Events in life are just events—how we label and judge them determines our experience. Life is truly meant to be experienced in our bodies as feelings without labels, rather than through the stories created in the mind.

A friend recently shared the following story about the former singing duo Carly Simon and James Taylor. I think it summarizes it perfectly!

“Carly Simon described her terrible stage fright with the following: Right before I get on stage, I get so TERRIFIED! My hands sweat, my heart pounds and my stomach churns. It’s all I can do to get up there.

Her husband at the time James Taylor described a totally different experience: Right before I get on stage, I am so EXCITED!! My hands sweat, my heart pounds and my stomach churns.”

Our bodies don’t know the difference between terrified and excited. We experience the same physical manifestation. It is the meaning we give to our physical symptoms that drives our stories and ultimately our lives. We get to decide!