March 15, 2015

Do you know where your attention is much of the time?

Well, if you’re like most of us, it’s on what’s wrong!  We’re hard-wired to notice what’s wrong.  It’s a survival thing.  You’ve probably read one of the bazillion articles out there about your reptile brain just trying to protect you.  In one way it’s kind of reassuring to know that your brain is set to automatic pilot to be on the alert for what’s wrong!  And your attention goes right along with the program. That’s the good news.

The bad news is that whatever you put your attention on grows.  So when you don’t get your way, or life doesn’t cooperate, you immediately and automatically put all your attention on what you’re not getting, what you don’t have, and what you don’t want. And when that’s your reaction, you get more of whatever it is that you don’t want!

This won’t surprise you – I have an alternative!  Set an intention to notice when your body tenses.  I can almost guarantee that when life isn’t cooperating, i.e. you’re not getting your way, your body will tense up big time.  Once you notice your body is tense you can go directly to the green card exercise–pause/breathe/notice your story/soften your body–to bring yourself back to the present moment and get a grip.  You won’t even need to figure out what you’re upset about!  How simple is this?!

It’s almost impossible not to get in touch with your wise mind when you’re back in the moment and your body’s soft.

I’m not talking about when you’ve just had a devastating trauma.  I’m talking about using the skill of wise attention for all the myriad disappointments and glitches that show up many, many times during your day.  It’s raining, your co-worker walked by and didn’t smile, your kid didn’t finish her dinner, your boss doesn’t like your idea, your partner forgot to pick up your cleaning, your hair looks weird or your jeans don’t fit.

Try it today. Set an intention this morning to notice every time your body tenses up during the day.  You may be walking around tense all the time–just waiting for the other shoe to drop!  Do yourself a big, big favor.  Get in touch with your wisdom.  Put your attention where it will work for you, not against you.  Soften your body.

Much love,