What to Do When Life Gets Crazy! (Part 2 of 3)
Life is scary sometimes — the surprise diagnosis from your doctor, the unanticipated lay-off notice at your job, the unexpected repair bill. It’s difficult not to wallow in worry and fear. What’s a person to do when one or more of these life events shows up uninvited?
I wish I had a magic wand to whisk them away. I also wish I could tell you that I never worry. But that wouldn’t be true! This is part two of three on the topic of what I do when life gets crazy. It contains my most helpful ideas and tips on staying sane, peaceful and balanced during tough time.
The Magic Questions
When I’m feeling full of fear or worry, there are two questions I like to ask myself:
“Is there another way to think about this issue/concern/worry?”
I try to keep my focus on what I want instead of the place I fear. In times of difficulty, this requires a lot of consistent effort!
“What’s the most loving thing I could do for myself right now?”
This is such a fabulous question because it puts my focus on my heart center where true inner wisdom resides. Intuition is our soul’s compass. It guides us to love, happiness and well-being.
Switch the Channel on Worry
Worry is like any bad habit. It can be addictive! One small anxiety leads to another. Before I know it, I’ve imagined my life falling apart, not only now, but continuing into my future. I’ve found that Mindfulness Meditation has been helpful. It allows me to catch those times when my mind drifts into fear and I can choose to switch it back.
My mindfulness meditation practice involves simply closing my eyes and focusing on my breath — slow breaths in and out. I have thoughts and feelings that come up. My intention is just to sit and breathe without judging those thoughts as right or wrong. It’s just noticing them and letting them drift away. I’m simply in the present moment rather than thinking about my past or imagining the future. This has benefits that go well beyond my meditation time. I find it leaves me calmer and more peaceful, as well as able to notice when my thinking goes astray.
Imagine!
Not only do I find I have to switch the worry channel, I also have to switch the channel of my imagination. It seems hard-wired into each one of us to see our worst case scenario playing out in our mind. This is especially true in those vulnerable moments when I wake up at 2 AM, unable to get back to sleep. Which channel do I want to watch? The one where I’m seeing images of me and my loved ones happy, healthy and prosperous? Of course! One of the best manifestation tools is to imagine your life as you’d like it to be. So, in those wee hours of the morning when I’m lying in bed, I ask myself, “What if everything works out great? What would THAT look like?” That image will be where I’ll put my effort and attention.
What about you? What are YOUR favorite ways to find your center when life gets crazy? I’d love to read your answers.
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