When I used to get angsty about certain things, I would worry about the big things and the little things. I would worry about things coming up, and things far and away.
Don’t get me started about social outings, when I’d worry about what to say and what to do. Trying to avoid all the awkward encounters I may have throughout the day. It was fretful to say the least.
Don’t get me wrong, I still enjoyed the group outings and there were a lot of memorable outings that I treasure in my heart. But, it could’ve been better, I feel, if I just didn’t worry too much in the present.
My dad used to give me good advice when I was young. He would always say “Calvin, just take it easy”. Take it easy. Those words I hold close to my heart.
Especially as I trend towards adulthood, with more things to manage and handle on a daily basis. Planning for the future. Preparing for a kid? Taking care of finances. Even doing daily chores around the house. Sometimes, I can overthink the small things and blow it out into ginormous proportions.
But, those words always stick in the back of my head. Calvin, just take it easy. After all, what’s the big deal? The universe isn’t going to stop for anyone. It will move on. The good and the bad will all relatively move on for better or worse.
What’s the point of worrying? Everything is fine in the grand scheme of things. Just take it easy. Live life with less burden on your shoulders. Enjoy the here and now. See things clearly. Break out into your happy dance for all that matters.
I don’t know why I remember those words so clearly. But, they ring in my head loud and clear whenever I inevitably stress out about certain things. Just. Take. It. Easy.
Breathe.
Nothing is unresolvable in this grand universe. Things will work out and unfold the way it should. Don’t worry too much about finances. Don’t worry too much about the future. Things will go as planned. Or maybe they won’t. Who knows!
Either way, many things are out of our control. All we can do is take a deep breath and realize that everything in this world is not as significant as they seem.
There are, of course, important things that we must handle on a daily basis. But, in general, no need to worry or stress out over the mundane things. No need to worry for days and months and even years.
Just take a deep breath. And take it easy. It’s as simple as that. The universe will unfold the way it should. Nothing is unresolvable.
It’s a simple mantra that I repeat in my head. On a daily basis. Whenever I get stressed out. I just breathe and remember my dad’s words. And overall, everything will be okay.
I recently started reading about the “hedonic treadmill”. How everything and everybody usually have a standard happiness level - regardless of how good or bad the external circumstances are for them.
Just got married? Maybe you will be super happy for a while. But, that happiness usually falls back to your standard base after awhile.
A death in the family? Or a terrible breakup? Of course, there will be a period of sadness and despair. But, similarly, your happiness level will “fall back up” to your standard happiness level after a period of time.
People’s happiness usually don’t change too much in the long run. So, no worries, it’s a blessing in disguise. Who is to say that things will not be resolved? Or that a problem is too much of a burden to carry on? Most things in life are resolvable. Where there’s a will, there’s a way.
So, just breathe. It’s the best that we can do in certain hardship times. And sometimes, that’s all we need to do. Remember to breathe. To take it easy. To realize that everything is life has a means of taking care of itself. There is a purpose to the seeming madness. Everything will be okay.
You will get through this. It’s not the end of the world. Just take it easy.