Why Worry???
I have to admit that every day I find more reasons to worry. There is very little comfort in the news of what is happening in our world.
And yet worrying does not feel good, nor does not it feel helpful. Worrying just leaves me with knots in my belly, bracing in my heart and agitation in my mind. It is not how I want to live. So I wrestle and dance with these questions:
How can I stay aware of the very real challenges we are facing without falling into despair, denial or avoidance?
How can I stay open to gratitude, grace and love?
How can I engage in ways that bring me joy, purpose and aliveness?
How can I focus on what I can do, and let go of what I can’t do?
Shantideva was an 8th century Buddhist monk and scholar who had wonderful advice about “worry”…. a pithy interpretation of what he said was: “If you can do something why worry? If you can’t do something why worry?” The Dalai Lama’s version of Shantideva’s statement is: “If you have fear of some pain or suffering, you should examine whether there is anything you can do about it. If you can, there is no need to worry about it; if you cannot do anything, there there is also no need to worry.”
This makes great sense to me, but it is a constant practice to live into this wisdom.
Returning to my senses, to my immediate and direct sensory experience, helps me come out of the worry and open to how I can respond to what is needed. It is a potent antidote to worry.
Gretel has something she wants to say about worry…
Gretel won’t always have something to say in these newsletters, but she absolutely insisted on speaking today.
Recommended Resources
What do you do with a problem? by Kobi Yamada
Disguised as a children’s book, this picture book can inspire all of us to find the opportunity inherent in every problem.
Your Heart Was Made for This: Contemplative Practices for Meeting a World in Crisis with Courage, Integrity, and Love by Oren Sofer
A helpful guide to finding our purpose in the midst of these tumultuous times with inspiring stories and concrete practices.
Where Olive Trees Weep
This is a painful documentary made in 2022, before the October 7 attacks by Hamas, about the experiences of Palestinians. I found it to be important and heartbreaking to watch. There are many complexities of what is happening in Israel and Palestine, and at the same time, I believe the experiences represented in this film need to be witnessed.
Learn about upcoming Sensory Awareness workshops
You can learn more about the classes and retreats I offer at my website, Return to Our Senses.
A 9-month online program focusing on How our love for life wants to express itself, integrating Sensory Awareness practice with resources, challenges and inspirations to find our song and respond to these critical times.
A 9-month online program in Spanish, ¿Cómo quiere expresarse mi amor por la vida?
In October I will offer a 4-week online workshop From Our Individual Bodies to Our Earth Body — What does this moment ask of us?
Two workshops in Mexico in February of 2025, How does my love for life want to express itself? and a bi-lingual English/Spanish workshop Cultivating a Kind, Adventurous and Joyful Approach to Life/Cultivar un Enfoque Amable, Alegre y Aventurero
I will be offering a number of workshops in Spain in the summer of 2025. I am confirming plans over the next few weeks and details will be posted soon on my website.
People staffing projects addressing the Climate Crisis, Military Veterans, and Wildland Firefighters are welcome to participate in programs I offer directly for free (though you have to cover your own expenses).
Sliding scale is always available for anyone in all of the programs I offer directly so please don’t hesitate to reach out.