less.  I’m starting with a quote I really like, give then a read and have a happy day my friends ~ Rev Kane

When you begin to worry, go find something to do. Get busy being a blessing to someone; do something fruitful. Talking about your problem or sitting alone, thinking about it, does no good; it serves only to make you miserable. Above all else, remember that worrying is totally useless. Worrying will not solve your problem. ~ Joyce Meyer

How to Stop Worrying – This is a fantastic piece that focuses on six steps:

1. Creating a worry period
2. Ask yourself if the problem is solvable
3. Learn to accept uncertainty
4. Challenge anxious thoughts
5. Be aware of how others affect you
6. Practice Mindfulness

I normally posts several resources when I do my resource posts but tonight I’m just going with the one because it’s spot on.  The trick is, like with anything else, you have to work at making change.  The full article goes into detail about why you worry and how to actively work at each of the six steps above.  Practicing mindfulness is one that many people might not be familiar with so here are a couple of links related to that.

What is Mindfulness – A very nice explanation to what the term means.

The Mindfulness Guide – As always the blog, Zen Habits hits the nail on the head with a simple guide to how to incorporate mindfulness into busy life.

Mindfulness is Daily Activities – Some interesting and simple ways to be more mindful about things you do everyday

Other pieces you might enjoy!

Worry the enemy of happiness

Happiness, worry & the Dalai Lama’s thoughts

Deng Ming-Dao on Worry

A mindfulness day as a way to happiness