Here is a list of things I worry about: my health, my finances, my mom, my children, my thinning hair, my memory, world events, Texas government, health insurance, wars, our dysfunctional federal government, civil rights for all, the environment, disasters, religious fundamentalism, blah blah quack quack.
Some of these things I worry about more than the others. My worry often takes the form of an urgent voice in my head that asks, “What should I do? What should I do? What should I do? How can I fix this?” The implication is, “it’s up to me, it’s up to me, it’s up to me!” Wears me out.
Lately I’ve latched on to a new approach that I find more productive. And, ironically, it is also more relaxing.
Instead of worrying about what is going to happen, and what I should do to make things happen the way I think they should, I am practicing curiosity instead. It goes something like this:
- I wonder how this will turn out?
-Wow, I didn’t expect this—I wonder what will come of it?
- Oh this is interesting—where on earth will it lead?
-She’s in a pickle—I’m curious how she handles this.
- I’m keeping an eye on this situation—I don’t have a clue what should happen.
-Whoa! I didn’t see this coming—hold on, no telling what is coming next!
-Ok Robyn, wait and see what you are prompted to do now.
Curiosity feels so much better than worry, and why not? I did not create all these situations; I did not even create myself. I’m not in charge of the world; there is little I can control. I can certainly do my part, but I don’t always know what my part is. I’m curious about that too.
Every one of us has built into our Being a loving, wise presence, a Voice of Loving Kindness that knows how to solve all kinds of dilemmas. Curiosity invites me to turn to that Presence and say, "now what? I always get such a kick watching how you transform problems!"
How it feels to ask, “what am I going to do about this?” is very different from “I wonder what I’m going to do about this? I wonder what creative solutions are going to pop into my head, and when? I wonder who is going to show up to help me? This is all such a mystery!"
Worrying is always non-productive. Curiosity opens doors, windows, peepholes, and kernels, and allows for nuggets, flashes, hunches, nudges, and awarenesses to reveal themselves to me.
I wonder what people will think of this?
I love it!! And I will put into immediate practice in my life. Thanks, Robyn.
ReplyDeleteI've paid to have people tell me what you just said. Thanks for reminding me. Here's a quote I ran across "Worry pretends to be necessary".
ReplyDeleteThanks as always Robyn. (Sharon, don't know how to answer those other questions.)
Wow, this certainly puts the world into a different perspective! Love it, now I wonder if I can practice this?
ReplyDeleteNow we're getting somewhere, Robyn...I really like the idea, and I believe The Red Man needs a dose of your thoughts on curiosity - he does tend more toward worrying. I'll be sure to share with him. Good job.
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