Lost and Found
I misplaced a small notebook that I carry around with me because that is where I keep all of my to do lists. So you can imagine how "lost" I was without it. And since I carry it around with me all the time, it couldn't have gotten far right? So initially I just told myself that it would show up. I looked in all the usual spots, including where it is usually kept--the front pocket of my purse--and no such luck.
A couple of days went by and I elicited assistance from my partner who was actually eager to help. He checked the cars and everywhere else that I'd already searched. He was trying to be helpful and yet I found that to be irritating... anxiety was building and I needed to do something different... should I just get a new notebook? Yeah, I could do that BUT I had just composed a draft summarizing key anger management principles and I really liked how it was coming together so I really wanted THAT particular notebook back.
Late in the evening on the third day, I decided to conduct one last search that started to climax into a frenzy when my partner suggested that we watch a movie. "HOW COULD I FOCUS ON A MOVIE IN THIS STATE?", I thought. If I could only find it all would be right with the world...
So instead I decided to intentionally switch my focus to the movie... distraction... a relatively healthy distraction... I didn't work myself up into aggression or go for a mood altering substance, I just sat down and watched a movie. Alright it wasn't exactly that easy as any of you who have been in an anxious state can relate... I had to actually make myself stay seated and take some deep breaths and try to focus on the building of the storyline.
After the movie was over, I was in such a better state... and then it hit me. I could see a pile of papers that I had set by a printer in my home office... the pile of papers that contained travel and accommodation confirmations for an upcoming trip... I calmly got up and went directly to the pile and flipped through it and, WHA LAH!!!, there it was...
When I was calm, my brain could work better... funny how that is huh?
Oh and, yes, all is right with the world.
My Best,
Jodi