I find myself worrying about my dad today. He’s 82, in the hospital, and recovering from surgery. This is day 24.

The time for worry should be over. He’s made it through the tough part, the surgery; now, he’s just waiting for all the vital organs to wake-up. He’s on the mend. But I find myself worrying regardless.

Regardless, being the key. Regardless of looking at the situation logically and calmly, I’m looking past the good news and dwelling on the bad. That’s what worry is: a thought of bad things unwanted.

So instead of focusing on my feelings or thoughts of my dad’s recovery, I’ve begun thinking about what I’m worried about. “I’m worried” has become “I think.” If I’m free to truly think anything I want—and of course I am—in this case, today, I’ve been thinking about all the bad things that could happen. What would happen if I focused on the good? I wonder.

I wonder when Dad will be released from the hospital? I wonder what his faithful nurse, companion, and wife–aka MOM–are doing right now? I wonder how he’s getting through his Father’s Day in the hospital?

I worry, I think, I wonder. All questions of what will happen in the future. Bad, neutral, good. For me, thinking, focusing-in on my thoughts, expectations and outcomes makes it easier to think positively, optimistically, and hopefully.

We know things in life will go wrong, but why not focus on what could go right?

Why worry when you can wonder?

 

 

Leave a Buck Behind

I left a dollar last night, on the sink, in the bathroom of the Fort Lauderdale airport.

It’s an experiment of sorts. Although my Sweetheart would argue that it’s not scientific enough. He says the hypothesis itself is extreme and unprovable. There will be no connection and therefore a waste of time.

His theory is that I “just want to spend money.” (How funny; money has nothing to do with it…other than, I’m leaving a buck.)

It’s about karma and luck and paying it forward on a whim. It’s knowing and trusting that when I give without expectation of receiving, just KNOWing that my karma is in good standing, good things will come to me.

Sooooo, that’s the premise. And the task?  Leave a buck behind at the airport and see if good airport karma comes back to me.

But more importantly, my friend Tami West, inspired me to put it into question form. She’s completing her PHd with the study of “how women talk to each other about stress.” So, inspired by that question, and the hypothesis, once again, that a dollar left behind will bring multiple blessing back to me, the question is:

How will I benefit from leaving a dollar behind?

In the category of “being explored”? What financial benefits will I received? Will someone buy me a drink? Will I find a $20 bill lying on the ground? Will I win the airport lottery—the 3 brazillionith (a private joke with crazy co-trainer, Tami West) traveler to pass through the gates?

Will I get a first-class upgrade? A chance to co-pilot the plane? Ok, even I admit that one’s pretty extreme.  But aren’t the possibilities endless? I’m sure they are.

The test lies in relating one thing back to another. How can landing a speaking gig in Paris be triggered by a buck, left behind? I have no idea.

I hope I’m about to find out.