Overcoming FearThe Situation Game
by Laura Interval
Those damn emotions. Getting in the way of clear decisions, productivity and fearless living. That’s what it all boils down to, doesn’t it? Emotions. Emotion is defined as a mental and physiological state associated with a wide variety of feelings, thoughts, and behaviors. Wikipedia goes on to say that it is a prime determinant of the sense of subjective well-being and appears to play a central role in many human activities . . . There is much controversy concerning how emotions are defined and classified. Right. We can’t define them… we can’t classify them… yet, we all have them and quite often they rule us. So, today I am going to share with you how I make this very generalized and complex subject simple. I know for myself, I have to really pay attention to my emotions and how they are affecting me. The most important concept for me and my personal development is the power of now and watching my thoughts. Once I really grasped that technique of being a watcher, my life changed. So, I’m constantly doing it. As much as I can, I consciously step outside of myself and look back in like a stranger. It detaches me from my ever changing emotions, and gives me a totally new perspective. Before I discovered this, I was really good at helping other people in their own situations but couldn’t clearly see mine. You know what I mean? You must detach yourself from your emotions to get perspective on your own reality. One of the techniques I use to do this, I call it The Situation Game. Try it and see what you see. It goes like this: You have just dropped from the sky into your present body. You have no idea who you are or where you’ve been. You have just opened your eyes and are seeing everything around you for the first time. You are an intelligent being with temporary amnesia. You have no fear. You are void of all expectations, judgments or attachments. There are only your circumstances, this new body and you. Take a minute, breathe and take everything in. See the world around you for the first time. All you know is right now, this moment. Now, have a debriefing meeting with yourself. Tell yourself about the person’s body that you just took over. Remember, there is no past… only present and future. From this vantage point you can more clearly see where you are and where you need to go. This game helps me get out of my emotions and see my life clearly for what it is. We are not our past. Your past does not equal your future. In fact, nothing in your past is relevant to you now. It’s done. It’s over. When you “erase” your past, even just for a minute, sometimes you can better see the simple gifts in your life. Of course, it’s all relative. If you came from a Turkish prison and dropped into your present life, would you be more grateful? It also works the other way. If you came from a life of luxury and millions of dollars and dropped into your present life, what would you be grateful for? Would you be better equipped to deal with the resources you have?
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