Looking into the windows of our neighbors’ lives, we are never surprised when we see worry behind the panes. After all worry is not just an old acquaintance; it is an expected guest. People who worry are members of a global community that crosses the boundries of race, color, creed, language, and cuisine.

Imagine five friends around a table enjoying a cup of tea and local gossip. Listen to the lady in yellow gingham. Her dog did a “Houdini” slipping through the gate and vanishing up the road. She is concerned and plans to search for the dog. At the same time, worry fills her conversation with all the unpleasant things that might happen to her dog. Her friends are sympathetic; they feel sad. But what if the dog’s owner woman happily talks about the dog having adventures: getting a bone from the butcher or having a wonderful time chasing a rabbit. How does this change the mood? Will her friends think she doesn’t really care for the dog if she isn’t worried?

is it possible to be concerned without worry? Does worry have intrinsic value?

Imagine five friends around a table enjoying a cup of tea and local gossip. Listen to the lady in yellow gingham. Her dog did a “Houdini” slipping through the gate and vanishing up the road. She is concerned and plans to search for the dog. At the same time, worry fills her conversation with all the unpleasant things that could happen to her dog. Her friends are sympathetic.  Everyone is feeling sad. But what if the dog’s owner woman happily talks about the dog getting a bone from the butcher or having a wonderful time chasing after a rabbit. How will her friends react? Will they think she doesn’t really care for the dog.

Is it possible to be concerned without worry? Does worry have intrinsic value?

Merriam-Webster lists half a page of definitions for “Concern.” The pertinent onehere “is a matter that causes feelings of unease, uncertainty, or apprehension.”

When it comes to worry, Merriam-Webster offers several definitions worth looking at.

• to shake or pull at with the teeth (substitute thoughts for teeth)
• to touch or disturb something repeatedly (in your thoughts)
• to afflict with mental distress or agitation
• to subject to persistent or nagging attention or effort

Stir those definitions into a pot and the result is constant, repetitive, and distressing thoughts circling endlessly through through one brain all day and most of the night. As Shakespeare put it “sound and fury signifying nothing.”

Concern

Merriam-Webster lists half a page of definitions for “Concern.” The pertinent one in this case is a matter that causes feelings of unease, uncertainty, or apprehension. I like to think concern implies acting with intent to modify a situation, no matter how small the action may be.

Worry

When it comes to worry, Merriam-Webster offers several definitions worth looking at.

• to shake or pull at with the teeth (substitute thoughts for teeth)
• to touch or disturb something repeatedly (in your thoughts)
• to afflict with mental distress or agitation
• to subject to persistent or nagging attention or effort

Stir those definitions into a pot and the result is constant, repetitive, and distressing thoughts circling endlessly through day and night. As Shakespeare put it “sound and fury signifying nothing.”

I like the idea that concern implies acting with intent to improve a situation, no matter how insignificant the action may be.

On the other hand, worry is repetitious thoughts dwelling on unwanted outcomes. Such worry not only generates crankiness and sleeplessness, it ffects your health and well-being: chronic inflammation, higher cholesterol levels, insulin resistance, increased blood pressure, and stress. If you can’t Be Happy at least replace worry with some kind of action, no matter how small.