The Melodramatic Mind

I realize how melodramatic my roommate is and that the worrying that I engage in is so depleting to my spiritual energy.  It is ironic that as I am engaged in worrying about some problem or situation (presumably in an effort to make sense of and fix the problem), the fact that I am missing the moment tends to create more problems for me.  A small, concrete example could be that I become careless while washing the dishes because I'm focused on something else and a dish breaks.  Another reason to release and let go instead of worrying, God can be found in the present moment and by allowing my energy to get consumed by worry I am missing that connection with God.  So staying present or aware in the moment of where my consciousness has gone and then releasing that which wants to suck up my energy, is a much more powerful and efficient way to live.

I like Michael's example on pages 65 and 66 of someone taking your pencil at work.  The meoldramatic mind might say something like "Its a pencil today and if I let go they'll step all over me..."  (T.U.S., p. 66)

Decide to let it go instead of feeling bothered or worried.

"Just decide that NO MATTER WHAT THE MIND SAYS YOU AREN'T GETTING INVOLVED." (T.U.S., p. 66).

So we must constantly be on guard for what the mind is saying and when we are getting drawn into the energy.  We do not need to struggle or fight off this tendency, instead we accept the feelings in the moment and then take a breath and release.  This takes practice.  The good news is that we have plenty of opportunity to practice because "the tendency to get drawn in is constant, (and therefore) the willingness to let go and fall behind has to be constant."  (T.U.S., p. 66)

Practice with the little things today.  Notice the mind.  Notice the feelings.  Notice the pull on your energy.  Notice how easy it is to get off center.  

Then RELAX AND RELEASE WITH A DEEP BREATH.  Even if you can't release a feeling, you can always relax your shoulders and your chest with the breath.