2 NO-FAIL Steps to turn down the drama

​Today will inevitably bring me some drama.
 
There's a stoplight on my way to town that seems to hold forever when I'm in a hurry.
"This always happens to me. Someone should fix that stupid light!"
Or "Dammit. I did it again! Will I ever learn to give myself enough time?" 
 
Lately I've noticed the stories I dream up,
either furious with the world or turning the knife on myself.
Crazy how the mind creates all this drama,
habitually choosing blame and anger to manage the yucky feelings inside. 

Here's what's helped.

Just noticing is the first step out of the craziness.
Letting go of whether I think it's good or bad.
Just noticing.
Hmmmm... Interesting.

Then a clearer head can actually choose what's next.
Maybe one deep, slow breath can work just as well as swearing to release all that tension that gets bottled up inside.

I need my mind to make a kinder choose --
maybe to instruct my shoulders to release.
Then I'm OK.

Mind and body working together. Noticing and choosing.
 
As with any spiritual practice the work
is to notice the thoughts and choose to come back to the present moment.
Again and again.
And what's more in the present moment than the body? 
Every moment. Here you are.

This moment is neutral.
It’s my thoughts that make it positive or negative, dramatic or not.
My choice. Yours, too.