Pause and Listen

Let me be honest. Sharing my spiritual, metaphysical, and weird “woo woo” practices is uncomfortable. I’m not above fearing opinions and judgment—although I’m getting there. I am at a point in my life where I’m going to do what I feel led to do anyway. I am coming to accept that I am only as effective as I’m willing to be vulnerable.

With that said, I am letting you know that I am beginning to share more about my personal experiences and “spiritual” practices. I will share just about anything that I believe can be of value to you.

Today, I had an inner conversation with my “higher knowing” and I want to share it with you. I feel that it can potentially be helpful to someone who deals with the same struggles of focus that I deal with. So here it goes….

“

My mind is sharing many thoughts at once, and it’s causing me to feel confused about what to do next.

Do you think that’s the mind’s intention?

Well, yes. It likes to confuse me so I give up and don’t get any work done.

Is that so?

Well, that’s how it feels.

So what if your mind is working (trying to work) with you and it’s doing its best?

And that’s just the way it works and it needs me to work with it?

Yes. What if (that’s the case)?

So I can stop looking at my mind as trying to torture me and keep me from destiny?

Yes. Your mind is not your enemy. It’s trying. Needs training and understanding. You have to work with your mind. Figure out how it works and help it (help you) work for you.

Oh ok.

So what do you know about your mind?

I know that it spits out a whole lot of information at once (and it gets confusing for me). 

So what do you think you can do with that information?

I can write it all down and organize it.

Yes. This may be a step that you make a regular part of your life, your day, your moments. It may seem unfair because other people don’t have to do this, but it will serve you well to just add it and make it a regular thing because you know your mind is going to do this several times throughout your day. Don’t fight it. Work with it. It will serve you. Just try it for a day…. like TODAY. 

Okay. 

How long do you think it will take?

Maybe 5 minutes. 

So you take 5 minutes at the beginning of a task and get your thoughts out and maybe another 10 to organize them. This is a scheduled part of your day so your thoughts won’t keep interrupting, attempting to remind you of the thing it doesn’t want you to forget or address. Now, you get to deal with it, plan for it, and you don’t have to sit trying to work while that part of your brain keeps shouting instructions and reminders at you. You get to work uninterrupted (as you prefer) because you already addressed it, scheduled it, planned to deal with it. It’s part of your day plan so your brain doesn’t have to be on constant alert warning you, for fear you’ll forget. You’re helping your brain help you. 

So don’t fight it. Work with it and you’ll get far more done.

One more question… How much work do you get done when you ignore that part and it keeps coming back shouting warnings and plans and responsibilities at you?

Not much. It’s hard. I get so frustrated that I eventually just quit and go do something else, like get on social media, play a game, or watch a movie. I try to get back to it, but I’m so emotionally and mentally drained that I don’t. 

So… before you ask…. I see that this will be a far more efficient way to handle my day. It may take an extra 5 to 15 minutes at the beginning, but at that time I still have motivation and that will give me the momentum to keep going. If I don’t do it, however, I will find myself struggling through my day and frustrated. I don’t want to be frustrated. I don’t want to feel discouraged anymore. I want to be productive and feel good, like I’m making progress. 

And you can by simply letting me be a part of your day, and by taking the time to “brain dump” early. 

Can we find another name for that? It’s gross. And if I share this, how do I explain this conversation?

Call it a “Pause and Listen.” And tell them it’s a conversation with your higher knowing. They all have it. Most don’t take the time to listen.”

So there you have it. If you happen to deal with these same struggles as I do, consider trying this practice as a part of your day. I’ve decided to do it as well. I also keep note pads and Post-It notes near where I work and sit to jot down these interrupting suggestions. I can then move forward as I’ve removed the thought from looping in mind.

Maybe you have your own tricks or techniques that work for you. Feel free to share. You can comment below.

Blessings!

Marlene Dillon Empowerment Specialist