Why Worry

The habit of worry is not to be overcome by unaided resolution. It is hoped
that the victim of this unfortunate tendency may find, among the homely
illustrations and commonplace suggestions here offered, something to turn his
mind into more healthy channels. It is not the aim of the writer to transform
the busy man into a philosopher of the indolent and contemplative type, but
rather to enable him to do his work more effectively by eliminating undue
solicitude. This elimination is consistent even with the strenuous life. One
writer has distinguished between normal and abnormal worry, and directed his
efforts against the latter. Webster's definition of worry (A state of undue
solicitude) obviates the necessity of deciding what degree and kind of worry
is abnormal, and directs attention rather to deciding what degree of
solicitude may be fairly adjudged undue. In the treatment of a subject of this
character a certain amount of repetition is unavoidable. But it is hoped that
the reiteration of fundamental principles and of practical hints will aid in
the application of the latter. The aim is the gradual establishment of a frame
of mind.