Worry is a thin stream of fear trickling through the mind. If encouraged, it cuts a channel into which all other thoughts are drained. --Arthur Somers Roche
A trickle of water that drains down the side of a hill poses no problem to the hill, its vegetation, or the people living in the valley. But if that trickle grows into a stream, the water will erode a path, carrying along plants, rocks, and soil, endangering the lives and property of the people in the valley.
When a worry nags us, it is like that trickle. It poses little threat to us and can be stopped at any time because it is so small. But if we let more worrisome thoughts feed into the stream, we will allow it to grow until all of our thoughts and energy are focused on one worry that has attained great power.
We all have things we worry about. But we don't have to give these worries more than passing acknowledgment. The trickles that run through our minds are okay to have. But to keep them at that size, we need to remember what is important to us at this very moment. We don't need to let the worries grow.
I have worries just like everyone else. However, I don't have to dwell upon my worries or make them any bigger than what they are.
Being fairly new to this program and to recovery, I am still in awe when someone I don't know, who does not even know me (in this case here, but it happens so often in my F2F mtgs also) can still the hamster on the wheel in my brain by what they share. I got on to this board to pose the question of how not to future trip while planning for the future. In my case, it involves a spouse who is going to be ready to retire 10yrs before I can (I need medical and won't qualify for Medicare), a young adult son with special needs who needs us to advocate for him and always will, and where our future will take us. As individuals, as a couple, as a family. My spouse and I have different feelings and ideas on some of these issues. We had a conversation for a bit about this earlier, and normally I would be obsessing over the whole deal. (okay, so maybe I AM obsessing a little about the whole deal . Anyhow, my point is that this analogy suits my situation perfectly. I can relate to it. It's ok for me to be concerned about this situation, but not ok for it to wind up consuming all my mental and emotional time and energy. I am going to leave this in my HP's hands, where it belongs, and trust that he will reveal to me over time what is supposed to happen, when, and how. A few short months ago I did not have this knowledge or the ability to trust in it. It has been through recovery and AA fellowship, the 12 steps and my faith in a power greater than myself that has given them to me. And for that I am ever grateful. Peace.
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I asked God for all things that I may enjoy life. He gave me life so that I may enjoy all things.
. Anyhow, my point is that this analogy suits my situation perfectly. I can relate to it. It's ok for me to be concerned about this situation, but not ok for it to wind up consuming all my mental and emotional time and energy. I am going to leave this in my HP's hands, where it belongs, and trust that he will reveal to me over time what is supposed to happen, when, and how. A few short months ago I did not have this knowledge or the ability to trust in it. It has been through recovery and AA fellowship, the 12 steps and my faith in a power greater than myself that has given them to me. And for that I am ever grateful. Peace.