A 10-Second Shift That Saves You Hours of Stress Later
- Carolyn Frost
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
Some relationships are just trickier than others.
Not necessarily because anyone is doing something wrong, but because history, patterns, and expectations get tangled.
And without meaning to, we step into certain moments already tense, already guarded, already expecting the old dynamic to repeat itself.
You know the ones:
The holiday dinner with the relative who pushes every button
The presentation to the boss who critiques everything
Drinks with the old friend who talks at you, not to you
Another tense moment with your teenager who's pulling away
The neighborhood gathering where you somehow feel invisible
These small interactions shape our days more than we realize.
And a simple 10 second shift can change the tone - and help us stay steady and connected - before the moment even begins.
✨ I N S P I R E
"See the light in others and treat them as if that's all you see."- Wayne Dyer
✨ T H R I V E
Beloved spiritual teacher, Tara Brach, calls this "Trusting the Gold"
It's the practice of intentionally seeking out the light and goodness in others (and yourself).
Here's how you can use it to transform any interaction:
🧭 Set Your Inner Compass
↳ Before walking through the door, take a single breath and remind yourself:
↳ There's gold in everyone
↳ You get to choose what you seek out
👀 Look for the Gold In:
↳ Someone's face when they talk about what they love
↳ How carefully they listen when something matters
↳ Small gestures of care you might otherwise miss
↳ Their humanity beneath the difficult behavior
⚖️ Balance The Experience
↳ Notice good while keeping boundaries clear
↳ Find connection without losing yourself
↳ Stay present while protecting your peace
Trusting the gold isn't about ignoring reality or accepting poor treatment.
It's about choosing to notice the light that's already there✨
What unexpected gold have you discovered in someone lately? Share with me (and them!).
Always,
Carolyn
✨ F U R T H E R_ R E A D I N G
Gratitude Practice: 3 Good Things: Training your mind to actively look for the good (in life and in people)
How You Speak to Yourself Matters: The practice of self-compassion starts with noticing your automatic thoughts
The Power of Perspective: It's not the thing, it's your thoughts about the thing that create your experience
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