Serenity Tip: Focus on the Best Possible Not Worst Outcome
Today I realized once again that the best path to serenity on any given day is to focus on the best possible outcome rather than the worst.
The human mind naturally focuses on the negatives – what could go wrong, what we’re worried about, the stressors, the worst possible outcomes.
It is a well-intended attempt to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe. But worry is just that, worry. Worry never got us anywhere, and never actually kept us safe.
Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strength.
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When I was younger and powerless over the chaos in my home, I turned to worry as the only way I had to “control” the situation. I thought if I anticipated every bad outcome, I’d be better prepared.
As it turns out, while that might have been a good coping mechanism then, to give me the illusion that I was doing something about a stressful situation, it does not serve me well now.
Worry pretends to be necessary but serves no useful purpose.
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If you tend to fret, worry, or fuss, here’s a suggestion:
Focus on the best possible outcome, not the worst. Our minds want to go to the disaster, it’s just how we’re wired. So it takes a conscious effort to change the neural pathways, and shift the thinking to a positive place.
You’re worried your teen will succumb to peer pressure.
Instead, imagine them standing up for themselves and leading the way to healthy choices for themselves and their peers.
You’re afraid you’re going to mess up and lose your job.
See yourself making good decisions and performing at your best.
You’re worried your cancer will come back.
Imagine your immune system beating back any rogue cancer cells and your body being healthy and strong.
Now your turn – what are you worried about? How can you turn it around?
Remind yourself that things usually work out, that your worst fears typically do not manifest, and you’ve gotten through every past worry and fear relatively unscathed.
Then watch or read something funny and light, and give yourself the night off from worrying.
I’m going to take my own advice tonight!
