FASTING FROM WORRY

The medieval symbol for worry was a wolf. If we think of a wolf in the zoo, pacing back and forth, always seeming to be agitated, we can see the appropriateness of the image. The Hasidic mystics say: Don't worry. The only permissible worry is to worry only when you find yourself worrying so that you will stop. During this summer, we can choose to observe an inner fast from worry itself. Let's keep in mind that worry is a fleeting state of mind, not our permanent condition. We can't really change anything by worrying about it. We exhaust ourselves and diffuse our energy when we spend time needlessly worrying about situations over which we have little or no control. When we relax and let go of our worry, we begin to trust the universe to take care of its own. We are each a part of the cosmic scheme of things. We can feel a deep sense of peace and rapport within ourselves as we let go and let this life itself support and nourish us.