1) Forgiveness
If you have been abused of treated unfairly, a good exercise is to forgive. This doesn't mean letting perpetrators off the hook. But you're doing it for yourself, for your own wellbeing and peace of mind. Let go of all the things that people did to you and that you didn't deserve. Let go of the things that people didn't do and that you did deserved (e.g. when your partner didn't give you a birthday present!)
2) Stop complaining
Spend a whole day without complaining, and without blaming or criticising anyone, not even yourself. This is also easier said than done. You may find that you'll have nothing to talk about! Why not talk about a book or a movie, instead of falling into the trap of gossiping about other people (including celebrities)
3) Be grateful
Find something to be grateful for. If you are in a lot of pain, this may sound impossible. But there is at least one part of your body that is working. Maybe you're reading this - which means you can see, or someone is reading it to you - which means you can hear. If there is nothing to be grateful for regarding your body, you can at least tell yourself that you're alive and that your heart is beating. Two things to be thankful for!
4) Devise an action plan
If you don't have a job and feel bored and without a purpose, devise an action plan for the day. If you keep yourself occupied, you'll have less time to mull over things and feel sorry for yourself... There is always a drawer that needs sorting out. Clean the fridge and throw out all the half-rotten items at the back. It will make you feel better - guaranteed! Go for a walk. Exercise your body, it will stimulate your Endorphins (a natural feel-good drug that your body produces when you exert yourself physically) Fresh air and sunshine are uplifting and they are the only items we can obtain free of charge!
5) Enjoy your job
If you work but hate your job, make it a point to enjoy it, just for today. Be as thorough and efficient as possible. Smile a lot, pay someone a compliment ("Your hair looks really nice today"). Don't find fault with anyone. Instead, find something positive about everyone, even the people you dislike. Don't procrastinate but get things done as quickly as possible, without cutting corners. Feel the contentment that comes from a completed task, even if it's just a routine, something you've done a million times. Be conscious of what you're doing instead of going about it like a machine, a robot.
6) Appreciate your life
If you don't like your life, watch a documentary about people who are worse off than yourself. This will make you realise how fortunate you are and you will begin appreciating simple things like living in a safe neighbourhood, having a roof over your head, and food on the table every day. I recommend "Welcome to the Slums of India", a BBC film you can find on YouTube.
7) Have a laugh
Laughter is another way to turn on the Endorphins in your body. At least, find something to smile about. Even if you can't find anything, you can begin by laughing at yourself, and taking yourself less seriously. If there was a funny movie about your life, a comedy, what would it be like? Don't you think that some of the awkward moments are worth a smile? You can turn your life into a tragedy of course, but that wouldn't help very much...
In my book, "The Magic of Willpower", I mention that no matter how desperate your situation, you can always improve it by looking at it from a different perspective. When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at begin to change. And right now, you're paving a new way for your future.
With all my love,
Bella
Painting: "Poor Lisa" by Orest Kiprenski, 1827 (Wikipaintings)
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