Another aspect of the mind that affects most of us is "worry".

In most cases, every day involves a sequence of events that need to be dealt with, from getting up on time to get to work, to preparing the kids for school to dealing with a difficult meeting or colleague.

These can be simply dealt with as they arise or a story can be created through worry. In any given situation, there is what happens and then there is what we do with what happens. What happens is a factual non-judgemental account of a situation whereas what we do with what happens is based on the story we’ve created from the past (usually childhood) and this can involve blame, injustice, helplessness, anger, frustration and almost anything you can come up with. From there it can all be used as fuel for worry.

Probably the best definition I can think of for worry is, "the thought of a future event or situation that gives rise to a feeling of insecurity or fear, based on a perception that was formed in the past".

So lets break it down starting from the perception:

1. A perception is formed from the past – Something happened at a point or points in your life and that shaped the way you saw things from then on. For example, lets say you grew up in a family where your parents always shouted at each other, as a child you may have perceived that they would break up at some point and that had you feel unsafe. Now as an adult when you have a disagreement with your partner, you worry that they will leave you, and that has you feel unsafe. Note, the underlying feeling that you felt as a child is what’s recreated, the surface may look completely different.

2. Gives rise to a feeling of insecurity or fear – A discomfort is triggered by the thought that signals a danger that you may need to protect yourself from.

3. The thought of a future event or situation – thinking of a possible scenario raises possible dangers that may need to be dealt with

Clearly, worry is entirely based on possible unsafe outcomes in the future formed from a perception in the past. What’s the truth?

The truth is that our foundation is unstable and our thoughts sway us like waves sway a cork on the ocean.

It’s only when we appreciate that our mind is notifying us of possible dangers and TRUST that we will be able to take the appropriate action when needed, that we can rest in this still present moment and allow the thoughts to pass through.

If you find that you are constantly worrying, make notes on what the concerns are, forgive yourself for hanging on to these fears and say, "I am concerned that …… (insert you worry here), I trust life and I trust myself that I will be ok no matter what happens, I now let go of the worry and rest peacefully in love". Write this down and read it whenever you catch yourself worrying and feel the anxiety leave your body.