Have you ever called someone a worrywart? Apparently it's an insult, because recently I told a friend he's a worrywart and he got upset. But the thing is, it's true. He is a worrywart.
For the longest time, he worried about whether he would get into law school. Once he got accepted, he worried about his grades. Once he worked his way to the top of the class, he worried about finding a job. Once he landed a job, he worried about succeeding. And once he got some accomplishments under his belt, he worried about keeping his job.
At no point did he seem to enjoy life. He was too consumed with worry and anxiety and unknowns. There was no time to appreciate. No time to relish. No time to savor.
It's a terrible way to live.
Worrying keeps us from enjoying life
What bothers me most about my friend is that I see myself in him. Too often the worries of the day pull me away. The daily task list distracts me. Anxiety about my future consumes me. The mistakes of my past trouble me.
Worry is a tide that perpetually pulls me, dragging me from the present. Before I know it, I'm completely distracted, oblivious to everything around me, consumed with anxiety and fear. I'm not living in the present -- with all its beauty and wonder -- but somewhere in my head, far from anything resembling enjoyment.
Perhaps you can relate.
Life doesn't slow down, it only speeds up
We tell ourselves life won't always be like this. It won't always be stressful. It won't always be busy. We won't always worry about the future or concern ourselves with the past. We won't always have so much going on.
Eventually, life will slow down. Then we can finally enjoy it.
We only need to get a better job. We only need to find a spouse. We only need to change cities. We only need to save for retirement. We only need to have kids. We only need to go on vacation. We only need to adjust our routine.
But life doesn't slow down. It only speeds up.
Enjoy life -- not today, not tomorrow, but right now
If we're ever going to enjoy life, we need to learn to enjoy it right now. Regardless of circumstances. In the midst of craziness and confusion. In the thick of chaos and conflict. Despite uncertainties and unknowns.
That begins with choosing to focus on the good, not the bad. Seeing everything that's right, instead of ignoring it. Believing God's hand is at work, not random chance. Embracing an attitude of gratitude, one that basks in thanksgiving. Choosing contentment over restlessness. Living for today, not tomorrow.
It might seem overwhelming, like an impossible task. But it's really not. All it takes is a single decision and you can begin enjoying life. Right now, in this very moment.
A version of this post originally appeared at PaulPerkins.com.
Paul Perkins writes about living intentionally at PaulPerkins.com. Connect with him on Facebook. Get a free copy of his eBook, The Art of Creating, about developing your artistic craft.
from Healthy Living - The Huffington Post http://ift.tt/1t0FudT
via IFTTT
For the longest time, he worried about whether he would get into law school. Once he got accepted, he worried about his grades. Once he worked his way to the top of the class, he worried about finding a job. Once he landed a job, he worried about succeeding. And once he got some accomplishments under his belt, he worried about keeping his job.
At no point did he seem to enjoy life. He was too consumed with worry and anxiety and unknowns. There was no time to appreciate. No time to relish. No time to savor.
It's a terrible way to live.
Worrying keeps us from enjoying life
What bothers me most about my friend is that I see myself in him. Too often the worries of the day pull me away. The daily task list distracts me. Anxiety about my future consumes me. The mistakes of my past trouble me.
Worry is a tide that perpetually pulls me, dragging me from the present. Before I know it, I'm completely distracted, oblivious to everything around me, consumed with anxiety and fear. I'm not living in the present -- with all its beauty and wonder -- but somewhere in my head, far from anything resembling enjoyment.
Perhaps you can relate.
Life doesn't slow down, it only speeds up
We tell ourselves life won't always be like this. It won't always be stressful. It won't always be busy. We won't always worry about the future or concern ourselves with the past. We won't always have so much going on.
Eventually, life will slow down. Then we can finally enjoy it.
We only need to get a better job. We only need to find a spouse. We only need to change cities. We only need to save for retirement. We only need to have kids. We only need to go on vacation. We only need to adjust our routine.
But life doesn't slow down. It only speeds up.
Enjoy life -- not today, not tomorrow, but right now
If we're ever going to enjoy life, we need to learn to enjoy it right now. Regardless of circumstances. In the midst of craziness and confusion. In the thick of chaos and conflict. Despite uncertainties and unknowns.
That begins with choosing to focus on the good, not the bad. Seeing everything that's right, instead of ignoring it. Believing God's hand is at work, not random chance. Embracing an attitude of gratitude, one that basks in thanksgiving. Choosing contentment over restlessness. Living for today, not tomorrow.
It might seem overwhelming, like an impossible task. But it's really not. All it takes is a single decision and you can begin enjoying life. Right now, in this very moment.
A version of this post originally appeared at PaulPerkins.com.
Paul Perkins writes about living intentionally at PaulPerkins.com. Connect with him on Facebook. Get a free copy of his eBook, The Art of Creating, about developing your artistic craft.
from Healthy Living - The Huffington Post http://ift.tt/1t0FudT
via IFTTT
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