“The running commentary that dominates my field of consciousness is kind of an asshole.”—Dan Harris, ABC Nightline Co-anchor
My brain is a magnificent instrument. It keeps track of where I left my keys, remembers that 3 times 9 is 27 and files away lessons on how to drive.
But it often acts as my #1 nemesis.
It doesn’t seem to know when to shut up. It chatters incessantly. It likes to categorize, compare, label, judge and define. It perpetuates the idea that life is a problem to be solved.
It distorts the indestructible field of creativity, joy, beauty and freedom that is right here at any moment I can get my mind to shut the F*&k up.
When the heart over-functions, we get dizzy, light-headed and develop heart disease. When cells over-function, we get cancer.
When our brains over-function, we become slaves to a ridiculous little asshat in our heads that lies through its teeth.
That’s why, whenever I can, I separate myself from the voice. I observe it, notice it’s back on the treadmill, spinning its fearful little stories.
And I smile.
Because I know that its days are numbered. More and more of us are waking up, realizing that the voice is an imposter. We’re getting it that all we have to do is be still. Be still and know.
In the stillness, the Truth that has never ceased to be comes streaming in.
Pam Grout is the author of 17 books including E-Squared: 9 Do-it-Yourself Energy Experiments that Prove Your Thoughts Create Your Reality and its equally-scintillating sequel, E-Cubed, 9 More Experiments that Prove Mirth, Magic and Merriment is
36 Responses
Once again, dear Pam, you hit the bulls eye with your insight. Thank you for the gentle reminder that we need to treat everything lovingly – even “the asshole” in our minds.
Amen, sister! I so appreciate you, Gail!
Good, good stuff Pam. Thank you.
My pleasure, Carol!
Absolutely beautiful observations!
Why thank you!!
How you do it is beyond me Pam but thank you for confirming something I experienced first hand : yesterday a situation that would have been field trip day for that voice you speak of not so long ago – did nothing … Zilch… Nada. If anything, I looked at it with calmness and gratitude in advance for the beautiful out come – and smiled …
What a rush to realize in the moment how far you’ve come and how irrelevant that voice could have been this whole time ..
Good times Pam! Good times !
What a great way to put it–the irrelevant voice!
Amazing read! Yes, you are correct it’s days are numbered…..F#$k Off EGO!
1, 2, 3….
i am sitting in an airport waiting for my flight with the sun shining through the windows and the mountains and ocean around me thinking how can this day get any better, and then I read this my friend and I say thanks
Ok now my connecting flight has been delayed – can you repeat what you said ha ha
Yes, my daughter always likes to remind me, when we have airport snafus, “white people problems, mom!”
Glad you were enjoying the sun, the mountains and the oceans, all part of our great inheritance!
Good one, Pam! Love the quote by Dan Harris too…. Thx for making my day!
Dan Harris’ book, 10 Percent Happier, is great. Have you read it? It’s details his journey into meditation. I loved it!!
Wow! I certainly needed to hear this today!
I need to hear it every day. Which, I guess, is why I blog! Thanks, my friend!
Mark sent the third part – the timer and it fixed it – now I just have to get Ron back up there to put it all together balanced and go to go again – Men! But I did one load and she’s good. – this will make my life alot easier…funny, to appreciate the little things, like your washer working! I love you— Thank you. and thank you for doing Easter and Thanksgiving and Cookie Day and all the other times you open you heart and home to everyone! You are really special – nobody else does it!! Bug huge Hug! me Susan Martin President, Moosebirds, Inc. http://www.moosebirds.com
Play with all the colors of your Life!
I think this might have been an accidental comment. But it was a good description of the busy mind.
Hi Pam!
Great Post! Quick question, do you ever wake up and feel emotionally dead. I did again today and it so odd because I went to bed so tuned-in and feeling GREAT just like Tony the Tiger! But today, no matter what I do, exercise, playing fun music, jumping around, nothing is working to bring me out of a funk that descends on me now and again. I did the opposite too, mediation, quieting my mind, tying to find a good feeling touchstone from the past to tap into. Is it normal to be a “dead battery” sometimes? I don’t like it because I love feeling so GOOD, and knowing everything the Universe has to guide me and provide for me can’t reach me. Any suggestions and is this normal to go for days feeling so good and then feel emotionally dead? What’s up with that? Thank you for any insights!!! Love you! Hilary
Aw, Hilary
I’m as anxious as you are to hear what Pam has to say, but I had to reach out and send you some hugs. I know just what you’re talking about. It’s disconcerting, especially when you’re not quite sure why you feel that way. My two cents? Relax, try not to worry about “why” and just listen to what your mood is trying to tell you. There may be an important message behind it. I bet Pam’s community will rally around you here and boost you up.
Hugs!
Dear sweet Hilary,
Yes, I think the voice will always try to tag you with those kinds of thoughts..I feel dead, dead battery, etc. The thing that works best for me is to use the magic words: “it’s okay!” I find when I don’t resist, but simply observe those thoughts and feelings, they have less of an energetic charge. It’s all okay, my friend!
Very cool! Thank you so much! Hilary
Thank you so much! Very Cool! Hilary
Thank you Carol! I really appreciate it!
Yes, Carol, I second the thanks!!!
I read that we have 17 seconds to change a negative thought to a positive one – without ‘impact’. Man, I struggle to stop that ongoing chatter though…even meditating! (ha!)
Dear Alyssa–I’ve heard the 17 seconds thing, too. In my own life, whenever I remember, I quit struggling and simply observe. As I tweeted today, a quote from my friend, Amy B. Scher–we’re not in need of self help. We’re in need of self-love.
That little asshat voice! He wants to vote for D_____ T____ but it ain’t gonna happen on MY watch!
My little asshat voice is getting quite a kick out of DT. I like to think of him as a hologram that reminds me how much love we all need.
Amen!!
“.”
Cat
Amen is right! Thanks Irfriske!
I just love the titles you come up with ,for your blog posts! When you have folks around you who try to push you into “doing” and pull you done with their drama, the little ass hat tries to pitch in with more fuel to all that drama! Lol! I am learning to just observe and be with small baby steps and I keep telling my self that spirit has our back and everything is gonna turn out okay! And I have been amazed at the small miracles that are coming streaming in since then. Your posts are like fuel for my soul!
Thought for today, ” Don’t believe everything you think.”
Fantastic thank you Pam
Sent from my iPhone
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