Elaine

* Silver-lining thinking *
Do you remember the old proverb: "Every cloud has a silver lining." If we concentrate on "the dark clouds" we forget that the reason that"every cloud has a silver lining" is because the sun is shining behind the cloud. No matter how big or dark the cloud is, the cloud cannot hide the sun forever. Often we feel there is no hope but if we learn to be less impatient we will find that the darkness is as flimsy as a cloud. We are constantly given bad news through the media and consequently we must de-program ourselves and re-learn silver-lining thinking. Here are a few exercises that can assist us in being patient until the sun shines again:

Instead of thinking: "I can t deal with this."

Rather chose to think:" What am I going to do to relieve the stress I am experiencing?"

Instead of thinking: "This is not fair."

Rather chose to think: " I am not going to allow my sense of injustice to interfere with my effectiveness or my ability to deal with this. I will find an appropriate time and appropriate, professional and effective way to restore justice."

Instead of thinking: " Who does he/she think he/she is to treat me this way?"

Rather chose to think: " I am not going to focus on my own pain or discomfort. I am going to remain detached and look at how I can resolve this and learn from this."

Instead of thinking: " This is a real problem."

Rather chose to think: " How can I best meet this challenge?"

Instead of thinking: " This cannot be resolved."

Rather chose to think: "Who can I approach to assist in finding the best solution?"

Instead of thinking: " I am not in the wrong here and this is not my fault."

Rather chose to think: " Now is not the time to worry about who is to blame or what went wrong. How can I best solve this or how can best deal with the situation now?"

Instead of thinking: "Why did this have to happen?"

Rather chose to think: "What must I learn from this?"

Instead of thinking: "There is no logical reason for this. I cannot accept this."

Rather chose to think: "If I wait the sun will shine and then by its light I will see a purpose to this."

Instead of thinking: "I do not have the strength to deal with this."

Rather chose to think: "He who had the strength to create the sun has the strength, the grace and the mercy to give me all the strength I need."