Contemplative Time
The very
act of pausing and taking time to check in with yourself is a powerful way to
get bearings from your own compass.
This is
important to recognize, especially when difficult situations are glaringly
right in front of you, demanding attention.
Knee-jerk
reactions, mindless quips, or accusations often arise out of defensiveness, and
we can find ourselves responding from habit.
And we wonder why we’re revisiting the same argument or issue.
To take
some time and consider what you’re really trying to communicate gives you the
power to stay focused on that and not be thrown off course by another agenda.
Where do
you see yourself as you consider this question?
How likely are you to have a conversation with yourself before acting out of habit?
How likely are you to have a conversation with yourself before acting out of habit?
Let's skip a few rocks, and create some
ripples...
~Asia
The first thought that came to my mind is a technique my wife used with her kids when it came time for a "time-out". Instead of sending the child to "time-out" she placed herself in "time-out" creating the space that she needed to talk out an appropriate plan of action. Often time parents act out of habit or from a space of frustration and anger shelling out a punishment that may be impossible to enforce. While my wife created the space for cooler heads to prevail and to think through an enforceable plan of action the misbehaving child had to anxiously await the punishment that would be delivered calmly and from a space of love.
ReplyDeleteMeditation is the practice of turning your attention away from distracting thoughts and focusing on the present moment. Call it meditation or "time-out" either way there is value in creating space for a conversation with yourself before acting out of habit.
I like her perspective - it's a turn from the typical habit-reaction of time-out for the child. It shines a light on the habit of trying to quickly eliminate something we don't like (child tantrum) instead of removing ourselves. The physical act of moving away even helps shift the situation. Breathing, calming, and evaluating what is the next appropriate action is a mastery that takes consciousness and time. Practicing this kind of mindfulness on self is powerful.
ReplyDelete