My mother was a legendary worrier. I seem to have inherited that trait from her. No matter how hard I try not to worry, I do.

I’ve worked hard at not worrying. I meditate and breathe in and out and do yoga. I take long walks and have long and logical conversations in my head about why the worrying I’m doing is senseless.

I once heard that worrying is nothing but praying for something you don’t want. Now when I worry I ask myself, “Why are you praying for something you don’t want?” Actually, I usually substitute “obsessing about” for “praying,” but whatever.

Right now I have a lot to worry about. We all do. How can we turn useless worrying into something constructive? Ideas welcome.