This is Not Real

A Course in Miracles teaches us that we often think “meaningless thoughts” and these “meaningless thoughts” create a meaningless world in which we suffer. Some of us suffer greatly.

I was talking to a friend who suffers from panic and anxiety. My friend was seeking some guidance, as I too used to suffer believing the stories in my head were true. I would make up elaborate stories. Truth is we all make up stories. The Buddhist call in Monkey Mind. It is part of the human condition. Unavoidable. Don’t even try to not have mind chatter. It’s there…period.

A spiritual teacher once said to me, “Tracey if you’re going to make up stories, why not make up good ones?” BRILLIANT!!! Why hadn’t I thought of that? My stories usually ended up with me or someone else in a ditch gasping for a breath. Yeah I don’t play around. I took it all the way there.  But NOW, wow, I could make up good stories? Something fun for my mind to do. Yes please, sign me up.

This choosing to make up good stories business became a powerful tool but not in the way you might think. It taught me to notice my thoughts. When I became aware of my own thinking and could re-direct it. Truth be told, our thoughts are the only thing we actually can control. Becoming the observer of our own thinking is the beginning.

While I was speaking to my friend, this clip from the movie Divergent flashed through my mind. I love how Spirit shows me just what is needed at the right moment. Have a look…

(clip from divergent)

The moment of true power is when she is looking at her own reflection. Her wise self says to the panicking self something truly profound. She says, “This is not real.” And with that the power of reality is returned to her.  

When we notice the stories in our mind, we begin to take control of not only our thoughts, we take control our lives and our happiness. I have said it before and I will say it again and again and yep again. Choose the happy thought or the unhappy thought. You have the power to think, feel and be happy or unhappy. Maddening as it may seem, it really is that simple. Not easy but simple. AND the good news is it does get easier with practice. I promise.

ily <3