A very interesting piece. I have Parkinson's and it causes insomnia. I find listening to sounds on my cell phone, like rain, or wind sometimes helps me. Perhaps it would help you too.
Malick - This post is both refreshingly honest and deeply relatable. That image of “pigeons fighting over bread” nails the racing mind perfectly and I appreciate how you balance humor with practical wisdom.
Your reflections on breathwork, bedtime rituals and the illusion of “placebo resting” are spot on. It’s not about silencing the mind but learning how to meet it with our caring presence. Thanks for sharing your practice-in-progress so openly as it makes me feel a little less alone.
Thank you so much Dr. Bronce - it was an eye-opening reflection because it can so easily become a part of our livelihoods to then just accept it as being a part of us. I try my best to use imagery to represent an experience as it is a journey of understanding after all and I've found that by momentarily stepping out of my shoes, I can obtain better clarity.
One of those reflection points was not wanting to silence the mind which I think is a pertinent point because it is natural to drift, recalibrate, and start again. I'm glad my words resonated! 🙌🏾
Sounds to me that you are not totally clear on what your ‘real’ goals are for your life and your future. For me, I have found (and it is what I teach other) is that it is not until you sit down with yourself and list the ‘values’ that are important to you, that clarity happens and the racing mind slows down. If you start with goals and actions and strategies and routines before first doing the ‘my values’ exercise, you have left out the foundation of the house and it has nothing to stand on. Just my 2 pennies worth sent with love
Appreciate your comment Heléna, for me personally I am quite open to different paths as there are many opportunities that I am interested in. I find that the racing mind is more as a result of ambition based on the values and opportunities available to me in the present moment, as opposed to scrambling for direction, which more so links to the practice of ordering these thoughts into something meaningful.
I agree with your point on goals as that can eliminate a lot of possibilities, but in the exploratory phase I find myself in, it's excitement and anticipation that I think drives my racing mind.
Totally get that, Malick. Possibilities and opportunities, motivated by curiosity, are everywhere and fuel our learning. However, Values are the parameters that can keep us from running blindly in all directions, chasing things that in the end hold no meaning for us.
I agree, values are guiderails for our choices. Taking the action and having the thought is different though. There can be a multitude of thoughts, but our values with siphon down what actions we should take.
The racing mind occurs right at the start of that process where thoughts are yet to be unfiltered.
A very interesting piece. I have Parkinson's and it causes insomnia. I find listening to sounds on my cell phone, like rain, or wind sometimes helps me. Perhaps it would help you too.
Thank you William! I will check those out
Your’e welcome.
Thoughtfully expressed, Malick. A true breath of calm in a noisy world.
Thank you Shartaya!
You’re very welcome!
Malick - This post is both refreshingly honest and deeply relatable. That image of “pigeons fighting over bread” nails the racing mind perfectly and I appreciate how you balance humor with practical wisdom.
Your reflections on breathwork, bedtime rituals and the illusion of “placebo resting” are spot on. It’s not about silencing the mind but learning how to meet it with our caring presence. Thanks for sharing your practice-in-progress so openly as it makes me feel a little less alone.
Thank you so much Dr. Bronce - it was an eye-opening reflection because it can so easily become a part of our livelihoods to then just accept it as being a part of us. I try my best to use imagery to represent an experience as it is a journey of understanding after all and I've found that by momentarily stepping out of my shoes, I can obtain better clarity.
One of those reflection points was not wanting to silence the mind which I think is a pertinent point because it is natural to drift, recalibrate, and start again. I'm glad my words resonated! 🙌🏾
Sounds to me that you are not totally clear on what your ‘real’ goals are for your life and your future. For me, I have found (and it is what I teach other) is that it is not until you sit down with yourself and list the ‘values’ that are important to you, that clarity happens and the racing mind slows down. If you start with goals and actions and strategies and routines before first doing the ‘my values’ exercise, you have left out the foundation of the house and it has nothing to stand on. Just my 2 pennies worth sent with love
Appreciate your comment Heléna, for me personally I am quite open to different paths as there are many opportunities that I am interested in. I find that the racing mind is more as a result of ambition based on the values and opportunities available to me in the present moment, as opposed to scrambling for direction, which more so links to the practice of ordering these thoughts into something meaningful.
I agree with your point on goals as that can eliminate a lot of possibilities, but in the exploratory phase I find myself in, it's excitement and anticipation that I think drives my racing mind.
Totally get that, Malick. Possibilities and opportunities, motivated by curiosity, are everywhere and fuel our learning. However, Values are the parameters that can keep us from running blindly in all directions, chasing things that in the end hold no meaning for us.
I agree, values are guiderails for our choices. Taking the action and having the thought is different though. There can be a multitude of thoughts, but our values with siphon down what actions we should take.
The racing mind occurs right at the start of that process where thoughts are yet to be unfiltered.
So many helpful tips!! Will be trying them. 🥰
Thank you Urmilla! 🖤
A great post! Thank you 🙏
Thank you Elle!
Oh, this was a good one.
Nice newsletter you have here Malick!
Thank you for reading!
"This technique was introduced to me as the ‘Breath of Fire’ and I’ve found it to calm both the mind and body."
Breath of fire makes it sound so cool! I'm adopting that terminology! Breathing--so simple yet so hard!!! Thanks for the article.
Thank you Dr Christine! I agree, it's a great name
Great post Malick! I believe dealing with a racing mind positively helps me be on top of things.
Thank you! I agree, managing when to let your mind loose is an important skill when trying to stay present.
In this world it is so important to know how to have a calm mind.
Most definitely. It's so easy to get caught up in a whirlwind so it's important to know when to slow down.