May/June 2003 Living Now
Replace No-Win Worrying with Positive Thoughts

Dear Mariel,

I am losing sleep because I worry. I worry day and night. I just don’t know when I received a good nights’ sleep last. I am worried about my children, my self, the state of the world and the war in Iraq. I so much want to help those around me but I am not sure how I can contribute. It seems all I can do is worry. I don’t have a lot of energy. If I don’t worry then I am afraid I won’t be paying attention to all the things in the world and details that are important. Please help.

---Sign me, World-class Worrier

 

Dear Worrier,

You may be addicted to worrying. When you repeat an action over and over it becomes a habit and then may become an addiction. Worry is fear. FEAR is defined as "False Evidence Appearing Real". The only thing that is real is what is happening now and what you can do about it. Worrying does not help anyone and actually creates more problems. First and foremost, it is unkind to yourself to carry the weight of the world’s problems on your shoulder. Worry creates stress by depriving you of the peace and sleep you need to restore your body to its natural balance.

Becoming aware of your problem is the first step. You can begin your own behavior modification program to help yourself. Write a "to do" list and a "things of concern" list then stop thinking about it. Let the paper carry it. Refer to the list only when you are actually going to work on whatever it is.

Our thoughts have the power to amplify whatever it is we are thinking about. The more you think about what you do NOT like, the more it increases. Begin now by thinking about what you would LIKE to have happen. In the greater scheme of things, you can create the most amount of good by thinking about positive outcomes and what you can DO towards having them happen. We change the world by changing ourselves. Everything positive we do is positively affecting the world around you even if it isn’t obvious right away.

Your other alternative would be to consult a licensed hypnotherapist or NLP Practitioner to help you deal with your fears and release your habitual worrying. Relaxation tapes can also help you go to sleep. Email me if you need tape recommendations.

Be courageous – start now by changing your thinking.

Mariel Martin is a Psychic Advisor and Life Coach with over 25 years experience in counseling. Mariel invites readers to e-mail their questions on career, health & love life to Mariel@invite2insight.com. Your identity is kept confidential. All letters will receive a response and one will be selected to share with readers in "Ask Mariel". For more information, visit Mariel’s website www.invite2insight.com ;or contact her at 515 NW Saltzman Road, #703, Portland,OR, 503-350-0705.