#545 – When can distraction help you move forward?

When your brain falls into habitual thought patterns of worry and fear, the only way out is to find a new, different thought.

But habitual thoughts come in clusters. So, once you get a "this isn't what I expected" thought, something like "I never get what I expect" may follow, and then "I have bad luck," until "I don't deserve to get what I want."

That's the pattern that needs interrupting if you want to retain your power.

This morning, a job interview I'd put a lot of expectations into didn't go well. As soon as I clicked "Leave meeting," I felt like getting under the figurative blankets. If only someone could shush me gently and stroke my hair––an unmistakable indicator of the fear/worry habit.

Having noticed the Mara (fear), I had a decision to make: do I keep going down this path, and pout and sulk at my-woe-is-me life? Or do I short-circuit the loop by going in the opposite direction?

If I texted my husband and told him all about the interview, I'd be rewiring the circuit. So, I watched Bad Bunny's halftime show (one more time) instead, and then walked to the grocery store.

Effectively, I distracted myself out of fear––walking and looking side to side helps to break addictive patterns, believe it or not.

Until a few weeks ago, I would've thought this was the irresponsible thing to do. Worry would save me, I believed. Without worry, how can I solve the problem? Plus, doesn't not worrying make me I'm careless? Frivolous? Crazy?

No. That's just one more lie of my Ego.

Today, I've reclaimed my power by staying happy despite what looked like an adverse circumstance.

What thoughts will you refuse to entertain so that you retain your happiness no matter what?

Love,

Carolina