The following essay by CHAP Peter Devenish-Meares was transcribed verbatim from: www.happinessinstitute.com

Don't worry...be happy!

by CHAP Peter Devenish-Meares

The Bobby McFerrin song “Don’t worry be happy” contained a perhaps clichéd but powerful statement that I wish I could follow much more. Easier said than done, however as Jesus said, “….worry won’t add one day to your life…”!!!

I am not for one moment suggesting we shouldn’t be concerned, where necessary, nor plan well to overcome challenges. However, worry in itself is counterproductive and can trigger a lot of (wasted) energy.

There is a book called “Who Will Cry When You Die” by Robin Sharma. The title could be challenging title because it triggers questions like (a) what did I spend my time and energy on?, (b) how do I want to be remembered? and (c) what did I miss out on doing because I was focussed on worry?. The book tries to address some of life’s most frustrating challenges and considers topics such as "discover your calling," "see your troubles as blessings," and "enjoy the path, not just the rewards," etc.

Someone once said “don’t worry about things you can’t change’ – I wish I could make that a mantra when I face a challenge in my own life. Robin Sharma says 54% of our worries relate to things that would likely never happen, 26% were about past actions that could not be changed, 8% related to opinions of people, 4 % concerned personal health issues that fix themselves and only 6% concerned real issues worthy of our attention. Not sure the statistics here are entirely accurate but if they are…wow!

Identifying and then letting go of the worries we can’t do anything about or that are a complete waste of our efforts and energy, could eliminate 94% of the worries that plague us. Sure, we should have a wise concern for the future and take whatever steps we need to now to provide for ourselves and for those we care for and support at home and at work. However, what we are addressing here is the kind of destructive anxiety that eats into our souls and deprives us of sleep. Anxiety robs us of peace, and joy and propels us into a mythical future, where we lack what we need and where we are gripped by fear.

Many of our fears and worries never materialise, and our worrying seldom has anything to do with fixing or repairing the future, only fearing.

Finally….worry won’t add one day to your life…!!! (adapted from Luke 12: 23)