Jenny Taitz, Psy.D.

You know the alarm that sounds in your car when you're reversing and in close proximity to backing into a car? 

It feels challenging to artfully articulate my experience over the past few weeks. Metaphorically,  increased mindfulness practice feels like accessing that intelligent car alarm that's precise in warning about potential collisions.

In the driver's seat, gaining perspective feels challenging. Yet this device supports us, though it can sound unpleasant to hear, when our senses fail.

In a similar vein, more often than I can recount, I notice pulls toward potential crashes (and to be honest, I crash a lot too).  Last week, I sat in a middle seat on a crowded flight and my neighbor was coughing a lot. I noticed myself creating stories, "I will get sick... It's not fair...This always happens!" After a couple minutes, I noticed my mind and slowed down and relaxed my countenance and greeted my neighbor. If I were to get sick, would it be helpful to worry about it or blame someone? It's been a number of days and I am flu-free! The desire to analyze is so tempting and so cacophonous.

Sitting can feel like a chore but the practice gives me a nice personal alarm when thoughts creep up behind me.