Semantics
The Grasshopper treated me to a lesson in semantics that wasn’t about semantics.
The next time you are frustrated, angry, upset, or having some other unpleasant sort of moment, make this semantic change: Instead of saying, “I am flummoxed,” say, “My mind is flummoxed.”
Making this slight adjustment immediately locates the part of you that’s going to keep feeding that fire. You cut off the fuel line when you notice that it’s your mind that’s angry, unappreciated, under-loved and over-taxed.
It’s your mind that perpetuates your angst.
There’s nothing wrong with being frustrated etc., but keeping it alive is a choice you get to make. When you say, “I am angry,” you put the option of choice in concrete.
Just noticing that it’s your mind that’s angry, and not you, has you make a distinction that opens a door to relief.
Just think about your last rant. Who was ranting? Was it you or was it your mind? It’s always the thought machine that elongates your uneasiness.
We justify our condition when we say, “I am (fill in the blank).” We begin to rectify our situation when we know it’s our mind that’s keeping it alive.
Noticing and changing the semantics you use is a shortcut to peace of mind.
The mind left unchecked will run amok, and the even worse news is, it’s a long ride.
I’m not offering you a cure-all here, just a bit of semantics to interrupt your train of thought long enough so that you can get off at the next stop.
You’ll take shorter trips to nowhere when you notice and change the semantics you use. If you don’t, you’ll remain The Little Engine That Couldn’t.
All the best,
John
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