Why We Don't Recommend Worry
By Phil Stutz and Barry Michels
When we teach our patients to stop their worries by using the Grateful Flow Tool, they often make this objection: "If I just focus on being grateful all the time, won’t I be ignoring my problems? I’m afraid they’ll pile up and become too much to deal with. It’s not that I like worrying, but at least I know I’m not forgetting about what could happen and trying to prevent it."
We don’t recommend worry as a way of remembering or facing your problems. Not only is it ineffective, it’s no fun!
“Gratitude doesn’t ignore the darkness; it just teaches you to see it as a blemish in a field of light."
Most of us don’t make the distinction between worrying and constructive planning or problem solving. Constructive planning requires a calm and objective state, not out-of-control worry. You achieve that state by staying connected to the Source through the Grateful Flow.
Gratitude doesn’t ignore the darkness; it just teaches you to see it as a blemish in a field of light. If you deny the darkness, you’re ignorant. And if you can’t see the light surrounding it, you’re crippled.
TRY THIS FAIL-SAFE EXERCISE
If you’re still convinced you need your worries to keep you out of danger, here’s a fail-safe exercise:
Each morning, for a few minutes, write down all your problems and fears. List everything you’re upset about and all the things you tend to worry about.
Then put the paper aside. You don’t have to worry about forgetting about your problems because you can come back to your list at any time.
Instead, for the rest of the day, use the Grateful Flow Tool to practice gratitude.
You’ll be amazed at how well you can take care of yourself—and how solutions to problems present themselves—without the usual flood of dark worries.
