Daily Gratitude: This is a different way to look at “letting go”, not having to always be in control. Freedom in your mind is a great way to think about things you can’t control. Nowadays when I have something i am really excited about and might be somewhat difficult, I first calm myself down and then make a list – I put down every factor. Take a race for example. Things that impact success at a race include weather, sleep, nutrition and hydration, navigation perhaps, traffic, clothing, weight of your pack (if you need one), training and general fitness, injury or recovery, your thoughts, etc. You get the picture. There are a lot of factors. So the next thing I do is circle the things I can control. Of the lists I just gave you I can control: navigation (well other people can control that – for me um not so much), clothing, weight of my pack, my training, and my thoughts. The others are not always in my control. The narrowing of the list allows me a number of items to pay attention to. I can concentrate on those things and not worry about the weather or traffic etc. I didn’t add sleep to the list of things I can control because in my case the amount of sleep I can try to get is based on my times. Plus, just because I can lie down doesn’t mean i will sleep. Anyway, try to make these lists when you’re faced with challenges. I hope it will take some of the burden off you and maybe allow your mind some freedom.

2 August 2024

Daily Gratitude: This idea came to me one morning as i was reading. I have no idea why but it seemed like a fun thing to do. Here’s the steps: 1) close your eyes and then review your body as it was in the past. 2) pick something that you had a problem with or disliked at that time (or at any time in the past). It doesn’t matter how big or how small. 3) take a piece of paper or a notebook (or a computer but writing by hand is more effective due to the engagement of more neural circuits) and write down all the reasons you disliked it or were worried about it or how it caused you consternation or anxiety. Just scribble as fast as you can. If you don’t like writing. 4) stop for a few minutes and with your eyes closed, take some deep breaths (look up different breathing practices if you’d like). 5) now write about that part of you and how you feel about it NOW. What has changed? Maybe you still don’t like it but i will bet that your emotional response to it has changed in some way. Or maybe it’s not so important anymore. Again just write don’t judge. 6) what have you noticed about your thoughts and feelings about this one simple (or not so simple) part of you? This is the key point in your life. How has your perspective changed? Is this part still of such great import? Or has it taken a back seat to your soul or your kindness or other personal characteristics? You’ll be amazed at what you find out from a short examination of the parts of your body.