Most of us live in a very crowded house. I’m even talking about those of us who are single!
No, not the bricks and mortar building where your bed and goldfish bowl are. I’m referring to the crowded house in your head.
You know what I mean – that very busy place that has always got some kind of noise going on inside. It can sound like a veritable train station in there! Chatter, bells ringing, clanging noises. Comings and goings and PA announcements that are next to impossible to decipher! No wonder Aspirin and Tylenol are so popular! And some days are definitely worse than others.
Most of the noise, though, is simply old tapes, memories and irrelevant ‘shoulds’ that no longer serve a purpose. We hear the voices of parents, teachers, media, church, spouses, and others who, while often well-intentioned, fill our heads with their stuff and crowd out our own intuition, desires and goals.
In order to live your own life, it is necessary to learn how to distinguish your own authentic voice from the clamor between your ears!
Action – Throughout your day, consciously find a quiet place to pause. Let your mind rest for 5 minutes at a time. Sloooow the noise of ‘I should’ and ‘I must’ and ‘why has this happened’ and ‘what will happen next’.
Reduce the din and you increase feelings of calm and control.