7 Steps to Stop Worrying and Start Living

By Kimberley Cohen

 

Most of my life I was a worrier. I worried about everything. 
 
I was anxious about my appearance, work, doing well, the future, making mistakes and how they would affect my life, being a mom and then a single mom, what others might think or say about me, flying, etc. 
 
Whew, that was a lot of worrying. I feel exhausted just thinking about it.  Being anxious about anything and everything was not helping me, in fact, it was hurting me.   
 
My focus was on what I didn’t want. Guess what happened when I continued with this type of thinking?  I received more of the gloom instead of the glory. 
 
When our focal point is on what we don’t want instead of what we do, our lives become stressed and unhappy instead of peaceful and joyful. 
 
Sometimes people become so consumed with worry that, in a sense, they "stop living".
 
There is a whole big world out there but because of their fears they stay where it’s comfortable even if that’s being uncomfortable.
 
For many, the "unknown" is scary so they don’t try new things, go different places, meet different people, or take risks for fear making mistakes, or being judged.
 
What are your worries right now?
 
Are they about your happiness, appearance, health, relationships, finances, the future, etc.?
 
Is your worrying propelling you forward, backward, or keeping you stuck?
 
How does someone stop worrying and start living?
  • Acknowledgement.  Recognize your concerns and give them  space to be looked at.  What are they showing you?  How are they moving you forward or holding you back?  See your worries as wonderments.
  • Question.  How is worrying about _________ helping me, them, or this situation?  When you question your worry, often you will find that it isn’t helping, in fact, quite the opposite.
  • Possibilities.  Believe it or not, potential lies hidden in worry.  When you take steps, no matter how big or small they might be, you are moving forward, not backward or staying stuck. As Neil Armstrong said, "One small step for man, one giant step for mankind". 
  • Hope. Worry often has a feeling of hopelessness, about ourselves, others, or situations.  When you have hope you are opening to life’s mysteries and miracles.
  • Flexibility.  Things may not always work out the way we hope or plan.  Being adaptable allows us to grow in ways we hadn’t imagined.  We tend to worry less and enjoy more when we are flexible in our thinking and being.
  • Trust.  When you have faith in God, (whatever word fits for you), you tap into the greatest source of inner strength and courage.  You let go of stress and worry and become peaceful and joyful.  You receive "truths" not "beliefs".  
  • Listen.  Be still.  Meditate.  Breathe.  Tune in.  Relax.  Be Patient.  Valuable insights await your stillness.  This is the space where worrying is transformed and you open to new views and outcomes.
Turn your focus inward and allow the outward to expand beyond your thoughts of worry.
 
The Insight Technique™ assists you turning worries into wonderments.

©2010 Kimberley Cohen / The Insight Technique™

 

You can spend your life being a victim to people and circumstances, or a victor over them, but isn’t it wonderful that you have a choice of being victorious within them.
 

Life has this miraculous way of waking us up to the three positions we can take in any given moment.  Remember being the victim, the victor, or the victorious, are not who you are, rather the positions you choose to take.
 
The victims tend to be worriers.  The focus on what they don’t want happening instead of what they do.
 
The victors have worries but often dismiss or bypass them by keeping busy or focusing on what they do want.  By doing so they miss some valuable lessons.
 
The victorious explore worries as they are a key component to their growth.  They take time to review their beliefs and listen for insights and/or direction as they trust the source from which it is radiating.

Learn how The Insight Technique™ can help you transform the old mindsets and beliefs that are holding you back from living the life you desire and deserve.