- 5 Sure Fire Ways To Feel
Better In Difficult Times
- by Kim McGinnis
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As much as we hear a spiritual
evolution is at hand, in many ways we still live in a very physical,
down and dirty world. It can feel like you are competing in a
10K with a bum leg. Whether you are kissing up to your boss or
negotiating with your creditors, this is simply not the life
you imagined for yourself. The truth is when people tell you
how good life is, sometimes you just want to slap them.
You understand the concept of
having a positive attitude - you are not a moron. But the reality
is you have another mortgage payment due, and not enough money
in the bank. Okay, let's all agree, this sucks. You have people
counting on you-you wife, you son, your ex-wife, your mutt, your
IRS agent, your Mom, etc, etc.
Now that we are on the same page
(facing the reality that life is not fair) what can you do about
it? Here are five practical things you can do to ease the pain:
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1. Write. If you've never gotten in the habits on
putting your thoughts on paper, start now. Keep a pad and pen
next to your nightstand, next to your coffee pot, in your bathroom,
on your kitchen counter, and on your coffee table. When you have
a predominate feeling, write it down. Pissed off? Write it down.
Feeling blue? Write it down. Feeling anxious? Write it down.
What were you thinking about when this feeling came up? What
part of your body did it come from? What does it make you feel
like doing? Write it down.
2. Visualize. Let's say you just had a passing thought
of how your ex-wife screamed at you two days ago (in front of
your son). Okay, you have her picture in your mind, and your
son is there next to you, wincing on cue-like father, like son.
Change the face of your ex-wife. Put in Santa's face instead.
He got the white beard, the big ruby cheeks, the bright red hat
with the puffy ball-the whole shebang. Instead of your ex's sweet
raspy voice, you hear Santa joyfully ask you and your son what
would make you happy. Santa says, "You name it, you got!"
Cut to you and your boy-excited with anticipation.
3. Breathe. Once you have wiggled your way to a
happier state of mind, breathe. Breathe deeply three or four
times. Focus on you're the breath coming in and your tummy rising.
Breathe out, focusing on your body decompressing. Allow you breath
to get to a normal, even place so that it feels balanced. Notice
an energy moving and swirling inside you like magical fireflies
dancing in the night, and experience the sensation it brings.
4. Meditate. Allow whatever thoughts you have to
be there. If Santa is still there, that's great. If your ex-wife
reappeared, so be it. Don't judge the blips of flashing thoughts,
simply observe them as if you were on the bleachers at a football
game. Know that you have no control over what happens on the
field in front of you. Begin to see that there are really no
good or bad actions, only different ones. Enjoy the variety and
contrast-it makes for an enjoyable game.
5. Practice this new perspective in the real world.
By this time you have your eyes open, and there is no Santa,
and no ex-wife in front of you. Your thoughts are still moving
in and out of your consciousness, but you do not feel controlled
by them. Your problems have not disappeared but you start to
look at them in a new way. You do not allow yourself to become
emotionally reactive to events that take place. You tackle your
problems objectively, like a surgeon removing cancerous matter
from an open body. Your dispassionate focus allows your mind
to be clear of unnecessary, disparaging thoughts and emotions.
Through this clear lens, problems become challenges, and challenges
become opportunities for learning. When a so-called problem now
arises, you welcome it. Wisdom is one step closer. Now you accept
this challenge as a zen gift-simple and wrapped in an expected
way.
The steps listed above may seem
a bit simplistic. They are in a way, but what makes them challenging
is that they need to be done consistently, every day, throughout
the day. There are no easy answers, and no quick fixes to dealing
with chaotic events. A life of greater ease is open to those
who possess wisdom and patience-it's a good thing you were created
with these wonderful qualities. Remember that you are made from
divine energy, pure source, our inner source. All you have to
do is be open, and let it flow. |
Beauty Secrets of the World
