Keeping a gratitude journal can serve a truly useful purpose when the blues hit. By remembering to be grateful everyday and taking a few minutes to jot down 4 or 5 things every evening that you’ve appreciated during the day you will have a reserve store of ‘goodies’ to draw from in times when you’re feeling down. The mind thinks in pictures and in the moment of appreciation a snapshot of the grateful moment is captured until it’s written down. Over time memories fade but a surprising thing often happens when reviewing the posts from a gratitude journal. Upon reading the written summaries capturing the times when we’ve felt grateful it’s as if that moment happens for us all over again, and we’re back in the ‘scene’. A depressed mood can be instantly lifted at such moments. A snapshot in time from the original scene ‘re-presents’ itself. At such times it’s possible to feel once again infused with joy.
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Critical U
They say it takes 10,000 hours of practice to become masterful. How much practice have you had in negative self-talk and self-doubt that perhaps sounds like…..
this:
Self-critic, self censor, worthless, undeserving, undesirable, insecure, unconfident, self-doubt, disappointment, negative self-talk, unworthy, incapable, unsure, not good enough, self-condemnation, pitiful, apprehensive, anxious, deplorable, contemptible, pathetic, inadequate, small, pitiable, insufficient, unsatisfactory, lacking, deficient, ineffectual, defective, imperfect, hopeless, incapable, incompetent, unskilled, inept, unable, useless, weak, helpless, unqualified, vulnerable, feeble, nervous, worried, apprehensive, uneasy, fretful, fearful, hopeless, powerless………..
Absorbing criticism from external sources is nothing compared to time logged by the inner critic.
Here are some antonyms:
Magnificent, hopeful, powerful and prosperous!
Might it be time to turn down the volume on outer and inner self-deprecations, and instead turn toward the light?
Turn UP the volume on inner positive self-talk.
Shine a light on your Powerful, Prosperous, Hopeful and most Magnificent Self???
Why Don’t You Find Something To Complain About, Love?
The question was directed at me. The endearment tagged on the end was meant to take the sting off. That, and the fact that back in those days, in England, every human being was addressed as ‘love’. Not a bad idea, actually. Doesn’t stress the memory, good vibes, etcetera. But I digress.
I was a little kid, being nicely reprimanded by my mother. But the message was clear and “why don’t you find something to complain about?” taught me an important thing or two early on. My young mind begrudgingly lingered there thinking–knowing the reflection was meant to be inside my own head.
The question implied that I was choosing. I, who in that moment was turning to the dark side, was choosing to do so. I was being told I was being a misery. Focusing on the negative. Not only being negative and complaining, but being willful and choiceful about it. Whatever it was that wasn’t pleasing me wasn’t actually a globally bad experience. It was simply that I was making the choice to feel badly. I was choosing negative. Choosing to be negative, choosing to complain, was only one of many options.
So now I know. Choosing to complain is a choice I make. And now you know too!
One Good Money Rule
“Yesterday is a cancelled check: Forget it. Tomorrow is a promissory note: Don’t count on it. Today is ready cash: Use it!” —Edwin C. Bliss, Author
I’ve been thinking on Bliss’s bit about the prom note, and to not count on it. I found this quote earlier today on Bob Proctor’s ‘Insight of the Day’. It was timely. Someone near and dear had asked me yesterday for my thoughts on a particular prom note investment. What immediately came to mind was that a lot of ‘life savings’ seem recently lost at the cause of promissory note ‘investments’.
Although this little ‘insight’ from Bliss via Proctor, may be more pertinently about the utility of living in the present it seems simple, pertinent, and valuable advice when weighing in on prom note investing. If it’s money you can’t ‘afford’ to lose, better think twice! Put whatever you want into a potentially higher rate of return from this vehicle as long as you “don’t count on it”.
Apply the cautionary Bliss view. Being cautionary truly means don’t lend money that you cannot afford to lose.
Soothing the Self-Critic
The last post on criticism and creativity stirred up a certain amount of controversy.
Following up on that post, this one considers the self-critic. The self-critic arises perhaps, at the ‘tipping point’ of one’s ability to ‘manage’ the voice of an external critic. If the environment in which criticism arises is perceived to be safe and the input useful, it can potentially serve us if it adds to our desire to improve and helps generate action towards improvement. If the critical voice tips the scales in the other direction however, and self-doubt arises, the creative self can become stuck and stifled.
What way out? The way is forward, into movement and growth. Tune in to the inner voice of guidance and self-nurture. Don’t depend on an outcome, but trust yourself and do it anyway.