How to Overcome Worry

This article will explore the origins of my anxiety, and hopefully make some recommendations about how all of us can overcome the negative.

It’s the middle of November in Cave Junction, Oregon. Sunlight is taking some of the cool briskness out of the air. The sky is mostly a clear blue with some cotton-puff clouds meandering over the mountaintops.

Max (our spunky, white, whiskered-terrier-mix) and I are enjoying the live nature pictures from the vantage point of our backyard patio. A bunch of quails waddle and bob around our berm in the distance. They chatter, cluck, and make strange whistling sounds. Of course, Max is on high alert.

Occasionally, sunlight illuminates silver spider webs that connect from the baby-pines to form an endless matrix woven through all the wild vegetation. To my amazement, the beaming sun shifts its light, and the magical matrix disappears. Just goes to show you again that there is more to life than we actually see.

All of a sudden, a well fed, inquisitive quail, fluffs its wings, and lands on the top of our cedar fence. Yes, Max goes crazy as he smashes into the fence with a burst of super speed that was a true joy to watch. Needless to say, the quail got away.

With all the blessed beauty around me, why am I worrying so much?

First, I’m worried about some financial matters. For those of you who read my hub “The Wreck,” you know our car was totaled. Our car was paid off. The insurance company has offered us a $7000 settlement on it. I’m worried that’s not going to be enough to find a reliable vehicle.

Also, I’m anxious about how to deal with the insurance company for our “pain and suffering.” It’s been a month now since the accident. My four broken ribs still hurt. Susan, my wife, is experiencing acute PTSD symptoms. The 93-year-old lady who turned into us, shouldn’t have been driving in the first place; we found out she had a history of prior accidents.

I had to fly to my dad’s memorial service in Michigan with broken ribs. Susan was unable to attend. We both cancelled our scheduled vacation to see her 87-year-old dad in San Diego, because of all of the stress, pain, and exhaustion.

Friends have recommended we get a lawyer to deal with the insurance company. The problem is they all charge 30% of whatever settlement is arranged.

I’m also worried about our 37-year-old son: He lost his job; has been unemployed for a year; can’t decide whether to go back to school for retraining or not.

Of course my main concern is for my wife and her PTSD symptoms. Her BiPolar Disorder is messed up again; she is having panic attacks, high irritability, confusion, stuttering.

Last but not least, I’m still battling the damn flu. This congestion thing keeps hanging on. When will all of these problems ever end?

Looks like a pretty long worry list for now. The question is what can I do about all of this stuff? Hopefully the answers will help you too.

I think I need to practice my positive affirmations. Example: “I’m powerless over people, places, and things.” Or how about, “I need to be grateful for all the good and beauty in my life right now?” And there’s this one: “I’m not in control; God’s in control.”

Next, I do need to take some positive action steps. It won’t hurt to consult with a lawyer. Susan and I can prepare our case and start negotiating with the insurance company. If we don’t like the results, then we can hire the lawyer.

We can stay in contact with our son and offer him all the love, support, and prayer he needs. We can get Susan’s medications adjusted and get her to see a counselor for the PTSD. My flu will pass and I can take good care of myself.

Most importantly, in terms of overcoming worry, it’s time to use my faith in what I refer to as the Love-Light. I know there is a wise voice inside of us that guides with positive thoughts and new ideas. I know, we have much to be grateful for, and it’s okay to release all the stress to my Love-Light.

I believe there are solutions to all problems. The Power of the Positive will carry us through any storm. There is always a “bridge over troubled waters.”

Here’s to the sun that’s warm on my face today; to the miracle of Max; to the love that beams from our 33-year-old marriage; to a life of retirement in a loving community, surrounded by ever-changing, live, soothing nature pictures. We are truly blessed. What can really trump all of that?