Worry (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
I find Dr Bill Wooton’s blog inspirational and today I believe that he posted this just for me:
“How simple it is to see
that all the worry in the world
cannot control the future.
How simple it is to see
that we can only be happy now.
And that there will never be a time
when it is not now.” ~ Gerald Jampolsky, M.D.
I must remember this when I wake up at 3:00 a.m. with something nattering at me; something that will not let go and grows into something monstrous that in the light of day is only a molehill and not a mountain.
In the past I have worried to such an extent that it has rendered me paralyzed until I realize that action is the panacea for whatever is bothering me. 3:00 a.m. is not a good time for action, so I must remember Dr. Jampolsky’s advice. Think I will write these words down and place them near my bed and read them when the worry monster shows up.
Does worry every mess up your “now”?
On the Homefront 
“Worry” is a thief … because it does steal precious moments from you. Knowing this is for some (such as me)it is still difficult and too many times it gains a foothold in my life. When I recognize this and ‘let go’ of course it is much better, but being honest I must admit I let it creep back in far too often. … Diane
worry does seem to take up residence and we have to shoo it out the door–and it sneaks back in at the most inopportune times
Oh I get visits from the worry monster as well. I hope keeping this by your bed helps. Why doesn’t the cookie monster show up and give me cookies?
that kind of monster would be much welcome!
I get so hungry that time of day. And yippie! I didn’t go in your spam folder!
I saved you from my spam several times–odd how it misses so much yet you were there
Funny, I thought he wrote it for me! 😉 You’re not alone in achieving that paralytic leve of worry that makes one start looking for a paper bag to breathe into (if only one could move). And the simplicity of the reality – that all we have is this moment, all else is hypothetical and/or history. I’m with you – though I don’t always crave cookies when I’m in total fret meltdown..;-)
when I am in meltdown nothing much helps–just have to get through it
I know this sounds weird and perhaps simplistic, but try drinking a full glass of water before bed…an hour or so before….I used to wake up between 3 and 4 every night…worrying about everything. A naturapath said if women are dehydrated they wake up….I now do it and wake up far less often. Now all you have to do is keep the pee monster from waking you up.
I will do that–I have been trying to drink more water lately so this should work into my plan
I’m more of an over-thinker than a worrier.
sometimes that can be the same thing
Worrying is my life! I remember the first time the doctor told me my extent of worry was not normal, and I tried and SSRI (Paxil). I told him it was the first time in my whole life I didn’t bite my nails and worry incessently. It’s so hard to turn it off! Great blog.
I know whereof you speak on both levels
Laughing at Peggy’s comment. I am glad that works for her but drinking more water just makes me wake up more often to pee…. and THEN worry. LOL
I always thought that worry had a purpose. I like to think there are reasons for everything. But I haven’t figured out how worry can be helpful at all.
I think a little worry leads to planning; a lot of worry to stress and paralysis
I do not seem to be bothered by the water thing at night–yet
It amazing how we get into negative self-talk about the things we “must do” and if we don’t a castrophe will shurely occur. That is how we end up in endless downward spirals . . . .
well I would like to take that spiral staircase up instead of down
I’m a worrywart by nature, and I live with three males who don’t worry about a damn thing and think I’m crazy because I do. I am consciously trying not to worry so much, but some days it is really hard. I think that’s why I love to read so much because it calms my mind down and stops me from thinking about the worrying matters :).
Me too! I can lose myself in a good book or television show!
🙂
Oh yes, this is so true, but as you so rightly say, 3am isn’t the right time for action, and that worry monster just takes a stranglehold on one’s peace of mind. I wish I knew the magic word to banish him forever. 🙂
if you find it, share it with me!
The middle of the night makes every problem seem insuperable
.I just have to be firm with myself, and remember that I know this, and STOP thinking, crossing bridges, and all the other pointless stuff…
I try to be firm with myself but myself doesn’t listen
True..I find myself a bit of a handful too
ha ha – I love that statement and so can relate!
Nothing worse than waking up in the middle of the night with mind and heart racing worrying about having forgotten something, or dwelling on what’s left to do. Years ago, I woke up obsessing whether I had missed a deadline at work – – finally got back to sleep after driving down to the office in the middle of the night and double-checking for peace of mind :-). Silly as I know nothing could be done till morning, but I just had to assure myself! (it was a big deadline!)
I am a Virgo; we are the Emperors of Worry; no one else in the Zodiac can best us in that department. That said, I have to work every day on not obsessing over the tiniest thing that *might* turn out to be awful. It’s exhausting being me! lol.
I’m improved from earlier years, but this is indeed my biggest challenge. Perfect post, perfect timing for me. Thanks!
it is my biggest challenge too– it is 3:35 a.m. right now and I am not up because I want to be