Weathering the Storm

Image Credit: http://laurie365degrees.blogspot.com

Sometimes, you may be overwhelmed by a tidal wave of thoughts, feelings, emotions, or even physical pain.  Usually those have come in the form of thoughts, for me.  But you don't need to worry about them.

Thoughts are just thoughts, and nothing more.  Feelings and emotions are founded in our thoughts and beliefs, so for this post we're just going to focus on thoughts.

This week, I've been overwhelmed at times by thoughts that seem to hit me like a semi - totally out of nowhere, and unsolicited for the most part.  Most of the time, I've tried to prevent them from coming or straight up fight against them.  But that only serves to make them stronger.

What I've recently learned from meditation is this: thoughts can be like a storm.  But like any storm, it eventually passes.  You can't control if the lightning rages and the wind beats against you, but you can always choose to wait it out.

I'm not saying you can't control your thoughts.  I think you can.  But when you're tired, bored, stressed, lonely or whatever, it gets much harder to do so.  

Today I got up early and ran, did everything right, even ate healthy all day.  But I'm still tired from not sleeping enough, and from being mentally exhausted by a project at work.  My mind started to wander to relationships in my life that are stressing me out, and before I knew it, I was smothered by this tidal wave.

But rather than try to fight it, analyze it or avoid it, I decided to try this technique of just "weathering the storm."

What happened was, I simply felt peace.  I don't know what will happen in these relationships; nobody does.  But what I do know is everything is ok as it is, right now.  I am ok.  Not in a few months, and not when x, y, or z happens.  Right. Now.

Letting these mental storms run their course leaves you feeling empowered and hopeful, and is great for your mental and emotional health.  Harnessing this mental clarity will give you an extra reserve of energy and endurance for those days when you're feeling more tired, bored, lonely or stressed than usual.