All to be shaken into remembering

More information isn’t always the answer.

Sometimes we simply need to remember. Trusting that we already know what we need to know, and that if we reconnect with that part of ourselves, we’ll be able to move forward.

After all, the word remember derives from the term memorari, which means, to be mindful of.

That’s all we’re doing here. Bringing perspective into our awareness to soothe ourselves.

Cognitive behavioral therapists might call it a psychological intervention. With that, we’re going to explore a few examples from my own experience. Think about each of these situations relates to your own inner life.

Beating yourself up about making mistakes? Remember that you’re a good person, you’re doing the best you can and there’s no reason to feel guilty.

Stressing out about a major decision? Remember that all the people in your life love you, and they’re still going to love you no matter what you choose.

Feeling disoriented in the world? Remember that you are in the stream of life and can never truly be lost.

Not employed as the world defines it? Remember that there are other ways to build your identity besides through work.

Feeling sorry for yourself during a particularly hard time? Remember that it’s hard for everyone and things could always be worse.

Hopelessness starting to creep in on you? Remember that meaning is a renewable resource and you can make as much of it as you decide to.

Vanderkolk, whose book has transformed our culture’s understanding of trauma, reminds us that the benefit of mindfulness, among many, is that it puts us in touch with the transitory nature of our feelings and perceptions.

When we pay focused attention to our bodily sensations, we can recognize the ebb and flow of our own emotions and, with that, increase our control over them.

That’s what happens when we remember.

LET ME ASK YA THIS…
What can happen if we start remembering that we’re no longer helpless?