WORRY and STRESS

Ruminating Vs Reflecting

When we become anxious, depressed or living in fear, the rational part of our brain is suppressed and the emotional brain takes over. We become time travellers trapped in the past.   Time-travellers living in the past in a ruminating room. Worrying, restless and agitated, driving ourselves to dispair with guilt, shame, secrets and unresolved business.  Glimpses of the future can become images of catastrophe, hopelessness and emptiness.

When I think of the ‘Ruminating Room’ I put bars and chains on its door and visualize an adjoining room I call the ‘Reflection Room’. It is a safe place. A sanctuary. My private internal space where I can explore that which is bothering me. Here in this place I ask not who is, or was, to blame for my emotional distress. No, I ask only, what can I learn from these experiences. I become aware that I cannot change the past. Nor should I forget the past. I remind myself that – when I live in the past I forfeit the present –when I forget the past I risk similar fate in the future. So, I look to the future and ask ‘Where do I want to be in six months time?  . Now I bring myself into the present and ask myself ‘what do I have to do, here and now, to achieve my goal. To be myself. This is time-travel of the best kind. This is a spiritual journey with invited passengers only. This is Mindfulness.