"Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom."
In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy many are feeling overwhelmed by the challenges that have arisen, whether they be related to home, family, community or business.
In the pre-storm Creative Calm newsletter (click here to read it) we looked at the mantra, "it is what it is, while it is," which remind us that those things that provoke suffering are in indeed temporary and will pass.
Another self-coaching technique you can use based on Dr. Frankl's idea is that when a situation seems too big or upsetting to deal with is to simply ask yourself, "what is a more helpful way of looking at this?"
In doing so you start to engage your deeply seated talents of problem solving by shifting the way you look at things. Do you have some doubts on the power of the perspective? Then try the exercise that follows.
When you look at the picture below which center circle looks larger, the one on the right or the one on the left?
In a similar way harboring negative and thoughts and feelings can magnify the problems you are facing.
But what if you remembered that you and your community have endured and solved big problems in the past? Or that in a week or a month from now your current worry may be completely or largely solved? Or that people and groups have an inborn capacity to grow and heal?
So as you handle the tasks of rebuilding, get into the habit of asking, "what is a more helpful way of looking at this" if and when you start stressing out. Although not a panacea, it will free some energy up for what you need to do in the coming days and weeks.
P.S. There are a number of low/no cost stress relief and empowerment resources available for you at http://www.njhypno.com/id96.html along with some significant discounts on prepaid private sessions.
