Worry Reveals Opportunity

​"Worry pretends to be necessary but serves no useful purpose." Spiritual teacher Eckhart Tolle was explaining that worry does not change a situation. The situation will still be challenging, and the desired outcome will remain the same. Thus, it is best to maintain a peaceful mind and heart in the midst of a challenge so as to not waste energy. For many people, that is easier said than done.

There are some people who are calm, cool, and collected in the midst of challenges. They have mastered the art of either avoiding worry altogether or at least worrying for a very short while. We all have that potential; it sometimes takes a little practice. One way to get out of a state of worry sooner than later is to turn the challenging situation into an opportunity.

When I moved to Connecticut for college, my first winter felt unbearably cold. I wanted to buy clothing made out of wool, but it was too expensive. I worried about how I would handle the following winter. Fast forward to the end of summer, I had two weeks before the start of the fall semester where I had nothing to do. Because I was bored and still worried about the upcoming winter, I decided to knit my own winter clothes. So I bought some yarn, a pair of knitting needles, and a book to learn how to knit. Over the past twenty-five years, I have knitted hats, scarves, socks, gloves, sweaters, and more. I knit gifts for family and friends, which costs less money than buying them. I also knit hats and scarves to donate to charity. All this became possible because I worried about enduring Connecticut winters.

So even though worry may not be necessary, you can give it purpose. It can serve as a call to action for addressing a challenge. For me, it was cold winters. For you, it may be managing finances, raising children, a health condition, or finding a job. Whatever your challenge may be, the moment you start to worry is your cue to covert it into an opportunity. It can be an opportunity for personal growth, freedom, a new skill, or creativity. Whichever you choose, take action now so that you worry less.