Just a few minutes earlier, I had been swimming laps myself. And I didn’t look at all like this lady. Instead, I felt like I had been struggling, doing everything in my power to make it quickly to the other side without stopping.
It was then that I realized I live life in the same way. I’m always trying to get through the day in a hurry, always trying to make it to the next task, all the while not completely enjoying the moment. Then, by the time it’s time for bed, if I haven’t accomplished everything I had set out to do in the morning, I sometimes feel like it was a wasted day. And that’s not any way to feel!
So how is any of this related to worrying? Well, if everything is perfect (as close as it can be, anyway) and I’ve done what I set out to do each day, then what’s there to worry about?
Unfortunately, not everything is perfect. When obstacles begin to divert me from the path I’m on, my arms start flapping around and my legs start to lose strength, just as if I were trying to push through the water in the pool. I begin struggling to stay afloat and keep my head above water, if only for the rest of the day until I get up the next morning and do it all again. And if some things aren’t as they should be, I may just begin to worry.
Many of us go through the same motions every day, and that’s no way to really live. We should be counting our blessings every day and enjoying every moment - no, every second - without worrying. Believe me. This can be difficult to do, especially if you don’t feel well, work with difficult people, or have a lot on your plate.
So what can us worrywarts do to enjoy life on a daily basis? Here are some things I’m going to try (hope they work!):
1) Stop worrying so much (obviously!). My boss says, “Worrying is a wasted emotion.” With so much to accomplish each day, why do I want to waste my energy on worrying?
2) Count my blessings every day. So I didn’t exercise like I wanted to or didn’t have time to clean the bathroom. But I traveled to and from work safely. And I spent quality time with my husband. And I even had a good laugh with a friend. Aren’t these also important accomplishments?
3) Go to bed knowing I did the best I could that day. It’s impossible not to make at least one mistake each day, and that’s okay because we are all human. As long as you are trying to do your best every day, you shouldn’t have much to worry about.
So these are my suggestions. I hope they are helpful. Maybe the next time you encounter chaos or a difficult situation (or person), you’ll be gliding through the water (or your problems), happy and content, just like the lady swimmer.
Editor's note: I just realized I said some of the same things in this post as I did in a previous one. That definitely was not planned! I really should start taking my own advice then, huh? :-)
