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The Mind Loves Spin
Something stuck with me when listening to a podcast on Sounds True, with Tami Simon interviewing a leadership expert named Margaret Wheatley. Margaret asked the glass of water question - "Is the glass half full or half empty?"
What would your answer be?
Margaret explained that most people will say it's half full, possibly because you feel that you should say that. Saying that means you are a positive person and we'd all like to be that or be seen as being that. But Margaret offered another perspective to the glass is half full and the glass is half empty.
What would your answer be?
Margaret explained that most people will say it's half full, possibly because you feel that you should say that. Saying that means you are a positive person and we'd all like to be that or be seen as being that. But Margaret offered another perspective to the glass is half full and the glass is half empty.
There's water in the glass.
There's Water in the Glass
This one little statement got me thinking about how we need to put a spin on everything. We see the media do it all the time with headlines that create fear and we see it in it's opposite form to create hope. But this water in the glass seems to be the middle ground; a sane kind of seeing that doesn't need to create anything around it.
To give an everyday example, let's say you were triggered by something someone said. Here are some possible spins you might put on the situation..
To give an everyday example, let's say you were triggered by something someone said. Here are some possible spins you might put on the situation..
Taking it personally:
I am not good enoughI'm not worthy of being seen / supported / lovedWho I am is not acceptable / I've been rejected
Focusing on the person whose words triggered the response:
Person X is judging / criticising me / doesn't like mePerson X has .... issuesPerson X did this and that in a past life etc etc
Escaping the here and now:
This is never going to work out / next time I see person X I will say... (thinking of future)If only I had done XYZ / not done XYZ (thinking of past)
When we are triggered, we are often unearthing beliefs created in childhood that protect us from a painful reality (physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually) Our task is to choose to let the situation bring about personal transformation by breathing through our impulse to react habitually and doing our best to not get carried away by all the mind spin. To do this, finding the "There's water in the glass" statement can be helpful.
In the example I've offered of being triggered by something someone says, a clear-seeing, water-in-the-glass statement might be
A part of me feels hurt by that comment.
When we are triggered, we are often unearthing beliefs created in childhood that protect us from a painful reality (physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually) Our task is to choose to let the situation bring about personal transformation by breathing through our impulse to react habitually and doing our best to not get carried away by all the mind spin. To do this, finding the "There's water in the glass" statement can be helpful.
In the example I've offered of being triggered by something someone says, a clear-seeing, water-in-the-glass statement might be
A part of me feels hurt by that comment.
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Spiritual Warriorship
There was another step offered by Margaret in the podcast, which she describes as spiritual warriorship.
"There's water in the glass. And who needs that water?"Further questioning might be - "Am I the one to deliver the water to where it is needed?"
In the example of being triggered by a comment, we could say as a spiritual warrior:
"A part of me feels hurt by that comment. And what do I need to do to help that part of me that feels hurt?"Further questioning might be - "Can I do this on my own or do I need support?"
"There's water in the glass. And who needs that water?"Further questioning might be - "Am I the one to deliver the water to where it is needed?"
In the example of being triggered by a comment, we could say as a spiritual warrior:
"A part of me feels hurt by that comment. And what do I need to do to help that part of me that feels hurt?"Further questioning might be - "Can I do this on my own or do I need support?"
Clear-Seeing to Clean Action
If you have a few minutes for a little self enquiry, grab some paper and a pen and think about a current situation in your life that is challenging.
1. Write down all the different variations and angles you could view the situation from. Let your mind spin as many tales as it can find!
2. What is your "there's water in the glass" statement?(It might simply be, a part of me feels . . . .)
3. What is your next step as a spiritual warrior?
4. Thank yourself for the time and courage to look more deeply.
I hope this enquiry helps your situation in some small way. I'm here to offer support if you need. You can also share your story with me if you feel to :)
1. Write down all the different variations and angles you could view the situation from. Let your mind spin as many tales as it can find!
2. What is your "there's water in the glass" statement?(It might simply be, a part of me feels . . . .)
3. What is your next step as a spiritual warrior?
4. Thank yourself for the time and courage to look more deeply.
I hope this enquiry helps your situation in some small way. I'm here to offer support if you need. You can also share your story with me if you feel to :)