Daily Gratitude: It pays to commit this concept to memory and then to apply it. We feel physical pain yes. But most of the time we compound the physical pain by adding on the pain emotional pain. The worry,
The regret, the disappointment, the despair, etc. As a result, we feel even worse. It’s how we interpret and judge things that exacerbate them. The good part of this, though, is that because the “add-on” pain is something we create, we can control it too! Broke your leg? It probably won’t hurt much (physically) a few days after it’s set or operated on. But what if you’re going to have to miss a big race or a trip to walk the Camino or hike or whatever? There is great sadness and disappointment there. Those emotions will cause pain and they will piggyback onto the physical pain so that you can’t tell the difference. This, when the physical pain dissolves, you won’t even know it because it was so intertwined with the emotional pain. Take some time to separate the two. Allow yourself to feel disappointment but say “only for x amount of time: then I’m done with the negative stuff and making plans for when I get back”. It really will change your outlook on things and on life.

Daily Gratitude: How often do we fall into this trap? Things are going along in a status quo. And then “bam” something happens. We feel bad or sad or angry and mad. We can’t see the sense in it all. The negative spiral begins and we don’t even attempt to hold on to the railing. We just let that spiral take us down further and further. There are no landings, no stops in this elevator ride, no place you can get off. How common is this? Instead we should pick another elevator shaft – one that doesn’t go directly to the basement but makes stops at each floor along the way. That way you can get off when you’ve determined you’ve had enough. And it’s you who must determine that. You’re the one who can say “I only want to go down 2 floors and then I’ll get off and that’s it for my negative mood. When I get off, that elevator door will close and all that fear and anger and sadness will stay within. I’m on my way to a new and better destination.” Have you ever thought of your situation in that kind of light. Try it next time the morning traffic threatens to ruin your mood for the day. Wouldn’t it be nice to have some kind of control? This gives you control. Practice this technique or another you can come up with to make your negative thoughts and feelings temporary. Practice on small things so you can then handle the big ones.

Daily Gratitude: This is a great way to think about what is making up your life. Are you surrounded by all the material things you could ever want but still feel empty and unfulfilled? Or are you missing out on some of those bright shiny objects but are happier than ever because you have a wonderful family and people you care about? Your suitcase contains things you carry around with you. Life is like a trip so it’s fitting you bring along your luggage. After all, how often do we talk about all that “baggage” that Susie or Joe seem to be dealing with. Isn’t it time you picked out a seat in the airport of your life, opened your “carry-on” and see what’s buried deep inside? After you’ve done that, you can decide which items you can throw out, which need cleaning and which need to be replaced with a newer or better version. Try writing (or just thinking) about unpacking and see what’s really inside.