Are you Negative about being Positive?

Today was one of those days where things didn't work out perfectly for me. I thought I had a lot to complain about but then I was inspired by a Wall Street Journal article called "From Attitude to Gratitude...". It reminded me that I can wake up sometimes in disbelief that this is my life. It's nothing glamorous, or deserving of an ounce of envy, but I took a step outside of myself to realize that things are not so bad. I think it helps that I'm in a caring business where people are expected to be honest about the state of their health and environmental dynamics. Listening to others in grief or pain provides me with compassion, sympathy and gratitude, not to mention the reward of attempting to make things better.

In these rough times, my patients are stressing out. They are losing ways to cope and insomnia is on the rise. Whatever state they are in, they desperately want to have hope. Sometimes all we need is a reminder that things will be alright. My coping mechanism is to check my pulse and see if I'm still alive. If I am, then I'll say some sort of mantra or motto like "Each moment is a once in a lifetime opportunity." It's simple and free, even if it sounds cheesy. I don't watch romcoms for nothing!

If you don't feel like persuading yourself to be content, the exercise of writing three good things might be useful to you. When I'm feeling irritable, I think this helps.

1. The ice is melting, which means the odds of me falling on my butt are back to normal.

2. I'm going to do 90 minutes of power yoga tonight, which is guaranteed good feelings.

3. I'm leaving for China in a week! (I have something big to look forward to)

Care to share one thing that makes you smile?