Do you ever stop and listen in on the stories being spun in your mind? Have you ever considered that perhaps whatever intense feeling you may be having in the moment is meant to simply be an experience?
Instead of mistaking who we are for what is happening in our lives, what might happen if we viewed all life encounters, good and bad, as passing moments? There is a lot of acceptance and joy in remembering that everything in life is temporary.
When I’m feeling stuck in a rut, I turn to these reminders that help me see everything in life is temporary. If they resonate, give them a try.
Pay Attention
Pay attention to the stories you are weaving. They are most likely creative, detailed and awesome. They probably feel really real. Our personal chronicles can entertain, bring joy, sadness, frustration, loneliness and so much more. I find it inspiring that we are all storytellers in our own right. We have been given creative license to concoct some of the most brilliant tales in the matter of minutes.
What I find most intriguing, is that more often than not, these stories have absolutely no truth in them whatsoever. See what happens when you put your focus on the dialogue running through your mind for a part of your day. Is it possible that some of what you are telling yourself is based on fears and worries, or details that aren’t actually true? These stories may be about yourself, about others, or about your experiences.
I enjoy checking in on my stories just to marvel at my creativity. Every time I do, I’m equally blown away by the untruths in the stories I tell myself. I’m often humored and entertained by my observations. At the same time, I also feel a wave of relief wash over me from knowing I can detach from the story through recognizing its lack of truth.
Paying attention to the stories we create for ourselves, is one of the quickest ways to get out of a funk, and instead become centered and present in the moment. I believe we are all equipped with the ability to self-reflect. If we choose, each of us can willingly step outside of a participation role in our life, and into an observer role.
Whenever you feel stuck on something for too long, see what happens when you step into your observer role and pay attention to the story you are currently creating. As you do, be sure to check in to see if an element of creative fiction has been woven into the story.
You are More
You are not your thoughts, feelings and actions. You are so much more. You are a creator, an observer, and a participant of all your thoughts, feelings and actions throughout this life adventure. So create, observe and participate loudly, fully and proudly. But whatever you do, don’t attach your worth to your creations, observations and experiences.
There is no need to be hard on ourselves for what we should or shouldn’t be thinking and feeling. See what happens when you are willing to acknowledge the occurrence of whatever is going on for you, and be okay with your reaction. It’s just a reaction. It isn’t who you are.
There is a wonderful sense of inner peace that comes when we allow whatever is going on to occur, without attaching our worth to it. We are human and therefore thoughts and experiences exist. Remind yourself that it’s okay for them to exist. You can question them, alter them, embellish them, and see the reality before you because of them. Thoughts may turn into things, but you don’t have to become them. You are so much more.
Be Moved
Instead of confusing yourself by believing you have become an experience, feeling, thought or label. See what happens when you shift your narrative. If your story is: I am anxious, angry or frustrated. See what changes when you say to yourself: it is okay to experience anxiety, anger, or frustration etc. They are just feelings we experience. The same goes for joy, abundance and excitement. It’s much easier to accept what is, when we remember that nothing lasts forever.
It’s easier to experience life’s magic as a willing and aware participant, when we begin to notice the ebb and flow of life before us. Part of being human is that there are countless thoughts and experiences eagerly waiting to pass through us. There is no need to fixate on any of them.
Have fun with this practice. Laugh at yourself often, and be delighted at life moving through you. Above all else, remember that at the end of the day, whatever may be going on, good or bad, it will not remain this way forever. The landscape of life will change and new opportunities and ways of experiencing life will inevitably be there to move through and inspire you.
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Written by Emily Madill. Originally published at www.huffingtonpost.com and www.thriveglobal.com
