Monday, January 9, 2023
The mind talks all day. Most humans are addicted to that chatter. Taking a step back from overthinking might feel like you’re weaning yourself off of a powerful drug. The key is to practice focusing on what you’re doing, in the moment. If the mind ramps up, notice – then focus on what is right in front of you. If there is a constant “hum” of mental activity over each of your activities, then you’re not fully present.
What you focus on expands. That is a powerful truth, and when you come to understand this, you become more careful. Most humans focus on negative, incessant mental chatter. That unconsciousness secretly grows into negative emotion (like a cancer), then it expands into negative circumstance. As you become aware, you can become more careful about what you focus on. But you can’t just quit thinking, cold turkey. It’s a slow process, but a beautiful flowering and the higher purpose of all humans.
The mind can be trained, and you sit at the controls. You have to be disciplined, focused on one thing at a time. It’s called practice, and like all practices, it takes time, and daily work. The mind doesn’t “need” you to listen to it all day. There is so much more to pay attention to, and it all begins by noticing the present moment. Start off small, and notice something different today. Notice when the mind is quiet. Notice the sky. Notice how you feel. Notice what you’re touching, tasting, seeing, hearing, etc. Drill down into experience, even if it seems like “nothing” is going on. Replace being absorbed in thought by being absorbed in what you’re doing. The mind will begin to subside, and what’s left is peace unlike nothing you’ll ever known until you begin to break your addiction to mental chitchat. Focus is the golden nugget and is yours for the taking.