Feeling stressed out?

Post Date: August 8th, 2011

Consider switching to being curious. 

I don’t know about you, but when congress was bickering and not coming to a timely resolution about the US budget, and in ensuing weeks of uncertainty that followed, I was feeling pretty stressed out.  Part of the stress was feeling out of control, part was not knowing how to best position personal finances, and then there was being annoyed by the whole stalemate. 

It didn’t take long to realize that this reaction wasn’t helpful.  After making financial decisions and doing all I could do where I did have control, I decided to come from a place of curiosity instead of distress.  I began to look on as an observer of a sociological experiment.  How would congress behave? What would their timing be for reaching a decision?  What would be the fallout?  While I can’t say that I’m pleased with how things have panned out so far to date, I can say that making this shift to being a curious observer did help my overall well being. 

Did you know that when we’re curious, we can’t also be annoyed, fearful, anxious, etc. in that same moment?  It’s like trying to laugh and be angry at the same time.  They emotions are incongruent.  When we’re curious, we’re open.  When we’re fearful we’re closed. 

Try it out for yourself.  And please share with me your experience…  I’m curious.