If a snooker player cracks under pressure, he can miscue and lose the game over it. If a soldier's nerves burst through to the surface, these pent up emotions can be let up in a war cry which could be used to his advantage. Modern man rarely requires nerves any more and most people would probably say that their lives would be a lot less stressful if it were at least toned down a little. How many people stress out coming up to exam times etc? Big events trick your mind into thinking that nerves are required.

But the question which begs to be asked is not do we need nerves - it's what do we do with them when they pass. It is concurrent throughout life - energy, water - nothing can be created or destroyed in this world - it just changes form. But just as water, which can turn to steam, can quickly be revived by condensation, surely worries are no different. When they "pass" where do they really go? In to your sense of relief? Well yes I'd say some but not all. I can remember when I was young and the world seemed a much clearer place to me than it seems now. It is as if all the mental shrapnel from years of mild stress is slowly but surely blocking my will to do. Perhaps a near death experience will give a greater appreciation of life and less worry if I begin to think my length life is not in my hands. People who near death often give similar statements regarding their new found lust for life but that has to make you worry - everything your body does is a defence - if heaven is so great, why are you afraid to die? Even the most faithful people are unlikely to fight back if attacked by an animal.

I like to think that souls exist and that my soul is looking forward to the afterlife whatever it may consist of. However, my body doesn't want this. Things like this make you understand why modern day people can be so depressed - your body holds you prisoner in this world. Why do you hate wakening up in the morning? Why do people die in their sleep? Does their soul leave their body only to find that it prefers to be in this new place and the body can't live without the soul?

Worry is very closely linked to fear but in this life, you have to remember that worry is insignificant to the outcome of whatever you may be concerned about. It is an effort to meet the worst possible outcome half-way. You're best trying to avoid it - things cant go wrong all the time!