Don't Worry, Be Happy

Bobby McFerrin said it well,

“Don’t worry be happy
In every life we have some trouble
When you worry you make it double”

… and he made it sound so easy, but trying to fix your mind with your mind can be challenging.

“When you worry you make it double”

Frequent worry can lead to a host of physical ailments such as heart attacks, high blood pressure, ulcers, gastrointestinal problems, muscular aches and pains, skin rashes, eczema, respiratory problems and asthma, and many other stress related disorders.

When you worry you are projecting a portion of your vital force to future events that may happen and limiting the vitality that you have in the present moment. It is this projection of energy that leaves you vulnerable to the myriad of stress related symptoms mentioned above.

When I studied with Peruvian Elders several years ago, I was fascinated by their observance of our culture and how we throw our energy away or attach it to so many material things. What a gift it was for me to see our culture at work through the perception of a completely different way. So if you were aware that you were throwing your energy away like this would you continue to do it?

Unfortunately some people are genetically wired to worry more than others http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/dont-worry-woody-anxiety-is-in-the-genes-study-finds-890291.html and others have learned this taxing habit from our culture at large.

The good news is that there are some things that you can do to reduce the worry pattern and bring more peace back into your life.

You could start by thinking about the fact that recent studies are demonstrating that approximately 85 per cent of the things that people worry about never occur (sorry I couldn’t find the actual studies to reference here, but if you surf around you will find many indirect references to them).

Since most of us have already bought into the belief that our lives must be complex to be successful, I will keep this column’s suggestions simple.

Overcoming a life long habit of worry probably won’t happen overnight (see last week’s column) but consistent, simple effort can reap rewards. Trying to fix your mind with your mind can be like a dog chasing it’s tail, so instead maybe you can look to your fingers.

Jin Shin Jyutsu® is a fabulous tool to release worry from your life. By holding your thumb with your opposite hand you can transform anxiety energy into a more grounded, centered, and present energy. This simple and free exercise, repeated throughout the day, over time, will harmonize your energy and power up your self awareness. You will find yourself worrying less and also becoming aware of when you are worrying, so that you can choose to stop. Jin Shin Jyutsu(R) has a cumulative effect, so the more that you work with it, the more benefits you receive.

If you want to learn more about Jin Shin Jyutsu(R) check out this great site:

http://jsj-holds.blogspot.com . I have been studying and practicing Jin Shin Jyutsu(R) for 20 years now and I have not lost any interest in it. Instead I continue to be awed and inspired by it as it continues to assist me to maintain balance in my life and to teach me about the unseen energies within and around me.