Don't Worry, Be Happy

Worry stirs up the mind and blocks our access to inner peace and, ultimately, right action. When worry arises, acknowledge the concern and then bring forth the self-care that will restore balance and inner peace.
~Yogacharya Ellen Grace O'Brian

Worry is something that we all struggle with from time to time. Sometimes about big things, sometimes about small things.  Sometimes it can be quite debilitating. When we are worried about something, often we take it into our meditation practice and have trouble focusing because of the worry. Most of us have heard that saying about worry, that it is like a rocking chair — moving and moving and going nowhere.

On the other hand, as part of our daily self-care of a healthy diet and exercise, our regular, focused meditation practice supports us in letting go of the worry.  Through our meditation practice we learn to live in the present moment, at all moments and control the thoughts in our mind. We remember that we are not able to control the future. Actions that are required are done to the best of our ability and then we let go of the outcome. Over time, more and more, we can let go of past regrets and concerns for the future. We are able to live in the present moment, knowing that the present moment is all that is real.