Have you ever used sandpaper? If so, you must be aware of the feeling it gives you when you use it for too long at an end.
First your fingers get sore. If you continue using it, you will develop blisters. The blisters will take a while to heal. And - as long as you continue to rub the sandpaper and the blisters aren't fully healed - you will be in pain. Or at least feel very uncomfortable.
I discovered the sandpaper analogy, yesterday morning, while reading up on the 'law of attraction', to be more precise: an e-book called ''How to Change Your Life around in 30 Days".
I scan excerpts of this book on an almost daily basis. It makes me feel good almost instantly. I find the sandpaper analogy a very powerful one, something that I can easily relate to.
Negative Memories are Like Rubbing Sandpaper
Imagine the sandpaper as your 'painful' memories, or all the things from the past that make you feel less than good, as soon as you start thinking about them. Or even certain topics in the now, that open up old wounds or make you feel bad.
Now try to tell yourself, every single time you go to these places, to stop rubbing the sandpaper. Lift your fingers off of it. Now focus on the relieve that this gives you. Stay in that good feeling place. Steer away. Or - if this doesn't seem possible - walk away from sandpaper-y topics whenever you can. Why waste your energy on this?
From today onward, I will add the sandpaper tactic to my bag of ( feel good ) tricks. Whenever I'm not feeling great, due to thinking unhelpful thoughts, I will take my hands of the sandpaper and relish in the instant relieve that I feel.
Remember that feeling good is as much of a choice as feeling bad. It is isn't always easy but we can still make a conscious effort. So tell me, what do you choose? :>)
I cordially invite you to the Mindful Life community, which resides in the @naturalmedicine server here. We run group meditations and support each other as we grow through conscious awareness. With much love!
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