Monday, June 14, 2021
The mind loves to wander. Unfortunately, most minds wander into thoughts that cause us to feel poorly about ourselves and the choices we’ve made in life. If left unchecked, the mind can wander so much that it creates a desperate cycle of despair, sometimes even leading to suicide. When I am feeling depressed, anxious, or frustrated, it’s almost always because I’m mulling over a negatively obsessive narrative in my mind. I’m usually having “replays” of the past – hurtful scenarios that I’m trying to “fix,” or future problems I’m trying to “solve.” This is always going on when I’m doing my daily activities – driving, emailing, walking, showering, etc! Most of us can skim through emails, sit in a meeting, or even read without having to focus on anything pertaining to those tasks. Haven’t you ever read something, only to get to the bottom of the page to realize you don’t remember a thing about what you just read? Our wandering minds have taken over our ability to focus. Mental, negative chatter has consumed our attention. When attention is usurped like this, it can lead to feelings of sadness and feelings of being lost. Why? Because you are lost – you’re lost in thoughts.
Exercise your power to focus today, even if just for a few minutes. Devote yourself to what it is that you’re actually doing, even if just drinking a cup of coffee. Eat your food, deliberately – chew it carefully and really experience the sensation of taste. Pay attention to your driving. Get in touch with your body – feel what needs to move or stretch. When the mind is 100% engaged with what is happening in the moment, you may find that there is actually not a concern in the world! A little practice in increasing your focus can go a long way in developing a better, overall disposition. Refocus your energy, and put it towards honing your mind onto real-time, present-moment experiences. Deliberately focus, and shut out the wandering, negative thoughts that interrupt your inner state of joy. You may be delightfully surprised at how helpful focusing can be for your sense of wellness! Try it today.