By Stephanie DeFazio
So many times in our lives, we are left in situations that are completely out of our control. We want the control so badly and that's part of the struggle. How do we even begin to manage the situation if we've lost that control? The truth is, it all comes down to our thoughts and how we perceive our difficult situations.
What's the first thing that comes to mind when you're dealing with those out-of-control moments? For me, the easiest path is to spiral down into negativity. I start thinking, what am I going to do? How am I going to get myself out of this mess? The truth is, it's not always our job to figure it all out. Sometimes, we just need to keep our mind positive and have faith that things will work themselves out.
I consider myself to be very symbolic and always finding ways to connect music, imagery and other creative elements to things that are happening in my life. Music especially has been my go-to when things seem to spiral out of control. I have found that I have a lot of trigger lyrics or melodies that will pop in my head during challenging situations that help me bounce back.
For nearly 28 years of my life, one special song from Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella has become my mantra: Impossible with it's reprise It's Possible. I call this my "high vibration" song with the booming and pulsating orchestration that leads to a riveting exclamation that "Impossible things are happening everyday!" When I listen to or belt out this song, I have this surge of hope and excitement that flows through me like electricity! It instantly takes me from down-in-the-dumps to soaring with positivity. Check out Whitney and Brandy's incredible rendition from the 1997 version here. Goosebumps are bound to follow!
We need mantras to bring us back to the present moment and help us to not lose sight of the amazing things that are coming, the things that seem impossible. We may not have control of a situation but we have control of our thoughts about the situation. I love my mantra so much that, yes, I still listen to this song from Cinderella on a weekly basis, and a few years ago, I even asked my sister, a talented artist, to create this sign for me as a constant, daily reminder to not lose hope because the impossible IS possible!
What is your mantra when life gets tough? If you don't have one yet, I encourage you to find one, dig deeper about what you've noticed as your "go-to" phrase when you've lost all control. Is it a poem, a song lyric, an inspiring quote? If you feel you need more than a daily reminder of your mantra, write it down and post it where you would see it the most: on your mirror, in your car, at the office...wherever it will serve you best.
Creative Spirit has had an amazing lineup of inspirational and fun summer workshops and there is more excitement to come for the rest of 2019. Keep checking in and register for the experience that speaks to you the most. And remember, IT'S POSSIBLE!
