blur close up decor 1485657.smaller - Why You Should Never Listen to AM

 

In my adopted home state of New Mexico, the ongoing question is “red or green” referring to one's preference for chile. For today’s blog, my question is do you listen more to AM or FM. Before you answer I must tell you this has nothing to do with radio and that my hope is you will choose to only listen to FM, never AM.

A part of this being human business is that we all have numerous thoughts come into our minds each day. I’ve heard estimates that we entertain as many as 60,000 thoughts on any given day. I’ve often wondered how they come up with that number and who actually counts, but that’s a topic for another time.

I think you can agree with the premise and admit that you do experience numerous thoughts throughout your day. If you are anything like me, some of those thoughts are outrageous and so preposterous you find yourself wondering “where did that come from?” or “who’s in there anyway?”

At the risk of losing you as a subscriber, I have to tell you the most absurd, ridiculous thought that I have ever had. I was in Albuquerque for a day-long conference of motivational speakers. It was a wonderfully inspiring day. During a break in the action, I was doing what I love to do – people watch. I just sat in my seat and observed my fellow attendees. By the way, for something different when you’re out on your next date at a restaurant, select a couple at another table and share your best guess of what they are discussing. It’s just meant to be imaginative and fun and please don’t ever argue about who is right or wrong- unless of course, you’re willing to approach them and inquire.

Anyway, as I was sitting there taking in the sights and sounds about me, a police officer walked down the steps just to my left. As I glanced in that direction, my eyes focused on the gun that he wore at his waist. He took another two or three steps, and this thought entered my mind: “wow, I could have just grabbed his gun and started shooting people.”

Now, if you are still with me, please rest assured that I am not now, have never been, nor do I ever plan to be a homicidal maniac. The thought of grabbing an officer’s gun and randomly shooting people, I am happy to say, is about as foreign to me as eating a ham sandwich with the Pope and the Dalai Lama at the top of Mount Everest. But before you judge me too harshly, I’d love to hear what you consider to be your most outrageous, outlandish thought that you’re willing for others to know about.

Again, I have to ask, have you ever wondered where such thoughts come from? I have some answers for myself, but no scientific information that I can share. Suffice to say that of the supposed 60,000 thoughts you have each day many of them will be totally ludicrous, and far-too-many of them will be negative. You likely have thoughts that you are too much this, or not enough that or comparisons with others that leave you holding the short end of the stick.

And, that brings me to my point that you should only listen to FM, never Am. I challenge you, as I challenge myself, to pause every so often and analyze your thoughts to determine if they “For Me” or Against Me?” Please know that you do not have to participate in every conversation that starts in your mind. Another helpful technique I often use is to stop and ask myself “who are you talking to?” That question, along with my determination of if it’s a benefit to me or not will usually stop a negative thought in its proverbial tracks, and I then resume normal healthier thought processes.

I hope this post struck a nerve with you and that you will realize you are not psychotic, neurotic, or schizophrenic just because you have some crazy thoughts in your mind – at least no more so than the rest of us. Face it; we’re all a “few fries short of a happy meal” at times. But hopefully, you will find some peace and benefit from choosing to only listen to and participate in mindful conversations that are to your benefit and that you will take the others to the recycle bin of your mind and delete them as soon as you can.  

With that in mind, I close with best wishes for a wonderful, and prosperous 2019, and that all your relations with others be peaceful and successful.

To add your name to my weekly mailing list, please send me an e-mail at ron@PlayNiceInYourSandbox.com or visit www.PlayNiceInYourSandbox.com.