Life is a car. For some it is more like a 16 passenger van, a school bus, or double decker. Our vehicle carries Passengers. You are the driver. All of the: negative thought patterns, cognitive distortions, internal dialogue, judgement of self, emotions, feelings, trauma, etc, associated with your historic or recent past are Passengers who occasionally speak up, and potentially take you off course or out of the driver’s seat. People can also be Passengers. Some of these human passengers will more than likely be along for the ride (familial obligations, employment relations with financial obligations, etc), others can be kicked to the curb (pretty much any other relationship).
Step one is to acknowledge the passengers and “notate” thus allowing you to continue with what you intend for yourself in the present, and therefore remaining in the driver's seat. Step two is planful processing in the future. Without step two, one or more of the passengers will take the wheel, often during inopportune times. Without step two we miss opportunities for growth.
It is of the utmost importance not to become embattled with the passengers. Pay respect to the passengers, acknowledge them through notation, and continue on. Equally as important is to refrain from ignoring passengers. Consider in this metaphor, the outcome of ignoring the screaming child in the car; there will be some sort of negative consequence.
One’s growth of improved recognition of the presence of Passengers presents opportunities for increased knowledge of self, self awareness, and the use of tools and New Mental Muscle. Life is not Green-Light-Go, acknowledge the Passengers in your Vehicle of Life, learn from the occasional opportunity to yield at a Yellow Light, and recognize when you are frozen at a Stop Light.
Get to know your Passengers in your Vehicle of Life, get to know Yourself.
-Chris