The French philosopher, Michel de Montaigne, wrote: “My life has been filled with terrible misfortune, most of which never happened.” This quip highlights an important point; most of what we worry about never happens. Melanie Greenberg, author of the new book The Stress-Proof Brain, mentioned in an NBC interview that roughly 85 percent of what we worry about never happens. But what happens the other 15 percent of the time? What happens when our worry becomes reality?
This summer, the Reilly family embarked on a bold adventure into the Rocky Mountains—a journey that pushed us far beyond our comfort zone. We weren’t just visiting; we were challenging ourselves, testing our limits with thrilling outdoor experiences, including a heart-pounding, white-water rafting trip.
The Arkansas River awaited us with a gauntlet of Class II and III rapids. We were told that Class III rapids offer a thrilling ride, a perfect mix of excitement and manageability—just right for our young family. As the bus rumbled toward Browns Canyon, the excitement was palpable…until our guide began to detail everything that could go wrong.
“If you fall out of the raft, swim aggressively back to your raft or the closest one.”
“If you fall out of the raft, don’t put your feet down—they could get caught.”
“If you fall out of the raft and can’t reach another raft, swim to the shore.”
My stomach tightened, not for myself, but for my family—especially my nine- and ten-year-olds. They had met the age requirement, but now I wondered if this was a mistake. I was filled with worry. What if someone gets hurt? What if someone falls out? Still, we pressed on.
The first half of the journey was a gentle introduction, a peaceful glide through Class I and II rapids. But as we approached the more turbulent waters, the real test began. The river roared as we hit the Class III rapids, plunging us into the challenging rapids. The thrill was undeniable… until suddenly, it wasn’t.
“Bump!” Our guide’s shout cut through the air as we slammed into a massive boulder.
My heart dropped as I saw my ten-year-old daughter slipping from the raft into the cool, 60-degree water. Panic gripped my wife and me. But our guide sprang into action, barking out commands with precision.
“Swim to the boat! Grab her life jacket and pull her up!”
Those agonizing seconds stretched into what felt like an eternity. I could see the terrifying look in her eyes as she aggressively swam to our boat. Exhausted and desperate, she stretched out her hand and locked with mine. And we hauled her back to safety. She was shivering and scared, but she was safe.
The bus ride back was somber, each of us lost in our thoughts. My wife and I exchanged a look that said it all: It could’ve been so much worse, but thank God she’s alright.
This experience brought home a powerful lesson. We worry—about quotas, about deals, about the economy, about everything. But the truth is, 85 percent of those worries never materialize. And when that dreaded 15 percent does show up, you find the strength to overcome it. You don’t crumble. You rise. You fight. You conquer. You deal with it.
We all tend to worry too much. It’s natural to feel that familiar knot of anxiety. But take comfort in knowing that most of your worries never come to pass. And if it does? You’ll face it head-on, just like we did on that river. You’ll push through, stronger than before.