When Things Don’t Go Your Way
One of the great truths in life is that things don’t always go our way. When we find ourselves at the place of disappointment, anger, resentment or frustration, we have to press a “reset” button to overcome the situation. The reset button is for a multitude of reasons. We have to press it to not overeat, not to yell at our children, not to overreact if someone cuts us off on the road or if a situation at work bothers us.
In such cases, our mind seems like it just doesn’t want to stop and without that control, things can escalate.
Unfortunately, it is so difficult to pull back on the reins and stop on our own.
Maybe this 3-step process can be helpful to keep yourself in control and to bring this negative process to a halt.
1. RECONNECT = STOP
It is unlikely you will stop on your own. Try to use some kind of a tool to help you calm down whether that means taking a shower, breathing an essential oil or petting your pet. Do something affirmative, like look at a picture of your children or take several deep breaths, that gets you back into your heart and reminds you of what’s important.
2. REFRESH = FIX
Think about what is really going on. When most people feel stress, it’s usually from a basic human need like hunger, thirst, love, compassion or lack of sleep.
Take care of yourself first! Eat, drink, get some sleep or do whatever you need to take care of yourself. If you feel that you need love or compassion, give love and compassion and you will see that it comes right back.
When you need to be reminded about what really matters, keep a file of all the positive things that supervisors, co-workers or patients have said about you and, in your personal life, add in all the cards and letters that you’ve received.
These points also will help you get into your heart.
3. REWIND = HEAL
Forgive the situation, forgive others and, most importantly, forgive yourself.
There is an excellent book I recommend titled “Radical Forgiveness” by Colin Tipping. The book points out that you cannot be in a peaceful state if you’re holding resentment and anger towards things that happened in past or that continue to rob you of your peace right now.
I hope these tips help you to reconnect with what really matters.
I invite you to let me know of any tips or techniques, which you use that help when things don’t go your way. Please leave your comments below.
