Expect Both Outcomes
I’ve only had one mishap with my luggage and it arrived a day after it was supposed to. A courteous middle-aged man delivered our misplaced suitcases, so it really wasn’t a big deal. However, I’ve heard some real horror stories about lost or stolen luggage, so traveling from San Antonio to Rome felt like a big risk when it came to our luggage arriving on time, if at all. I was worried because we had three plane changes, which meant there were three chances of losing our luggage.
When we arrived in Rome I was exhausted and stressed out from traveling for 24 hours straight with almost no sleep. I stood by the baggage belt and waited. I figured we had two options: either our luggage would come out, or it wouldn’t. I weighed all the possible outcomes and couldn’t figure out which was most likely to occur. I was stuck in a circle of thoughts that only made me worry more. My choices were positive or negative and I couldn’t let go of either. So I decided to choose the option of expecting both to happen. At first I dismissed this idea, but as I waited I figured I was allowed to think whatever I wanted, and I wanted to believe that both outcomes could occur.
Expecting my luggage to arrive safely as well as not arrive was a positive step towards developing the ability to release my stress. By anticipating both events to happen I removed the worry from my thoughts. By eliminating the worry I was able to relax and watch the people around me. One guy had a really cool mustache that was all thick and curly like Luigi from the Mario Brothers game.
I chose to expect both possibilities because it helped me stay balanced when I was in a mentally frazzled state.
By expecting both outcomes you allow your mind to relax and be okay with whatever happens.
