Greeting A New Day

This was my view from my bed this morning shortly after dawn. I wish that I had the true eastern view of the rising son like some of my neighbors have. Even Sully thought things were looking exceptionally good this morning. I am thankful that I can and do try to approach each new day as something to be savored and explored. There are reports that there has been a spike in the number of people who have moderate to severe emotional problems because of the stressful times in which we have been living this year, exacerbated now by a so far inconclusive presidential election. I hear people saying that they are really "worried" about this and that, and I ask myself if I am, and, if not, why. The simple answer is because I am "concerned," not "worried." There is a huge difference between these two words, and I believe it is important to understand what it is. Dr. Joseph Luciani describes the difference this way: Worry is a" form of self-torment, best described as what-if thinking. Concern, on the other hand, is a calculated consideration and assessment of actual danger. Whereas Worrying anticipates problems and things going awry (loss of control), Concern is more fact-based and geared toward problem-solving." I came to realize the importance of the difference between these two conditions years ago thanks to my Grandmother. I remember her often saying how "worried" she was about this and that. It was evident from her actions and the tone of her voice that these worries really agitated her. Many of them were of things over which she had no personal control, yet her worry would keep her awake for long hours into the night. I began to think that I did not want to have my life ruled or adversely affected by worry, and I have worked hard to try to make it more of a concerned based one. It hasn't always been easy, and I am continually tested. Sometimes Worry wins, but, thankfully, not as often anymore. The way that I have learned to combat it is to see if there is a way for me to find a solution and work toward it. If I don't find one, I have tried to teach myself to put that worry aside and move away from it. There is nothing I can do to change it. When I have let Worry overide Concern, I have realized that the anxiety that comes with it can be paralyzing. That is a terrible condition in which to live. In fact, I would have to say that I think it isn't really living at all. I want to wake each morning with the desire to embrace the new day, discover the riches it offers, and remember that there will always be things in life over which I will have no control, and I should not let them control me.