By WahitoTravels
This week I was summoned to my son’s teacher for an ‘urgent meeting’. It was an early one. In the school diary, the teacher did not indicate the purpose of the meeting. Being in an industry where meeting agendas matter, disturbed my mind. The mother in me was like; what has my son done now? Has he started misbehaving since he moved to Grade One? I am doing badly as far as daily homework is concerned. Has he started bullying other kids and vice versa? And so on. Since the notice was two days ahead, you can imagine my mind’s playground. Not sexy at all.
They say fear-based thought is one of the most prevalent thoughts that naturally pervade our minds. In addition, these fears tend to transmute themselves into creating a reality in our lives.
After the short early morning meeting that lasted about 15 minutes, I realized that it was the usual teacher-parent meeting which had been on hold for some time, due to the Covid situation. Anyway, even as I worked on my inner self, at the end of the meeting I requested the teacher that she be clear next time, otherwise, my mom worried hormones would always be on standby.
You see the negative ‘what-ifs’ that occupied my mind never existed in reality. However, they created so much suffering in my entire being. I do not know how many times I have been in bed, eyes closed, but my mind is busy as hell. Worrying about something, I either did or did not do or something I said, or even thinking about what will happen tomorrow. Yet I am in bed. No action, just worrying.
The good at the bad will always exist and suffering is an inevitable part of life. However, through my own experience, it is within our control to determine what thoughts we entertain, as that becomes what we feel.
Entertaining positive thoughts should not just be a mediocre motivational high, but intentional thinking, actions, and even habits that bring calm to the mind. It’s hard work, but so worth it. Otherwise, the easier mental escape routes are available, which sire habits that become even more harmful in the long run.
When a negative ‘What IF’ automatically crowds your God-given mind, silencing never works, but rather countering with a positive ‘What-IF’ helps. I know this too well. This is because, in that moment, there is no reality, but only thoughts that will determine the direction of your emotions. Good or bad feelings.
Remember, nothing records the effects of a sad life as graphically as the human body- Naguib Mahfouz.
