What if you put the brakes on thinking so far ahead into the future and started soaking up now?
What if you pushed aside self-imposed limitations and started believing that anything is possible?
What if you let go of your identity, as you know it? Whether it's that you're the shy one, the introvert, the unlucky one, the girl who always seems to attract the wrong type of guys, the tomboy... how about throwing those labels out the door, and just bask in the uniqueness of who you are?
Instead of playing the blame game and holding onto resentment from the past, what if you began accepting yourself, as the incredible person that you are, in this moment?
Instead of wishing for the "right" circumstances, what if you declared them as perfect, here and now?
Your thoughts, your emotions, all that "inner-chatter" bouncing around in your mind, affects every aspect of your life - from your health, your relationships, the people you attract, the opportunities that come your way, to your overall happiness and well-being.
Did you know that people who hold onto anger, even if they don't show or express it outwardly, are more likely to be verbally or physically attacked by other angry people, for no apparent reason? (I didn't just make that up either! It's true!) The energy you're sending out to the world is being heard, and it's coming right back at you.
Here's the thing: You can choose your thoughts. You can choose what to focus in on. You can choose your path. You can choose happiness. It takes some massive mindshifts, but you can do it. It's in you to stop focusing on what you don't have, or what's affecting you negatively and shift into a place of gratitude for what you already have, opening your heart up to a world of positivity and beauty.
“The most creative act you will ever undertake is the act of creating yourself.” ― Deepak Chopra
Do you ever feel like you can't find the off-switch to your mind? With all those thoughts, worries, and emotions swirling around in there, it can feel like our mind controls us, not the other way around! I've had moments of total peacefulness, completely thought-free, enjoying the silence of the morning, or gazing at the sunrise - which admittedly, have been followed up with slight guilt. My mind goes rampant...
There's about 325935 things on the to-do list right now, and I need to seize each and every moment!
Oh shoot, I should really be doing _____________ instead.
Being overruled by our thoughts has shifted into what's considered "normal". The 40-hour workweek has become a thing of the past. Not cramming in extra projects into your already rammed schedule all of a sudden means you're lazy or not successful.
That is not healthy behaviour or thinking. In fact, some of the most creative and innovative ideas have happened in those beautiful moments of stillness.
HOW CAN I INVITE STILLNESS INTO MY LIFE?
1. Take Time to Mediate. There's a reason why it's called a meditation practice. The act of meditation is easy - if you can sit there and breath in and out, you can meditate! It's the discipline of becoming still, and letting go of your thoughts that takes practice.
Starting out, take a few minutes to sit and focus on your breathing. Even 5 minutes is okay! Whatever works best for you. Your mind will battle with you, after all, it's become habit to leave the "thought-bulb" on all the time. Be patient. Try guided meditations if it helps, I downloaded this app, and there are also free meditations on YouTube. Remember - clear the clutter and invite clarity in.
“If you get the inside right, the outside will fall into place.
Primary reality is within; secondary reality without.” ― Eckhart Tolle
2. Become Aware. Do you ever hop in your car to go to work, or the store, and suddenly, you stop at a red light, and can't remember getting there? Or do you ever sit down to dinner, eating so fast, you never thought once to savor it? Are you always in such a rush that moments are passing you by?
Give this a go: Go for a walk, and feel your body. Really feel the movements! How does your body feel with each stride? Recognize your breathing - feel the air fill and empty your lungs. Take deep breaths and smell the scent of pure, fresh air. Admire your surroundings - the sound of grass being cut, the birds chirping in the tree you just passed, the distant laughter of children playing, the whizz of traffic. Use your senses to their fullest potential. Just be in that moment. As thoughts enter your mind (what you're going to do after your walk, what's for dinner that evening, how you're going to respond to that e-mail), let them pass and re-direct your thoughts back to the moment.
It's (not-so)surprisingly refreshing to fully submerse yourself in the simplicity of that moment.
3. Be Grateful. Inviting gratitude into your world will allow more beauty, opportunity, and all-around good stuff that gives you the warm 'n' fuzzies to flow into your life. (Handing out more to be grateful for!) Keep a gratitude journal, jot down three things you're grateful for each day. What this means is taking the time to step back and notice the good that surrounds you. At first, you may find that you're searching for these things, but after awhile, gratitude will flow effortlessly.
Your full-potential is just waiting for you to break through it - none of this scratching the surface business! Dive in, head first!
Just a couple of q's before you go: Do your thoughts ever take control and cause overwhelm and uncertainty? How do you break through it? Are you already practicing meditation? How has it affected your life? Hit me up in the comments! I'd love to hear your thoughts.
I like to memorize long things (like chapters of scriptures) and when my mind starts racing or there are so many thoughts flying around in my head that they're actually interrupting each other, I slam on the breaks, take a deep breath and focus on reciting (often times just silently) whatever it is I'm working on memorizing. (If it's something I've already memorized, I just glaze over it and it doesn't help any.)
ReplyDeleteAnother thing I do to slow my brain down, is take a walk or a bike ride and only think about what's around me physically. I call them my "zen rides" and just kind of wander around.
This might be TMI and a little silly, but when I'm at work and need a mental break, I go to the bathroom and just sit there for a few extra minutes. Since it's just me and a few metal things screwed onto the wall of the grey stall, there is nothing to distract me.