Anxious Minds

TODAY'S QUOTE:
"Anxiety is a thin stream of fear trickling through the mind. If encouraged, it cuts a channel into which all other thoughts are drained."... Arthur Somers Roche

This quote gives fair warning to us all to get control of our fears before they have a chance to take control, because if we do not they surely will. We all fear something, some of us are afraid of many things, but letting them build force and volume will only freeze us inside of boundaries that imprison our soul and rob us of hope.

Every sea began with one drop and every flood has its levels, building in strength and depth over time until it claims what it can then recedes leaving damage in its wake. Worry is a lot like that. A nagging chant, becomes a mighty roar and the echo leaves us off balance. A trickle becomes a torrent that can wash away all logic... when we need our wits about us the most they are too soggy to be of much use.

What if's are a total waste of time. If fretting ever solved anything there would be some kind of formula we could follow to solve our problems... both real and imaginary. Perhaps three days of sorrow for simple issues, or seven for more complex woes, or thirty days for a deep regret. Life would be so much simpler like that, but the real world is a pay as you go journey.

We all pay dearly, in one form or another, for a round trip ticket on this train, but the honor of being a passenger ought to give us some comfort. Simply living takes a toll, so why would anyone offer to spend more than is asked. Worry is a thief... of time... of energy... of hope, yet we invite them into our most sacred places and allow them free reign. They will arrive, invited or not, but the length of the visit and the amount of damage done is a personal choice we each must learn to make.

Leaving the thief in charge is not mandatory; acknowledge his presence, feed him as little as possible, and make the visit brief. The wisest choice is to save as much time, energy, and hope for dealing with reality, instead of wallowing in its dark imaginings. Think about it... let it ride... then decide!!!