When we worry, we are imagining only the things that we don't want to happen.
In order not to worry, I'm learning that if I remember the natural flow of most everything, I won't be disappointed. I think disappointment is the underlying reason for worry and its cousin cynicism.
Writing a memoir about my experience in Freudian psychoanalysis has taught me about the ups and downs of creativity. Some days the writing flows, other days it is a real struggle.
My task is to keep writing and not worry or get cynical. Sometimes it is difficult. I bet you can understand that. Is it difficult for you not to worry? Do you think worry is misguided imagination? I'd love to hear from you. Our discussion on imagination has been fascinating.
CLUE: I put all of our pot holders in the washing machine yesterday. I feel happy when I look at how clean they are so the hint for happiness this week is to wash your pot holders!
Thanks for exploring the mystery - Nicky Mendenhall
Love this concept. It’s kinda like the saying, just because you’re paranoid, it doesn’t mean they’re not out to get you.
ReplyDeleteAlso love the idea about worry being misguided imagination. Is there both positive and negative imagination?
I chose to respond by a direct email as I haven’t had any luck the last 2 times. Feel free to post.
Happy birthday Nina! I forgot that Cheryl and Nina share May 11.
Love Nolan
Hi Nolan,
DeleteI wasn't paying attention when posted your email and posted your whole email! I join you in wishing our lovely sister Nina HB today!
I guess there is negative imagination! I sort of thought of that myself so glad you mentioned. I'm glad you liked the post and that it made sense to you! Sometimes I don't have as much time as I would like to make certain that it hangs together and makes sense so it is helpful to hear.
Thanks for spending your precious time reading and commenting! It means a lot to me and keeps me writing!
Love,
Nicky
Hi Nicky,
ReplyDeleteI have to say that I do not think worry is always misguided imagination. Sometimes, yes. Maybe worrying about passing a test when you have done your best...what is done is done. However, worry about circumstances, I don't think so. For example, when my daughter and her family drive back to Minnesota when there is bad weather and I worry about them reaching home safely...that is purely out of concern for their safety and love for them. Maybe it's not worry...maybe it's concern. Is there a difference?
Connie - What good observations and questions. Your example of worry when family on the road especially in bad weather conditions is a good one for me to think about too.
DeleteIs concern worry? Makes me think of when people say things like, I will send you good energy or I will pray for you - do those things take the place of worry? In a way, both of those tactics use imagination.
Maybe the main difference would be in what the internal feeling is of the person offering worry, concern, energy, prayer. I'm feeling how different I feel with each of those labels. Do we have a choice about worry? Concern? Yes to the first perhaps and no to the second.
This is getting more and more thought provoking to me! What do you think? Thanks so much for reading and commenting. Made my day!
This is making me think. :) I agree with you that we have a choice about worry, but not about concern. Worry perhaps comes from the brain, but concern comes from the heart. I think we have more control over the brain than the heart, at least in my life experience.
DeleteThe idea that worry comes from the brain and concern from the heart is so interesting to me! I wonder what the new brain research would say about this? So we could say that feelings come from the heart and thoughts from the brain!
DeleteThis makes me think how Susan Piver, my meditation teacher, says in meditation instructions: Don't observe your breath, feel your body breathing. It does feel different to me to feel my breath, not simply observe it.
What fun to chat with you!
Negative imagine is a whole subject unto it's own isn't it?
ReplyDeleteHi Scott -
DeleteThanks for checking in! Yes, the whole idea of negative imagination calls for study. I hope you go into it in the
book when I delve back into it!
Hi Nicky,
ReplyDeleteThree worry 'bits' - then I'll have to sign out for a while.
Wise daughter-in-law when I asked her if she worried about my son then being newly in the police force: No, because if nothing happens, I've wasted a lot of energy, and if something does, I'll need the energy then. That was a Wow learning for me.
Another I find useful: IS it fact, fantasy or some old feelings?
And the good old Serenity prayer. 'Wisdom to know the difference' is key, and I do wrestle with that sometimes.
I love your questions and ideas - they make me think!
Love,
Trish
Hi Trish,
DeleteWhat a wise daughter-in-law you have! Wonder where she learned her wisdom?
And is it fact, fantasy or old feelings is a great question and I agree with you that sometimes it isn't as clear as we would like.
It is always good to be reminded of the Serenity prayer.
Thank you for commenting and for your kind words. It makes me really happy to hear that my words speak to you!
I never thought of imagination as worry. To me, imagination was always a positive activity. When I rode the school bus, which I did not like, I would imagine a horse running beside the bus. I would see it leap over fences, brush, ditches and of course it would stop when the bus stopped. When I worry, I think it's because I "forget" my faith, knowing that God will always help me and that things always work out for the best....at least eventually! And whatever I need to experience, it is part of my growth towards being more like Jesus. At least I hope I am learning and becoming a better person!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the thought provoking email......I hope all is well there, so good to talk to you the other day.
Love,
Hi Nan! Thanks for letting me know that your comment didn't print so I could paste it in! I am frustrated with Blogger!
DeleteI love knowing your visualization of a horse beside the Melbourne, or would it have been West Marshall, school bus? I'm glad you kept asking and asking for a pony until you finally got one! You had faith even then didn't you?
I so appreciate your reading and commenting! It is so good to h ear from you and learn that you are living your life to the fullest!