I saw this quote today. It made me smile. Thanks #NaomiJudd.
When you run the worse case scenario thru your mind (sometimes again and again and…), your body will react as if what you are thinking is really happening.
When I say “react” I mean it produces stress hormones, diverts blood flow and energy, raises pulse/respiration/blood pressure, tenses muscles, dilates pupils and more. All these changes are real reactions brought on as your body’s response to your thoughts. That’s how your body is made.
So, what do you think happens when you run the best case outcomes thru your mind? Whatever challenges arise, what if you pause, take a deep breath and imagine you perform perfectly, healing quickly, solving problems wisely for all involved. Again, the body will respond as if your vision of the rosiest future is real. It can stay calm and relaxed, devoting energy to those things that are healing, restorative and more.
The more centered and calm I am, the sharper my problem solving skills become. If I can learn, thru practice to breathe deeply when confronted with a “surprise,” then I can take a moment and choose to respond in a calm way, keeping my mind and body relaxed. In this state, I can use my mind effectively if there is some challenge to respond to. If I become angry or pessimistic, often my thinking is anything but clear and wise.
This talent of remaining in charge of your emotions, whether you develop it thru meditation or simply training yourself to imagine the best, is a skill that is thousands of years old. Horace said, “Rule your mind or it will rule you”. [Quintus Horatius Flaccus (December 8, 65 BC – November 27, 8 BC), known in the English-speaking world as Horace, was the leading Roman lyric poet during the time of Augustus.]
This is beautiful!! Just reading gave me the powerful energy of happy!
Thanks, my friend. Your encouragement is always appreciated.