It’s Human to Worry but Artificial Remedies are not the Solutions.

Recently, a friend was consumed by worries over some very personal issues. When I asked if there was anything I could do, he answered by saying: “…anything but a platitude. Please don’t be like my wife who keeps irritating me with words like, ‘worrying does not solve any problem except to add to it?...”

He was right. Many of us are quick to start mumbling these words while trying to offer encouragements to someone in distress. It’s however easier to be at the giving end of these words than to be at the receiving end. When at the receiving end, the words can be practically meaningless and irritating. As mere mortals, it’s only human that we worry over every problem or negative situation that confronts us.

In spite of this human weakness though, we still owe ourselves the responsibility to beat worries. Apart from eating certain fruits and nuts, we also need to develop and imbibe a great strength of character. This comes from within, the same way “Ch'i (inner energy force in Chinese culture)” does for a martial arts practitioner in self-defense. With this factor in place, a person will have the emotional stamina to cope with, and usually get over worrisome situation as quickly as possible. A very potent natural (but painstaking) way to attain this character strength is through a strong faith. In reality, many people will rather resort to artificial, temporary remedies such as alcohol, illegal substance or medications. But unlike faith that offers a permanent sense of hope, each time “artificial escape routes” reach a dead-end, the situation of the affected individual will only become worse, leading to clinical depression.