You get to choose when and how you respond to anything; this is your invitation to embrace emotional empowerment!
How much time is there between the moment when the person in front of you as the gas pump blocks both pumps and when you officially hate them? How long is the moment between when you get cut in the Express Lane by someone who clearly has 25 and NOT 15 items and when you are seriously irritated?
It’s zero to rage in negative seconds for many of us. Which really helps with the whole stressed out, too much cortisol, and sleepless night thing. Wait, no, that’s peace. Peace helps with stress, cortisol, and sleep.
But how to create peace? How do you lengthen the moment between the antagonistic moment and the reaction?
By noticing. Noticing you’re getting angry. Simply noticing takes a little time. And while you’re noticing you might observe details that delay the rage. Maybe in the moment, it takes to notice your gas pump frustrations you get to see that the person at the pump is elderly. Then in the space of time, it requires registering your grocery angst you see that the person in front of you has an infant and looks a little sleep deprived.
Taking that moment to observe yourself affords time for compassion, patience, and yes peace, to kick in. Because when do you feel peaceful? In the quite times. So take those quiet times with you in your day. Give yourself permission to take a beat before you get angry – your sanity and sleep are worth it.
Conversations with My Soul.
Soul: Hey.
Human: *busy talking*
Soul: Heyyyy.
Human: *busy working*
Soul: HEY.
Human: *busy stressing*
Soul: HEY! PAY ATTENTION TO ME.
Human: Why do I feel so sad and overwhelmed lately? What’s wrong with me?
Soul: I need some TLC.
Human: I’m feeling so stressed I’m going to drink this wine and watch this reality show and fall asleep on the couch.
Soul: But. Please. Take a moment to stop and talk to me.
Human: I’m just too stressed. These decisions are too much for me I don’t know how to handle it.
Soul: I do.
Human: What is the right choice?! I don’t know what to do! I just need to focus on this mess at work.
Soul: Just ask me. I know what’s best for your life.
Human: I need a trip to Vegas or something.
Soul: How about just a few minutes with me? We could hang out just us.
Human: *reads article about meditation course*
Soul: HOLY CRAP YES PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE JUST TRY IT. Puhhhleeeeeze!
Human: I’m feeling drawn to this, but I don’t have the time. I can’t balance work and family AND a class.
Soul: I WILL throw a temper tantrum and you WON’T like it.
Human: I’m just feeling more and more depressed no matter what I do and how hard I try to do things right.
Soul: You don’t have to DO. You can just BE.
Human: *re-reads mediation article*
Soul: Yesssssss you waaaaaant thaaaat.
Human: I think I should do this. I don’t know what else to do at this point anyway.
Soul: I’m so excited! Let’s hang out! I have so much to tell you!
Human: I can’t believe I signed up for this course I feel so awkward. I know I’ll be terrible at meditating anyway.
Soul: *facepalm* The only way you fail at meditation is by not starting.
Human: Ok. So here I am. Me and myself. Now what.
Soul: Hi you. I know you. I’m so glad we’re here together. There are so many things I’ve wanted to say.
Human: I CAN’T CLEAR MY MIND I’m such a failure. Why do I even bother?
Soul: Oh my gosh. Seriously? You’re here! It’s ok if you get distracted! I’ll pull you back! And every time I do it’s a teeny little win. Good for you.
Human: I can do 5 minutes. I can do this.
Soul: YES. YOU. CAN. You’re doing it – you’re here. I wanted to tell you something really important.
Human: I know that the dishwasher will not be unloaded when I get home.
Soul: That’s great. Ok, so here’s what I wanted to tell you: You are enough.
Human: What was that thought? That was weird.
Soul: YOU ARE ENOUGH.
Human: …
Soul: YOU KNOW THE ANSWERS.
Human: I remember when I knew what I wanted.
Soul: YOU HAVE EVERYTHING YOU NEED.
Human: It’s still inside me. Those dreams.
Soul: YOU ARE CAPABLE.
Human: I think I got distracted by all the chaos and forgot where I was going.
Soul: YOU KNOW WHAT TO DO.
Human: I know what to do.
Soul: Let’s talk about that big issue.
Human: Did I send that e-mail earlier or just save it drafts!?
Soul: *gently pulls*
Human: I think really do know what I want to do.
Soul: YOU KNOW THE ANSWERS.
Human: It’s hard, but I know it’s right.
Soul: YOU HAVE EVERYTHING YOU NEED.
Human: This isn’t going to be easy but it will be better in the long run.
Soul: YOU ARE CAPABLE.
Human: I know I might be uncomfortable for a bit but I think it will be worth it.
Soul: YOU KNOW WHAT TO DO.
Human: I should do this more often.
Soul: Yes, please.
Human: I feel refreshed.
Soul: I feel connected.
Human: It feels good to do something good for me. Maybe I’ll go to bed a little earlier tonight, too.
Soul: I would love that so I can decompress a little.
Human: I can get through all of this.
Soul: YOU ARE ENOUGH.
