Keep a Journal of Gratitude
I found this exercise in an old book on Zen living; it’s one of my
favorites to this day. Just take a little notebook and start writing
down the things you’re grateful for. Start with the obvious and work
from there.
Be grateful for having food, water and a roof above your head. If you
woke up at 5 A.M. and can’t go back to sleep, be grateful for getting
to see the sunrise. If you’re facing a challenge, be grateful for the
opportunity to learn from it.
You don’t have to write every day, but make sure you open your
journal at least once a week. It can be very easy to indulge in
self-pity, blame and anger; appreciating what you have will help you
stay positive.
Things Get Better
When you’re struggling, grieving or suffering from heartache, the
pain can feel unbearable. Even in everyday life, the weight of a million
little things can be heavy.
But always remember the proverb: “This too shall pass.” Your
negative feelings won’t last forever; there’s a light at the end of
every tunnel. It might not happen today or tomorrow, but you’ll feel
better eventually.
When you understand and accept the volatile nature of life, it’s a
lot easier to stay calm and relaxed – even in the hardest of times.
Mental List of Awesomeness
Having high self-esteem keeps anxiety at bay, improves personal
relationships and encourages optimism. If you don’t appreciate yourself
enough – or are feeling down – try making a mental list of awesome stuff
you’ve done recently.
“Went for a jog instead of watching TV”; “cooked for my girlfriend”;
“made an awesome presentation at work.” Make a written list if you want,
and don’t be modest!
You’ll find that, as you go over your awesome actions and choices,
you start to feel great about yourself. It’s hard not to when you remind
yourself how amazing you are!
What’s The Worst That Could Happen?
Paolo Coelho was right when he wrote: the fear of suffering is worse than suffering itself. It’s easy to become worried over the little things: the human mind can blow things way, way out of proportion. To stop that from happening, always ask yourself: what’s the worst that could happen?
Chances are, “the worst” isn’t that bad. You’ll be fine if you don’t
ace tomorrow’s presentation. You can retake tomorrow’s exam in
September. That cute girl (or boy) won’t eat you if you screw up this
date.
Sure, it would be better if things went according to plan, but sometimes they don’t. When you’re no longer afraid of any outcome, you can focus on having fun and getting things done. Don’t wind yourself up for no reason!
Reach Out and Help Someone
We live in a culture that encourages egotism. Even our buzzwords –
self-help, self-promotion, self-esteem – reflect our obsession with
ourselves. But if you want to feel great about yourself, try giving to
someone else.
Donating a few dollars to charity can change someone’s life. Calling
your mom for a few minutes will make her week. Buying food for a sick
friend will help more than you can imagine.
It takes very little to help someone out. When you make a big
difference with just a few minutes – or dollars – you’ll always remember
how important and amazing you are. And with an attitude like that, it’s
hard to be anything but positive.
