Life is like a never-ending game of snakes and ladders. Except that instead of rolling dice, our chosen responses to the world around us dictate whether we slide down the slippery snake to glumtown or scoot up the happy ladder. Like a rollercoaster, life has ups and downs and it’s up to us to choose how we react to them.
Only you can decide.
So which is it going to be? And how do you do it?
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How about making your choice just one thought at a time?
That way it’s a bit less daunting. And if you practise this every day, before you know it, you’ll almost have forgotten the snakes are around!
The usual way for us to slide down the snakes is worry.
An enormous amount of our time and energy is spent on worrying. And as if we don’t have enough to do, worrying about our own lives, we take on the job of worrying about others, too!
Yet it’s impossible to worry and be happy at the same time.
A friend said something to me once that illustrated this one beautifully.
I had been going through a “Life Lesson” that is typically considered one of the most emotionally traumatic experiences you can have. But I had chosen to look for the joy and goodness in each event as it unfolds, rather than turning into a complete wreck. And it was going really well. Anyway, I was updating my friend on progress and she sounded really sad on the other end of the phone. I asked her what was wrong.
She said, “I’m worried for you. You’re so busy making sure everyone else is ok, you need someone to worry about you.”
No I don’t!!!!
I lovingly, but firmly, told her that the absolute last thing I need is for anyone to worry about me – ever!
All it does is wear them out, make them feel miserable and send me the message that they think I can’t do this! So, instead, I asked her to give me a great gift every time she noticed she was about to worry. I’ve asked her to imagine, in vivid detail, the vision I was holding of my chosen outcome at the end of all of it, surounded by sunshine and happiness. If my friends ever want to help me, that’s the best way!
People pick up on worry-vibes and the fact is that worrying never has a positive impact.
Someone recently told me a quote that makes me giggle about worrying.
Worrying is like riding a rocking horse.
It gives you something to do, but doesn’t get you anywhere.
So my invitation to you today is:
Instead of worrying about what might be, focus on how you want things to be instead and start to enjoy that experience, as though it has already happened. I promise you you’ll feel the shift!
Love,
Clare x
Please do share your thoughts and experiences via the comments box!