HAVE YOU EVER......?

Have you ever felt that you didn't want to do something or go somewhere, and discovered that you enjoyed it much more than you thought you would?

Have you ever felt that you wanted to do something or go somewhere, only to be disappointed; it just didn't live up to your expectations?

What does this tell us about thoughts and emotions?

It tells us that thoughts and emotions are not always reliable, not always a good guide, not always accurate or helpful.

Yet we are driven by them, we trust and believe them, particularly the negative ones. We credit them with a certain authenticity and truthfulness. They lead and we follow.

It is much better to drop so much of this alluring and persuasive emotional noise, this unreliable, imaginative fortune telling and storytelling and just 'go through the process' of doing what we are doing without elaboration or prejudice. That way, we will probably do things better and feel more in control. That way we are choosing how to lead a life, rather than reacting.

Don't be tempted to say 'Well, I can't help the way I feel!' Who is in charge of your feelings if you aren't? Our reactive thoughts and feelings can always do with a little help from the control room! Our minds, like the restless puppy, can always benefit from a little training.