Yesterday, at my daughter’s tennis match, I spotted an extraordinary and beautiful luna moth. It is an exceptional occurrence to see a luna moth because, like most butterfly types, the moths only live 7-10 days, and they are mostly nocturnal and rarely seen during the day. In case you are having trouble seeing my lovely moth in that brown pile of leaves, I outlined her for you, here:
Some sources believe that there is a spiritual meaning behind seeing a luna moth, representing rebirth and the renewal of body and spirit.
“The Luna Moth presents as a reminder that many of the battles we face are not even our own. Be sure to clean and clear your surroundings and be sure you’re not absorbing the energy and karma of others. The Luna Moth is a symbolic message of blossoming in adversity, empowerment, enlightenment and epiphany. Release all outdated concerns.” – Sacred Spirit Shaman
The above quote is the perfect segue to what I had intended to write about all along today, before even witnessing my beautiful luna moth, especially the last line: Release all outdated concerns. I took calendar notes yesterday morning, to remind myself that I wanted to write about “worry.” It all started with a quote that I saw recently, from Esther Hicks:
“Don’t worry about this world; it is not broken. And don’t worry about others. You worry more about them than they do. There are people waging war; there are people on the battlefield who are more alive than they’ve ever been before. Don’t try to protect people from life; just let them have their experience while you focus on your own experience.”
I admit that I am a terrible worrier. Taking an informal survey among people I know, I find that many of us mothers, are particularly practiced worriers. I worry about one of my children, and then I feel guilty that I am not spreading the worry evenly, so I start worrying about my other children, in equal measure. I do the same thing with my friends, and my dogs, and all of the other people whom I care about in my life. I am very calculated in how I spread out my worry and concerns among my loved ones, mostly because I have found in my life, that most of the stuff that I worry about never, ever happens. Instead, I often get blindsided by the things which I never worry about. So, knowing this about myself, I try to cover all of my bases by worrying about as much stuff as I possibly can. Yesterday, when I read the quote above, I guiltily, started worrying about how much I worry about everybody. The quote was a firm and sharp reminder to me, that “worry” is not equal to “love”. In fact, it is quite the opposite. “Worry” has its roots in fear and control and avoidance of dealing with one’s own “stuff”, in one’s own precious life. Worry says, “I don’t trust you, my loved one, to live your life the way I think you should, to keep me safe from my fears of losing you.” Ouch, sounds kind of selfish, doesn’t it? Worry says, “I don’t trust you, God/Universe/Creation/Spirit, nor Your plans for ALL and EVERYTHING that You, Yourself have lovingly brought into existence.” Ouch, sounds kind of blasphemous, doesn’t it? Fear and control and projection do not equal love. Love is rooted in faith and enthusiasm and respect for individuals to live their lives on their own terms. Most importantly, worry is fruitless and pointless. It doesn’t stop or control anything. Worry is a destroyer (a wolf in sheep’s clothing). Worry destroys health, peace, relationships and our personal connection to our Higher Source. Perhaps I should use this particular luna moth sighting, as a reminder to let go of all of my worries and worrying. It would be a wonderful tribute to her short, luminous, mysterious, beautiful life, lived on her own unique terms, and according to the mysterious Master Plan.
Are you passing on love, or are you passing on pain? Heal your pain and pass on love.
Kelly,
I am a worrier too, and I can relate to the worry about worry!!
I met a woman once who described her prayer life as this…
I wake up everyday and give all my concerns, worries and frustrations to God and then I spend the rest of the day, trying not to take them back!
I think about that often….
I read this quote on Monday and I have been try to recall it all week, and really apply it when needed… It came from an article titled, The prayer for anxiety and worry.
It is quite simple, “Jesus, YOU take over!”
Just a few thoughts….
So good, Joan! Thank you!!
I was just talking about “worry” with a therapist yesterday. Before each session, I am compelled to complete a survey about my week, and one of the questions has to do with the ability (or inability) to stop worrying. I think about various life situations (a lot) but I wouldn’t classify those thoughts as “worry”. I don’t believe that I can change the outcome of those situations just by thinking about them, nor do I spend time wishing that things were different. We came to the conclusion that I am not a worrier; I’m a “ruminator”. I look at situations from as many angles as I can, look for the silver lining, look for the lesson. Some would argue that any amount of time spent contemplating a specific event that can’t be changed is worry, but if it lacks fear it becomes rumination instead. That is not to say that I never worry because, as you noted, I’m a mom, and worry is part of the job description. I just wanted to introduce the idea that not all contemplative thought is worry and that might help some of your readers put their own situation into perspective.
That’s interesting, Kelly. Thanks for demonstrating the difference. Unfortunately, I think that I am both a worrier and a ruminator. LOL I guess this begs the question from my blog post earlier this week, “What am I giving to “it” and what is “it” giving back to me?”
Worry says, “I don’t trust you, my loved one, to live your life the way I think you should, to keep me safe from my fears of losing you.” Well, that hit home. Ouch. Thanks for another great post, Kelly.
Thank you, Gail. It hit hard for me, too.