“Self-discipline begins with mastering your thoughts. If you can’t control what you think,
you can’t control what you do.” -Randy Pausch
When was the last time you didn’t just think your thoughts, but consciously observed and dissected them so fully that you were able to uncover the underlying thread that linked them together?
Several weeks ago, I noticed a trail of thoughts moving between my ears about events that had transpired quite some time ago. At first glance these events seemed completely unrelated. Though as I turned each event over and over in my mind with the utmost curiosity, I began to see an underlying thread or theme. It was this curious exploration and observation that then allowed me to see the commonality between the events and eventually uncover a very important insight for myself.
What was the thread?
Each event was a situation where in retrospect I wished I had responded differently. Each event showed me how being in my reactive mind instead of my conscious problem-solving mind had created the opposite outcome I had hoped for. Each event was also reminding me of the importance of moving though my day at a pace that is manageable for me, so I can consciously respond to the directions of my conscious mind—not my unconscious tapes.
Sounds pretty simple—but it is often difficult to accomplish because our fast-paced world creates stress, and stress automatically activates the unconscious mind. It is also important to remember that the subconscious mind is also a million times faster and more powerful a processor than is the conscious mind. So what can we do or how can we approach our day so that we spend more time responding and operating from our conscious mind?
I think this is what Randy Pausch is talking about: We need to find a way to master our thoughts. There are many ways to do this, but they all have similar components: relaxing the body, slowing down your breathing, and exploring the options instead of forcing an agenda. What we are doing is activating the parasympathetic nervous system—moving our system out of fight or flight or moving from the subconscious mind to the conscious mind. Walking, meditating, folding laundry, washing dishes, and even scribbling can accomplish this.
With this in mind, I invite you to explore some of the ICWIB art activities and videos for FREE because they are a simple and effective way to learn how to activate your conscious mind and in the process attract a life that is more supportive of your authentic nature.
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