Don't Believe Everything You Think

This blog post has a familiar topic, which is a topic that can be encapsulated in this title:

"Don't Believe Everything You Think"

or

"Mindfulness and It's Power to Help with Painful Thoughts & Stories"

At the end of July a beautiful and free-spirited artist came to stay at the Pudding Creek Refuge. She was here with a friend for 6 days - enough time to unwind and settle into the natural peace available in our remote setting. On the second day of her trip, she offered a watercolor painting class. We were a small group of 5 in attendance. I loved the class!

First of all, watercolor painting is outside of my wheelhouse. (What's in my wheelhouse you might ask? Teaching, writing, yoga. What's in yours?) Which is to say it was uncomfortable and came with a whole host of unproductive and unhelpful thoughts. I feel positive you have your own version of this kind of thinking: "I am no good at this," "I can't do this at all." It gets really special when these thoughts combine with a dose of comparing mind. "They are better than me."

It turns out that the most fun part of the class for me was an exercise designed to help us get out of our heads and just loosen up. It was fun because the comparing and disparaging thoughts stopped for a bit, which allowed for a deeper connection to what I was actually doing; something new and creative. 

The thing is, we all have thoughts. Some thoughts and stories are useful, and some are a hindrance and liability. Our mindfulness practice is not about stopping thought or stories, but rather to see clearly and be willing to let go of those thoughts that aren't serving us. You probably already know which thoughts aren't serving you! 

How do we let go of those negative critical thoughts? In some ways, it is just a matter of acknowledging and moving on. I have decided that I want to work with comparing thoughts (who is the same, worse, or better than me) because it seems odd to create hierarchies of worth in my own mind. Plus, comparing is painful even when, in my comparison, I come out on top. The plan is to make a funny duck noise whenever I hear my mind go into comparison. So far it has been working, in part because it makes me laugh. 

Don't let your mind stop you from doing anything! Life is more satisfying when you lighten up and make some funny duck sounds.