The Power Of Observation

How many of you are charging through life like a bull in a china shop? Clumsily making your way through each day never taking the time to notice or be aware of what just happened.

I’m guilty of this most days myself.

There are times when I feel anxious, nervous, scared, annoyed, and angry and if someone were to ask me why, I simply may not know exactly.

Observation, reflection, introspection … whatever you want to call it is, I think, an under used power. Observing why you’re feeling the way you do, what about a particular situation is causing you to get all worked up, what is happening right now around you to cause certain feelings is a very valuable tool to get you to be more mindful as you make your way through your day.

Maybe you feel anxious but can’t quite put your finger on it. Is it that your relatives are coming for the weekend, the roof is leaking, there’s a mess to be cleaned up in the kitchen or is the dog in need of a vet checkup?

Figuring yourself out can only be done by understanding what’s really going on. It doesn’t mean you have to fix the problem right now but it gives you insight into what may be causing feelings of discomfort. Alternatively, it may make you see that what you thought was the source of your discomfort really has very little to do with it.

It’s only through observing your thoughts and your environment that you can gain a deeper understanding of what you’re going through and why.

Try it this weekend. If you feel yourself getting worked up in some way and can’t quite put your finger on why, observe. Ask yourself:

• What’s happening right now?
• What am I thinking about?
• What is different about today?
• What is going on around me?

Sometimes the most obvious answers aren’t the answers at all.

Do you take time to observe in order to gain a better understanding of what’s going on with you? Has it helped?

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Photo courtesy of: kisses are a better fate than wisdom