Don’t worry, be happy ;)

All great teachers across the ages have taught about the futility of worrying, and my favourite wisdom on the topic has been attributed to a few different people so I’ll just say I don’t know who it’s from:

“Worrying is about as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubble gum.” 

Even when we know this though, it’s no easy task to convince our very busy mind that it shouldn’t be thinking worrying thoughts, right?

Today’s meditation and wisdom from the Dalai Lama hopes to be practical about this subject:

“If a problem is fixable, if a situation is such that you can do something about it, then there is no need to worry, go fix. If it’s not fixable, then no amount of worrying will make it better. There is no benefit in worrying whatsoever.” – Dalai Lama

“If a problem has a solution, we must work to find it; if it does not, we need not waste time thinking about it.” – Dalai Lama

“If it can be solved, there’s no need to worry, and if it can’t be solved, worry is of no use.” – Dalai Lama

To paraphrase his words, the Dalai Lama’s advice is to take action on the problems that you can solve, and then to spend no energy whatsoever on the problems that you have no solution for.

Here’s what’s really practical about this. Sometimes we do see the solution to a particular problem but our fear prevents us from taking action, and so our inaction leaves only one target for our energy to focus on… more worrying. But when we put our energy into action, there is just less open space in our mind for empty worrying to occur.

Our meditation today is “The Serenity Prayer”, which comes to the conclusion that we need to tap into wisdom to know the difference between what to take action on and what to accept and surrender, and the Dalai Lama has some advice about what might lead us in the direction of this wisdom:

“Many people think that patience is a sign of weakness. I think this is a mistake. It is anger that is a sign of weakness, whereas patience is a sign of strength.” – Dalai Lama

“When you talk you are only repeating something you already know. But, if you listen you may learn something new.” – Dalai Lama

The Dalai Lama’s advice is that we should focus our energy on actionable problems and let go of those beyond our control, and along with this he advocates patience as a path to wisdom. Today’s meditation is “The Serenity Prayer” which asks exactly this: “Help me let go of what I can’t change, and help me take action on what is mine to change.” The voice of wisdom is available to all of us, and today’s journey is an opportunity to practice the patience needed to listen.

A few questions to reflect on:

  • What are the areas of my life where I tend to worry excessively?
  • Which of these worries are within my control to address?
  • What action can I take to alleviate these worries?
  • Which worries are beyond my control?
  • How can I practice acceptance and release these worries?
  • How can I cultivate patience and active listening in my daily life?

A brain that worries too much, can be trained to worry less, there is a choice but it requires patience. By embracing the wisdom of the ages and practicing mindfulness, we can break free from the cycle of negative thinking and experience greater peace and fulfillment.

Have a beautiful day and, don’t worry, be happy 😉

– pierre –

Today’s LIVE meditation is: The serenity prayer.