3. [ "Problems (sources of worry)" can be separated into two types ](Part1: the case of problems about the past and the future)
I think the representative cause of your stress, that is the source of your worry is your various problems.
First of all, I want you to understand that these problems can be grossly separated into two types.
One is "problems which you need to think about (to solve)". The other is problems which can never be solved by thinking of them, that is "problems which don't benefit you at all by thinking of them".
First, what is "problems which you need to think about"? For example, before departing for a car trip, you may think about the route to the destination on the map. And you can drive the car smoothly and safely and you can arrive at the destination without having to stop much to consult a map.
But if you don't think about the route before departure, you may have to stop the car several times to consult a map.
In short, "thinking about the route before the car trip" can be called "a problem which you need to think about".
Like this, you may need to think when you are preparing for the future or planning. That means, the future or the plan can be "a problem which you need to think about".
And when you think about "a problem which you need to think about", you only have to think calmly and rationally with positive thinking, without negative feelings like "Can I do it well?". And if you reached a certain conclusion after thorough thinking, you simply act calmly according to the conclusion.
In any case, the more negative sentiment you have, the more difficult "the problem which you need to think about" gets to be solved.
In contrast to this, "a problem which doesn't benefit you at all by thinking of it" is a problem which never leads to the solution by thinking of it, and thinking of it is mere waste.
One example is worrying about the things of the past or the future. If by worrying thoroughly about the regretful things of the past, you can be transported instantly to the time of the past and solve or do over again the problem, you should worry as much as you can.
And if you can fly to the future by continuous thinking of the problem of the future and immersing yourself in anxiety, it may be of value to think thoroughly and keep worrying about the problem.
But it is a fact that no matter how much a person steeps oneself in a bad memory, remembering the things of the past, no one can get back to the past and solve the problem.
Or a person might think "I would have been happier now if I hadn't done such a thing". But contrary to this, such logic can also be true that "I would have been more miserable now if I had done another thing"
Anyway, it can be said at least that the state of now will never change for the good suddenly, by worrying about this and that of the past and the future.
After all, every person only can really experience "the present time, that is, now". Although we can think about the past and the future, we can never get back to the past and try again nor can we fly to the future instantly.
It is impossible to live in the present richly and merrily, if you usually worry about the past and the future. As people only can really experience "the present time" eternally, you may not be able to expect a fulfilling life by living in such a way that neglects the importance of "the present time".
A painter sometimes uses dark colors in the background to make a white object conspicuous. But if the person who looks at the picture is attracted to the dark background, a brilliant white object can't be caught by the eye.
The white object looks even brighter if there is a dark background, and we can appreciate fully the beauty of the picture by comparing both.
Life is the same. It is just unpleasant past experience that cultivates your humanity, but if you are always occupied by an unpleasant past experience, it may lead you to neglect the most important thing - living the present time richly and merrily.
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