Power Of Stories – A Girl
I met a very beautiful woman a few weeks ago in New York City, she was sitting on steps in Union Square Park, and she looked terribly upset. Sitting down and striking up conversation, I quickly learned that she was expecting a phone call and that the had this movie running through her mind of what would happen if or when she received it. It was a downward spiral and the more often she looked at the phone, the worse it became. I talked to her and offered her some advice on ways to control and get rid of the mental movie. After a few minutes she actually began to smile, and even laugh. I soon left to catch my bus home, but this incident reminded me that anybody can help anybody, if only they would take the time to listen. It never ceases to amaze me that so many people have no idea how to control their internal dialogue or the mental images and stories that are cycling in their minds – gain mastery of those and inner peace is yours.
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I like your language of the “mental movie,” and I think you’re right on about the pernicious effects mental movies have on people. Thanks for your insight!
The mental movie is of course just one of many ways of talking abstractly and metaphorically about what happens inside people’s heads, but I find it is the closest representation. Sometimes, its not a movie but a mental image or self-talk that causes the worst damage. The good news is that it is fairly easy to tweek and change these internal sensory modalities and many tools are available to do so without spending years in therapy.
Well said and cool story by the way, the fact that you cared enough to take time to offer your support to her is very admirable, that’s what we’re missing these days I think. Keep up the great work and the inspiring stories!
Good thing you were there in the site to make her smile. Yes, that’s right Mr. Author you can help anybody and anybody can help you unexpectedly.
So, any hints on what type of advice that you offered the lady? I know that if I am nervous about something I tend to spend so much brain power contemplating the “what-ifs”. It really stresses me out, and lately I notice that I have been avoiding uncomfortable situations altogether just to prevent the mental aggravation. I would love to know how to turn off this type of thinking and just learn to accept what may happen and go with the flow.
Vlad Moskovski, sorry about the last comment, grammar mistakes. Here’s what I meant:
“It never ceases to amaze me that so many people have no idea how to control their internal dialogue”
That’s why I recommend everybody do daily meditation to observe the THOUGHTS that are going through our MINDS. When we observe our thoughts, and be aware that it has no real substance, it can be a very liberating experience.