3 simple steps to stop whining in its tracks  

By Lori Hammond

Coach and Professional Hypnotist. Giving you simple tools to stop overwhelm and harness joyful forward momentum.

I’m sitting at my favourite coffee shop while I write this email. 

 

The coffee shop has a large venue in the back where they're setting up for a wedding reception.

 

I would take a pic and show it to you...

 

...but there's a table full of college students between me and the venue and they would think I'm a weirdo if I took a picture right now. 😂

 

It's a gorgeous fall day. 

 

Not too hot...

 

Not too cold...

 

The trees are putting on an art show for me. 

 

A splash of gold here...

 

A shock of red there...

 

With subtle strokes of violet to make it all pop.

 

Here's the soundtrack I've added to this beautiful display...

 

"Oh man... winter is gonna be here any day...

 

I freakin HATE the cold...

 

Months without sun...

 

I ALWAYS get depressed in the winter." 😥

 

(Time out: The bride just walked in. She's so sparkly and pretty! I'll try to get a picture for you before I leave.)

 

She walked by right after I said that! 

 

I think she knew I wanted you to see her!

Ok, where was I?

 

Oh yeah, I was whining about winter...

 

Even though it's a gorgeous, beautiful, invigorating fall day...

 

RIGHT NOW!

 

How do I stop whining?

Since this is the 27th time I've caught myself whining since summer started disappearing, I'm already getting (kind of) good at this next part...

 

It goes like this...

 

"Lori, LOOK!

 

Look at that beautiful tree...

 

And that one!

 

And THAT one!

 

Lori, FEEL!

 

Close your eyes and feel the crisp, yet warmish air on your skin!

 

SMELL the aroma of fall...

 

RIGHT.

 

NOW.

 

Bask in THIS moment.

 

There is ONLY now"

 

Then I say,

 

"You're right Lori's Highest Self. I would hate to miss fall because I'm living in winter while it's gorgeous outside."

 

Then the strangest thing happens...

You know that feeling you get when someone plays with your hair?

It's a tingly sort of floating feeling...

 

As if everything... I mean EVERYTHING... else has disappeared...

 

And nothing exists or matters except this moment.

 

(At least that's how I feel when someone plays with my hair. It's probably why I used to be a hairstylist.)

 

THAT is how it feels to bask in the beauty of fall for 5 seconds.

 

Even if I go back to whining 5 seconds later.

 

Which is ok because it gives Lori's Highest Self another chance to remind me...

 

"Psst. Hey Lori...

 

Be. Here. Now."

 

If I always remembered I'd probably get bored of that enlightened, tingly, floating feeling of being fully present in this moment.

 

How boring would that be?

So your mission... should you choose to accept it...

Is to try out The 3x3 Experiment next time you notice yourself making you miserable with your thoughts.

 

(No judgement. I do it all the time too.)

 

The 3x3 Experiment

Notice 3 things you see... RIGHT NOW.

 

Notice 3 things you hear... RIGHT NOW

 

Notice 3 pleasant things you feel... RIGHT NOW.

 

Then bask in the floaty, tingly, artistry of THIS moment...

 

...even if it feels like everything is falling apart around you.

 

I know what that's like too.

 

I really do and I get it.

 

I'm cheering for you.

 

Love,

Lori