Well with the new year, I am going to do some self motivation for the new year. 2008 is behind me and this new year, I refuse to hold on to negativity. Whenever a bad situation hits, as they always do, I will look for the gold lining. Whenever I feel like whining about what plans I have that did not happen the way I wanted, I am gonna remember the people I met this year, that were terminally ill, but had a smile on their faces, and hope for their future, and realize that with every breath I take, I can always get up, dust myself off of any situation, and run a better race the next time. Who will join me in this endeavor? Heck, what is yours for 2009?
Hey, given that we are timeshare owners, shouldn't we look for the "Platinum Plus" lining? "Gold" is usually just shoulder season!
In my life, I've had quite a few bad things happen to me, and there were quite a few good things that I wanted which never happened. Most of the time, though, I manage to stay fairly positive. Long ago, I figured out that dwelling on the bad stuff just made me feel worse. So, I try to look at what I
do have, not want I
don't. A saying I really like is, "It's not having what you want, it wanting what you have."
Putting on my psychologist hat here (I have a PhD in psychology), there are specific techniques that people can use to train themselves to look on the bright side. These techniques make up a field called "Cognitive therapy." You don't necessarily need to go to a therapist to learn these techniques, though (unless you are clinically depressed or anxious.) There is an excellent series of self-help books that teach these techniques. The original book is "Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy" by David Burns. It is available in a revised version, and there are several sequels (such as a workbook), too. You can get a new copy of the revised version for $8 plus shipping on Amazon, or a used copy for $5 with shipping. That would be 5 of the best dollars you've ever spent!
For people who are clinically depressed, self-help books aren't enough. In addition to therapy, in many cases medication may be needed. If a person does want to try anti-depressant medication, I strongly suggest such seeing a psychiatrist for the prescription, rather than a family practitioner or other primary care physician. There are many more anti-depressant drugs than there used to be, and non-specialists are unlikely to be familiar with them all.
Regardless of whether a person is facing garden-variety negativity or major depression, or anything in between, it definitely pays to try to be positive. There is a lot that can be done to help the process.
, spent 6 great weeks on vacation in various places, had a good job, great kids, my son got a job, my daughter got to be a stay at home mom and my beautiful granddaughter celebrated her first birthday