The Cost of Worry

A friend of mine recently shared a story about worry that really struck me. She shared that she had once read that the word “worry” came from the term “wygar” which means “to strangle.” That term was used many, many years ago as a reference to a type of torture.

Though I don’t mean to start a newsletter with a negative thought, I have been thinking a lot about the cost of worry and how it impacts our lives.

A fair number of my clients come to me for help, sharing that they are worried about something that might happen. They are often exhausted from the heavy toll worry takes on them. Some have trouble sleeping. I understand. I, too, have my moments. Even though I am gifted to receive information on what lies ahead, I can’t read for myself the way I can read for others.

If you think of your mind and heart as a house with many rooms, do you find yourself renting out entire rooms to worry? Do you feel the impact of worry on your health, your relationships, your work, your time, your joy?

Worry and anxiety tend to go hand and hand. Both are intimately connected to wanting to be able to control things we don’t have control over. We can’t make our children heed our well-intended advice. We can’t make sure the rain doesn’t fall when a big event has been planned. There are so many things that can happen in life that are outside of our control.

What we can control, however, is our awareness of the cost of worry and our choice as to whether to invest in it. It means a lot to me that I am blessed with the ability to see forward. And I know that this is really helpful to my clients. I also know that having faith is powerful. Making the choice to pay attention to what you are doing and giving yourself the grace of faith is important to your well-being. This is, indeed, where healing begins.

Choose faith. Pay attention to what you are giving your time and attention to. And, when you need help, know that I am here for you.