Sunday, January 15, 2006

The Prognosis of Worry

With an entire month between my last post and this one, I sincerely hope that I haven't lost the few readers that I had collected last year. The news in brief is that I had an excellent Christmas vacation with my family in the other Holy Land... Texas. Never before has it been so hard to return to school. Every minute on the flight back to Israel felt like a step in the wrong direction. I had no strength to last another 6 months, but in my heart I know this is where I am sent. So I will continue writing to you as often as I can because it brings me hope that hard times don't last forever. The good news is that I passed the Endo test! It's a small miracle considering that I didn't study at all over the break for it.

A common theme that I have noticed in my conversations with classmates, friends, parents, and everyone else is that of self doubt. Whether it is me questioning my own choices or just listening to the fears of a fellow trooper, I seem to have hit the saturation point for irrational worries. This is a newly developed habit of mine and I don't approve of it, so as a therapy for me I will write about how stupid it is to worry.

The reasons behind all of the anxiety range from A-Z and I won't embarrass myself by posting them. The outcome of worry, however, is the same for all of us.... nothing. Except for a few more grey hairs and an increased risk for a heart attack, worry gives us nothing. Our quality of life drops almost immediately once the worry begins and doesn't let up until we choose to let go of it. And this is where we as friends step in. Be a constant reminder to those around you, even if you have to say it out loud, of this.... Whatever is in front of you will pass away and rot with or without you, so be brave because we have nothing to lose. Do what is right and be grateful for the time you have already had, leave the rest in the hands of the One who owns it.

I hope that I have encouraged you. Next time I will review something a bit more interesting and eccentric. Until then be brave.