Worry (Photo credit: StormKatt)
I am 40 minutes from my home. My daughter is rehearsing for a show at a theatre down the road this week. I am waiting out the time by shopping in nearby stores and finding places to sit. Right now I am in Panera Bread where I just had dinner and am taking advantage of free Wi-Fi. This is something I would have never done years ago. I was too self-conscious to sit by myself among strangers. But years have passed. I have grown older, wiser, and no longer care.
In a conversation with my youngest sister, I told her there will come a day when you will stop being concerned about what people say to or about you. I used to be a worrier. I worried about school, work, money, having friends, my weight, the weather…you get it. The reality is we can only control so much. Sometimes things are what they are and nothing we say or do will change it.
I’m not talking about social issues or concerns. There are a number of causes that people need to continue working towards to find better solutions. Rather I am referring to petty comments or the constant comparing that some people feel the need to promote. Many of these people don’t really care about you or your situation, but for some reason it makes them feel better to express a sense of superiority or envy. Some even make a contest out of who has it worse. You had the flu…they had it worse. You went without electricity for 9 days….they didn’t have cable. I would be rich if I could cash in on the number of times people have stated how lucky I am.
There are people who have been a dealt a difficult hand, and life is hard for them. I have no doubt that in some ways I have been fortunate in life. But luck had nothing to do with everything I achieved. Hard work, determination, sacrifice, and perseverance are the forces that ultimately determined the life I lead. I have had my share of ups and downs, some difficult, some easy, some strange, some miraculous. All has led to a peacefulness that I did not have in my younger days. So to anyone who is fearful of getting older I say, rejoice, soon you will be able to let go of what amounts to nonsense. When the voices of others, or even your own fills your head, you will be able to say to yourself…..I just don’t care. You might even smile.
Simple Sensibilities 