Each and every day we all wake up to the same problems or issues we went to sleep with. Often a good night's rest can present us with a new perspective, a fresh outlook on how we might wish to proceed with those concerns from the night before. Frequently they don't seem to be as monumental as the day before and we wonder what all the mental turmoil was about.
Many of us have slogans or mantras that we play over and over again to quash our busy brains. Here are a few that I use and you might want to try if the ones you are using are a bit stale and need a vacation.
•The miner's tunnel:
Life is more often a challenge than not. It can be as small as scheduling too many things in one day to concerns about your loved one's sobriety. Personally, I am not as carefree as I would like about what tomorrow will bring, so I find myself gripped with a bit of fear about the lack of control I have over my life. This visual has been very instrumental when I get the "heebie-jeebies":
One is walking in a dark tunnel with a miner's cap on that has that little flashlight attached to it. The light illuminates just enough space in front of you to keep you safe on your path. The ground is firm and you know you are secure and protected even though you can't see much beyond the radiance of the small beam. Like life, this semi -dark, semi- light passageway can go on for weeks, months or maybe years.
However, sometimes there is a fissure and the brightness from above floods in. These are the times in our lives when everything is in sync, everything is in unison and comfort and joy abound. Usually, these are sporadic, but the experience fills our sails and we are better able to handle the dark yet still lit tunnel of life that lies ahead.
Trusting that we are safe and on the right path whether it is a small light that guides us or a blinding beam builds character and fortitude and allows us to continue on with life's journey.
•Brick by brick:
The building of a business, a hobby or any dream requires a tremendous amount of stick-to-it-ness. We have all heard that a journey begins with the first step; the visual I have adopted is brick by brick. I like the image of me building my own very personal structure literally one brick at a time, stepping back to take a gander every now and then and knowing that I'm making progress even if it's at a snail's pace.
•Listen for your direction:
In the still of the morning as you are starting to gather our thoughts for the day, take a moment or two and sit/lie quietly and open your heart and head and listen for a bit of psychic instruction. Often an unanswered issue will be presented to you if you can just listen for it. Don't ignore those voices that tickle your brain in presenting fresh options to explore regarding current situations personally and professionally. You may just start implementing some of these mystical garbles that will in time prove to be very beneficial.
•Quiet that screaming little kid in your head:
When I am mentally ramped up and feel that a mini-meltdown may be imminent, I picture this little kid bouncing off the walls of my brain like an old pinball machine. I hear myself telling her to calm down and come sit next to me. With flailing legs and arms, she slowly starts to settle in. I pet her leg gently, telling her it's all going to be ok and eventually we both take a quiet deep breath.
•Knowing that I will be taken care of:
This is my favorite. Knowing that if I do the next right thing that's in front of me, doing the foot work and letting the game come to me, then I will be taken care of. I might not see it at that moment or at the end of the day, but deep down I know that my needs will be met and probably better than I could ever imagine. This visual finds you doing whatever makes you the happiest: a walk on the beach, sitting in a coffee shop or hanging out with a four-legged friend.
These are just a few of my mental images that run like movie shorts in my brain. They are consistent and have become good, dependable friends. I can project whichever I need at any given time and feel better as quickly as a few seconds later.
Find the ones that work for you and keep them as your own private mental gold mines as artillery against whatever formidable foes you might be facing physically or emotionally.
If I can be of service, please visit my website www.familyrecoverysolutions.com and I invite you to explore my new book Reclaim Your Life - You and the Alcoholic/Addict at www.reclaimyourlifebook.com
I am pleased to announce that I will soon be launching webinar sessions discussing topics from boundaries, communication, baiting and punishing, recovery contracts, the dry drunk and more. If you are interested in being notified when these will occur, please e-mail me at carole@familyrecoverysolutions.com
