Last week we talked about the golden rule and how it is so important to treat yourself with respect and kindness. 
Not everyone knows how to interact kindly. People say mean things sometimes, but who says what they say and the negative energy they throw at us has to be absorbed and taken into ourselves. Why should what someone says make us want to change ourselves?
I wish someone had told me that I get to decide how I feel, not the people treating me badly.
My friend is a teacher, and 300 miles apart, we imparted the same wisdom to children who had hurt feelings. Were we taught this in school? No! But we realized through whatever life had happened in between, that there is a new methodology afoot in terms of feelings, emotions, conflict resolution, and personal empowerment.
It’s mindfulness. Mindfulness means taking a moment, a breath, a step back from the situation before you respond. “Think before you act” “look before you leap” you know.
In scientific terms, it’s called Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.
External stimulus: weather, person saying hello, person yelling at you, cookies on sale
Thoughts conjured: i.e. cold weather makes me feel depressed, I’m happy because someone greeted me kindly, I’m all kinds of upset because I got yelled at, cookies taste good and make my mouth happy..
Notice how all of these are actions that others do TO you? They need to be received in order to be processed. How do you receive the external stimuli?
Guess what, you get to make up your mind about ALL of them. Someone’s a dick at work? Maybe they’re having a bad day and taking it out on you, you can deflect that awful energy, because you took a breath and realized it’s not about you. Those cookies that look and taste yummy, maybe I ate my own weight in them because I thought that the sweetness would take the sadness and shame away. It didn’t. I just felt bloated and even worse about myself.
It’s all about taking a moment to think. Instead of “knee-jerk” reactions.
Last weekend I saw Deepak Chopra and Oprah live (which was beyond amazing!!!) and Deepak had a great answer for this!
S: Stop.
T: Take three breaths
O: Observe your body and what is happening within, without judgement. Notice what is going on.
P: Proceed with compassion and kindess.
GOLD!!!
We were given these awesome-quick brains, but sometimes we need to keep them in check.
How many times a day do you react without thinking?
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