What is the difference between the phrases I'm worried that they will not be happy, I'm worried that I won't find a job Or the expression, I hope that they will be happy together. I hope my efforts to find a job will pan out.
Essentially we are phrasing the same concern from two different perspectives. Worry or fear vs hope. It is not a black and white perspective. I am not stating, as some might, that I know they will be happy or I know I will find a job.
When we worry we find ourselves obsessed by possibilities, of potential states of being which do not presently exist.
Worry is in essence a negative emotion. It presumes that the worst possibly scenario will occur. It paints reality as essentially dark and uncaring. To worry is to protect against some unseen presence which threatens to make situations even worse.
Some individuals actually secretly harbor a form of "magical thinking" in which they fear that lack of worrying will lead to negative consequences.
Proposing hope over fear does not signify that one will or should disregard the difficulties that lie ahead. It does not suggest that those who "hope" will sit back, not be proactive, or wait for the universe to offer them something positive. It is also more realistic than those who state I "know" things will work out for the best. Because that point of view can, at times, be delusional.
My point is simply this–choosing to regard the future with hope rather than worry will allow us to function better in the present moment.
It will also demonstrate how powerful words/language are in shaping our attitudes and serenity we ultimately seek.
yeah, language is powerful, and also conplicated.