I listened to a debate one time where two men held different beliefs about things that were important to each of them. They were polite and respectful as they each explained their point of view and shared their perspective. Interesting thought, huh?
What struck me and stayed with me from the entire discussion was what one man said about feeling the intensity of the energy that was being experienced and to simply sit still and do nothing and feel the sensations.
He said a lot of problems in the world would be solved if people could just sit still for ten minutes with themselves and their thoughts before doing anything.
Brilliant!
Here’s the deal…I have haunting thoughts that I’m stupid. I’m of no use and that I’m not valued for my intellect. I got it growing up from imprinting in childhood.
Yada yada.
I know I have this belief deep down in the recesses of my brain. I’ve looked at it and pulled it apart so many times that I’m tired of it. Yet, it’s still there. I think it’s just such an old old bad habit and I grow exhausted trying to eradicate it. It shows up though and catches me off guard. A lot. More than I’d like to admit.
I’ve gone through many back and forth cycles of acceptance of my faults to reduce shame and pushing forward through limitations towards greater and greater function and happiness.
At certain points, I just have to slow down and relax. I can get too overly focused on things and get wrapped up in issues and toil.
An easy, simple tool that I use to deal with this is this; slow down, sit still for ten minutes, seek to gain broader objectivity. From that place of stillness I assess things from a different perspective.