Anxiety, Stoicism, and Monty Python

When I first met my wife, she kindly showed herself to be deeply patient with me. I had already gone through years of the meat grinder, and I had taught myself just a little bit about what I thought was, and was not, worth worrying about.

She was just getting started. So every time she began being deeply concerned about the external frustrations of our lives, I would simply stop and play her this brilliant track by Monty Python.

Now I know I could have been kinder about it. I have a dark sense of humor, and it has thankfully mellowed over the years. But the Pythons hit it right on the nose. It serves no purpose for me to be anxious about what I cannot control, and I have no need to be anxious about the things I can control.

Written in 7/2010

Monty Python, "I'm So Worried",  from Monty Python's Contractual Obligation Album (1980)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvzCuJUqqvw

 I'm so worried about what's hapenin' today, in the middle east, you know
And I'm worried about the baggage retrieval system they've got at Heathrow
I'm so worried about the fashions today, I don't think they're good for your feet
And I'm so worried about the shows on TV that sometimes they want to repeat

I'm so worried about what's happenin' today, you know
And I'm worried about the baggage retrieval system they've got at Heathrow
I'm so worried about my hair falling out and the state of the world today
And I'm so worried about bein' so full of doubt about everything, anyway

I'm so worried about modern technology
I'm so worried about all the things that they dump in the sea
I'm so worried about it, worried about it, worried, worried, worried

I'm so worried about everything that can go wrong
I'm so worried about whether people like this song
I'm so worried about this very next verse, it isn't the best that I've got
And I'm so worried about whether I should go on, or whether I should just stop

I'm worried about whether I ought to have stopped
And I'm worried about, it's the sort of thing I ought to know
And I'm worried about the baggage retrieval system they've got at Heathrow

I'm so worried about whether I should have stopped then
I'm so worried that I'm driving everyone 'round the bend
I'm worried about the baggage retrieval system they've got at Heathrow