Why worry about tomorrow

The other day, I came across a Rosh Hashana Speech given by Rabbi Robert H. Loewy close to two years ago in which he discusses how to achieve happiness. It is worthwhile reading in its entirety and you can access the PDF file by clicking on the link below. The following three paragraphs are taken from the speech.

"Real wealth according to our tradition comes to those who are happy with their portion in life. It is a matter of attitude. One man who brought laughter and happiness to millions had this philosophy: “Each morning when I open my eyes, I say to myself: ‘I, not events, have the power to make me happy or unhappy. I can choose which it will be. Yesterday is dead, tomorrow hasn’t arrived yet. I have just one day, today, and I’m going to be happy in it’.” Along with the wit, we now have the wisdom of Groucho Marx and you can bet your life on it.
The problem is that we tend to put up barriers to our own happiness. Some of us are worriers. “Yes, I’m healthy now, but you can never tell about tomorrow.” “Yes, there are more restaurants and life is pretty much normal, but all it takes is one more storm.” “Yes, the kids are doing well right now, but will it last?”
To all of the worriers among us, the Talmud teaches: “Do not worry about tomorrow’s trouble, for you do not know what the day may bring. Tomorrow may come and you will be no more, and so you will have worried about a world that is not yours.” (Yevamot 63b) In other words, deal with life’s challenges when they come. Don’t allow them to diminish the happiness and contentment of the moment."
http://www.gatesofprayer.org/_kd/Items/actions.cfm?action=Show&item_id=2055&destination=ShowItem

There is a wonderful poem by Jery Ham that I discovered the other day which deals with the ideas above. I printed it out and have a copy attached to my fridge. It is definitely worth a read.

Why worry about tomorrow, shall I stew about it now?
Shall I say, It is no use, give it up, throw in the towel?
Why worry about tomorrow, will it bring me health and gain?
Or shall I wake up in the morning, in poverty and pain?

To access the full poem, click here.