This suggested exercise is a continuation to the post I published last week about what others might think.
Think of something you care about – it might be a project you are interested in, your relationship, your family, traveling, a vacation, a life change or something you want to buy.
Now think of what ‘others’ would (or do) think about it. It doesn’t matter if what you believe about their opinion is true or not, it doesn’t matter if they have never told you so, but it’s only what you imagine they think. Just focus on what ‘they’ might think of it. It also doesn’t matter if ‘they’ are specific people or the feelings of a collective of people – society itself.
Then think once again about the topic itself – it can be something you want, something you have to decide upon, or a past event you were part of.
Go back and forth in your thoughts between the topic itself and what ‘others’ might think of it and while doing so; notice what the difference in your experience is. Ask yourself these questions:
- What is the change you feel in your breathing?
- What changed in the way your mind is focused?
- Has the clarity in your vision changed?
- How do you feel about your personal development goals?
- How does your connection to the ground feel?
- Did the clarity of your thoughts change?
Play with this exercise during the week with different topics. Remember not to focus so much on the thoughts themselves but rather on the differences in how you body experiences them.
