Slow Down, You Move Too Fast

Many of us have busy minds, always working on planning, problem-solving, and action items.  If our busy minds don’t have a current project, they can default to worrying about the future, or ruminating about the past. 

Many of us also spend our waking hours in perpetual motion, going and doing.  When we experience negative emotions, we are likely to suppress them, in order to keep going and doing.  Bottling up these emotions can emerge as headaches, muscle tension, or sleep problems.

Our lives are:  Thinking, Going, Doing.

 A practice developed by Dr. Rick Hanson that can help slow the busy mind, and allow us to take notice of emotions, is:

Let Be.  Let Go.  Let In.

Let Be is nonjudgmental awareness.  This is a practice of neutrally observing thoughts and feelings.  It is mindfulness.

Let Go is release.  Thoughts and feelings are energy, and this is a practice of discharging that energy from the body. When it feels right, relax and release thoughts or feelings.

Let In is accessing appreciation.  When you have released thoughts and feelings, there is room to embrace what you are grateful for and what you want more of in life.  When you focus on the positive, you can rewire your brain via experience-dependent neuroplasticity, to be more attuned to what is constructive and beneficial. 

Takeaway:  Make mental space for the good things you have and the positive things you want in your life by practicing:  Let Be.  Let Go.  Let In.

For guidance as a mantra:  Facing Difficulty? Let Be, Let Go, Let In | Shawn Ellis.

For guidance as a meditation practice:  Let be. Let go. Let in. – Renee Branson.

For guidance on Letting Go:  Let Go - Dr. Rick Hanson.

Slow down, you move too fast
You got to make the morning last
Just kicking down the cobblestones
Looking for fun and feelin’ groovy
~ Paul Simon, 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin’ Groovy), The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin' Groovy) - The Paul Simon Official Site

Well-being is a journey, not a quick fix

Sources

Shawn Ellis, Facing Difficulty? Let Be, Let Go, Let In, Facing Difficulty? Let Be, Let Go, Let In | Shawn Ellis.

Lisa Koh, Let Be, Let Go, Let In, Mar 20, 2017, Let be. Let go. Let in. | Lisa Kohn (lisakohnwrites.com).

Renee Branson, Let Be, Let Go, Let In, May 14, 2018, Let be. Let go. Let in. – Renee Branson.

Dr. Rick Hanson, PhD, Resilient, Resilient: How to Grow an Unshakable Core of Calm, Strength, and Happiness (rickhanson.net)

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