A REASON TO SMILE

It’s normal for one to worry and forget to smile as trials befall.  But it’s no longer healthy for one to be always anxious, lose sleep and be troubled with so many things.

Worrying can make us more susceptible to diseases, use up our energy in unproductive ways, and turn us into a miserable and devastated human being.  There are countless things that this destructive force can do to us.

Are we going to let this destroyer get us when there’s a lot we can do to keep us smiling?  Besides, there’s no medicine that will render life free from worries. The good news is, worry is curable by the individual himself. Yes, it’s only you who can do your own therapy and put an end to your own misery.

Since worry lies in our mind, we should learn how to control our thoughts and put worry in its proper place. Most often our worry is rooted on things that are important to us. We are fearful that if things will happen not the way we wanted it, then, there would be a problem. It is when we allow these unreal “ifs’” to affect us that we begin to worry.  The antidote is to accept worries as part of our life and learn how deal with them. It is in looking at it positively that we can use our energy productively.

A.J. Cronin in his article, Stop Worrying made an estimate of what most people worry about. The list is as follows:  Things that never happen:  40 percent.  Things over and past that can’t be changed by all the worry in the world:  30 percent.  Needless health worries:  12 percent.  Petty miscellaneous worries:  ten percent.  Real, legitimate worries:  eight percent.

Look carefully on the things that worry you most.  Maybe some of them can be eliminated. Face genuine worries with a brave heart and be prepared to sacrifice. Getting part time job during financial crisis can help. Cutting down needs to the least we can is another. You’ll be surprised to see that there are so many things you can live without.

One of the best solutions to stop worrying is work.  Keep yourself busy. Enjoy walking your pet.  Do gardening at home.  Talk to neighbors.  Read everything at hand such as old letters, anything… the Bible. The more idle time we spend, the greater is the chance that we worry.

Finally, why should we worry when we have Someone we can hold on to in times of trouble?  Crisis in my life taught me to be strong, hopeful and prayerful.  Like Peter Pan who flies with   happy thoughts, I too, learned to smile as I sing Leave it in the hands of the Lord.