If only I could "lose my mind" more often
A story of losing my keys and losing my cool
As someone who meditates daily, teaches mindfulness and stress relief, and lives in idyllic destinations surrounded by natural beauty, you might think I never lose my cool.
Not true.
Let’s take yesterday, for example.
I had the most beautiful morning… until I didn’t.
After waking up in a bed filled with love, and then a morning meditation, I decided to head out for some solo time in nature. A new coaching client had also just signed her contract and it couldn’t have been a better start to a Sunday.
I warmed up my body and mind with a Qigong session and then Abraham Hicks on the headphones, and then went for a jog next to the river. With a mostly blue sky and the backdrop of snow-capped mountain peaks, I was overwhelmed with joy…so much so that tears rolled down my cheeks.
After a nice out and back, I approached my car and realized the car keys that were recently nestled in my front pocket were now missing.
I kept my cool, made a 180, and retraced my steps. All the way out and back again, I was confident I’d find them. But no luck.
Then my cool faded and my mind kicked into high gear. How could I have been so stupid? How much will a replacement key cost? How could I let something as silly as a lost key turn around my beautiful mood?
I have all the techniques: Meditation, deep breaths, knowing there are no mistakes, and also knowing that all things come to me easily when I stop worrying and striving.
But down the spiral I went, and it only got worse when my loving wife and pups came to help me find the keys.
Now, for the third out and back of the morning, hope waned and despair prevailed. I was spewing negative energy and I knew it.
My wife reassured me not to worry, that someone probably picked them up and brought them to the nearby police station, and also how amazing it was that we had a spare key and another vehicle for her to come and rescue me. Plus we were out walking with our pups on a beautiful morning in nature…so much to appreciate!
But with no keys to be found, it took a few hours for me to regain my cool and issue much-needed apologies to my wife, my pups, and myself.
It turned out to be a great reminder that I am still very much on my own path of ‘doing the work’, practicing worthiness, keeping cool during moments of desperation, and being easier on myself.
Sometimes, it appears that the awareness of my own insanity is further fuel for the ego and the “pain body”, a term that Eckhart Tolle uses to describe the buildup of trauma and negativity accumulated from a lifetime of stress and neglect.
Those subconscious bullies don’t just disappear, but they do continue to fade more and more with time, practice, and patience.
And while it seems that I may have lost my mind during those few hours of negativity, I actually was more in my mind than usual. If only I could have actually lost my mind, things would have gone a whole lot smoother.
By the way…the keys were at the police station, and I picked them up this morning.
So here’s the lesson and the “Mindful Reminder” that I take with me and now share with you:
The next time you feel like you’re losing your mind, try to actually lose your mind and let the unhelpful thoughts go. Then wait patiently and watch how things tend to work themselves out on their own without meddlesome thoughts and forced intervention. And try to be easier on yourself too :)
I’m currently focusing my energy on sharing messages like these in corporate workshops, at conferences, and in front of audiences who desire to live with more peace and less stress. If you’re interested in working together, book a call …let’s see if it’s a great fit!
Mike’s quote of the week:
“How bad does it need to get before we make self care the number one thing that we’re talking about and working on?” - MM
What I’m pondering:
“Having a good job, being famous, and having a great reputation has absolutely nothing to do with happiness or success. Nothing. It’s totally irrelevant.” - Anthony DeMello
Things I’ve shared recently:
The revelation that could change EVERYTHING.
A message for leaders experiencing burnout.
Do you find value in these stories? Consider forwarding this email to friends, family, and coworkers…I truly appreciate you!
Enjoy the journey,
Mike