Chatter

Most people don't realize that the mind constantly chatters. And yet, that chatter winds up being the force that drives us much of the day in terms of what we do, what we react to, and how we feel.
~ Jon Kabat-Zinn

I know I am not alone in the land of mental chatter.

I know I am not the first person to talk about bringing awareness to the chatter and discovering the message.

However, I DO know the power of interrupting the chatter and replacing it with a short, powerful mantra.

I had an experience the other day that rattled my world a bit. Words were expressed to me that took me utterly by surprise. I was left close to speechless. I'll admit to tossing a zinger in the ring.

In the past, I would've ruminated about this for as long as I felt the need to ruminate. And just when I thought I was done ruminating, I would ruminate some more...feeling like I should apologize for something...like being me. It would affect my entire being...mentally...physically...emotionally. I would carry those words as though they were my cross to bear. I would feel drained and lethargic.

Something was different this time.

The deepening of my relationship with ME rescued me.

Instead of feeling bad that I made someone upset (that segment right there explains a fair amount of unhealthy chatter!), I chose me.

Instead of rejecting myself because of someone else's reaction, I chose to accept myself.

Instead of letting the heaviness of the situation weigh me down, I chose to let gratitude lift me up.

Instead of being responsible for someone else's emotional baggage, I chose to be responsible for my own emotions.

I was able to interrupt the chatter of fear and choose me.

When fear grips my mind and fills my head with incessant, belittling chatter, my imagination gets involved...and not in a positive way. The stories that I can create when being manipulated by fear can get twisted and unrealistic. These stories only add to the responsibility that was never mine in the first place.

It is amazing what the chatter can say, where it can lead, and the amount of power it can hold.

But it's not true.

It's a thought.

An imagined concept.

And as strong as the power may seem, the power of my choice is stronger.