Wisdom…where did you go?

Dwelling on the negative…

Wisdom comes and wisdom goes. I’ve been out of sorts of late. Just not centered. Rather I am off with a furrowed brow inside and out more often than not.

Many years ago, I was gifted a wisdom filled fortune cookie. I saved the little paper so neatly placed inside the cookie. And every now and again it speaks loudly to me when I read it along with my other daily meditations.

It says: “Dwelling on the negative simply contributes to its power.”

My wisdom keeps getting lost.

Reading that fortune cookie insert this morning, I realized where my wisdom went. I’ve been spending too much energy dwelling on the negative. There’s been a lot of that out there to see.

From the price of gas, to a war costing so much money that could be better used in so many ways—all kinds of negative staring me in the face. And that’s just a couple of examples too.

Giving up my power.

That is an important recognition for me today. Every time I allow my mind to focus on those negatives out there I give my power away. And my wisdom goes out the door.

What power you ask?

The power to be fully grounded in the present moment. To be right here right now smelling toast being made, watching the sun glistening on the wet tree leaves, hearing the crackle of eggs being fried, feeling my feet touching the floor, noticing my breath fill my lungs, tasting a fresh cup of coffee.

The power to be at peace inside and out.

Up in my head

When I am up in my head I am not fully present. I am lost meandering around in my thoughts. And my body reacts to those thoughts too. I get a furrowed brow when I think of those negatives that are out there. Look and feel grumpy too.

They are just thoughts!

Wisdom comes when I realize all that thinking is just that: thoughts. And pretty much judgment thoughts too. Recognizing this I have a choice.

I can continue to dwell on the negative thoughts adding to its power over me. Or I can opt to be in the here and now otherwise known as the present. Where I can live fully with the power of wisdom I have and not just give it all away.

Love is patient. Love is kind.

To love ourselves we gotta be both patient and kind. I sure have to give myself a heavy dose of self-compassion.

Because I’ve been down this rabbit hole so many times. I’ve fallen off the horse so many times. And I’ve had to figure out how to get back up and keep riding so many times.

If I were to dwell of the negative of all that just said I’d be giving away my power! And that’s exactly what I am trying NOT to do!

Ah life…constantly learning aren’t we!

Do reach for support when you need it.

All the negative dwelling thoughts we get caught up in do contribute to feelings of anxiety, hopelessness, depression. If you find yourself struggling know there is wisdom in seeking therapy!

Do contact me. Anxiety therapy, Depression therapy can assist you in finding the wisdom that resides inside of you!

JD’s Midlife Tools For Living Practices, Holland, MI
Offering Heartfelt care, Compassion and Coping Tools