No Worries

During my recent visit to Hawaii, I kept hearing the phrase: “No worries.” It can mean anything from, “No problem,” or “Don’t worry about it,” to “You’re welcome.” This phrase reflects the general carefree lifestyle of the islands. However, mainlanders often perceive this laid-back attitude as carelessness, inertia, or maybe even laziness.

On the continental U.S., a certain level of intensity and discipline is seen as a necessary part of success. We mainlanders seem to be fueled by stress, fear, and tension. Yet, I wonder if this fear is productive. It may push us to strive more, to acquire more—but does it push us closer or further away from peace?

“I have no doubt that the fear you mention is simply a temptation of the devil, an effort to keep us away from God by despair. So don’t listen to these fears and doubts any more than you would to any obviously impure or uncharitable thoughts. . . . Of course, like other evil temptations, they will not be silenced at once.” (From The Collected Letters of C.S. Lewis, Volume III)

If we recognize worry as an evil temptation, one that drives us off course, then we are more likely to resist it. When I am driving, and the GPS system is directing me in a path that is obviously amiss, I have to reach over and turn it off. Otherwise, it just becomes distracting. Similarly, fear and worry—which lead to despair—can lead us astray. I wish I could reach over and silence these unproductive worries as easily as I turn off the GPS. If I could take away anything from the island philosophy, it would be this ‘No Worries’ attitude.