The one true path to illness
Why worry? Actually that's easier said than done. It's true. You have friends, wives, husbands, relatives, sons and daughters always imparting this piece of advice.
"Don't worry, it won't change anything!" Wrong! It changes things. It transforms your health. Worry makes you sick. Sick with worry, as they say.
Still, in the generations that have gone by, and for generations to come, human beings will continue to worry. Only the wisest among us, the most spiritual of us all will cease to worry, or rather they have gone up to the altar of deepest worry, stare at the idol and recognise it for what it is and what it has been all this while - absolutely nothing.
Yes, worry is sort of built-into our psyche. We worry about our retirement, we worry about what comes after retirement, we worry about our own health, we worry about our loved ones, we worry about job opportunities, we worry about whether anyone will love us, we worry about getting our next meal, we worry about keeping up with our obnoxious neighbours, we worry about the state of the world, we worry about the next terrorist attack, etc.
Heck, we worry just for the sake of worrying. Is that normal? Yes and no. Yes, because everybody worries at one time or another in the course of his natural life. No, because if worrying is carried on to the extreme, it can be a health hazard.
My recommended antidote for neutralising worry is to find another habit that makes you forget your worry. For example, if you are worried about your child's education, then do something about it.
If your son is not doing well in school, find out why he's not doing well. If he says he's just not interested in studies, then try your best to convince him about the long term benefits of a good education.
If he is a totally "useful case" as far as education is concerned, then ask him what he would like to do. Absolutely nobody dislikes everything. There must be something a person likes. I once told my children, "if you like to be a hawker, then be the best hawker in town. Make me proud.
The most important thing is be happy at what you do." Worry comes in a million forms, and they are all debilitating after a while. Worry takes the shortest route to illness. Not everybody knows that.
Those who do usually don't fall sick. They know better. Have you ever come across someone who says "why worry, just go ahead and enjoy life." I know it's irritating to hear that from such a joyful person when you feel like crawling into bed and sleep your blues away.
I have met people like that before. These people inspire me. I am glad I come across people like that. Life should always be like that - fast route to happiness and joy. Nowadays, when friends or strangers come up and ask me: "How's life with you?" My immediate response is "Better than ever!"
They are usually taken aback by such a reply. They can't believe that I can be so cheerful. I tell you what, the next time you think life has handed you a raw deal, just think of those places that presently face disaster or horrendous conditions and you are not there.
For example, Darfur, Kandahar, Beirut, in the middle of the Gobi Desert, in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean where currently Hurricane Gordon is forming and in the refugee camps all over the world.
You could be in anywhere of these very sad places but you are not. So the conclusion is you are indeed a lucky person. Thank God for that. So what's your worry?
You should actually be down on your knees right now and kiss the ground. Go home and hug your children, kiss your wife and take them all out for a great meal. Life is good. You are not dead yet.
Chances are tomorrow you will wake up alive and are given a second chance at being a better person. So what's your worry again?
"Don't worry, it won't change anything!" Wrong! It changes things. It transforms your health. Worry makes you sick. Sick with worry, as they say.
Still, in the generations that have gone by, and for generations to come, human beings will continue to worry. Only the wisest among us, the most spiritual of us all will cease to worry, or rather they have gone up to the altar of deepest worry, stare at the idol and recognise it for what it is and what it has been all this while - absolutely nothing.
Yes, worry is sort of built-into our psyche. We worry about our retirement, we worry about what comes after retirement, we worry about our own health, we worry about our loved ones, we worry about job opportunities, we worry about whether anyone will love us, we worry about getting our next meal, we worry about keeping up with our obnoxious neighbours, we worry about the state of the world, we worry about the next terrorist attack, etc.
Heck, we worry just for the sake of worrying. Is that normal? Yes and no. Yes, because everybody worries at one time or another in the course of his natural life. No, because if worrying is carried on to the extreme, it can be a health hazard.
My recommended antidote for neutralising worry is to find another habit that makes you forget your worry. For example, if you are worried about your child's education, then do something about it.
If your son is not doing well in school, find out why he's not doing well. If he says he's just not interested in studies, then try your best to convince him about the long term benefits of a good education.
If he is a totally "useful case" as far as education is concerned, then ask him what he would like to do. Absolutely nobody dislikes everything. There must be something a person likes. I once told my children, "if you like to be a hawker, then be the best hawker in town. Make me proud.
The most important thing is be happy at what you do." Worry comes in a million forms, and they are all debilitating after a while. Worry takes the shortest route to illness. Not everybody knows that.
Those who do usually don't fall sick. They know better. Have you ever come across someone who says "why worry, just go ahead and enjoy life." I know it's irritating to hear that from such a joyful person when you feel like crawling into bed and sleep your blues away.
I have met people like that before. These people inspire me. I am glad I come across people like that. Life should always be like that - fast route to happiness and joy. Nowadays, when friends or strangers come up and ask me: "How's life with you?" My immediate response is "Better than ever!"
They are usually taken aback by such a reply. They can't believe that I can be so cheerful. I tell you what, the next time you think life has handed you a raw deal, just think of those places that presently face disaster or horrendous conditions and you are not there.
For example, Darfur, Kandahar, Beirut, in the middle of the Gobi Desert, in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean where currently Hurricane Gordon is forming and in the refugee camps all over the world.
You could be in anywhere of these very sad places but you are not. So the conclusion is you are indeed a lucky person. Thank God for that. So what's your worry?
You should actually be down on your knees right now and kiss the ground. Go home and hug your children, kiss your wife and take them all out for a great meal. Life is good. You are not dead yet.
Chances are tomorrow you will wake up alive and are given a second chance at being a better person. So what's your worry again?
posted by fillip at 2:59 PM
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