Cruise Control
Posted by Deb on February 13th, 2012 at 08:00am
I do a lot of thinking as I am driving. There is something about cruising down the road that frees up my mind. However, it’s a little alarming to me when I realize I’m only about ½ there as I am heading to wherever “there” may be, which is usually either the ranch where I board my mare, my place of employment, or home sweet home. There have been occasions when I realize I do not even know where my mind has been as I pull into my destination. Have you ever had that “how the heck did I get here” experience?
Lately, the reoccurring question that threads its way through my life and underscores much of what I think about is, am I awake? Am I aware or am I just rolling along on cruise control through my life? I have discovered I can choose what to think about. I do not have to be driven by whatever falls into my mind at any given moment. Some of that stuff can be anything from hilarious to plain old weird.
I rarely drive my truck on cruise control. I dislike the feeling of hurtling down the highway at 60 miles an hour with a piece of mystery equipment in charge, kind of like a runaway train. Why would I give up the ability to choose what I dwell on?? So much of what goes on in my mind shapes my day and how I present myself to my loved ones, friends and coworkers. Positive thoughts make me happy. Negative thoughts darken my day. I knew this, as most of us do. I just never really paid attention until I became aware I could decide what to think about. No more mental cruise control for me. I choose to pay attention to my thought patterns. It took more effort to live my life this way at first; but as with any new habit it became easier as time went on. The effort has been more than worth it.
Happy Trails,
Deb
(image: aksynth)
Tags: change, deb divine, deeply listen, inner journey, Learning new things, leeann gibbs, thoughts
Under Inward Journey+ Relationship+ Uncategorized+ With ourselves
2 Comments for Cruise Control
1. Barb | February 13th, 2012 at 2:52 pm
It’s nice to know that someone else has experienced that “cruise control” kind of thinking. I’ve lately been retraining my mind to think about what I’m thinking about! It does take some effort to change a way you have been for so very long, but the change is so worth it, and so, so important to my health. Thanks for reminding me that it matters, that I matter.
2. Barb | February 19th, 2012 at 2:16 pm
Another great piece. I think a lot of us forget to just stop and realize that a lot of things just aren’t that important, and many things we get wound up about are just plain not any of our business. Wow, how much more peaceful I feel when I think to myself, “that’s okay”, or “it really doesn’t matter”, or “you go ahead and choose.” Hmmm. Thanks!
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