Sometimes, not looking too far ahead

will help us reach our goal.

Everyone was excited to go on the outing that had been described as “a climb up a hill.” To me, it sounded more like a mountain. Hill or mountain, we were supposed to climb it. After years of sitting in front of computers, I was definitely not in shape to undertake such a climb. But there was no way I was going to give up and admit defeat. So to the slope, I went.

Rather than looking up and trying to gauge how much further I had to go, I focused on taking the next step. No more than that. Just . . . the . . . next . . . step. And so I pressed on, one step at a time. After what seemed like an eternity, I reached the top. And it reinforced an invaluable lesson about challenges.

Don’t be overwhelmed by how long something might take.

Don’t look too far ahead and give in to doubt.

Just keep taking the next step. Gradually, doubts, fears, and worries will recede as you become absorbed in your task. And, with time, you will reach your goal.

Constant mindfulness of Amitabha Buddha . . .

Was that a necessary thought?

Or just another meddling worry?

Faced with a situation that requires us to respond, we usually do one of two things. We put on our thinking cap, analyze the situation, and find a solution.

Or we worry, a negative response. We go over and over things that might happen, which makes us anxious. We find ourselves fixating on the negative what-ifs that keep circling around our heads. Perhaps we blame ourselves for having made a serious mistake and worry about possible outcomes. Perhaps we fear what might happen if things go against us in tomorrow’s meeting at work. Worrying involves anxiety and unhappiness.

Let’s get back to thinking—the more positive, creative process. Thinking can fix problems; worrying increases them. Understanding this, the next time you notice mental agitation or sense a feeling of unease, check to see whether you might have slipped over the thin line between thinking and worrying.