I've been thinking a lot lately about the importance of balancing the mind toward more of the good in life. This isn't meant to be a Pollyanna approach, just balancing the negativity bias that our brains inherently have.
Here is a short practice you can come back to again and again at work or at home as a way to prime your mind for good -- experiencing more of the "Now Effect" in daily life.
The Practice:
- Think of a moment of receiving in the last day or week. You may have received something physical, or maybe a meal, the beauty of the sun, a smile, support from a coworker or the help from a stranger. It could be something that you may normally consider mundane.
Theologian, philosopher and mystic Meister Eckhart said "If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, 'thank you,' that would suffice."
This practice will prime your mind for gratitude, which we know is connected to feeling well in life. The fact is, what we intentionally practice and repeat in life changes the architecture of our brains to make it more automatic.
What would the days, weeks and months ahead look like in your life if you practiced these five steps daily? Allow the answer that arises to light your path.
As always, please share your thoughts, stories and questions below. Your interaction creates a living wisdom for us all to benefit from.
Adapted from Mindfulness and Psychotherapy
For more by Elisha Goldstein, Ph.D., click here.
For more on emotional wellness, click here.