March 18, 2017

• Looking to Turn Off the Noise

  After my presentation on stress, I went back to my office and had an instant replay in my head of all the things that went wrong, didn't connect, failed to engage, and received eye rolls. Right in the middle of that mental calliope I realized that it was just noise. I immediately turned the internal dialogue from looking at the negative to taking stock of the positives. Although I would have liked to have had more engagement I accomplished what I set out to do - make the staff aware of different coping techniques and give them an opportunity to practice some of them. So the stress presentation stressed me out but on the bright side I was able to turn off the noise in my head! I took charge and control of my thoughts. The steering wheel was in my hands and I got to decide the station and volume of the radio! Several of my coworkers have difficulties turning off the self directed criticisms. I think they must subconsciously enjoy playing the victim and if there isn't enough exterior negativity they have to provide their own internal soundtrack. As I mentioned before, we set ourselves up for failure when we insist on perfection. We will never achieve perfection but we can reach excellence. And on some days we can aim for excellence and rejoice in "good enough"!

  I caught myself before it slipped out
  “Don’t ask questions”
  I hesitated to inquire
  “Ignorance is bliss”
  I wanted clarification
  “Curiosity killed the cat”
  Thus I sat quietly waiting
  Feeling unworthy
  Incapable of understanding
  Not trustworthy enough
  To hold the truth

  Here is a little poem that speaks to the unspoken message we give to our children and especially the girls when when hush them. It addresses the Winter Scavenger Hunt 2017 prompt #15 - Use the phrase “Curiosity killed the cat”...

  • 6:42 am
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