Stories

Staring at the blank page before you

Open up the dirty window

-Natasha Bedingfield, Unwritten

• Who are you?
• Why are you?
• Are you?

Today’s inspiration: E.T.

How to use it: Pretend you are an alien who has been placed inside your body. You know nothing of your physical or mental capabilities. You have no memory of events that took place before today, no recollection of how your body reacts when you do or eat a particular thing.

Each time you tell yourself a story about why you are doing what you are doing, STOP. Consider your actions and decide on how to proceed based only on the information in front of you. Our stories are not facts. Just like there are an infinite number of things we can notice each day (see post: Close Both Eyes), there are endless variations of the stories we tell ourselves about our past, present, and future.

Example: You are dreading making a phone call because you are in a hurry, and the last time you spoke to this person, she talked for thirty minutes.

Recognize your story: This person talks too much. I am unable to get off the phone when she talks.

Change your story: I am able to control the length of my conversation.

Listen to your argument: But, she’s going to want to talk, and I’m going to offend her when I tell her I need to go.

Counter yourself: It’s okay to prioritize my time. I am not responsible for other people’s reactions.

Remember: “You are responsible for your actions. You are not responsible for whether or not people freak out about them.” –Jen Sincero, You Are A Badass

Check out RESOURCES for more links to Jen Sincero and other inspirational badasses.

Be inspired. Go forth. Create your day.