Mad magazine first published as a comic in 1952 becoming a satirical magazine in 1955.  The mag’s famous mascot is Alfred E. Neuman.  Alfred’s motto is “What me worry”.

Mad is still published today albeit with a much reduced circulation from their peak year of 1974 (two million).  Maybe they should try pictures of nude women (see yesterday’s post).

I grew up reading Mad (although I have not read an issue in years) and I always admired the “What me worry” slogan.

Managing your Worries

Years ago at a seminar I attended; the key note speaker spoke about using  a shrug and mantra ” it is what it is”  or ” it just is” to resolve things that would worry you and allow you to move on.

Strangely I have found this technique to be very effective for me and practice it regularly.  Logically worrying about, or being bothered by, things you cannot change does not make sense.

What about acting responsibly?

A recent experience got me thinking about some of the potential negative impacts on others  when you follow the “What me worry?” principles.

Let’s say you are regularly late for appointments.   Comments like “traffic was terrible”,  “my wife was late and held me up” can work really well from a personal perspective.  That is to say “it is what it is, what could I do”?   Of course this could work for those waiting for you as well – “It is what it is, you are always late, no worries”.

I do have a bit of emotional reaction to this scenario however.

It make me realize that while the ability to relax and enjoy a moment, not to worry about things that don’t deserve to worried about is a great practice to have in your behavior arsenal, but like all things a balance is needed.

Everybody is important and a promise is a promise are key values that need to factor into this equation.  Sometimes worrying about how you negatively impact others is appropriate.