🎙️ “When the Scorpion Shows Up: Managing the Unexpected Thoughts”
As I reached up to pull the chain and turn off the ceiling fan, something caught my eye.
At first, I thought it was just a shadow, the way the light hits at certain times of day. But then I noticed it was moving.
There, curled tight against the base of the light fixture, was something dark. My first thought was: maybe a thick piece of string somehow got caught up there. But the shape—slender, curved, almost too familiar—made my stomach twist.
And then I realized.
It wasn’t string. It wasn’t a shadow.
It was a scorpion.
And not a small one.
I froze, then jumped back, shuddering. My thoughts immediately raced: What in the world? How did it get up there? Why is it above my head of all places?
Here’s the thing: we have pest control. We’re faithful about it—inside, outside, every month. And still… a scorpion had made its way in.
And that’s when the lightbulb moment hit me.
Our minds work the same way.
We can be diligent in managing our thoughts. We can practice journaling, prayer, coaching tools, meditation—you name it. We can do all the “pest control.” And still, sometimes, a rogue thought sneaks in.
A scorpion thought.
And just like that scorpion above my head, the negative thought can feel menacing, threatening, even paralyzing.
But here’s the truth: the goal of mind management isn’t to eliminate every single scorpion thought forever. That’s not realistic. The goal is to build the tools, the awareness, and the confidence to deal with them when they appear.
So if you’ve ever thought to yourself, I shouldn’t be having these thoughts anymore—I’ve done the work! … I want to tell you: You’re not broken. You’re not doing it wrong.
Negative thoughts are part of being human. The brain is designed to scan for danger, to anticipate threats, to keep you alive. In many ways, the appearance of these thoughts is your brain doing its job.
But here’s where you have power: you don’t have to let those scorpions stay curled up in the corners of your mind.
Think about it: when I saw that scorpion, I didn’t berate myself—“Ugh, I must be terrible at pest control. What’s wrong with me?” I simply noticed it, acknowledged that it was there, and then figured out the next step to deal with it.
What if you approached your thoughts the same way?
Instead of self-judgment, what if you simply said: “Oh, there’s that thought again. It showed up. Now, what do I want to do with it?”
That shift—from judgment to curiosity—is where the real freedom begins.
Here are 5 Steps to help you Handle Scorpion Thoughts
1. Notice Without Panic
* Awareness is always the first step. The thought itself isn’t dangerous until you engage with it, feed it, or believe it.
2. Name It for What It Is
* When you name a thought—“That’s a scorpion thought,” or “That’s just my brain offering me an old fear”—you take away some of its power. Naming creates distance between you and the thought.
3. Neutralize Its Power
* Just because a thought appears doesn’t mean it’s true. Try saying: “My brain offered me the thought that I’ll never catch up. Interesting. That’s one option. But not the only option.”
* This disarms the sting before it takes hold.
4. Redirect Intentionally
* Once you’ve noticed and named it, choose a better thought. For example:
* “I’m behind” → “I’m learning to take one step at a time.”
* “I can’t do this” → “I’m figuring it out as I go.”
* “This will never work” → “I’ve made progress before, and I can again.”
5. Strengthen Your Routine
* Just like pest control is ongoing, so is mind management. Daily practices—thought downloads, journaling, prayer, coaching, gratitude—are like the regular treatments that keep your mental space clear. They don’t prevent every intruder, but they make it far easier to handle when one slips in.
Think about how different life feels when you’re consistently tending to your inner world versus when you’re not.
* Without a routine, scorpion thoughts feel huge, invasive, paralyzing.
* With a routine, those same thoughts become manageable—they’re just something to notice, deal with, and move on from.
The power isn’t in never seeing another scorpion. It’s in knowing exactly what to do when one appears.
Friend, scorpions may always be out there. Negative thoughts, difficult circumstances, frustrating people—they’re all part of life. But you don’t have to be afraid of them anymore.
You can notice them without panic. You can name them without judgment. And you can redirect toward something true, something life-giving, something that actually serves you.
That’s the gift of mind management.
If today’s episode resonated with you, I’d love to encourage you to practice this for yourself this week. When a scorpion thought shows up, pause. Notice it. Name it. Ask yourself: Does this thought serve me? Then choose one thought that does.
And if you’d like more encouragement and tools like this, I invite you to join my email list where I share free coaching content every week. It’s like regular pest control for your mind—a little boost to keep you steady. You can find the link in the show notes.
Until next time, remember: the scorpions may still show up, but they don’t get to stay.
