IN LIFE AS IN THE DANCE : GRACE GLIDES

ON BLISTERED FEET.
---Alice Abrams

Tuesday, July 17, 2007

What? Me Worry?

Anyone my age knows the Mad Magazine icon, "Alfred E. Neuman," and his "What? Me Worry?" tagline. I have said the words so many times, so nonchalantly, like my buddy Alfred E., but inside my gut was churning. Our minds are so powerful! They control every aspect of who, how, and what we are. To some degree, they can even control certain illnesses and their intensity.

Doctors have proven that a mind full of negativity and worry creates stress, which creates cortisol and damages our bodies. It can bring about depression and other emotional problems.

So why do we worry? A lot of it's based on our basic personalities - do we see the glass as half- full or half-empty? I'm a half-full type of gal mentally, but my body says half-empty! Another aspect is the physical as in someone like myself, who is predisposed to depression.

***I had to stop typing this because of the aura I'm getting due to the onset of a migraine. I've taken my meds and will try to continue but it will probably not go in the direction I wanted...

I used to laugh at my hubman's mom because she worried nonstop about us. If we were going to see my mom, she asked that we call and let her know we arrived safely because the L.A. traffic worried her. Inevitably, we'd forget to call in the hubbub of arriving and she'd be on the phone before we knew it. I always felt bad but down deep, I thought it was a bit much. Well, guess who's doing the worrying now? What goes 'round does indeed, come 'round! My daughter and her sons travel a lot and when I don't hear from her when she's on the road, I really worry! I'm sure my dear MIL is somewhere saying, "See?" And it serves me right!

But my worrying for my daughter's safety isn't going to make her safer. Case in point: My first husband and I were married in 1965 and he stayed just ahead of deferment for the draft. I would lay in bed at night, unable to sleep because I knew he'd be drafted and die in Viet Nam. He did die young, but only a few blocks from our house in a car accident! Unnecessary worry like that takes it toll on you body and your emotions. I have had panic attacks, migraines, IBS, anxiety, lower immunity to disease, etc. I've tried to reverse the damage that I've done but it's a rough road and one involving exercise, my old nemesis. But it's "fixable," for the most part.

Today, I have heard from dear people that I love and care about that are in places in their lives that they'd rather not be. I worry about them. That's okay - that's empathy; that is concern that creates long prayers lists! This gives us an opportunity to at least feel that I'm being productive in some way, whether or not one believes in prayer, as I do. It gives you a focused activity and an outlet for the worry and anger. It's all of the non-productive anger and worry that creates all of those negatives in the darkrooms of our minds.

To all of you special people who are carrying burdens right now, you know I love you and am thinking about you continually. Whether it's money, relationships, illness or strife, please try to find a productive way to deal with it. Do as I say, not as I do!

Things in this life are never simple, but Worry often gives a small thing a big shadow. ~Swedish Proverb

12 comments:

Empress Bee (of the high sea) said...

wow, lots of deep things going on honey. hope you are okay. love 'ya!!!

smiles, bee

Linda said...

Such a thought provoking post. Sweetie, hope you are ok. You are so right that worry and stress can really do a number to our body. But I like to think of the song, "Don't Worry, Be Happy"!!!

Anonymous said...

Thankfully one of the positive things I am experiencing as I grow older...is that I do worry less ;)

Sarge Charlie said...

Thanks for all your very nice and thoughtful comments.

Desert Songbird said...

That positive frame of mind is so very helpful in battling Life's challenges. I'm thankful that today, like yesterday, I woke up - I'm alive!

Ramblins of a middle-aged goddess said...

You need to read what shorty bear had to write over at her blog about something very similar to this. She wrote about FEAR and well I think it is about the same. Read her blog:
http://shortybearsplace.blogspot.com/
It is not quite the same but I think it leads to the same conclusion that you are trying to get at!! I love your blog because I am very GUILTY of exactly this!! I think all of us are though. We just need to put our worries in the hands of God and let HIM deal with them. Sandy

Nikki Neurotic said...

I worry a lot too, my family gives me a lot of reasons to worry! I've managed to keep it under control for the most part though...I do become some what anxious and at times have imsomnia...but at the same time it's fairly manageable. But my siblings all recently got their driving permits...yikes!

Unknown said...

you know you're so right! lately all i seem to be doing is worrying-- and i keep telling myself that it doesn't change anything. but i totally relate-- i used to get panic attacks all the time, and i take these pills from the holistic doctor to control anxiety and stuff. the things we do to ourselves...

good post though! and thanks for stopping by my blog =)

Crazy Working Mom said...

Sending lots of hugs and well wishes your way. I loved the sweedish proverb at the end.

Travis Cody said...

You always seem to have words that make me think a little. These words today are quite useful to me.

Thanks!

Linda said...

I am hoping that by now your headache has finally gone away and left you in relative peace.

I worry a lot - I've probably mentioned that a time or two in my blog and lately I seem to worry more and more. Maybe it's an age thing? Maybe it's a just-not-comfortable-where-I-am-in-my-life thing? I dunno ... I just wish it would stop sometimes so I could get some decent sleep without taking a sleeping pill or Benadryl!

Sandee said...

You are so right Gracie...I have noticed that as I age I worry more and more about things. I haven't gone so far as to affect my health, but I do understand where you are coming fom. Big hug to you my friend. :)