When to stop worrying...

Is there ever a time when you stop worrying? From one's children, to extended family, friends, finances...does it ever stop? I was listening to a web broadcast by Rick Hanson who has written a book titled Buddha’s Brain: The Practical Neuroscience of Happiness, Love, and Wisdom. It is a book I have not read, but intend to because as I hear more and more of this gentleman's words the more I am convinced that your spirituality is one aspect of who you are, but your brain plays such an important role in the way we process life not to mention the emotions life encompasses.

So back to my original question, "is there ever a time when you stop worrying?" If you realize that our ancestor's brains were "wired" to "fight or flight" then you get an understanding of where present day man gets his worries. I often feel like I am "fighting" for everything (I do not mean, yelling, I mean working harder and harder, fighting to make life's ends meet). If I'm not "fighting" then I find myself in a "flight" mode... it's amazing the comfort I can find with my head under my sheets in bed hiding from the world even if it is only momentarily! Lord knows that with children, a husband, a dog not to mention a company, you can only hide under the sheets for so long!

I believe that the emotion of worrying is a worthless emotion. It hinders us from moving and acting and changing the things we are concerned about. Reminding myself that all is good and that all will work the way it is meant to work at least gives me the peace of mind to continue in my endeavors and "fights". I don't think as a parent one will ever stop being concerned about their child(ren)'s well-being, but to inhibit their lives and their growth whether emotional, physical or mental is a crime...well at least it should be a misdemeanor. Children need wings to fly and their flight should be a source of pride for us as parents; now that doesn't mean we shouldn't have "runway lights" on to help guide them. In terms of work, at the end of the day, did worrying "buy" me anything? I can assure you that it does not; it only prevents productiveness and continued perseverance towards one's goals.

If hindsight is 20/20, reflecting on past worries may be a good place to learn lessons from in that the answers we discover will more than likely be that the worries only led to more gray hairs, wrinkles, diminished quality of life and probably a shortening of one's life as well. God knows, I don't need more gray hairs, wrinkles, etc.

I would like to put "worrying" into perspective...it was an emotion our ancestors had to have to survive so that we could exist today. So don't just exist...LIVE and live well.