Why Worry? a poem by Jim Jenkins

This is a poem I wrote which emphasizes the need for all of us to embrace who we are, what we have and not stress out about everything else in the world;  in others words,
enjoy those little things which make us happy and not worry so much.  I hope you all enjoy!

Why Worry?
by Jim Jenkins

I recently had thoughts about changing me, so I started by making a list
of what I would like to accomplish, what I’ve done and what I have missed.
My list had a column for each of the things I wanted to remember and note.
Thoughts and ideas sprang forward, and became scribbled the faster I wrote.
The list got big very quickly, of things to do and already done in my life.
It included material things like houses and cars and raising two boys with a wife,
my desire for a piece of property, to have quality friends and my health,
I never for one second considered, making a listing for wealth.
My scribbling included relationships, both those current and others long gone;
divorce ended one, death ended others, and with some I still am friend.
A listing of people involved in my life, who have made it be what it’s been.
I see some pretty regular, some not at all, and others I’ve not seen for years;
some which I can never see again and those thoughts of them bring tears.
I scratched down successes I’ve had in this life or still hope to have fore I’m through,
the many ways which I’ve helped others, and more that I’d like to do.
Then I edited my list for what made me happy, when those things happened before.
Most seemed just like a starting point, a place to begin searching for more.
But there were some items which made me contented, and left my face with a smile.
I wondered aloud, why not revisit these things, why has it been such a while;
since I stopped and pondered how good things are and realized how good they could be;
if I only would quit dwelling on the future of things and open my eyes up and see;
Why are we often dissatisfied, dwelling on things we don’t have or things sad?
Why not look at the good that we’ve got, and not always focus on bad?
Though successes in life seem to matter, as a measure of what we’ve all done,
they remain just a way to compare us with others and keep us from having some fun.
So, after much pondering and putting this list together and giving it all of this thought
I’m going to start enjoying the things that I have, and I’ve decided that changing, I’m not!
I’ve come to the conclusion, there’s nothing wrong with me, except losing a pound or two;
which can keep me from having one hell of a life, until my time on this earth is through.
So I will embrace my friends and look for others, and realize many consider me a success.
I just need to relax and quit worrying about things that sometimes have made me a mess.
So, my life is where it was as I began this year, not sure of what this year might be bringing.
But I am going to move forward one day at a time, and to the life that I have, I’ll be clinging.
I’m not going to cry on anyone’s shoulder and burden them with some useless story;
I am just going to enjoy all of that which I have, and until I’m done on this earth; Why worry ?