We’ve all had been in situations when in the aftermath, anger, upset, disappointment & frustration linger as we wish we could have or would have said or done something differently. Let me remind you: There is nothing helpful about such self-flagellation. Thinking about whatever we wish didn’t happen, misses the point that something did happen, and now we have a situation that we may need to deal with to achieve resolution or make necessary choices to move on.
During these times, fully accepting the reality of a situation without judgment or resistance is required. This doesn’t mean condoning, excusing or accepting the bad behavior of others (or maybe yourself.) But it does mean that blaming or getting angry about a situation that has already happened does not resolve or move anything forward.
So, the next time you find yourself replaying any past event, choose one of these statements, memorize it and repeat it when the thoughts drift back into your head.
- I cannot change the past, but I can accept it and focus on creating a better future.
- I acknowledge that life is filled with ups and downs, and I choose to embrace both.
- I release the need for control and surrender to the flow of life.
- I accept myself unconditionally, including my flaws and imperfections.
- I choose to let go of what I cannot control and focus on what I can.
- I am not defined by my mistakes; I learn and grow from them.
- I release expectations and embrace the present moment as it is.
- I am worthy of love and acceptance, just as I am.
- I choose to find peace within myself, regardless of external circumstances.
- I trust in the process of life and have faith in God and my ability to handle whatever comes my way.
The goal with this exercise is to embrace acceptance, let go of resistance and find peace within challenging situations. With practice, you’ll get better and better at refocusing your attention on your actions in the moment and what you can do in the aftermath. The goal is always to find ways to think more clearly in the moment — which is the only pathway to reducing stress, worry, anxiety and angst.
Thanks for visiting! I’m Dian Griesel, Ph.D. aka @SilverDisobedience I am a perception analyst & hypnotherapist who works with private clients to help increase their awareness of how perceptions impact everything we do whether personally or professionally. Book an appointment here.
I share inspiring and actionable ideas for free via my podcast, on my website: DianGriesel.com and also on my social media accounts which you might like to follow.
