This seems like the perfect reminder for me as I start my new year.
We have real influence over our minds (once again from Rick Hanson).
I have been more and more aware of the stories I may be making up about other people. Even if what they do seems insensitive to me, and even if what they do actually is insensitive, while I may not yet have power over how hard it hits me and how hurt I feel, I’m starting to have power over how long I stay with it. And if I stay with it.
I read this quote today on Insight Timer:
“To question what you believe is an amazing gift to yourself.” Byron Katie
I know that many of the beliefs that were forced into my brain, psyche, and soul as a child are definitely unhelpful and simply wrong. I know that some of the things I may currently believe are based on those childhood beliefs and on the stories I make up in my head. So, they’re probably not helpful and at least somewhat wrong as well.
And I have influence over my mind. I can question my beliefs and choose how I think about things and how I respond.
Well, sometimes. But more often than in the past.
Something happened recently that gutted me. For a while. But as I was open to new information and looked for different explanations than were swimming in my brain, I was able to step back from the guttedness and swirl, and the possible different explanations eased my anguish.
Again, what happened may have absolutely been insensitive (and maybe even mean) by pretty much any standards, but influencing myself to reframe it in my mind lessened my pain.
Go figure.
The new year usually doesn’t matter much to me, but this year feels different. This year I am somehow more emboldened and excited to step forward from all that’s happened, all I’ve endured, all I’ve learned, and how much I’ve healed and grown and to live and love and be myself and my best self even more.
As I start this new year, remembering that I can influence my mind and heal my soul even more is, again, the perfect reminder.
I’d love to hear your thoughts, and please share this post with others if it resonates with you!
Photo by Nehemia Brent on nappy
