Where do you fall on the worry spectrum?

The spectrum extends from the laid back, live-in-the-moment type to the up-tight planning freaks. It appears as if it all comes down to looking forward. Some people have the ability to live in the moment and not worry about what is to come. Others can’t stop thinking about everything that might go wrong and things that could happen which they should prepare for.

Not looking much past next hour, non-worriers take things as they come and never anticipate things taking a wrong turn. They seem in control of everything and therefore, needn’t worry about anything other than the present. They remind me of the fiddle players on Titanic who were still playing tunes as the ship went down. If a great plan presents itself (risky or not), non-worriers are quick to join in, as long as the plan involves some level of excitement. Otherwise, non-worriers are fine just relaxing, chatting and sipping on a beverage. Meanwhile, they calmly observe their psycho friend spinning circles around them continuously talking about everything he/she has to worry about.

While their friend is tranquil on the couch, worrywarts run a mental list through their head of things they have to do, errands they need to run and things that need cleaning. They worry (needlessly) about planning out tomorrow’s events so everything runs smoothly, and think through each problem they could possibly encounter. The fussbudget personality makes relaxing difficult, as they’re constantly brainstorming ways to improve everything surrounding them. They simply don’t have time to sit around and chat!

Talking with my brother on the phone last evening, we began discussing saving money. He’s definitely a live-in-the-moment kind of guy – he doesn’t think much further than a day or two in advance. Anxious to spend the money he saved up since starting his new full-time job, he asked what I thought he should do with it. The choices were buy an insanely expensive guitar he’s had his eye on or use the “extra” cash as a down payment on a new car.

Neither! I thought, you don’t need the guitar, you can’t afford the car… so save it for a time you need it!!

The problem? He enjoys spending what he’s got and absolutely hates saving money. Unable to relate, I asked him why. His response? “Well, what if I die in four days?”

A rather morbid thought, but it’s got some truth to it. Why do I live so cautiously when my days are numbered? Why am I preparing for a future that may not even happen? Why do I eat healthy and spend hours at the gym when I could be eating cookie dough, drinking beer and sitting on the couch watching re-runs of Friends? And why, why why why do I spend 40 hours a week working!?

Well, because I don’t think like him. I like to be prepared. I’m too responsible for my own good. I like having a chunk of change in the bank so if something goes awry, I can quickly recover. I enjoy being able to freely purchase something without having to wait until I have enough cash saved up. Because really, I’ve been saving my whole life!

But his question of “what if I die in four days,” had me thinking for longer than a second or two… do you want to die having owned and played that awesome Gibson guitar, or pass on with a few thousand dollars in your checking account for someone else to spend?

You could relate this to driving your car down an unfamiliar road at night, in the dark. For the most part, you can’t see what’s coming. You don’t know if there’s a dead carcass smeared all over the road 100 yards up, whether you’re about to approach an accident in a few miles or where the next curve is. Your headlights allow you to see about 20 feet ahead at a time. You could drive across the country in the dark if you wanted, but you can only really take it 20 feet at a time.

So I guess my bigger little brother has a point. However, I think I’ll continue to bank on living a little longer than four days. And if I happen to be wrong, I’ll be sure he’s one of my beneficiaries so he can eventually afford a car.

Shootin’ the Wit is a weekly column about everyday life that should never, ever be taken too seriously.