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Karen DeBonis's avatar

And thank you for the film recommendation!

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3musesmerge's avatar

🎥🎬🎞

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Bruce Peters's avatar

I once had a conversation with my mother-in-law. "Why do you worry so much?" Her answer was classic "I like to worry!" She worried until she passed... it didn't matter if it helped or not. It was who she was.

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3musesmerge's avatar

Like so many, she embraced "worrier" as a label for her "self"?

I can understand because I once carried "worrier" as an identifying label. I feel much lighter without it.

Presence seems to help a lot. :)

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Bruce Peters's avatar

Well, you know me right. I'd start many conversations with her with "What are you worried about right now?" It became a thing with us. Occasionally, she would try to work her way out of answering. Or. even say "nothing", which, of course was not true. And I would respond with things like "if you were worried about something what would it be?"

I only mention all this because in our case "worrying" or what she was worried about was the doorway to rich, deep conversations. The conversation became the relationship ( David Whyte or Susan Scott). In later years she would jump the gun on me ( I provided some space) when we met "Bruce, what are you worried about?". We'd both chuckle... eyes twinkling acknowledging that what we worried about was a window into what we both cared about and who we both were. Once on a family camping trip I put a sign on our tent camper "worry free zone" with a photo of Alfred E. Neuman. Thanks for yours today. It was, obviously, a jog to my memory of her.... "what me worry!"

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3musesmerge's avatar

You are welcome...such a good film! Have you watched it?

So....we both are aware that our interpreted meaning of the word worry is not identical...yes?

Your comment put me in mind of the serenity prayer. Abel did not worry over things where he had no control over the outcome.

Where we do have a modicum of influence...does worrying help? Or is thoughtful action preferred?

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Bruce Peters's avatar

Why ask? Are you worried or worrying about the answer? Have you just changed one form of worrying for another? If you were worried about something what would it be? You worry me.

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3musesmerge's avatar

Why ask? Connection, of course!

No...I am not worrying. I am making breakfast l.:)

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Bruce Peters's avatar

Maybe... ? I am truly worried about tons of things. Yours provoked me to start a list of things I am worried about ( currently). The list thus far is growing faster than my competency to compile which also, worries me.

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