A Better Inner Narrative

Hi, and welcome back to your Daily Mindfulness. In today's session, we're going to talk about how the questions you ask yourself can empower you to think and feel differently. So we are always asking ourselves questions. Am I safe? Why did this happen to me? Do I like this person? How much longer is this going to last?, et cetera, et cetera. These may not be conscious questions moving through our mind, but the brain is constantly assessing its landscape.

And every time the mind asks, asks itself a question, whether it's conscious or subconscious, it immediately starts looking for answers to those questions. Well, those answers then become what the mind focuses on and thus condition how we feel, how we solve problems and whether or not we feel hopeful. So for instance, let's say you are going through a challenging experience. If the question going through your mind is how can I make it through this? You're going to get answers that most likely will will help you survive. The answers might be helpful, but they might also just make you feel like you, you need to tolerate the experience.

I just need to get through it. And sometimes there's a time and place for that. But if instead you ask, how might this experience bring out the best in me? Well, that's a very different question and you'll most likely get answers that inspire you and help you thrive in this challenging situation. The questions you ask yourself, condition, the thoughts in your mind, which condition the emotions in your body, which then conditions the actions you take. If you ask better questions, you can craft a better life.

So try this out as you're going throughout your day. Notice the questions going on in your mind. Notice if they have a tone of needing to tolerate this I just, you know, how can I get through this? Or why is this happening to me? And instead, ask yourself, how could this bring out the best of me? How might this situation be more inspiring than I realize? How might this situation be helping me grow in a way that I, I don't quite understand. Those questions will give you different answers. Thanks so much for your practice.

Let's settle in for today's meditation.