When we’re stressed, it’s natural to want to take control – no-one likes feeling helpless, after all. But if stress comes from the stories our mind creates – rather than the situations themselves – how can we begin to tell ourselves a more helpful story, or better yet, see it simply as a story we’re watching play out?
Discomfort and unhappiness often arises when our expectations don’t meet reality. So when we get pulled into unhelpful thinking patterns, the best thing to do is be present, and not attach ourselves too tightly to what we think “should” be happening.
But as this conversation with Giles P Croft reveals, it’s easier said than done, and it isn’t something we can simply decide to do. As the Scottish mystic Sydney Banks said, “wisdom is not learned, it is unfolded from within”.
The next time you encounter a problem, try letting go of the urge to solve it straight away. Focus on one small, meaningful action you can take, and trust that clarity will come as you step out of the noise of your mind.
