“That’s the secret to life,” said Charlie Brown. “Replace one worry with another.”

Dr. Richard Swenson just makes me grin.  Here is a section of Reflection 65 from A Minute of Margin.  Please enjoy it and worry less…

“A century ago people worried they wouldn’t have enough food to last the winter and might die of starvation.  Now we worry we have too much food for winter and might die of overeating.  A century ago they worried about dying too young, by an accident, or infection, or childbirth.  Now we worry we might die too old, with wrinkles and Alzheimer’s. A century ago they worried there might not be enough pennies to buy livestock.  Now we worry there might not be enough millions to last through retirement.

The parents worry whether Johnny and Susie will grow up emotionally secure, yet also worry when Johnny and Susie don’t speak French by age six.  The traveler worries it might rain, while the farmer worries it might not rain.”

“Medical studies revel that worry is bad for your health, harming the circulatory system, immune system digestive system, and nervous system.  We read such studies and then begin worrying that we are worrying too much.”

In the Bible we find:

Do not fret.

Do not be anxious about anything.

Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Dr. Swenson points out that ignoring these will compromise our emotional energy, damage our physical health and weaken our spiritual vitality.

He suggests we ask: How often does worry actually change circumstances?

Only one sort of worry is permissible – to worry because one worries. – Hasidic Proverb

Choices Matter!