“Are You Going in Circles? Take the Exit.” by Joan Y. Edwards
They say that what goes on in your mind, your beliefs show up as a reflection in the world. Perhaps like mine, your mind sometimes has you going in circles. My friend, LInda Gutheil said, “I’ve noticed they are now adding more traffic circles to help us go in more circles. Aha…that’s not the end. Another friend, Sharon Benfield told me that even the ducks in the waterway behind her house were swimming in circles. On a busy day, you might say, “I’m going in circles trying to get everything done.”
Ecclesiastes 1:6 – Talks about the wind going in circles, illustrating natural cycles.
Symbolsage.com says that the circle represents limitless things, among them eternity, unity, monotheism, infinity, and wholeness.
In traffic circles, they have exits. That’s what you need in your mind. Something different to exit the circle. Drive the car in your mind to a new focus. As Siri might tell you, “Take the exit.”
If you are trying to make a decision, take a break. Take the exit.
If you are worried, take the next exit, put God in the car with you and drive on. If you are afraid, take the exit, pick up courage, determination, and belief in yourself. Take them with you in your car and drive on.
Put your attention on something else. Change topics in your mind. What is your favorite food that is a circle: pancakes, waffles, pizza?
What is your favorite sport with a circular ball? Basketball, baseball, lacrosse? Who are the people in your circle of friends? Your family circle?
Name 3 things you are thankful for.
Take out the trash. Wash the dishes. Watch a new tv show. Go to a different restaurant. Walk in a different park. Sing a different song.
Do something that makes you smile on the inside. It will help you change your focus to goodness and mercy and acceptance of yourself.
Don’t worry about yesterday. God says don’t worry about tomorrow. It will take care of itself. Do what is right for you at the present time. You will know it. God will help you take the exit for you.
While you are doing these things to give you joy, you will have the “aha’ moment that stops the circles and leads you to the path, the exit to your choice for the moment,, for the present time.
Please share what topics get you going in circles or your favorite foods? I would really like to hear from you.
6 thoughts on ““Are You Going in Circles? Take the Exit.””
Joan, you were sweet to give me credit, although you didn’t have to. I just thought of another example used on old westerns. Cowboys sometimes say, “Let’s circle back,” when they turn around. As for foods that are circle shaped, I thought of bagels and sausage patties. I hope you have a good day. Thanks for giving us all a good chuckle. Remembering we can exit is always a good thing – just like when we enter or exit using a revolving door.
Dear Linda,
Thank you for writing. You are welcome for my giving you credit for helping us to laugh at our humanity.The fact that we sometimes go in circles. You helped me to laugh about it. I thought perhaps sharing your point of view would help others laugh about it, too. It is amazing that when we can laugh about things it helps us to accept ourselves as we are. Accepting ourselves as we are leads us to make changes that might make living easier. Circling back from Westerns is indeed another good example of circles in life. Enjoy being you.
Never Give Up
Joan
Joan, my mind goes in so many directions. Sometimes in church I can’t even concentrate. I really need an exit sometimes and this really helped me reading it. I will try to think of my favorite food or something that I can take my mind off of it sometimes I think it’s Satan Doing it. Thank you for this. It really helps.
Dear Emma,
I appreciate you writing and letting me know that you sometimes go in circles, too. You could be right it could be Satan. Or it could be that there are so many things in the world to focus on, that it’s hard to pinpoint a way to stop the constant thinking. Being kind to yourself by changing your focus to your favorite foods is a loving thing to do. I hope it works for you.
Also, you can put your hand over your heart and take a deep breath or rub your arms gently when changing the focus of your mind.
Thanks for telling me you think this ideas helped you. I pray that God gives you more ideas and confidence in you.
Never Give Up
Joan
“Take the exit.” Great advice!
Dear Carol,
Thank you very much for writing. I’m glad you think that taking the exit when our minds keep going in circles is a great idea.
May you always find the exit you need to help you believe in yourself with unwavering faith?
Joan, you were sweet to give me credit, although you didn’t have to. I just thought of another example used on old westerns. Cowboys sometimes say, “Let’s circle back,” when they turn around. As for foods that are circle shaped, I thought of bagels and sausage patties. I hope you have a good day. Thanks for giving us all a good chuckle. Remembering we can exit is always a good thing – just like when we enter or exit using a revolving door.
Dear Linda,
Thank you for writing. You are welcome for my giving you credit for helping us to laugh at our humanity.The fact that we sometimes go in circles. You helped me to laugh about it. I thought perhaps sharing your point of view would help others laugh about it, too. It is amazing that when we can laugh about things it helps us to accept ourselves as we are. Accepting ourselves as we are leads us to make changes that might make living easier. Circling back from Westerns is indeed another good example of circles in life. Enjoy being you.
Never Give Up
Joan
Joan, my mind goes in so many directions. Sometimes in church I can’t even concentrate. I really need an exit sometimes and this really helped me reading it. I will try to think of my favorite food or something that I can take my mind off of it sometimes I think it’s Satan Doing it. Thank you for this. It really helps.
Dear Emma,
I appreciate you writing and letting me know that you sometimes go in circles, too. You could be right it could be Satan. Or it could be that there are so many things in the world to focus on, that it’s hard to pinpoint a way to stop the constant thinking. Being kind to yourself by changing your focus to your favorite foods is a loving thing to do. I hope it works for you.
Also, you can put your hand over your heart and take a deep breath or rub your arms gently when changing the focus of your mind.
Thanks for telling me you think this ideas helped you. I pray that God gives you more ideas and confidence in you.
Never Give Up
Joan
“Take the exit.” Great advice!
Dear Carol,
Thank you very much for writing. I’m glad you think that taking the exit when our minds keep going in circles is a great idea.
May you always find the exit you need to help you believe in yourself with unwavering faith?
Never Give Up
Joan