Worry Wastes Your Time
When WHAT and IF meet, they usually have off-spring. Sometimes the kids are named Dream or Imagination. Occasionally they are Wonder or Possibility. But just as often they are called Fear or Worry.
What if ... I'm not ready? What if ... I look like a fool? What if ... no one follows? What if ... I'm wrong? What if ... I fail?
What if ... this is my time? What if ... I find a new path? What if ... others believe in me? What if ... I'm right? What if ... I succeed?
Those are some of the big, ugly, icky fears, but I think the little worries are just as damaging because they risk creeping into every area of our life.
What if I ...
arrive late for work? can't find my car keys?have to wait?am ignored? don't get promoted?have to buy a bigger pair of jeans? have a kid who doesn't get into _____ school?don't get what I want?can't lose the bags under my eyes?
Have I missed anyone?
We all have the same word capacity, but we make individual decisions on where to focus. We choose how to use the power of WHAT IF.
To those who spend their time worrying, the emotion doesn't usually feel like a choice, but some sort of "realistic" conclusion to a set of facts. But that's simply not true.
The quote in the picture above is from Corrie ten Boom, a Dutch woman who, along with her family, hid Jews in their home during World War II. She ultimately was captured and sent to a concentration camp. She had plenty of opportunity to worry, but decided to live her life differently.
An expanded version of the quote (which was too big for the office white board above...): “Worrying is carrying tomorrow's load with today's strength- carrying two days at once. It is moving into tomorrow ahead of time. Worrying doesn't empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strength.”
The truth is worry is a complete waste of time. Choose something better to do with your energy and your day.