Thirty-three years ago, I enjoyed happy hour with a group of friends. I enjoyed the evening and into the night a little too much and drank every margarita the bar offered. I had a blast, and as you might guess, I was very ill the next morning. The fun didn’t stop there. The same group of friends decided to go to an amusement park the next day. So not only was I sick, I was sick in 100-degree weather and no place to lay down! I remember the famous weekend clearly to this day.
Instead of “letting go” of the results of the party, I continued to tell myself the story, “I hate margaritas, margaritas are not good for me, I really don’t like margaritas”. This went on for thirty-two years! Finally, on a hot summer day, the margaritas being served looked good, so I had one. It was delicious! And I didn’t get sick.
My pattern started out as a bad experience, moved into a holding pattern based on the bad experience, and stayed there for a very long time. Circumstance led me to try out a new ending for my margarita story. I had always owned the part of drinking far too much, and now I am owning the part of holding on to a story for way too long. My limitation lifted, and now I enjoy a margarita or two on occasion. Going with the “it’s easier to recognize a pattern in someone else” theory, listen closely to other people’s stories and responses. This just might help you discover repeated and stagnant wording and reasoning – in their story and in your own!
“To live in the moment is to concentrate on what is in front of you. If you don’t like the looks of it, don’t worry. There are a million different ways to see it. Tilt your head.” Holiday Matthis
Love to all,
Cindi
