Don't Worry About It

Last week I was talking to my mother in law on the phone and she told me that she had given up worrying for Lent.

And it stopped me in my tracks.

What an awesome idea.

Like, no worrying. She just wasn't going to do it. 

I've always thought of giving up something for Lent meant and actual item, object, food, drink, store, etc.

But when I stopped to think for .2 seconds, that doesn't have to be the case at all.

It is just as challenging to give up a nonphysical item (and maybe even more so).

Whether that's greed, jealously, judging, worrying, guilt, gossip or another emotion that clogs your brain on a daily basis.

I am queen worrier in my house and I would take a guess that a lot of you ladies are as well.

I think it's just in our nature.

I swear I can't help it, worry just fills my brain sometimes. 

I'm not going to list the things I worry about because it will inevitably make the list grow and make those worries worse than they already are.

But just know they range from the silliest things to the worst.

The full spectrum, all day long. 

I will admit that the moment she told me that I immediately that, 'well that is amazing of her but I could never do that.'  It was my first reaction to discount it as something that I would never, ever be able to accomplish.  But the more I thought about it, the more I knew it was something I wanted to at least try.  And maybe I can't stop worrying about every. single. thing that crosses my mind every day but maybe I can stop worrying about a couple of things.  And maybe I can't stop until Easter (or beyond) but maybe tackling it one week at a time is possible.  

Because you know that feeling when you do finally let something go and it's as if the biggest weight is lifted?  Or when you are on vacation and don't have a care in the world because there isn't a thing to worry about but enjoying life? I mean that feeling in itself is worth it.

Mister's mom has also always said (and told us) 'Let go and let God' and I think these two things tie into each other so well.  

We can worry, we can stress, we can try to plan (I am so guilty of this) but life is going to happen like it's going to happen.  And it may not always happen like we've planned or thought it would but it's going to and it will work out in the end.  This is something that Mister has always told me and there may be days I still can't wrap my head around or fully understand but I do know it's true.  

And worrying about certain things isn't going to change the outcome, it ends up just stressing us out more.  I am 100% guilty of this, all the stinkin time BUT I am trying to get better.  

I don't think my worrying will ever go away but I think this is a nice, conscious start.

SO, do you think you could give up worrying? Maybe even for a week or even just about one thing?  I promise, over here in our house, we are surely trying.  

And if you want to try a few other things to give up for Lent, check out this list. 

And if you need a more light hearted list, check out Sarah's here.