don’t obsess or suppress: process and progress

When we experience thoughts, feelings or physical sensations we some times go to one of two extremes. We can obsess, putting fuel on the fire, however that will typically increase what we are focusing on. The opposite option is to suppress (or repress if we do it unconsciously)- the problem with this is that we are not addressing the feelings which, although unpleasant, tend to operate like a fire alarm as a means of alerting us to the need for change.

Action: Rather than obsessing or suppressing, take a moment to acknowledge how you are, not trying to remove any feelings or hold on to them but simply allowing space for them to process. In some cases they may clear completely and in others they will deescalate somewhat. When you feel the feelings levelling out, progress by bringing your attention to how you would rather be thinking and feeling and any appropriate action that you may be taking instead. The energy from the difficulty, though unpleasant, powers the solution; just as hunger helps us to eat or the alerts on a vehicle remind us to make adjustments.