What-If Neighborhood

       Have you heard about the fastest growing neighborhood in the United States and possibly the world? People are flocking to this neighborhood in droves.  People who have never had a desire to frequent this community are taking up residence here.  It is trending on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Cable New and Newspapers offer coverage 24/7.  

       What neighborhood is getting all this press?  Let me tell you about a place called What-If Neighborhood.

       You might be thinking, What-if Neighborhood? Where and more importantly what is that? Well, it isn’t so much a place as it is a thought pattern.  Albert Ellis, an American psychologist who in 1955 developed Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy spoke of this when he talked about “Awfulization.” You may have heard the term “Catastrophizing.”  We, as humans, have the ability to imagine the worst-case scenario.  We take what we know, and we use our great imaginations to think of all the things that can, might, and will go wrong.  Think about the last time you had a thought that started with, “What if….”  This is what Ellis is talking about.  And this is what I like to call What-If Neighborhood.

       Our brains are wired for negativity.  This has helped us to survive as a species.  If we are prepared for the worst thing that can happen then we can keep ourselves and those we love safe. So, when is this not helpful?  In our current situation.  There are far too many unknowns.  And we are bombarded with them on a daily basis.  It might be tempting to pack our bags and move into What-If Neighborhood, but that address comes at a high cost to our mental and emotional health.

       Author Ann Lamott says, “My mind is a dangerous neighborhood I try not to go into alone.”  This is especially good advice in the midst of a pandemic.  Here are three things you can to do to stay out of What-If Neighborhood.

1.  Practice some mindfulness, get an app on your phone or check out some of the resources online.  Mindfulness is paying attention to that which would otherwise go unnoticed.  You might spend some time in prayer listening for God’s direction.  You might journal or play with your puppy. Just be fully present in your life.  

2.  Recall to yourself what you do know now.  There are so many things we do not know, but what do you know right now. Now we have food for dinner, now our car has gas, now I can do my laundry, now I am not sick…..

3.  List at least 3 things you can be thankful today.  I can list my husband, my children, my kitties, my mother and in-laws are currently safe and healthy….

Do these three things daily and you can stay present through this ordeal and stay out of What-If Neighborhood.

       I am here for you if you need assistance.  And as always. “We will get thought this together.”