#373 – What are you *really* worrying about?

Sometimes, when we're dissatisfied with life, we pin it on whatever's handy. Like, "yeah, I'm upset because it's Sunday and it's raining."

But that's just a cover up. The real reason is buried a few layers deeper, and you won't solve it unless you stop looking at the shadow play your Ego and the Ghosts put on for you.

That's what I discovered yesterday, when I realized that my obsessing about my belly was just a distraction. Staying fixated on it allowed me to "forget" about the other, more pressing issues in my life––my son's future, my future, the rising cost of living, climate change, aging...

Because my Ego wants to protect me from worrying about the future, and I'm grateful.

But really, I don't need it. Today, while running on the Beach-walk, I came again to the realization that the present is the only thing I have––so, what good will "futurizing" do me?

To my surprise, yesterday, as soon as I finished writing the piece, I stopped paying attention to my belly. Like the spell had been broken and I was free. At the same time, the anxious thoughts about the future went up in smoke and my smile came back.

So, yes: it works. Looking your Ego and Ghosts in the eye and telling them, "thank you but I've got this" is how you show them you're outgrowing their protection. And wanting to understand what you're really worrying about is futile, because worrying, in fact, is useless.

What superficial worries will you drop, liberating yourself of anxious thoughts that solve nothing?

Love,

Carolina