The unknown can be a scary place for those of us who tend to overthink in the negative. And the waiting that is often involved can make our overactive brains go into overdrive.
Perhaps you are in this waiting period right now. Maybe you are waiting for news from a family member, waiting for a court case to be decided, waiting for medical test results, waiting to hear back about a job, etc. I recently received news that I need to go back to the doctor for a diagnostic mammogram and ultrasound. The wait between receiving that news and my next appointment has been an exercise in mental toughness. For those of you who are waiting for the unknown (including myself), I put together some reminders that hopefully bring you direction during this unnerving time.
When the unknown feels like a dark cloud, take good care that you are shining your own light through it. Be in control of what you can control and enjoy each breath of the day. What ways do you keep yourself level-headed during periods of waiting? Please comment on my Facebook page at www.facebook.com/tunedinteachers/. Call me an info geek. I love reading and watching the news to a fault. If I wake up at 2 am, I'll check every news app on my phone to find out the latest local, political, health, environmental, and entertainment news. In the summer, I relish a morning with a cup of coffee and The Today Show. But in the last year, my drive for news has changed.
I started to notice how my body reacted to the news, and it wasn't positive. Story after story included guns, lies, and fear-laced health scares. My thoughts hung onto the alarming words and images. I knew this wasn't a healthy way to live, surrounded by negativity and fear. I shut it off and limited my exposure, and my life changed. Now, I spend my energy on text and stories that fuel my growth and my passions. I may not know the latest developments on JLo's engagement to ARod, but I'm willing to sacrifice that for my well-being. How do you balance learning the news of the day while respecting your body and mind's reactions to it? Are you still wondering what happened to August? With all the preparations for school, it's no surprise that last month flew by. What makes time go fast or slow? How can we slow things down so that we are genuinely enjoying each day? Here are some ideas I am going to try:
What do you do to slow time down? What are your favorite activities to do this time of year? I'm determined to savor September! |
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