Can you / How do you stop yourself worrying or obsessing about things which you

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   Ebonnyposted 10 years ago

   Can you / How do you stop yourself worrying or obsessing about things which you cannot control?
   
   The Serenity Prayer (below) springs to mind here, but how do you personally apply it to life's specific obstacles. 
   
       "God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, Courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference."

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   Tashaonthetownposted 10 years ago

   Being from Italian decent, I have learnt that worrying doesn't help with anything.  You have to stop and tell yourself that whatever happens, must happen and leave it in Gods hands. Think about today, live for today and tomorrow will be a better one. We cannot control things but we can change our lives in certain ways to make us feel better. Think about what is worrying you and see if there is something that you can do to change it, if not, then focus on the good and things that make you smile. Listen to music and do the things that make you happy.

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      Ebonnyposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Many thanks Tasha - what you say makes good sense.

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   Tom Rubenoffposted 10 years ago

   The Serenity Prayer asks The Eternal for serenity to achieve acceptance, and then for courage and wisdom.  Connecting with the Divine can bring serenity if one opens fully, allowing the feeling of peace to flood in.  If one silently chants the prayer, or a portion of the prayer, "God grant me serenity" for example, for ten minutes a day, every day, and thinks nothing but these words during those daily ten minutes, one will probably notice after patient persistence in this practice that serenity will begin to come naturally.  Any set of words that brings you a feeling of peace would accomplish the same effect, but appealing to the Higher Power in this way directly acknowledges that Power and invites God to take an active role.  This cannot be a bad thing. 
   
   Once serenity is achieved, one tends to trust one's existence more.  Feeling connected with the Almighty gives one a feeling of security and warmth, and when one feels secure in themselves acceptance comes naturally.  You stop sweating the small stuff, but begin instead to truly enjoy it.  Things that really annoyed you before just don't seem to matter as much. 
   
   Automatically, therefore, you find less that needs changing.  But usually the things that truly need changing the most are found within.  They are obstacles to serenity that we create for ourselves - fear of the future, regret of the past or failure to forgive ourselves.  To change these things, as anything, requires courage.  Personally I find courage in trying always to do right and in detachment from outcomes.  Others find it in their trust of the Divine. 
   
   Wisdom comes from study and experience.  Using your serenity to observe without judgment, you see life unfold much more clearly.  All experience contains lessons for us.  You may believe that God brings you experiences for the express purpose of teaching you wisdom.  To believe so prepares you to be ready to learn always from life. 
   
   May all your days be serene.

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      Ebonnyposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      I think I have become more serene than I once was but still have a LONG way to go.  So much food for thought here, and I especially like the idea of earnestly focusing on particular words for a set time on a daily basis.  My thanks to you for sharing

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   KoraleePposted 10 years ago

   In the past I used to worry about a lot of things, but over the last couple of years I have been able to let go of things that are out of my control. What I do is analyze the situation, and look at it from all angles. I write notes sometimes or map it out (mind mapping).
   
   After analyzing it, it's easier to break down the situation and see if there is any part of it that I can control, and if so, what changes I can make take, then action on what I can control. A lot of the time it boils down to changing an attitude that I have that eventually makes the situation better.
   
   If nothing else, this at least gives me peace of mind that I have done all that I can do.
   
   You haven't stated exactly what life obstacle is in your way, but i find that usually what I can't control is someone else's actions, at work or personally. If this is the case, what I mentioned above will help.
   
   Another suggestion is to read the book "Don't sweat the small stuff, and it's all small stuff".

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      Ebonnyposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Many thanks for the specific breakdown of the approach you adopt to give yourself peace of mind.  No doubt this enables a person to minimise regrets - which is all important.

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   Globetrekkermelposted 10 years ago

   My antidote for that is meditate and pray. Everything seems to be lighter when I meditate and pray. I remind myself :THIS TOO SHALL PASS. PRAYER IS THE BEST WEAPON WE HAVE.

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      Ebonnyposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you - I don't think I have heard prayer described as a "weapon" before.  I like that.

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