Getting Unstuck Through Gratitude

Morning coffee and mindset.

Image by Engin Akyurt from Pixabay

I began this day with some tension. There was a lot on my mind: things I am working towards, that which still needs to be done and those pesky ideas that like to pop in and out of my thoughts like squirrels hopping between the branches above me.

On my morning walk with the dog, I realized that I was letting impatience get the better of me. For those it is accessible to, movement—especially done outdoors—is probably one of the quickest methods for shifting stuck thoughts. This is one of those things that doesn't really need science to back it up I think. Most everyone attests that taking a walk "clears the mind."

For my overactive brain, movement is like changing gears. Shifting out of idle requires some different components to kick in, I guess. And while the stuck thoughts don't go away, I can't hyper-focus on them simply because the neural resources are redirected.

Over the years, I've learned to recognize and look for that momentary mental pause. It al…