DanielYKL

Today I decided to have my favorite Char Koay Teow at Jalan Bawasah for brunch. Man, that place was packed with holiday makers from the mainland. So there I was waiting for my koay teow when suddenly this thing called “worry” crept into my mind. I started to worry whether I did lock my car or not as I have left my notebook in the booth. What happens if someone saw me leaving my notebook in the car booth? What if I forgot to lock the car? Should I walk back and make sure the car is locked and maybe carry my notebook with me to the coffee shop? Worry, worry, worry!!!

But as I was thinking about all those unnecessary “worries,” my char koay teow arrived. Now, with the char koay teow right in front of me, I guess I have to leave my worries behind for a little while.

While scoffing down my koay teow, I looked around me and wonder, what is on the mind of the people here? What are their worries?

The man with his family over there. Does he have a worry? Is he worrying about his home mortgage? Or his car installments? The man next to his table. Is he worried that he has not hit his sale’s quota for the month?  And the lady behind him. Is she worrying about her teenage daughter who has been coming home late every night with alcohol in her breath? And that group of ladies over there. Is one of them worried that her son might be involved with drugs? He has been acting strangely lately and losing weight? And the friends that he hangs out with are of questionable character?

And as I was asking all these questions, I see this group of holiday makers next to my table. They seem to be enjoying the Hokkien mee, Char Koay Teow, Curry mee, Lor Mee and whatever is on their table. Is there one amongst them that is worried about her house? Did she remember to lock all the doors and windows? Did she remember to switch off the iron or air-con or fan in the house? Or another one in the group might be worrying her dog she left with her neighbor?  And the young boy might be worrying whether he will pass his STPM? And if he did pass, which university would accept him? And what is on the mind of the rest of the people in the group? Is there one among them that has no worries?

The hawkers there are no exception. I’m sure there is one who is busy making as much business as he could for day, to pay off the “Ah Long” who is waiting for him.

Worry! Worry! And more worry! Is there one here who is reading this post can proudly tell me that he or she has “no worries?” Honestly, is there one?

Worries come in different sizes and levels. The rich and poor have their own worries. No matter how small or big your worries are, they are still “worries!” We worry about every single thing. What dress to wear for the wedding? What to eat or drink to stay slim? We worry what tomorrow brings.

The Old Book says, “Don’t ever worry about tomorrow. After all, tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own” 

Do not be worried about the food and drink you need in order to stay alive, or about clothes for your body. After all, isn’t life worth more than food? And isn’t the body worth more than clothes?  Look at the birds: they do not plant seeds, gather a harvest and put it in barns; yet God in heaven takes care of them! Aren’t you worth much more than birds? Can any of you live a bit longer by worrying about it? “And why worry about clothes? Look how the wild flowers grow: they do not work or make clothes for themselves. I tell you that not even King Solomon with all his wealth had clothes as beautiful as one of these flowers. It is God who clothes the wild grass—grass that is here today and gone tomorrow, burned up in the oven. Won’t he be all the more sure to clothe you?  “So do not start worrying: ‘Where will my food come from? or my drink? Or my clothes?’

Many of us have four square meals or more a day. A comfortable home. A decent car to drive. Children’s education are taken care of. Yet we worry! Think about those who don’t enjoy the same privileges that we have. Think of the less privileged. And the recent disaster at Bukit Antarabangsa! Think about those who have lost their love ones in the tragedy, (my sincere condolence). Those who lost their homes and properties! What are our worries compare to theirs?

Yes, I know worries are unavoidable. It’s part and parcel of life. But then worrying doesn’t help to solve our problems. It only enlarges and creates stress. You work on your problem, not worry about them. You know what? I should have gone to check whether my car is locked and take my notebook along with me. That would have solved the worry!

I think if we collect all our worries and compress them together, we will create a bomb more lethal then any bomb ever created!

Here is a song that hopefully will take away your worries! I know what you are going to say about the singer/songwriter. Don’t worry about him lah! Be happy and just enjoy the song.