Just Put It on the Back Burner!

When I come across a powerful tool for managing emotions, thoughts or energy, I just have to share it. So here's your latest tip, courtesy of my friend Adam.

Scenario: you have a situation that is really troubling to you, but there's nothing you can do about it. Maybe you're stewing in it, making yourself more and more upset about it. Maybe you're even lashing out at others with that anger, or spending endless hours talking about the situation.

Solution: Put it on the Back Burner!

Those of us who cook, and I use that term loosely so that I might be included, are familiar with the standard stove, which has 4 burners, 2 in front and 2 in back. When you're actively managing a project, you keep it in front for easy access and usefulness. If a project is less active, not requiring your constant attention, you put it on the back burner.

The same holds for our focus. If there's nothing you can do to change a situation, rather than keeping it in the active space of your mind or heart, to be worked over and looked at again and again, put it in that non-active space where it's been attended to and can simmer peacefully without your careful watch. Heck, turn the burner off altogether!

Some of us can intuitively do this once we have the context. Others will be able to more fully create this experience by picturing a stove and actively moving the issue in question from its position at the front of the stove to the back of the stove.

As you move your issue to the back burner, intend to work with in no longer until new information or circumstances arise that need your attention. Intend to clear the space in your active mind, in your front burner, for issues that need your active awareness.

Have you used a back burner? I'd love to hear your experiences in the comments!

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