I’ve mentioned before that the guy who’s often called the father of modern psychology, William James, is quoted as saying:
“There is nothing so fatiguing as the eternal nagging of an uncompleted task.”
But WE know it’s really about the eternal nagging of an “un-inquired thought.”
By that I mean a thought that keeps knocking…and knocking… and knocking on the door of our awareness….
…politely trying to get our attention at first.
Maybe just having a little sour feeling about some upcoming tasks.
Then you remember that incident with your mother, quite a long time ago, and you feel disturbed.
Then you have a startling moment with your teenager and the thought, you realize, is more present.
Cranking it from a gentle knock and a whisper…to a thump and a loud cough…to a louder, “HEY!,”….
And then you experience a shattering betrayal, a frightening accident, a dreadful loss.
The eternal nagging has become a scream, and it’ll kick the door down if we continue to ignore it.
It’s like the Ever Ready Bunny that keeps going…and going…and going…
Of course, I think a wonderful and safe place to “open the door,” acknowledge the knocking, and inquire into the thought and the pain, is to sit yourself down and do The Work.
You can do this in Summer Camp this summer, or a teleclass (Eating Peace will begin in a month, stay tuned), or in a Year of Inquiry if you’re serious about the practice of investigating thoughts, starting in September.
Begin by writing down what nags at you, what disturbs you. Visit your worries, invite them in.
Before they turn into really rowdy, difficult guests.
But even if they are difficult, you can do it.
Be better than well.
Much love, Grace