Did you realize WORRY was an acronym? It really is. It stands for When Our Rationalizations Really Yodel!!! Think about it -- when we think of a yodel, we envision an echoing, meaningless refrain, reverberating in varying vocal levels. That's kind of what worry does in our Consciousness! We value what Leo Buscaglia says about worry: "Worry never robs tomorrow of its sorrow. It only saps today of its joy!"

Think about these interesting statistics on worry:

40% are about future things that never occur;

30% concern old decisions which cannot be changed;

12% center in what others are thinking about us;

10% (which seems low to us) are related to our health, which only get worse when we worry;

8% are legitimate, demonstrating that life does have real issues which may be met head on when we've eliminated senseless worries!

So how can we make the switch from worrier to warrior? Here's a quick 3-step formula that guarantees results!

Step 1: Realize you are worrying! You can't transform something until you recognize it for what it is. This means you must become aware of your worry cues. Learn to pay attention to your thoughts. Perform regular heart checks to become aware of how you are feeling emotionally. Your body will let you know when you are worrying instead of acting.

Once you become aware that you are in the midst of being a worrywart, do not beat yourself up!! Simply acknowledge the fact, then move on to step 2.

Step 2: Release the Worry! We know ... This sounds (easier|simpler than it is! But take a look at a couple of great techniques:

* Worry Jar: Worry keeps a constant vigil in our head, and keeps us from doing what needs to be done for our growth and development. So we recommend the Worry Jar. Here's how it works: Choose a jar, pitcher, coffee can or other suitable container that has a lid. Label it as your Worry Jar. Feel free to decorate the jar any way you choose. Select a designated worry time (DWT). This should be the same time once a week (for example, Wednesday morning at ten o'clock.) Place your Worry Jar in a conspicuous place and then continue with life as normal.

Throughout the week, every time you find yourself fretting over something - stop! Take a piece of paper and a writing instrument, jot down your worry, fold the slip of paper and place it in your Worry Jar. Reinforce that you are not to worry about whatever is worrying you until your DWT. When it's time to worry, according to your DWT plan, open the jar and read the worrisome entries. Many of the issues you may have worried so loyally about are history and no longer relevant. Have fun rejoicing over them before you throw them in the trash. Some issues will be pending issues, so go ahead-worry about them for a few minutes. You will discover it is difficult to worry on demand! You may even snicker a little. Once you've worried sufficiently over your current issues, refold them and redeposit them in the jar, where they'll be ready for next week's DWT.

* Meditation: This is the most important technique. After you've been through the Worry Jar, spend 20 minutes in the Silence, affirming Divine Substance is bringing you all the resources you need to resolve them, and you are open and receptive! This is the very best way to gain a sense of inner peace, where worry cannot exist.

Now comes Step 3: Replace It! We all know that Nature hates a vacuum. When you eliminate worry, you have created a void, and it must be filled. Otherwise, worry will quickly show up again and make a home there (and bring some close friends, like Fear and Panic and Depression, to party with). So make time to consciously replace your worry with something positive. For example, you may want to create a few positive core affirmations that you can repeat over and over, like: Focused on my Oneness with God, I am at peace. Or: I am one with God, and I am Rich, Healthy, Happy and at Peace in all areas of my lifeNOW!

Explore the issue causing you worry, and ask this question: Is there anything at all I can do about this right now? If the answer is no, then you may as well stop worrying, because it is a useless emotion! If you decide the answer is yes, then you may as well stop worrying, and take the actions to do what you can do about it! Either way -- stop yodeling and start being a warrior. Oh --did we mention that warrior is an acronym, too? It stands for:

When All Responses Reflect Infinite Omnipotent Reality!

In his book, The Wisdom of the Peaceful Warrior, Dan Millman says of Peaceful Warriors, "We don't live in an ashram or a commune or seclude ourselves in the mountains. But our values, priorities, and sensibilities are likely different from those of many of our neighbors. It's nothing specialjust a certain awareness, a lightness, an orientation toward service, and an expanded perspective born of inner work and life experience. And perhaps we display a little less fear, less worry, less resistance."

So how do we sum it all up? There is a wonderful Chinese drawing that really holds the secret to it all. It depicts two people sharing a pot of tea, and the ancient Chinese writing, loosely translated, says, "Enjoy today Worry tomorrow." By following this advice every day, you will never have a worry!

You have such incredible power within, to transcend all worry and live the life of a Warrior, journeying this Spiritual Path with joy and energy! You just need to follow the formula of:

* Recognizing Worry;

* Releasing Worry; and

* Replacing Worry!

Another great philosopher said it in his own unique way ~ Bobby McFerrin: Don't Worry, Be Happy!