TODAY Kansas City - Winter 2018

Page 63

HEALTH by DR. LINDA MOORE

What If Life Had a Backspace Key? Thoughtful and healthy framing of the thoughts and ideas that come out of the “do over” wish is important. It’s also important to record the thoughts that surface.

What if life had a backspace key is a “do over” question. It’s the kind of question that pops into the foreground of your mind on a lazy weekend, vacationing or traveling, or just staring out a window – day dreaming. And if you do something much more intentional for relaxation, reflection and self-exploration – for example, a meditation retreat (which I highly recommend) – these “do over” questions can loom heavily. When the reflection urge does surface, the question is excellent if accompanied by a healthy state of mind. It’s not intended as a way to “beat yourself up” or “wallow in regret.” However, it’s important to acknowledge that is exactly the way such questions most commonly get raised. The questions

typically surface when facing an important life crossroad or “fork” in the road – around birthdays or anniversaries, at a time of significant loss or death, when facing a looming and challenging decision, after or perhaps facing a hard conversation or an argument with someone important to you, or when feeling mildly depressed or anxious. Acknowledging the mind’s tendency to sometimes head in an even slightly negative, self-deprecating direction, it’s important to know that you can turn it around and create a time of reflection that actually leads out of regretful, negative or self-defeating thinking and helps with clear decisions and healthy future directions. Thoughtful and healthy framing of the thoughts and

WINTER 2018 | TODAY KANSAS CITY | 61


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