A few weeks ago I wrote a post titled “The 5 Components of Dreaming Big.” I guess you could say it was my own “theory” of how to approach your dreams (big or small).
But what I forgot to mention was the few THINGS that KEEP US from dreaming big. The THINGS that KEEP US from living passionately and purposefully.
Worry and Fear.
We worry about our finances.
We worry about our health.
We worry about our future.
We worry about our kids.
We worry about our marriages and/or relationships.
We worry about “where the hell this life is going and why aren’t our plans working out?” (pardon my French).
We worry ourselves sick. Worry then breeds into fear and fear robs us of JOY! It also robs our life. So much that we become emotionally malnourished and lifeless. A stagnant life if you ask me.
Not moving forward, just stuck, stagnant, and in a fearful rut.
Too intense to talk about? Too deep? Well maybe, but I want to talk about it because it happens to most of us. Myself included.
I became so fearful of getting sick again I created my own anxiety and stress. It just made my health worse. My husband worried himself sick about finances that he actually lost focus of his career/dream. That added stress wrecked his training and in 2009 he developed chronic fatigue. We were two worn out worry worts going nowhere.
Today (after some much needed mental and physical rest) I am happy to report that worry and fear do not consume us. Sure we still have our moments and of course we don’t have kids yet, so I can’t really speak from that standpoint. But I can tell you this…..
There are 3 things that have helped us to worry less in order DREAM BIG.
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Prayer– I mentioned it before and I’ll mention it again. It solidifies my (our) hope and faith. Whatever is on my mind, I pray about and then I HOPE for the best.
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Thankfulness – Whenever there is a worry or fear that slips into my mind, I counteract it with a blessing. Shifting focus.
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Acceptance– Accept that fact that we can’t control everything. Accept CHANGE. And accept the fact that God’s plans are far better than our own plans. So if your plans for life suddenly change, then it’s for a reason
This weekend my husband is racing. I could tell he was starting to get a bit worried about the cost of travel, how his knee would hold up with this distance, etc. So last night I said a little prayer and kissed him good night.
He could do well, he could do alright, or he could come back reinjured. Either way, whatever happens happens. I’ll be waiting here waiting for our plan after. No worries, just faith.
“If God woke you up this morning – it means that He STILL has plans for your life! #GodsGrace#UnshakableFaith.”
“Before you stress out, pray. Before you quit, try again. Before your doubt, believe. Before you fear, trust God!#UnshakableFaith“- source
What will you WORRY LESS about today?
cheers,
LC (Sherpa Cotter)
Worry… it’s definitely a sin I struggle with at times. I’m getting a little bet better, though. All with God’s help 🙂
Great post, LC!
I hope the race went well!! Stay present! LOVE TO YOU BOTH!
I’m new to your blog and this was an amazing first post for me to read! Love it! I worry less about always getting everything done. I’m only one person and as long as I know that I’m working hard and doing my best, then that’s okay.
amen to that Holly! and so glad you commented so I could “meet” you!
Yet another amazing post love! This is so true. It took me a long time to get to the acceptance stage and to fully trust the Lord with my situations. Sometimes, I think I give Him a situation yet take it back. Ya know?
I totally know!
p.s. I miss you
This post is one of my most favroties ever!!!!! I would worry less about what the future holds. I know someone else has a plan for me and I don’t NEED to know what it is right now. Love you! Good luck to James!!!
Just rest in his Provision. Easier said than done, but it can be done! We just gotta let go and surrender. right!?
Meditating on worry has been a downfall of mine, and I am finally starting to replace this with meditating on the word! It makes SUCH a huge difference!! Amen to this post, and today I will continue to not worry about life and know that God has my hand in his and things will be ok!
oh i like that. Yes, meditate on the WORD!! God’s path for us is right there. NO need to worry
do I need to say anything to this post?? I feel like you already know. love & hugs my friend. thank you.
i know i know. #samebrain
I love your attitude so much. I just checked out your other post about dreaming big and I loved that too! Keep up the absolutely inspiring words.
I love love love that last quote:
“If God woke you up this morning – it means that He STILL has plans for your life!”
I get chills when I read it!
I can be a major worry wart. No fun! You’re right that it definitely strips you of joy and peace. I think I’ll worry less about the loooong drive I have to make today. Just turn up the tunes n’ go!
“Worry is a joy theif”- I love that, so true! And your points nailed it too… prayer, thankfulness and acceptance. These are life lessons we get to practice over and over again!
Just LOVE this post. Worrying is something we all do, but need to try to eliminate and just let things happen no matter what the outcome, we just have to stay positive <3
Good luck to hubby this weekend! Love you!
Much luck to the hubs and hugs for you both 🙂
I adore your attitude. It’s been a loooooong day. I’m sharing that quote about God waking you up with my mom.
been thinking about you. Hi to your mom! and hugs!…light hugs. 😉
This may sound crazy but this post brought tears to my eyes as it rang so strongly through me. While I may have (over?) shared some of the potentially big things happening in my life at Blend, NOTHING has come of it yet and it’s leaving this huge pile of doubt, fear and unknowing inside me and I’m slowly starting to lose my focus, faith, motivation and patience. Long story short, I can relate all too well.
it’s not crazy. Totally makes sense. It will all work out too friend. One day at time. I just know your patience with pay off. Vent to me anytime!
Good luck James! Whatever happens, you will be there ready for your future! That is perfect. That’s how you look forward to your future. Life’s too short to be fearful. We just keep moving forward. Head held high!
it’s held high. Trying to! <3
I. Love. This. Worrying honestly comes so naturally to everyone I think, although I wish it didn’t. It just causes stress and anxiety even before you know what will happen or what the outcome of something will be. I do worry a lot, but I always try to remind myself to take a deep breath before I get all crazy over nothing – which is usually what happens!
amen. We can talk ourselves out of the crazys, right? xxoo
Lindsay thank you for this post! This is perfect timing as we are in the middle of moving to NC! I really need to remember that I am not in control and I don’t need to be in control. God has plans for me and I just need to stop worrying about the “what ifs” and enjoying the here and now. My step-mom once told me “Man makes plans, God laughs” and I am learning how true this is. Thank you again and sending positive prayers to your husband!
i’m so glad you commented. God does have plans for you. Just follow them one day at a time. <3
Love this post! I just wrote on Wednesday about my own experience with worry (http://tinyurl.com/knweohu) & it helped immensely to get things out of my head. Things typically have a way of working themselves out & keeping that in mind is hugely helpful for me!
oh yay! I can’t wait to read it.
Prayer has definitely been my saving grace. As someone who’s kind of obsessed with being in control, reminding myself that God, and not me, is actually the one in control has been oddly comforting. At the end of the day, the only thing you can do is go with the flow and have faith.
Sending good vibes to the hubs!
it sure is! and i’m so glad I don’t have to be in control any more!
Your attitude is just what your husband needs as he sets out this weekend! I love your approach on it… sending positive vibes to Team Cotter!
thank you friend! We’ll happily take those vibes!
Such a great post! I think I do ok with not worrying, but it sneaks up on me. Mostly I am the stabilizer for the Caveman who is a master at worrying. Sigh.
oh gosh, it sure does sneak up on us. But we can recognize it before it attacks, right? xxoo
I’m such a worrier by nature. Surprising, I know. I worry about all those things that you mention and that definitely keeps me frozen in place and scared of dreaming big and pursuing my dreams. And yes, it manifests itself in tummy aches, not so great sleep…Working on it and I think that I’m starting to let go more and trust in myself and that I am on the right path for me. xox
oh woman, i feel ya. been there. Tummy troubles, not good. But i know you’ll figure out. Maybe in hawaii? 🙂
I love this post! God has been teaching me a lot on this issue lately. I can become such a worry wart and create unneeded anxiety. I recently read that worrying shows lack of trust in God, and give me all the control. While it would be nice if I could do both, that’s never gonna work!
yes, i totally can relate. It’s hard to trust when you really want fix things yourself, ya know?
Thank you, thank you, thank you for this post. Today I got myself all worked up and worried about something silly, and I caught this post at just the right time. Even though I KNOW I shouldn’t worry, and I KNOW God is in control, it’s still hard to put that into action at times. Working on it! xoxo
i’m so glad you did. Sending you lots of love and hugs. So hard to trust at times, yes. I can relate.
LOVE!!!
ok i’m going to work on those three things. i always pray, but i’m going to really try to work on acceptance & gratefulness!
those are good to focus on linz! It’s where i am too!
Such a great post Lindsay! It is hard not to worry but it does drag us down for sure. I still have a lot of worries about money. At my age – I have to care cause not a lot of time to make up for mistakes for old age…
Today I will worry less about this dang keeping about with the blog world! 😉
yes, worry less. You do more than you think in the blog world.. Know that! <3
I am not sure I agree with doing more in blog world BUT thank you – xoxo
Sherpa Cotter, you’ve done it again. So wise, so smart. I sent this post to a friend that is struggling to change, these words are so right on! and good luck to James, I will say a prayer too.
PS – this quote? amazing. “If God woke you up this morning – it means that He STILL has plans for your life! #GodsGrace#UnshakableFaith.”
i know, that quote, it hit me HARD!
I know I could worry a lot less, especially when you’re worrying about things you can’t immediately change.
I am trying to worry less about my husband being furloughed starting in July. Yeah, it’s only 1 day without pay a week but that adds up. I cannot control this so I am just trying to ride it out.
I have always been such a worrier! I have learned that it all stems from a need for control. I am slowly (SLOWLY) learning to let go. The fact is, God is standing right there, hands open, while I try to keep everything in my hands from falling. Praying for trust, faith, and humility. And I love your idea of counteracting worry with thankfulness! (P.S., Also praying for James’s race this weekend!)
yes, his hands, they are right there. ANd sometimes we just got to let go and cling to HIS
Such a great post once again Lindsay! You’re so right that the more we worry about certain things the more we are actually creating them in our lives.
It’s a crazy little cycle our minds can pull on us.
And I totally agree that faith is the answer. We must have faith in our journeys instead of worrying them our journey away.
I love that you prayed for your husband before you kissed him good-night!! And the fact that no matter the outcome of the race – you will be waiting and ready for whatever comes next probably helps lessen any worry he has.
Great post – worry is something that lots of us spend far too much time doing with very little result.
Love this: “Before you stress out, pray. Before you quit, try again. Before your doubt, believe. Before you fear, trust God!” Just what I needed to read today. Thank you!
i WILL WORRY LESS
…about my living situation
…about my weight/body
…about my parents
Xoxo thanks for the Winspo Linds!
anytime my friend. You always do the same for me. <3
Love this post. Prayer has made all the difference in my worrying. It’s not gone 100% but so much better. I totally agree shifting focus by counting your blessings helps too.
amen amen. I don’t know what i’d do without prayer.
Fantastic attitude! And you’re so right–worry is a joy thief. I tend to be a worrier by nature, but am getting better as I get older. My mom always said to me, “don’t borrow trouble,” and I think that’s sage advice, too.
i like your mom’s advice. Such small statement with a HUGE impact
I loved your dream big post. And I spent far too much of my life in worry and fear. I’ve been aware of it for sometime. And I can stop for a bit, and then a huuuge life change hits me again and its back.
This relates to my post today – so I’m not going to worry about disappointing everyone else and the future. I’m just going to focus on me and today.
i read your post! it made me so happy. You truly have grown this past year. Love your strenght woman!
I used to worry about everything ALL the time. That is one thing that Kyle has helped to teach me. He doesn’t worry himself silly like I used to. I’m starting to come around!
i think you picked a good man!
And doesn’t worry make your tummy chubby? 😉 That’s my problem… lol