Hally’s Hints

When the going gets tough what do you draw on to get you through?

Perhaps it is resorting to complete escapism and digging deep into the pantry and fridge for those wonderful foods that do you no good except for the instant moment that it hits your mouth.

Perhaps it is resorting to retail therapy with a vengeance and bursting into tears when the credit card bill comes in and you realize that your savings for that holiday have been taken up in the pair of shoes that you did not only pay retail for, also an extra surcharge for some holiday that you didn’t really pay any attention to at the time.

Whatever your poison is to get you through did you ever consider that there may be an alternative to making you feel better; to helping you cope with what life throws at you?

We think about our attitude and really, it is so much more than that. It is deeper and more intense. How can it be put in words? Simply it is an association you have created for challenging situations so each time you are confronted with something of this nature you resort to the association you have created to help you, you believe, irrelevant of the consequences and how you feel tomorrow.

We all do it and we all have our own unique poison, hence why it is called a poison, because if you were to be honest with yourself it is a poison, slowly and surely destroying you, your hip line or your bank account on some level.

So, how do we move forward?

It does start with your attitude, then it goes to the belief you have in yourself and finally it goes to being able to create a new association to help you cope and feel good. It is identifying that these poisons do not serve you and really feel how these poisons create a vicious circle that sends you spinning out of control again and again. Feel it, breathe it, see it and know it.

Then the fun begins. Consider what makes you feel absolutely fantastic. Think of a time where you felt you were invincible where you didn’t resort to one of your poisons and naturally felt complete within yourself and absolutely awesome. We all have one of those moments. Think about it, remember it, see it in your minds eye. Consider why it was so awesome for you.

Then the next time you feel confronted with an uncomfortable situation instead of reaching for your usual escape stop yourself for one moment. Think about this moment. Sit yourself down and ponder on it as though you were experiencing it again. Then ask yourself what you need to do to get you to that place? Surprisingly you may even find yourself there.

From there, go do something for yourself that serves you such as calling a friend for a coffee, going for a facial or simply going for a walk with the dog in the park soaking in the sun and smelling the beautiful smells of the trees and flowers.

Life will constantly throw challenges and conflicting situations at you. This is what helps you to grow as a person. It doesn’t mean that you need to destroy yourself to get through. Creating a new association (habit) takes time so acknowledge yourself for every step taken.

Always remember how awesome you are as you are right now. Enjoy the simple pleasures that life does have to offer and your poison will soon become obsolete.
What gets you through – is it costing you or serving you?

author: Hally