I’ll just cut to the chase. We’re living in stressful times. Uncharted, even. How are we to handle it and still maintain our equilibrium?
It ain’t easy. But I’ve discovered an antidote. A way to keep our sanity.
First, remember that we’re programmed to worry. At least I am. That’s my default. And here’s how it works:
Some of us find it difficult to live in the here and now. Instead of being in the present, we live in the past. Or the future. I’m so guilty of this! But:
Living in the past often brings with it bitterness at what could have been. What we should have done. That bitterness is hard to shake.
Living in the future, in the hope of better times or something different, takes our focus off living the life we have now.
So first and foremost, focus on controlling what we can control. What’s in our purview? We may not be able to control world events but we can control our response. We can take action in the now to change things. We can meditate. We can reconnect with nature. We can do things for others. We can jettison negative influences from our lives.
Whatever we can do in the present allows us more peace of mind. It might not change the current situation, but it does change the heart’s focus to more love, joy, peace, kindness, self-controland even patience. Ram Dass summed it up perfectly in his advice to Be here now.
So how can we actually reprogram ourselves to handle stress? I found a great daily gratitude practice that really does help do this. Every morning, I ask myself a few questions:
DAILY GRATITUDE PRACTICE
What am I happy about? What am I excited about? What am I grateful for? What am I proud of? What am I committed to? What am I enjoying? What or whom do I love? and then….What about it makes me feel that way?
It’s amazing to refocus on all the good in my life, rather than all the troubling things. What a shift in my mood and attitude!
Start practicing this daily and I think you’ll see a difference in your own mood, your outlook, your vibe.
Let me know how it works for you.
And if you’d like to do something nice for a loved one going through grief or illness, check out our gently supportive healing gifts, righthere.
Although I completely agree with your suggestions, I also have to admit that spending some part of the day simply diverting my attention (reading, writing) gives my thoughts a much needed breather.
I can relate to your story. For I’m a survivor of Molestation, rape and Domestic Violence. I try to look forward to things and my grandchildren and great grandchildren. I eat natural foods for inflammation and arthritis. I’ve learned a lot of things in the 64.6 years on earth. I feel like others with the News and I have suffered from the blues till I reached out to people who believe in the same things as me. I draw social security from working most of my life, younger than most. I feel I’m a spiritual woman and I love helping others now with knowledge. My disabilities aren’t 100% but sometimes. I enjoy reading your story and seeing the candle’s and art you have displayed. Thanks for sharing.
Wonderful advice. I don’t read the news anymore in the morning. It’s too upsetting. I do the New York Times puzzles and they help me ease into the day. My way of staying sane.
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I’ll just cut to the chase. 
I do a similar practice, but I’ll add the questions for focus. I like that. Also, I write to detangle myself from the stress of these times.
That helps me, too, Pennie.
I agree. All we can do is focus on the present—and that’s why we call it a gift!
Yep. The here & now!
Although I completely agree with your suggestions, I also have to admit that spending some part of the day simply diverting my attention (reading, writing) gives my thoughts a much needed breather.
I can’t argue with that technique. Works for me, too.
I can relate to your story. For I’m a survivor of Molestation, rape and Domestic Violence. I try to look forward to things and my grandchildren and great grandchildren. I eat natural foods for inflammation and arthritis. I’ve learned a lot of things in the 64.6 years on earth. I feel like others with the News and I have suffered from the blues till I reached out to people who believe in the same things as me. I draw social security from working most of my life, younger than most. I feel I’m a spiritual woman and I love helping others now with knowledge. My disabilities aren’t 100% but sometimes. I enjoy reading your story and seeing the candle’s and art you have displayed. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks so very much!
I enjoyed seeing your story and seeing the candle’s
Great article. Thanks.
Hey Rita, thank you.
Wonderful advice. I don’t read the news anymore in the morning. It’s too upsetting. I do the New York Times puzzles and they help me ease into the day. My way of staying sane.
I find myself doing puzzles, too. Distractions.