The graph below is the lab result from my test on Thursday. (“Lab” because I toured several labs as part of Eric’s final college visit on Friday. So, I’m talking like a Biologist now.) More on the lab test below.
So, here’s my recollection of some of the things I worried about from 3:45 am to noon on the first leg of our college trip. (This was the leg between getting out of bed and getting to the airport and getting to the final destination). Here’s my “worry” list:
| TIME STAMP: | Description of WORRY: | Was it an eventual issue? |
| 2:30am | Will we get up on time? | NO |
| 4:00am | Did I pack everything I needed? | NO |
| 4:05am | Did Eric pack everything he needed? | NO* |
| 4:07am | Did I grab power cords?** | NO |
| 4:08am | Did I bring I.D., credit cards, cash? | NO |
| 4:25am | Will we make it on time to catch flight? | NO |
| 4:45am | Is GPS taking me the right way? | NO |
| 5:05am | Will we finding parking spot? | NO |
| 5:10am | Will I remember where car is in massive lot? | NO |
| 5:11am | Will my car be still here when I return? | NO |
| 5:25am | Will my stuff get thru security without alarms? | NO |
| 6:30am | Will there be overhead bin space for stuff? | NO |
| 6:45am | Plane delayed. Will we make connection? | NO |
| 7:15am | Bumpy ride? | NO |
| 7:40am | Is this bucket going to get us there? | NO |
| 7:42am | Bumpy. I’d like to live another 30-40 years. OK? | NO |
| 7:45am | Ready for work project next week? | Pending |
| 8:00am | Should we have brought jackets if it rains? | NO |
| 8:15am | Will I have enough power on Reader to last? | NO |
| 10:30am | Car Rental Company cannot find reservation | NO |
| 10:45am | Did we bring college registration materials? | NO |
Lab Notes:
* Son does not bring dress slacks, business casual pants or anything resembling long pants. He did not forget. He believed that shorts and sweat pants were adequate. I won’t even get into the shoe selection. (Sneakers.) No damage done. But conversation ensued nonetheless. (“Are you a boy, or a man?” And, “You know that Mommy won’t be at college holding your hand.”)
** I noticed that I worried about my power cords before my worry on ID, credit cards and cash. (CRAZY-MAN)
My inspiration for this basic but insightful lab test? I came across three visual shares (almost simultaneously) from 3 different sources on Wednesday. Perhaps it’s someone’s intention for me to pay attention. The three shares were:
And I’ll close on a message to myself from an Ernest Hemingway quote posted by Steve Layman:
Worry a little bit every day and in a lifetime you will lose a
couple of years. If something is wrong, fix it if you can. But
train yourself not to worry: Worry never fixes anything.
-Ernest Hemingway
Sources:
- Cartoon Image. Thank you Steve Layman
- Charlie Brown Image Credit
- Lucy Image Credit
- Sources for other images linked to images.
Live & Learn 
“Scientific” proof that worry is a waste of resources. I think I shall do this experiment.
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Hi Alex. Laughing. Not sure about the science or the proof but I’ve seen this movie play out exactly the same way over and over and over again. And, I just don’t seem to get it. So, on the blog it goes. Perhaps self-humiliation will do the trick. 🙂 Please let me know how your experiment goes.
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This is very interesting! LOL Yeah, it should be don’t worry, be happy? 😀
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Exactly Meikah!
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I really enjoyed this post! Thanks for sharing… “Why worry” is something that many of us need to ask ourselves, and battle often. The “visual aids” were a great idea to compliment your message. Thanks again..
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Thank you Tim. Appreciate the feedback. Dave
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Just one of those posts that most (if not all) of us can relate to. Thanks for the insight..
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And of course the subconscious voice which whispers “if you worry about it enough, maybe all will be well, because you will have pre-empted the fates and prevented the worst from happening”…at least that’s one of my unfounded thoughts – I’m just sayin’… 🙂
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Soooo true! It goes right along with making sure you have nice undergarments on when ya leave the house, *just* in case ya have an accident (another adage my mom lived by). It’s all about anticipating (and thereby avoiding) the problem. 🙂
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🙂
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Lori, Funny, I was going to mention undergarments (clean) in case of accident. But stopped. How much transparency can we have here. Thanks for sharing. Still laughing. 🙂
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You trying to help here or impede the first steps of recovery…acknowledgement? 🙂
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This is a great post, David! I love how you laid it all out, It really made me feel as if I was with you during your scientifically precise method in the contemplation of your worry process! Really enjoyable! 🙂
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Thanks Misty. Appreciate the feedback. Glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
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David: For some unknown reason, the subject of worry is on many people’s minds. My latest blog was on Worry and Creativity. Is the universe trying to get a message to us? Good luck on the college tour. I did it many years ago and still have fond memories (and some worries along the way).
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Thanks John. I can’t believe I missed your post. I’ll check it out. Not sure who is sending us the message, but I receiving it full on.
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Here is John’s post for any that are interested: http://blog.johnrchildress.com/2012/04/19/worry-and-creativity/
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I never worry. Except when I can’t find my antacid pills.
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THAT is hysterical!
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I agree!
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That advice to not worry is way easier said than done, isn’t it? I’ve never been able to figure out to to turn off the worry button. Of course it’s a waste of resources – and try as I might, I can’t really find a positive angle on this one.
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We’re squarely aligned. You might check out John’s blog and the comments. I think there are some good ideas there. (Now just to execute)
http://blog.johnrchildress.com/2012/04/19/worry-and-creativity/
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Very funny post, by the way – still laughing.
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Thanks LaDona
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My mother always told me that 99% of one’s worries were unfounded. I, in turn, always worried that I was sitting squarely in that 1%. ;-). My honey’s mantra is: “Is this still going to be worth worrying about in 2 minutes, 2 hours, 2 days, 2 weeks?” Unless you’re looking at weeks, he argues, it’s probably best to let it go. I’m not nearly as Zen as he on this front, but I keep trying….
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Sounds like you have another one of my behavioral shortcomings almost licked. Thanks for sharing Lori.
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Love this post, thanks for the laugh 🙂
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🙂
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This is so true; reminds me I need to worry about things less, it’s a waste of brain energy!
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That makes two of us. Thanks for dropping by and sharing your thoughts Charles. Dave
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So, you have a young adult ready to go off to college and you pick NOW to stop worrying? I’m just sayin’….
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Just sayin’ – gotta start sometime, no? My new Sutra. (Like the little train that could). I think I can not worry. I think I can not worry.
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I appreciated your transparency. Your worry list reminds me of myself, but I am striving for peace (not anxiety and worry) and I am a work in progress. That is a cute Charlie Brown visual illustration, and the quote by Hemingway is so insightful about losing years to worry in a lifetime. Wow! Something to thing about.
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Thanks for sharing your thoughts. The Work-in-Progress club is large and growing. 🙂
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I’m a list writer! As soon as I know such a trip is happening I start my list, however I still double check
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You should become a paid consultant. 🙂
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Reblogged this on Todd's Perspective and commented:
Magoo, you’ve done it again!
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David, you do realize that worrying becomes a self-indulgent addiction, don’t you? It makes a handy-dandy excuse for not GETTING ON WITH LIFE!
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laughing at the graph, love it. i really like how you put a lot of pictures and quotations in each post as well..it really ties everything in together
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Thank you Jillian. Appreciate the feedback.
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