dailydatewithgod

One of the gems phrases I learned in the rooms of recovery is “Thank you for sharing.”  It is often used when thanking a fellow person in recovery for sharing their story or their experience with something.  It acknowledges their presence, their contribution, and is not a judgment on it.  What I learned is how effective it is with my own thoughts.  It makes room to acknowledge the thoughts without judgment and simultaneously relegate them to a time and place where they might be useful.  The first thoughts we think about anything are the brain’s attempt at survival.  It is instinctual and therefore valuable but may not be what is needed at the moment.  By relegating them we can own them without taking action on them.  We think all kinds of things all the time.  When it comes to doing something it is helpful to have some space between the thought and the action.  Relegating those thoughts by putting them to the side allows us to bring our hearts online.  We do not want to train these first thoughts out of us, they will save our lives. We all want to take action without thought when it comes to getting out of danger and true life-threatening situations.  Our thoughts about handling interpersonal relationships are ones that often need some time.  Relegating makes room for the pause which makes room for heart thinking.  Leading with the heart online when it comes to our interpersonal relationships in my experience leads to greater peace with myself and others.