Mind Always Buzzing

Thoughts are always with us. We can't stop them. Or can we? 
First it helps to realize, as some people say, their "mind is always buzzing." The thoughts fly at them and energize, stress, and confuse. It is exciting to have your mind spin like that, and it can cause anxiety. 
What if you could do something different in your life than just be a victim of your thoughts?
This episode can help you begin to take control of your thoughts. 

Transcript

Have you heard the saying “monkey mind?” The idea is that monkeys are rarely still, they jump, they talk, they screech, they climb; they are in constant motion. To be present in this moment, or mindful, you have to be aware of one built-in obstacle, your thinking. Constant thinking is just something the brain does, but it is not always useful thinking. Someone has said that we will have 50,000 thoughts today, and most of them we had yesterday. So, your thinking can be repetitive and often negative like “that’s stupid” or “I'm stupid.” Other thoughts can come randomly, and they may be thoughts you would be afraid or embarrassed to tell anyone else. Thoughts just come, that's what they do. 

Your thoughts can be evaluated, judged, and kept or set aside. Your thoughts are not the same as you. You are more than the running stream of your thoughts. Ever watch a running stream? There is a TV channel that shows nature videos continuously. On it you can see mountains, waterfalls, lakes and streams. In the scenes of water running in peaceful streams the water often runs over, under, and around rocks. It makes bubbles that grow, float along, then pop. Maybe, like me, you have seen this in videos or watching an actual stream. Running water makes bubbles. 

Often you can't completely stop your thoughts. That is okay if you can learn to place your thoughts in context as just part of your life experience, not your dictator telling you what to do or who you are. Certain practices can calm down your thoughts, making them more manageable. Picture your thoughts like bubbles in a stream; they form and they go away.

Becoming an observer of yourself is important to being more present in the moment. Let's try something now. Take a moment to rest your eyes, to close them or gently look at something in sort of a blurry way. And get in whatever position that you're comfortable, sitting or lying down. Take a few short breaths. Take them deeply, slowly, then give attention to your thoughts. Notice what I'm saying, but also notice the thoughts that are coming and going. Try not to judge your thoughts right now. Don't accept them or reject them, just notice your thoughts. This can be an exercise in observing yourself. 

Next notice how your thoughts make you feel. Do some thoughts soothe you? While others upset you? Do some thoughts bring anger? While others make you happy? Then consider the truth or the untruth of your thoughts. Do thoughts come to mind that want to draw you in but are just exaggerations that make you fearful? 

You can admit to yourself you have all kinds of thoughts. But you don't have to act on these thoughts or accept them. I encourage you to try getting this separation from your thoughts anytime. Simply notice your thoughts and notice yourself. Because you're not the same as your thoughts, you can put some distance between the real you and the thoughts that you have. 

You do not have to accept the invitations of anxiety to worry. But the first step is becoming more of an observer of yourself. If this was all new to you, I'd encourage you to go back listen again and become an observer of your thoughts. 

Psalm 139:23 NIV says, “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.” We can ask God to search, and we can ourselves search and know our anxious thoughts, and thoughts can be evaluated, judged, and kept or set aside. You are more than the running stream of your thoughts.