Well I’ve no idea how the whole of the summer has flown by here, and I’m only now writing this nudge. I spent part of it in North Devon where I took the photo above … just looking at it again now gives me that holiday feeling … do hope you managed some down time too.
The powerful nature of Thought
Feeling that holiday feeling now, whilst I’m sitting on my boat writing this, is such a reminder of the powerful nature of Thought. I’m obviously no longer on holiday and nowhere near North Devon, and yet thinking about it now engenders the same feeling.
It’s the same with whatever I’m focusing on in a given moment. If I’m thinking about holidays and happy times, it invariably engenders a nice feeling, whereas if I’m thinking about the wider state of the world, for instance, my feeling level can quickly drop. As a friend wrote to me recently it’s difficult not to despair, suggesting a nudge on ‘how to stay engaged and informed without becoming super stressed and despairing’.
Knowing to get quiet
I found myself replying that I know I’m no good to anyone if I’m too stirred up. So, best I can, I try and get quiet, calm my mind, and then see what comes to me from that quieter space where our innate wisdom and wellbeing resides. And just knowing that, and knowing how powerful my own thinking is in creating my feelings of stress, is enough to settle me down. Then, in a more settled state of mind, there’s more headspace for fresh thoughts to come to me … for seeing something new as I described in my last nudge.
I also remind myself that we all have access to that quieter space and wisdom, which is living us, and that gives me hope that, even in the worst of circumstances, people’s innate wisdom and resilience is working away for them too.
Understanding the nature of Thought = greater compassion
I’ve yet to meet anyone who can know – let alone control – the next thought they will have, but that’s not a problem when you understand the nature of Thought. I’ve met a lot of people, including me, who can innocently make up a heaven or hell with their thinking about a Thought. But knowing that Thought has no inherent meaning until we breath life into it means that no longer looks like a good idea. Or to use a metaphor I share in my work, you can keep poking yourself in the eye with a blunt pencil, or you can just put down the pencil.
Seeing that life happens, but that it’s our own, innocent thinking about life that creates our experience and personal reality has also led to much greater understanding and compassion for people. Knowing that it is only human for us all to have different views that we might not like or agree with, and get caught up in our own personal thinking, means I catch myself more quickly before I react or make judgements. And knowing that feels more important than ever in the current times of ‘you’re wrong, I’m right’ discourse, and polarised or differing views that abound.
Quiet is found in the present moment
There are plenty of times when of course I still get caught up in my thinking, but then I know, as I said above, that stirred up feeling is my signal to quieten my mind as best I can. I’ve found there is an immediate quiet in the present moment when we’re neither thinking back through past thoughts, or imagined futures, but just being in the now, the quiet – and deeper wisdom – is so much more available.
I hope this has been a helpful nudge. As always, please don’t take my word for it, see what rings true for you.
All the very best for now
Tamsin
My focus this year has been helping people to live in a nicer feeling. So if that resonates here’s some ways to do that.
1 Sign up to my Living in the Flow mini course, a series of seven short nudges to help you live more in the moment and less in your thoughts – see it as a quiet moment to clear your mind and set you up for your day.
“Looking back now, I can see how far I’ve come; how much easier and less stressful life has become living in the flow. I’ve moved from problem-focused, frustrating indecision and procrastination to easy, dynamic, motivated flow in all aspects of me and what I love to be and do.” Cathy, Gloucestershire, UK
2 Free up your time and headspace
– a free 30 minutes call to get a fresh perspective, and how that can change things for the better.
3 Live an easier, more peaceful life
– invest a little time in you to create a whole new relationship with your thoughts, and give you greater freedom and peace of mind (2 spots available).