There's a simple question that has changed how I move through life.
I don't always remember it in the moment but when I do it can shift everything.
And that question is do I want to be right or do I want to be happy?
And over the years I sometimes change this to do I want to be at peace?
And the reason that this question has helped me so much is because so often in life we hold on so tightly to our own perspective.
We want to be understood,
We want to be heard,
We want to prove our point or we want to just feel in control or validated.
And there's nothing wrong with that,
It's very human.
But sometimes this holding on creates tension in our bodies and in our relationships and in our own mind.
And we're not talking about giving in,
Making somebody else right or losing your voice.
It's about noticing when this holding on tightly to our ideas might be costing you your peace.
So today we're not trying to get rid of all our opinions or override how you feel but we're choosing something different.
We're creating a little space,
A little space to let go of the need to be right.
To loosen a little bit of that control and to come back to a calmer,
More peaceful place within you.
To bring your attention back to your breath and taking another long,
Slow,
Deep breath in and on every exhale,
Letting go.
As you breathe,
Allow your shoulders to drop.
Make sure your jaw is not clenched or tense.
And consciously allow your face to relax.
Finding an easy,
Steady rhythm of breath.
Every exhale,
Releasing more tension.
Letting go of tension,
Of any effort,
Of any holding.
Coming more into this space.
This moment.
And from this quieter space,
Bring to mind a recent moment where you felt the need to be right.
Conversation.
A situation.
It might even have been the news or media that made you very opinionated.
With this moment in mind,
Just notice it without judging it.
But just notice what happens in your body now as you recall it.
As you remember that need to be right.
Do you notice any tension?
Any contraction?
Any particular emotion that comes up?
And now ask yourself,
In this moment,
What matters more to me?
Being right or feeling at peace?
And maybe initially you still feel the need to be right.
But just sit with the answer.
And maybe now,
Ask the question one more time.
What matters more?
Being right or feeling at peace?
And maybe straight away you felt that peace was more important.
It will depend on the strength of the opinion.
And if you're still holding on tightly to the need to be right,
Just see if there's an opportunity,
Even a very small one,
To loosen that grip.
To loosen the need to hold on so tightly.
Bringing your attention back to the breath.
As you breathe,
Imagine creating a breath.
Creating a little more space in your body.
Space in your chest.
In your mind.
And even space around that situation.
Allow a sense of calm to move through you.
You can hold your perspective.
And still choose a calmer way of being.
You can let go of that tension.
You can let go of the tightness,
The holding.
And just choose peace.
Letting that feeling settle into your body.
Anchoring it into your breath.
And just resting here for a moment.
This perfect,
Peaceful moment.
And when you're ready,
Bringing your awareness back.
Noticing your body in the chair,
Your feet on the ground.
And remembering that this peace is always available to you.
This calm peace is inside you.
Taking a lovely,
Big,
Long,
Slow breath in.
And exhaling through your mouth.
And one more time,
Inhaling long and slow.
And a long exhale.
Bringing yourself back into your space.
Ready for your day.
With this peaceful moment.
This calm,
Peaceful feeling to carry you right through the day.
Thank you for joining me.
And have a beautiful inner day.
