Catching the habits that trap us

The other day I was chatting with a friend before a class started. I asked about her week and she said that no appointment that week had happened on time. That wasn’t the fascinating part. It’s what she said next.

“It was hilarious--everything kept getting rescheduled, but they all happened.”

That sentence “It was hilarious” just floored me. One, because I saw that there are different ways to interpret an objective set of circumstances. And two, because it was obvious how different my reporting would have been in similar circumstances. Instead of hilarious I probably would have chosen something like stressful or annoying.

We eventually jumped into our class, but that short exchange stuck with me. Because I started wondering what would be different in my life if my judgments were a bit lighter. If I didn’t hold on so tightly. Or if instead of good vs bad, I thought of all the in between assessments like hilarious, unexpected, or surprising. I also realized how well worn the pathway is for: not going as expected=stressful. 

Now, I’m not ready to completely let go of this. There are times when plans change and it sucks. Or things are objectively difficult and sugar coating would be a practice in delusion. 

Still, it prompts me to reflect on the wisdom of observing life with a curious attitude and what that could open up? How could a fresh viewpoint or slightly different lens lighten what feels heavy? How does perspective and reality checking ground us when life feels unstable? 

I know that changing our thoughts isn’t easy and my intention is not to be simplistic. I get wildly uncomfortable with new age positivity and manifestation. Yet, I also value reflection and examination. I wonder, then, may there be reactions, thoughts, interpretations in your own life that are habitual but could also be turned upside down? That could go from stressful to hilarious? 

You might be surprised. At least, I was. 

Always learning, 
Dr. Antonella