Hold That Thought

If you're in the northern hemisphere, how is your summer going?
If you're in the southern hemisphere, how is your winter?
Either season could hold vacation plans and I'm wondering this week what your style of vacationing is? Do you "moodle"? This was Frances Scovel Shinn's, (1871-1940) word for inefficient dawdling and puttering. Or, do you plan every minute and stay on the go the whole time?
Whether you do one or the other might have something to do with the relationship you have with your mind. I've heard some people say that they don't really like sitting on a beach with nothing to do because they keep thinking about what needs to be done! Their mind comes up with a long list of what they should be doing instead of relaxing and enjoying the sunshine and sound of the waves.
I also know people who worry about nearly everything no matter what time of year it is. If they have children they might imagine something awful happening to them or they might be concerned about their partner's drive home or their parents' well-being.
Here's another scenario to consider ... have you ever seen someone at work or in the grocery store that you know and you say "hello", but they don't say "hi" back? What comes up in your mind? Is it something like, "Why didn't they return my greeting? Are they angry with me? Did I offend them? Do they not like me? Maybe it's not who I think it is. That was stupid of me. People don't like to be bothered. I must have invaded their privacy. I don't think I'll say "hello" to anybody anymore..."
This week's Seed was:
"Your thoughts are constantly telling you things
that you don't have to believe ...
unless it's working for you."
I am the first person to encourage anyone to have positive, affirming thoughts. I believe in talking myself into having a fun, productive day and to enjoy whatever comes my way whether it's sunshine or rain. I also know what it's like to get in a loop of crazy-making, mixed up thinking. I can make up a story about almost anything and I can be so convincing that I believe every word of it ... even though there's not a bit of evidence of it being true. This is another reason why I meditate.
Just like an undisciplined puppy, our minds can run around in circles and we can reason (ha, ha) that "it's just the way it is and there's nothing to be done about it". However, just like that puppy who can be taught to respect boundaries and understand necessary limits, usually for safety, we can work with our minds and create healthy borders. We can also nurture a compassionate relationship with our thoughts and cultivate ways to gently question some of our more troubling ruminations.

Bothersome thoughts could also be called worrying and I'll leave you with a couple to help put things into perspective:
"Worry is like a rocking chair. It gives you something to do,
but never gets you anywhere."
- Erma Bombeck
and
"That the birds of worry and care fly over your head, this you cannot change, but that they build nests in your hair, this you can prevent."
- Chinese Proverb
It's normal to have thoughts sometimes that make you anxious, but you don't have to believe them. This is what I wish for you.
Would you like to learn more about meditating or do a little with me? Contact me at cummingsbarbara@gmail.com Let's see what happens.
Sparkles and Love,

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