"Worry is planning for what you don't want."

When I heard this, I felt like I had been hit by a lightening bolt!

Read it again.

"Worry is planning for what you don't want."

What about you? Do you spend time worrying? I know I do. And once I board the worry train, it can be hard to pump the brakes.

Here's an example: I was worrying about my aging parents and all that had to be done. This led to worry over my son and his current challenges in school... then I began to focus on a financial worry... and on and on the train sped down the tracks, barreling through any station that could give a reprieve.

As my mind went to all the worst places, it was like a cascade effect and I just kept spinning.

Have you been there?

When one worry leads into another...

It often happens when you're trying to sleep! As soon as your head hits the pillow, literally exhausted, the worry train comes roaring in and you're wide awake. Can you hear that train whistle?

It's the little and the big worries that seem to dominate your mind and steal the present moment.

Have you driven somewhere without any memory of getting there because you’ve been ruminating on a worry?

You're not alone.

Worry dominates so many minds across the planet.

"Worry is planning for what you don’t want."

When I put worry into a perspective like this, I realized what a mistake it has been spending so much time worrying! Especially when you consider the power of the mind and how we can attract to us what we most think about! (More on this in another post.)

Here's how to stop the worry train and start living now:

👉 1.Realize the worry train has taken you aboard.

The first step to stopping any cycle is to become aware of what's happening. When you can see that your thoughts have been taken over, it’s much easier to get off the train.

👉 2:Ask yourself: Can I do anything about this situation in THIS moment?

Take out a notebook and write down anything you need to actually DO for this situation. If you are driving, hit the record button on your phone and make a list of what you need to do for the current worry. Once you have written down these action steps, your brain will be more at ease. Remember, your brain's goal is to survive. While this is obviously a wonderful thing, it can be problematic when we're stuck on the worry train.

For example: call the doctor in the morning, make an appointment at the school…

Have a notepad near your bed to literally dump the contents out of your head. This can help you to stop the worry train and get more sleep!

👉 3: Switch tracks to gratitude.

List your blessings. Speak them or write them.

The brain cannot focus on worry and gratitude simultaneously. The train can't travel on two tracks at the same time. You can choose to switch the track at any moment of your life. The more that you practice switching tracks, the more automatic this habit will become.

👉 4. Have faith.

“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” -Matthew 6:34

I love this verse! A whole new set of worries can appear at any moment. Staying present is the key.

Think about how you’ve been taken care of in your life. How many times were you in a situation that seemed impossible and it began to work out?

It wasn’t your worry that fixed the situation. It was likely your action toward a solution. (And some guidance, perhaps.)

I don’t believe in accidents or ordinary moments. Life happens for us, not to us, as Tony Robbins says.

If your faith has wavered, take a moment to list all the ways that situations have worked out.

We can’t always see the lesson or the good when we're in the messy middle. Try to zoom out and see it from a birds eye view.

Remember, today and always, you matter and your life matters.

Do your best to remember that taking action beats worry any day of the week.

Lots of Love,

Rachel

For more helpful tools and perspectives, listen to the LIVING Inspired Podcast. New episodes drop on Fridays.

You can find it on Apple or Spotify.

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