Thursday, June 4, 2009

"Will it change the outcome if I worry?"

Many years ago I was watching an episode of Kung Fu starring David Carradine. In this episode, Kwai Chang Caine (played by Carradine) was riding in a wagon with another character. I think the other character was played by Slim Pickens but I'm not sure. These two stars were riding into a town filled with bad guys where an inevitable fight to the death awaited them. The other character was visibly upset and worried. To be more accurate, he was absolutely terrified! Scared @#$%-less. As they rode, he looked over at the cool, calm, collected Caine and said something to the effect- "Why aren't you the least bit worried? We're headed into a town where we will be out-numbered, out gunned, and probably stand a pretty good chance of getting killed. And you're not even a little bit concerned?"

Caine looked at him calmly and replied -

"Will it change the outcome at all if I worried?"







This line resonated long and true for me. Many times in my life when I was faced with danger, adversity, fear or challenge, I remembered this line. I asked myself the question "Will it really change the outcome if I worry more?"

The answer was usually no..... I can't say for sure that the process stopped me from worrying completely, but thinking through it usually calmed me a bit. It was my rational approach to dealing with my emotional fear.

So imagine my dismay and personal conflict when today I learned of the apparent suicide of the speaker of those words. David Carradine, who so convincingly uttered those words that have provided me so much comfort over the years was found dead in a Bangkok hotel. Perhaps as a personal response to whatever he was dealing with.


According to police, the 72-year-old actor appeared to have hanged himself.
The officer responsible for investigating the death, Teerapop Luanseng, said Carradine


was staying at a suite at the luxury Swissotel Nai Lert Park Hotel.
"I can confirm that we found his body, naked, hanging in the closet,"


Teerapop said.


He said police suspected suicide.




Here's a YouTube clip from the TV series Kung Fu:














Interestingly enough, Carradine supposedly was picked over Bruce Lee to play the leading role in Kung Fu. Bruce Lee, who was touted for his athletic build and martial arts skill later went on to become a Martial Arts Mega King and die of a drug overdose under somewhat suspicious circumstances.






Carradine also enjoyed dabbling in art and music. Apparently he was studying music at San Francisco State when he took up acting. To listen to some of his music, follow this link: Click Here



Rest In Peace Shaolin Brother!
May your worries also be laid to rest!


"When a man finds his way, heaven is gentle." - Caine

7 comments:

Docpotter said...

Worrywarts often think that worrying protected them from the worried-about event.

It is like the two women, one of which was waving her arms around. The second woman asked, "Why are you waving your arms?" and the first woman replied, "I keeps the tigers away." The second woman answered, "Yes, but there are no tigers around here." To which the first woman answered, "You see, it's working!"

When the feared event doesn't happen, that non-happening actually "reinforces" the worry, making it stronger and more likely.

To learn about worrywarting and worrying "smart", see: http://www.docpotter.com/ww-areyou.html

Jane Turley said...

Kung Fu was one of the earliest non- childrens' programmes I remember. I think because it was so entirely different from what I'd seen before it has always stuck in my mind.

You know that's a useful thought "Will it change the outcome if I worry?" I think I'm going to adopt it for those things I really shouldn't worry about...

It's sad about David Carradine but on the plus side it sounds like that instead of worrying he had a very big smile on his face:)

Tamera said...

Will it change the outcome if I worry? Hmmmmm....just what I needed to hear/read right now. thanks for the reminder, and great post!

intrepidideas said...

Badda badda.... What's up Doc? Thanks for the link. Let's keep waving our arms and keeping the Bears away! :)

intrepidideas said...

Jane,

It's a good thing to think about. Sometimes it harder to convince yourself to believe it. Intersting developments in the Carradine death. The mystery continues.

Tami,

Thanks for the visit and the comment. It's great to see you around.

dickster1961 said...

amazingly, I never watched Kung Fu, ,even though I have always been a fan of martial arts films. I have studied a lot of different religious thought, including Buddhism, and that quote you cite is essential Buddhism. Live in the now, in the moment, and do not worry about those things that you can't control. Great wisdom indeed.

BellyDanceGirl said...

LOVE this post!!!!