I walk into a yoga class and feel so stiff. I spent Thanksgiving weekend with my family in LA and have not done yoga for several days. I worry this class is going to be difficult, that I am not going to enjoy it.

I feel stiff. That’s a fact. The rest is just a story.

My co-worker is acting aloof. Is it me? Did I do something to offend him? Is he mad at me?

It’s true my co-worker is aloof. The rest is just a story.

I text someone and he doesn’t text back. I spin out. Why isn’t he texting? Does he not care? Does he not want me? Is he not interested? Is he with someone else? Why is this happening to me?

It’s true he is not texting me. The rest is just a story.

Be aware of the things that are fact and the things that you add. Whatever it is that you are adding is just a story.

I know that sometimes the suffering is in the thing, but mostly, it’s in the stories.