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Worry

People get so in the habit of worry that if you save them from drowning and put them on a bank to dry in the sun with hot chocolate and muffins, they wonder whether they are catching a cold.

So said John Jay Chapman (1862-1933.)  He was ranked by critics of his time as the front-runner among essayists. We may not all see the humor in the above statement, but the reality makes us wonder. Of course, worry has taken over our daily lives in multiple forms. It manifests itself repeatedly, no matter where we look. It is truly a pity we see more hanging faces in a day’s work than those with an honest, cheerful countenance.

Winston Churchill said it so well: “Let our advance worrying become advance thinking and planning.” Sir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill served as the prime minister of Great Britain from 1940 to 1945, and then again, from 1951 to 1955. After becoming prime minister in 1940, Churchill helped forge an allied strategy with the United States and the erstwhile Soviet Union to bring an end to the Second World War. Looking into his life experiences, we can find some tough challenges he successfully navigated that helped him hone his ‘thinking and planning skills.’ Not only did he serve in the British Army and faced action, but he also escaped from the clutches of the enemy forces while serving as a war correspondent in South Africa in the year 1899. We can find a detailed account in his book London to Ladysmith via Pretoria.

I remember an adage, out of so many other valuable lessons I learned from my parents, while I was growing up. It goes like this: “Don’t worry so much about your self-esteem. Worry more about your character. Integrity is its own reward.” Unfortunately, I cannot give this quote a proper attribution since I do not remember the source. No doubt, the current trend of one-upmanship is taking a heavy toll on our moral values; it is not my intent to be a preacher of morality. However, it does hurt to see the honest, sincere, and those with integrity often over-looked when it comes to opportunities for growth. Sycophants use manipulation to push the deserving down. It is in situations like this where our character traits come to play their pivotal role and help us excel at delivering value. Decidedly, an individual with integrity will prove his/her integrity by action and not some cheap tricks that have limited life-span. Having done that, room for worries gets eliminated, and inner satisfaction brings us peace of mind.

If my memory serves me right, there is a very appropriate quote from E. Joseph Cossman: “If you want to test your memory, try to recall what you were worrying about one year ago today.”  He was a self-made mail order millionaire, among the first entrepreneurs ever to use television infomercials in the early 1970s. He used this novel medium to sell his seminars on making millions. I shared this powerful tool for us to test our memory. I mention it here because it relates directly to the subject of this article viz. ‘worry.’ This author of the book “The Virile Male” advises thus: Of course, we all know how hard it will be to indulge in such an exercise, almost futile, I would say. Soon the perceived effect of our worries is negated; we realize how it too will pass, just like all the other worries that keep inundating our lives day in and day out.

One important fact we must always keep in mind, and it relates to the inherent frailty of life. Not only is life unpredictable, but it also has no definite terms. When there are no guarantees in life, how come we worry so much about the future where we may or may not dwell? Yes, I know you have a hundred and one answers to defy my logic, e.g., family, friends, relations, business, investments, property, luxuries, and so forth. But, do we ever realize that we are not the only ones shouldered with sole responsibility in the entire universe? Every single human born on this earth comes with the same gift of capabilities as we do. How come we feel obliged to provide for all our near and dear ones’ future in eternity?

Charles M. Schulz, the celebrated American Cartoonist, the legendary creator of the “Peanuts” comic strip, gave us his million-dollar advice in the following words: “Don’t worry about the world coming to an end today. It is already tomorrow in Australia.” For those with the necessary discerning capability, the message is loud and clear. In case it is still not clear, let us take note of a simple, Universal fact: “Don’t worry about life, you’re not going to survive it anyway.” -Unknown

“Our fatigue is often caused not by work, but by worry, frustration, and resentment.” -Dale Carnegie

On a final note, I would like to introduce the following quote from Emily Post, the 19th-century American author, and socialite renowned for her writing on etiquette:

“Ideal conversation must be an exchange of thought, and not, as many of those who worry most about their shortcomings believe, an eloquent exhibition of wit or oratory.”

Thank You!

Bharat Mathur
Bharat Mathurhttp://www.bharatmathur.ca/
WHERE goal setting and systematically achieving each one of them has been the ‘Mantra’, where earning trust by delivering value has been an uncompromising principle and where deeply impactful experiences have made an indelible impression to look directly into the eyes of toughest problems and tackling them head-on has been a major cementing glue in the foundation, Bharat Mathur fits the bill, hands down! Creating value for others, out of the challenges his career in the “C” Suite kept throwing at him left, right and center, Bharat now finds solace in being a ‘Guide by Your Side’ rather than a ‘Sage on the Stage with An Eye on What You Buy’! Past 4 decades of Bharat’s life have been no less eventful than that of anyone else in similar circumstances. However, the way he lived from one challenge to another and stayed focused on his goal is clearly visible as much in his Coaching as in his #1 Best Seller Book: “you Are YOU-nique: Realize Your True Worth”! His next book project tackles ‘Internet of things’ (IoT) from the viewpoint of a layman and helps understand this fast-approaching revolution in simple, easy-to-understand language with live examples: “SMART PHONE + I o T = INCOMPARABLE OPPORTUNITIES” Nurturing a number of successful businesses, mentoring a lot more towards astronomical growth and helping them identify and eradicate trouble spots, Bharat has rightfully earned the nickname: ‘Achiever’ Send him Bouquets or Brickbats, Bharat loves it all!

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8 CONVERSATIONS

  1. Baharat, great piece. Worrying does nothing good for the body or the soul because all will go along no matter the worry. I use to use this word all the time, no longer. Instead I exchange for “cencern” “my thoughts” etc, I love the quote from Dale Carnegie. Bottom line, worrying does not change a thing outside, but it sure can change the insides.

    • Thanks, once again, Ms. Lynn, for taking the time to read the above article. I always keenly look forward to your valuable observation. You are absolutely right, worrying does more harm to our mental capabilities and the chain of negativity starts to take its toll.

  2. Bharat, a very interesting subject which you so astutely wrote about. You always had a knack for finding quotes that match the theme of your article. Indeed life can be wrought with worry about almost anything. Last year I had concerns about my health, personal, finances and other things. This year I have some of the same worries except less about my health. This coming Friday I will turn 64 years of age. How many (if any) years will there be after that? I rarely forget about my worries.

    • Dear Joel Sir, it is always inspiring to read your observations on whatever little I try to put together. I have been through each one of your worries over a prolonged period of time, only quite a bit more pronounced. What worked for me, and am not suggesting it will work for you too, is that I reprogrammed my brain. I started learning new things, joined a number of online courses (for free, of course) and this gave me a major diversion. By the way, I joined the ranks of Senior Citizens almost a year and a half ago. Controlled diet, a bit of regular exercise, only communicating with like-minded individuals, getting rid of all extra baggage in terms of friends and relations, and above all, helping those in more pressing need of money, food, and clothing gave me a sense of inner richness. Sharing and caring did the trick for me, perhaps you could try it in some small manner. That would make you mentally strong.

      P.S. Charity is not giving away a million out of a billion, it is giving 1 dollar out of the only five you have to see the day through!

      Thank You!

    • Thank you, Bharat! I am very much like a child in that I don’t accept or adapt to change very well. My wife and I do give away food to places where it is needed through those who have the ability to get it to those people who need it most. I am a consummate worrier. You continue to astound me with your outstretched hand to help and encourage me.

    • Since we have come to the right amount of understanding, as well as a mature level of mutual respect leading to friendship, Dear Joel sir, it is obvious we must do whatever we both can to help each other, in whatever way possible. I do not think I have done anything extraordinary to earn respect you continue to shower on me, out of your own generous heart. And, I do appreciate every bit, Sir.
      Thank You!

    • Bharat, it is a tribute to your admirable trait of humility and humbleness that you do not realize how much you have done for me. Your phone calls alone always seemed to come at a time when I was feeling down. The enthusiasm in your voice in tandem with your warm and welcoming demeanor far exceeds any dollar amount. You have been actively encouraging me to return to writing on a regular basis. A man with a lesser heart would not do this. There have been messages you have sent me to lessen the anxiety I often feel are indicative of a man who shines above others. If ever there is something I can do to help you please do not hesitate to ask. I hope as a result of this message you will see just how much you have done for me and how much it means. Certain times G-d puts two people together for a purpose that does not become crystal clear until pivotal moments in life. In my mind, that is the case here. We were just writers in the same group but that was just the conduit G-d used to put us together. I apologize if my beliefs seem likeI am trying to push them on you which I can assure you not the case. THANK YOU! STAY SAFE AND WELL!

    • Just take it easy, Sir; you are not imposing anything upon me. True friendship gives each other a chance to voice their opinions without any inhibition, and that is exactly what we both were trying to do here. By the way, you are also absolutely right about rules of business where survival of the fittest is the norm.
      Warm Regards, Sir!

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