I talk, and write, often about the ability to monitor, and influence, our thoughts. I tell clients that their brain is a muscle that they have more control over than they think they do. I remind them to choose where they focus, what they see, where they pay attention.
And I let my thoughts run rampant, wherever they want to go.
Not always, but more often than I like. More often that works for me, I find myself upset about something, or someone, and playing it over and over in my mind. And over and over. I talk and write about noticing the good around us, and calling out what’s working and what feels great. Then I forget to do it myself.
Again, not always, and maybe not often, but sometimes. And sometimes more than I want to.
I don’t need to be perfect in directing my attention. I know there’s no perfect and I know that striving for perfection only sets me up to fail. And to feel bad about it. I don’t want to aim for my A-WD. I’m over that. ☺
But I do want to pay more attention more often, and to choose more carefully.
For today I want to let go of the disagreements sooner rather than later. I want to allow all my reactions and emotions to flow, and then find the ones that give me ease. I want to select what I pay attention to, and pay attention to what I select. I want to build my “happy brain” muscle – to work it out hard like I do the rest of my muscles at the gym.
I noticed the sun on the leaves during my run today. I ran today. I had a delightful dinner with my son last night – I was present and laughing and relishing the moment. I’m enjoying work this morning; I am so lucky that I love what I do.
I’m paying attention to what is right and good and pleasurable in my life right now. To what I’m excited about and how much I have to look forward to. And I’m taking the people and things I can be frustrated with, and flipping them around and over and looking for what – if anything – is good. Or at least okay. Or I’m looking somewhere else.
Because I have that choice.
I’d love to hear your thoughts, and please share this post with others if it resonates with you!
