Remaining Outside of the Flushing Toilet

A few days ago I received by email a newsletter I subscribe to. The author used an analogy of life sometimes being like a flushing toilet; water swirls around, we panic trying to keep from going down that hole. How easily we can succumb to swirling around and around and around, feeling dizzy and nauseous, panicking in the process.

His advice? We have to stay outside the flushing toilet.

Of course, this is all metaphorical...

But allowing yourself to be swept away by details is a sure sacrifice of strength. How to stay sane?

First, put yourself in a comfortable spot. Take a few deep breaths. Allow only uplifting thoughts to enter your mind. The moment a worrisome or negative thought enters your mind, replace it with a positive one. Since we're on the toilet metaphor, you could imagine flushing each negative thought down the toilet.

Now that you're calm, repeat affirmative statements throughout the day. (Yes, get up from your comfy spot). If you need help with this, I highly recommend the affirmations you can acquire at http://www.thinkrightnow.com/ . Sadly, these are the only uplifting affirmations that some people will ever hear.

Negativity, like all forms of evil, seems stronger than good. Seems stronger, but is short-lived, unlike goodness. Goodness is self-supporting. Evil, self-destructive. Usually it's just a matter of waiting it out until it passes, like a thunderstorm. The key is to emerge stronger, not destroyed.

And...please be kind to yourself. Talk kindly, treat yourself as a good friend. Laugh at and with yourself. You are surrounded by negativity. Don't add more to your already heavy load.

Finally, an example about how insidious negativity is in our society, even among positive-thinking people, and a reminder of how you must keep it out. Recently I played with a group of fellow musicians. We performed for a friend of all of ours who is dying. It sounded truly beautiful and our friend loved it. His appreciation uplifted me. After he was wheeled out of the room in his weelchair, more than half of the people announced to the others how badly each thought they played. I was stunned and saddened by this self-bashing. Was I expected to join in and put down my own playing? Inwardly I shook my head and just left them to their misery.

Thank God for your talents; everyone has them. Yes... everyone. Remember that your talents are to serve others. For today, how can you forget yourself and your difficulties and just do the next right thing?

Stay outside that toilet for starters...