Last weekend I attended a wonderful, two-day conference for women, full of inspiration and spiritual insight.
But I had a moment that could have completely derailed that beautiful time.
I am a note-taker. I like to glean all I can from any opportunity.
I found myself in dim light using an unfamiliar Ipad. I was having trouble taking my notes.
Suddenly, with one quick click, I accidentally deleted all of my previous day’s notes!
I was horrified!
I take notes so that I can study and ponder the messages. I don’t just copy the words of the presenters. I attend with questions in mind and write the insights and answers that come, personalized and specific to me.
I did not know how it had happened. I just knew all my notes had disappeared!
All my efforts of the day before, all the personal answers and insights were gone!
I had a choice to make.
I had experienced such a spiritual high the day before, and would I allow this disaster to keep me from continuing spiritual growth?
The 2nd day of the conference was progressing and in my distress, I was missing it!
It would be so easy to be discouraged, to find something or someone to blame, to let the frustration and anger fester.
Not long ago I did not know any other way to react to such an upsetting situation. I would embrace whatever I felt as if there were no other options. As if my feelings were not my responsibility.
But I knew better now and it was time to make that choice.
Wallow in frustration and disappointment, and lose not only yesterday’s notes, but also today’s experiences? Or put this misfortune on the back burner and be fully present in the moment?
I did not want to miss a moment of new opportunities, so rather than dwell on the upset, I chose to focus on the opportunities ahead.
How grateful I am! I experienced another day of wonderful speakers, information and spiritual insights.
Have you ever found yourself in a similar situation?
A mistake is made, whether your own or someone else’s and you are struggling to be ok with it?
Do you find yourself stewing in the mess of uncomfortable feelings because you forgot you had a choice?
There’s a simple tool I call the back-burner technique, which I’ve used to help me through distressing times. It can make all the difference!
I’ve found that if I can’t do anything in the moment about something that is upsetting me, I can put it on the back burner.
The issue is set aside to be addressed at a later time.
It doesn’t mean I’m ignoring or denying it’s there, such as stuffing only to suddenly show up unexpectedly with negative results.
It means I clear my mind to be present where I am, and return to the issue in a better frame of mind after the emotional moment has passed.
I often discover I am able to quickly resolve the hardship because of the improved state of mind and balanced emotions. And even better, sometimes the issue has resolved itself.
Learning this back-burner technique has saved me a lot of grief. And as I experienced recently, allowed me to grow in ways I might not have, if I had given in to the distress of the moment.
I invite you to try for yourself this back-burner technique and discover the positive results. I’d love to hear your results!
Much love,
Great article! Love your back-burner technique! Thank you
Thanks Carolyn! You are probably already pretty good at it. 🙂