Steer clear of negative energy

[Callie McAllie]

I was driving to a meeting on Friday with a co-worker from another department. He asked me about my old boss, the one who was so evil. I have really tried (thanks to this site) to let go of any thought of her, any negative energy that I had been carrying related to her. But he asked, and I told him, and it all came flooding back. I got very animated, I'm sure my blood pressure went up.

Well into that conversation I took what I thought was the exit ramp for our meeting. It was the wrong one, we got lost and had to ask for directions! I was so flustered and angry at myself. Chiding myself out loud. It felt like I had brought that evil woman right into the car with us, just by talking about her.

Fortunately, we were still on time to the meeting, but what a lesson for me that was. Next time someone asks me about that woman, I will just change the subject!

[I Have A Dream]

1. I agree that allowing such things to melt into oblivion is the safest thing...

for us, as long as we're not forcing it into our subconscious mind by not dealing with the issues that are associated with these negative events. If we're not able to do that, we should try to get professional help to release the control that those thoughts hold over us. There's nothing like true peace of mind!

I'm sorry that that happened, Callie, but I'm glad that this incident helped you to realize such an important thing. Congratulations! :hug:

[Why Syzygy]

2. Good catch.

Due to my new living situation, the past three weeks I found myself telling old stories. Some of that is okay, but to dwell on all the history is not productive for me. When I moved to a new location in 1998, I decided not to talk about my past AT ALL. I was recently divorced, yada yada .. I just wanted a NEW life without dragging all that stuff into current situations. It's tricky because we are so used to defining ourselves by our past. I've had to step away from that in order to live in the Now and Present.

(Due to my own vulnerabilities, I'm taking a bit of comfort reading that someone else gets animated when describing past events :blush: )
When I went to the clinic last week for my foot and back injuries (from the fall), my blood pressure was sky high. That's unusual for me. I went back the next day and it was down a little. It was just from all the stressors at the house.
Are you feeling better now, or still upset at the thought of it?

[cliss]

3. Great points Callie, and thax

for the reminder.

Every once in a while, I find myself caught up in negative thinking. It could be due to a variety of reasons.
I will think about present and past resentments. Just rehash the unfairness, the poor way I was treated, etc. How I got caught in a string of bad luck, which lasted for years. Could never seem to climb my way out of it.
At some point, I'll just get distracted and focus on something else; i.e. the negative thinking goes away on its own.
But sometimes I'll keep obsessing on the negativity. It seems that the thoughts take on a power of their own, and it feels very circular. I'll keep re-visiting the old wound, play it over and over like a broken record.
I suppose when my basic needs are not met (like being hungry, tired, feeling hopeless) the negativity just reinforces itself and I feel miserable.
The past is the past! It's over. We have a choice in that we can let go of it. But they don't go willingly.

When I find myself caught in the Vortex, I try to evict the thoughts. Stop, try to focus on something else. Thoughts don't want to leave. Then I try harder. Still they insist on staying, "just a little more vitriol, come on??"
It takes a lot of effort, but it's worth it.

[DemExpat]

4. I never could ward off the negative thoughts and feelings.

The only solution for me is to write them ALL down in a journal. Works like magic keeping the feelings and negative energy focussed onto my pages and not projected into relations and decisions in my life.

Agreed, it does take effort and the will to keep them from expanding and spreading from OUR selves....

DemEx