Background Noise
The way the colors seem to move and harmonize in the background remind me of a symphony.
I’ve been gobbling up quotes lately. The kind that sum things up perfectly in one sentence. Usually about a concept that I’ve known for some time, but would need hours to explain. Like this one:
“The greatest gift you can give yourself is a little bit of your own attention.” ~ Anthony J. D’Angelo
I bumbled through the first half of my life completely unaware of what was going on in the background of my mind. You know, the part of you that is thinking, humming, singing, feeling all.the.time. No matter WHAT you are doing, saying or otherwise outwardly showing.
Our family regularly asks each other “what song is playing in your head?”. It’s been enormously entertaining at times to realize that we’ve been replaying that awful, whiny song we heard at the gas station over the loud speakers. Over and over, an endless loop of misery. Really?!?! How much of that stuff goes on in our minds without us even realizing it? Guess what – I realized it was a LOT once I made the effort to pay attention.
When I notice I’m down or discontent for no apparent reason, I turn my attention to the background. What’s looping in my head today? Of course there are times in life when circumstances can genuinely suck, I’m not at all discounting that! But how many times have you found yourself in a rut of bitching and complaining when you really don’t have a solid gripe to stand on?
A rough illustration, I know, but the bird with a gray “blah” background gives off a more somber mood. The mood of the yellow background bird is a bit cheerier.
I’ve been in that place more than I care to admit. Just as the background in a painting can set the mood, the background in our mind can set the mood of our day. Listen, what song is playing in your head?
I listen to Christian Music and I very often hear the words of praise to the LORD! I appreciate your comments and understand how that can get in our way of being happy. Thanks for the words, Love to you D
Oh yes, the literal music we hear definitely affects our state of mind! Perhaps I didn’t explain myself very well, but what I was trying to bring attention to is the music, thoughts, words, etc. that play in the background of our *mind* all the time. If you don’t deliberately pay attention to it, it can be surprising what is “playing” there lol!