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Dismay

Occasionally, things happen unexpectedly, and at first, they appear to threaten our security and maybe our well-being.

Then we realize that everything is fine after all. It’s helpful to think about and reflect on how much our reaction is a function of belief and expectation.

Maybe you can identify recurring patterns and, by recognizing them, reduce their ability to shape immediate reactions.

That can give you more time to observe and see what is happening.

When we are dismayed by events and then discover all is well, we can be flooded with relief and sometimes a burst of enthusiasm, leading to less-than-optimal actions.

Identifying and releasing negative beliefs and expectations helps reduce dismay and any subsequent overcompensation when we discover that all is well.