subject: How to snap yourself out of misery (and self-pity) FAST [print this page] How to snap yourself out of misery (and self-pity) FAST
We had been shoveling snow for over an hour this afternoon. It had been loads of giggles with the kids, but now the temperature was starting to drop. The wind seemed to have frozen one side of my legs and face. I was gettingtired and we weren't done.
So guess what my thinking mind ran with those facts, off in its own direction. I thought of all the other valuable things I could be doing. And all the reasons I should be doing those things instead of this. Excuses, complaints, wishes, and guilt trips. My mind was off my work. All I could see was how much more there was to do.
Then I remembered our spiritual practice focus for this month: being of service. All you have to do is ask, "How can I be of the most service here?" And do it. This practice can snap you out of boredom, misery, self-pity, and worse. Fast.
It worked.
How could I be of most service? The answer was to lift everyone's flagging spirits. (There was a LOT of snow!) So I joked around with my kiddos. We got silly. I helped the littler ones sled down the front steps.
The answer was to keep shoveling, and I did. Faster.
The answer was to appreciate the crisp air, the gorgeous snow, the beautiful way it looks on the pines. And I took a long moment to do that. I can see it even now as I type. I'm so glad I paused for that.
Suddenly I was having fun again. I was present in the moment. I was appreciative. And best of all, I was in service. The rest of the time skittered by quickly.
Develop thePositive Habits of the Spiritually & Materially Successful
Shifting into service is a skill, a mindset and if you practice it a powerful habit that keeps you out of negative emotions, stuck places, and weighty thoughts that can make you sick or tired. 10 times a year we train our members inpowerful success skills like this. For 4-6 weeks, wepractice each one using simple exercises. This is a powerful program of inner change that allows you to become a better leader out in the world. It empowers youto create outer change.
