|
Hello! My daughter is home for a visit, so most of my free time has been spent at concerts. I’ve seen more bands than I can list recently, and Metallica was the standout this week. It feels even cooler when your kid puts you on the guest list. 😉 Lately, in my own life and from our conversations, it seems that things can feel hard, challenging, or just plain repetitive. When your thoughts fixate on what you don’t have and what you still need, negativity creeps in. Maybe you’re doom-scrolling. Maybe the news makes your shoulders tense. Maybe nothing seems to change, no matter how badly you wish it would. We all do this sometimes; we’re human. So how do you shift your attitude toward the life you’re living right now? You try gratitude lists, positive thinking, mindful presence, and trimming back future-worry, yet you still slip into the same low vibe. I’m all for “change your mind, change your habit, change your life,” but it isn’t always simple. Each of us carries a default setting. Some of it is temperament, and some is the environment that shaped us. That inner program once helped you thrive, yet now it can trip you up. When your mind starts spinning unhelpful stories, try this: Observe. Track your thoughts, words, and actions. Notice when they lift you and when they drag you down. Pause. Place one hand over your heart, inhale, then release a long, clearing breath. This simple gesture may help you remember to interrupt and refresh your thinking, bringing in a more positive thought from your heart space. Ask why. Without blame, wonder why you feel that way. Take responsibility for the part you play. Soften with “of course.” Of course, you’re upset, frustrated, and so on; this matters to you. Pivot. Move as quickly as possible to identify one positive takeaway. Every hint of growth fuels the stamina you need to keep this practice alive.
My moment this week: In exercise class, a flood of complaints about the routine filled my head. I caught myself being negative and switched to, “I appreciate I have time to take this class and support my body.” I repeated that thought on a loop, and the griping eventually faded. For every frustrated thought, follow with a peaceful one—gratitude, a silent request to your spirit team, a text to a friend, or a cuddle with your pet. Remind yourself you are loved exactly as you are, even while you stumble and learn. “Of course,” you notice what’s wrong. Now, hand on heart, breathe, and notice what’s right. You don’t have to master this overnight. You only need to keep interrupting the pattern until the noise quiets down. With Love,
Andrea
|
