How to Choose Peace over Worry

What is worry?

Interestingly the word “worry” comes from an old Anglo-Saxon word meaning “to choke, to strangle.” Sound familiar?!

Worry is a nasty habit that we all experience, at some point, some times in abundance. It can be triggered by stress, it can be triggered by anxiety, it can be triggered by nothing at all. It is always unnecessary.

Worry is not helpful at all. Worry can lead to more stress, to physical symptoms like headaches, stomachaches, and muscle tension, as well emotional turmoil like depression, anger issues, and anxiety.

Worry is very different from considering a problem we may have or assessing a situation. When we shift from actively planning or assessing into worry, we shift from helpful to unhelpful thinking.

US culture currently seems to be driven to make us worry. I don’t have cable television, but when I do have access to it I am astounded by how advertising thrives on creating worry – one session of advertising/television watching and you are asking yourself if you should be on medication, changing your insurance, about to find yourself in a war zone/flood zone/market meltdown. We only need to listen to the radio or read a newspaper to be catapulted into worry. Our political situation is bringing fear and uncertainty to so many. The opportunity to worry is there for the taking.

As I plan the running of a day-long silent retreat, I am very focused on how I can help people to access their personal deeply rooted peace and help them find relief from stress and worries.

When worry strikes, it is generally because of our thought patterns, when we are leaning into and questioning the future.

How do we look through those thought patterns and choose peace instead? The answer lies in the practice of Mindfulness.

We need to consider what is real in the moment. Not what might happen in the future, but what is happening right in this moment. That is our only reality. That is all we know. When we accept this, we are able to detach ourselves from the worry thoughts, recognize them, and begin to break the pattern.

We bring our focus back to this particular moment.

If you are sitting, start to notice what it feels like to sit. Notice your posture, notice your feet, the weight in the sit bones. If you are walking, just walk. Be aware of how your body is moving. Be aware of each detail of this activity, the muscles that move, the weight in your feet, the breath coming in and going out.

In detail examine, mindfully, the beauty you pass. Notice the bark of the tree, the pretty fabric of someone’s shirt, and the falling leaves of this season, of course.

Recognizing worry is the first step to making a change. We can begin to notice the physical sensations of worry and labeling it, which helps. We can begin to practice actively redirecting our minds to the moment. Meditation supports this redirection, it enables you to practice focusing. You find a place that is free from worry, free from the thinking mind. You have chosen peace over worry.
 

“Inside you there is a stillness and a sanctuary to which you can retreat any time.”

Herman Hesse