My theory is that people have too much to worry about these days. It forces people to medicate and relieve their stress in one way or another. It also forces people to be less-than-perfect just to get by in their daily lives.
We need to worry about less to be better at whatever we’re good at.
I realized the other day that almost everything I do is a worry. I worry about something, and I take care of it. If I don’t have to worry about it, nothing needs to be done. Does that make sense? Lately there have been very few days with “no worries.” Like, none.
It’s almost as if I don’t do anything unless I make it a worry for myself. How do I make things for myself to worry about? Let’s count the ways: I-cal, Basecamp, Backpack, Highrise, Sticky notes, reminders, cell phone memos, saved email, file folders, Treo 650…
What are you worried about?
- I watered the flowers and plants because I was worried they’d turn brown before Meghan’s parents came to the house.
- I cut my hair because I am worried I might grow a mullet.
- I do laundry and shower and shave because I am worried I’ll look shitty… and my wife might leave me.
- I work hard because I’m worried I won’t have enough dough to support our living habits in the long run.
- I call home because I am worried my mom will be pissed that I haven’t called home in a while.
- I eat because I am worried I might become too skinny.
- I drive a newer car because I am worried a cheaper, used one might be a pain in the ass.
- I hire a painter because I am worried about two things: 1. I won’t do a good enough job. 2. I won’t have time to finish the job.
- We’re picky about who we hire at Instrument because we’re worried that we might not pick the right person for the job.
- We take our dogs to the park because we’re worried they might destroy the house with all of the pent up energy inside of them.
- I play video games because I am worried… well those are just for fun.
- I go fishing to catch fish and put them back because I am worried that if I don’t teach them what it’s like to get caught and released, they might get caught by someone else and NOT get released. I am an educator of the fishes in this way.
- I plug things in because I am worried I might walk into something in the dark or run out of battery power on my laptop or eat bread instead of toast.
- I wear pretty normal clothing and shoes because I’m worried I might look like an a-hole.
- I spend money when I need to, spend money when I want to and work hard and work smart because I am worried I might run out.
- I need to hook up the Tivo because I am worried I am not getting the full value out of the $60 cable bill we endure every month.
- I keep my wallet, with my keys and my phone, together in the same places most of the time, because I am worried I won’t be able to find them when I need them.
- I keep old letters, papers and pictures because I am worried I might forget how much they meant to me when I first received them.
- I read websites, blogs and news stories because I am worried I might not be aware of important things. These things also make you look smarter when you’re talking to smart people.
- I look around and notice and listen because I am worried things might pass me by that would be enjoyable, important or totally crucial to see and hear.
- I make sure the people I care about know that I care about them on a regular basis, with honest words and actions.
- I try to plan ahead, but not too far, and I like to know what’s coming so I can plan, because I am worried about unpleasant surprises. More surprises are unpleasant than those that are desireable.
So, if I look worried or distressed, don’t worry about me. It’s totally normal, daily behavior.
1 response so far ↓
1 Forrest // Jul 16, 2007 at 5:12 am
Love it. Great shit right there.
Worry Less. Happy more.
I just read some buddha stuff over here. Telling us to worry less, and live more. tough to follow, but makes you think.
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