Getting "Unstuck"

What can we do when we feel "stuck"?  When our minds continue circling in the same old thought loops that bring us right back to the thoughts and questions that we started with.  When we hear ourselves saying or asking the same things over and over.  When our thoughts are intrusive and rob us of happiness and joy in our lives.

The answer is, many things.  We have many options, we just may not be able to see them in that particular moment.  Ask yourself, what is it that I like?  What is it that you are interested in?  Would you like to learn a new skill, grow personally or professionally, pick up a new hobby?  Do you have time to volunteer to help others?  Do you need to join a new group of like minded individuals who "speak your unique language?"

The answer lies in being willing to change your focus, to take the magnifying glass off of the object you've been studying and obsessing over, and redirect it in another direction.  Hold it over something else, like a rose for instance.  Remember that saying, "take time to smell the roses?"  There is actually truth in that saying and I'd like to suggest we add a couple more words to that sentence and have it read, "take time to smell, study and savor the roses."  I'm talking about living in the moment.  Seeing the smaller picture within the big picture.  Celebrating the small.  Stopping and really examining as close as possible our surroundings.  Really taking each and every moment in and making the most out of it.

Changing your perspective does not take away your problems, you're right, but most of the time neither does worrying obsessively about them.   I'm not suggesting we all pretend our problems don't exist and all we need to do is sniff roses, if that were the case, nothing would ever get done or taken care of.  I am suggesting we take a step back from the problem or issue that may be on the edge of consuming us and instead allowing that energy to go forth into some other avenue, which may prove to save us.  It's good and healthy to evaluate what things in life we can change and what things we need to leave alone, or come back to later.  Not all things can be "fixed" in five minutes or less, as our current world attempts.  

So, the next time you find yourself thinking a thought for the 100th time, make a real and conscious effort to redirect your thoughts into a direction and onto a topic that gives you some excitement or peace of mind, even if it only lasts a little while.  You may need to do this over and over on a really bad day, but it works.  This is an effective technique for folks who are depressed and anxious over an ongoing issue in their lives.