Story Lines

I’ve learned recently about the power of pause and understanding story lines we write. A story line is a narrative we come up with about our current status or situations. The biggest thing I have learned about my own story lines is where my head is, my actions will follow. I’m in a bad place, my actions take a negative turn. The great thing, we are the authors of these stories, the editors, and the final publishers that decide whether they get seen or not.

Story lines exist in our work, personal spaces, and family spaces. Super hard in the moment to be aware of them, re-write them before they impact our actions, and then reflect to see what the outcome of the editing took us. This is where the power of the pause is essential.

I’m learning through my meditation practices the power of the pause can help to ensure our story lines do not own us. But, they will if left unchecked. Even a 30 second pause or 7 breath pause is enough to re-write the story line before it become a nightmare of a story.

Some of our story lines are great to leave unchecked and let run. They feel great, have a happy ending, and we understand their value in helping us grow. The risk of letting a bad one go unchecked are self-destructive and have the power to hurt others around us if unchecked.

An example of the pause working for me was at work when I noticed my body and mind were getting all wound-up. I was getting tense. My jaw flexes when I get wound up. Little alarms I was noticing, changes in my physiology that a bad story line was ahead. When it’s in our minds we can still control the outcome. I assessed what I could control, let go of what I couldn’t. Essentially I re-wrote things. The outcome I learned what was triggering the bad narrative.

Look for body changes. Ask for feedback from others if your are yourself not self-aware enough. Notice when something just feels awful or off from your regular mood. Be self-aware. Pause and reflect. You’re the editor, you make the decisions to change the story. Find the power of control in your own making.

Hope you have a great week. Thanks following and reading!

✌🏻 Shawn