I was getting fuel and per usual, the pump still had the reading from the previous transaction. I inserted the handle in the fuel tank and flipped the lever to activate the pump. In doing so and with zero surprise the readout on the pump reset everything to zero. This is nothing mind-blowing as we’ve all seen this action/reaction take place as it’s habitual when driving vehicles. At that moment, I realized that I had never considered the reasoning for the resetting, only that if it didn’t, the previous usage would carry over, and why would I want to pay for the last transaction?
Watching the readout flash to zero is an indication of a new beginning ( BAM ). It hit me. Life is nothing but new beginnings. Only I’ve struggled to reset after each encounter and rolled things over unjustly.
The RAS, or reticular activating system, is the part of the brain that steers what you focus on based on the beliefs you’ve created throughout your life, mostly subconsciously. It also learns what is important to you and will filter out the rest of the busy world. Have you ever noticed that when you purchase a new car suddenly you see them everywhere when before you didn’t notice them? You thought you were unique, but alas that’s RAS at work. You told yourself that your car is important to you so your brain then looks for that car. Another example is being somewhere unfamiliar and closing your eyes, telling yourself to find everything there that is red, and opening your eyes. Your brain will then search for red and focus on everything red. It may even find things that are maroon just to give you the feeling of being right because it’s important to you.
Where your focus goes, energy flows, and where it flows is completely within our control. While it may not seem that way because we don’t always steer our thoughts and emotions consciously, if we actively change our focus to positive and nurturing thoughts we can rewire our RAS to filter out the negativity.
I believe it is crucial to our well-being that we learn to reset our minds and not carry burdens, worry, and doubt into new encounters or new days. When we have a negative experience, a fight with a friend, or a disagreement in a relationship, we must, for our peace of mind, leave it where it is. See it for what it is, but don’t let yourself make it worse than it is. Reflect and make the necessary changes then reset your mind to zero. Don’t pay for the past while you’re preparing for the future.
The Wandering-Mind 