“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.”
― Corrie ten Boom
Photo by Charlie Marusiak on Unsplash
Who said this?
Corrie ten Boom (15 April 1892 – 15 April 1983) was a Dutch watchmaker and Christian who, along with her father and other family members, helped many Jews escape the Nazi Holocaust during World War II by hiding them in her closet. She was imprisoned for her actions. Her most famous book, The Hiding Place, is a biography that recounts the story of her family's efforts.
wikipedia
If you've never heard of Corrie ten Bloom, then you are probably not alone. I had not heard her story before I stumbled across this quote! Its a beautiful thing when we learn something like unknown heroism. But I digress...
Worry is weight
I figure that Corrie knew a thing or two about worrying. I mean, she was hiding and sheltering Jewish people from the Nazis... so her understanding of worry is probably greater than most of us.
Still, I think her message has something to offer us in everyday life. Worry is often a weight or a burden on our minds and hearts. Its a distraction from whats going on right now... which is a distraction from the imperfect perfection we are aiming for.
In addition, worrying has a measurable impact on our bodies. It can lead to anxiety, trouble sleeping, reduce immunity, and even increase the risk of PTSD! I think it is safe to say that we should give some attention to how we deal with worrying.
Focus and a balanced load
As we go through our lives, remember that we will always be tempted to identify and avoid possible sources of pain. This is natural and its a valuable habit overall. The problem arises when we "hold onto" that fear. Attachment kills.
So, put down the "weight of tomorrow", and just focus on whats in front of you now. It can often be a challenge, especially if you are prone to rumination, but there are some things you can do to make it easier.
- Accept it. Sometimes the easiest way to deal with attachment is just to acknowledge it, and let it go.
- Make a list. Get your worries out of your head and know that you won't forget them.
- Make an appointment to worry. Put some time on your calendar that is dedicated to a particular issue or just items in general. Spend this time on planning solutions, but otherwise don't worry!
- Reduce screen time. Believe it or not, more time with screens (tv, movies, online) can actually make anxiety worse. Try to cut back a bit and limit your media time... give your mind a chance to rest.
- Get a hobby. Sometimes a resonable distraction is a great way to disengage your ruminating mind. Knitting, building, drawing, sculptling, cooking, beer making, etc. Anything that lets you use your hands and focus on process.
- Meditate. One of the best all around tonics for a heavy mind is to clear it of clutter. (more posts on this coming up)
Conserve today's strength
There is one very tricky thing to watch out for when you are trying to deal with worries, and often that is guilt. Guilt is an artificial construct and has little true value, but it can still pack a punch that can leave you on the floor.
The thing to remember here is that we want to make the best use of today's resources as we can. We identify worry, we deal with it in some way, and then we set it down. This frees us up to take care of today's issues and do whats best for everyone. If you are doing what is best for everyone, then you don't need to feel guilty.
As you go through your day, I hope you remember to lighten your load (and your heart) as often as you can. Save your strength for the things that really matter... the things you need and the things you enjoy.
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