Train your elephant!
In those days when an elephant would walk through a town with its keeper, the elephant’s trunk was a curious part of the equation. It had a natural tendency to explore whatever it wanted, disrupting fruit carts and kiosks as it made its way down the street. It had no qualms about helping itself to whatever caught its attention, while disrupting the carts on the other side with its back end, leaving a broken trail in its wake.
(recognize yourself yet?)
To solve this problem, the wise elephant keeper would offer a bamboo shaft for the elephant’s fidgety trunk to grasp. The elephant would hold that piece of bamboo as if it was the most precious package it could carry.
The elephant now had a focus and purpose and would walk through that city with great dignity and poise.
Our mind is much like that elephant without focus. We will wander off in curious exploration, grasping hold of anything that catches our fancy.
What can we use to center our attention and calm our wandering mind? An affirmation can be a wonderful piece of bamboo. When we choose a calming thought, a warm feeling, and an awareness of this very moment we will be able to experience the poise and dignity of being in charge of ourselves and be present!
What thoughts do you find work for you in calming and centering yourself? One such affirmation I enjoy is:
“All is well. Everything is working out for my highest good. And out of this situation only good will come for me and all. I am safe in the universe and all life loves and supports me.”
4 Comments
This will be very helpful when I wake up in the middle of the night and my brain goes into overdrive solving the worlds problems…..I just need to memorize it!
I really like your affirmation. I think I will adopt it.
Excellent. I need this right now as my mind and body want to keep me awake at night. I too shall adopt it. I’m 3 weeks post op from double mastectomy (Pat, I know you can relate). I thought with all good results it was over, but now chemo has been recommend, to prevent stage 4 recurrence. 🙁
I think this is the biggest decision I’ve ever had to make. (prayer accepted and appreciated).
Marla, so good to hear from you! I do relate and did both chemo and radiation after the surgery. You know that my prayers are with you, that you are healing and at peace and the folks involved in assisting you in your healing are intuitive, knowledgeable and compassionate.