How you can see the silver lining
I write this from a place of deep despondency.
I’m not too worried about it though because I’ve learned how to deal with this state of mind and I know I can soon let it pass. Most important, I learned a long time ago we choose our thoughts, and as a consequence we also choose our moods.
Many times since working as a Life Coach I have encouraged clients to always look for the silver lining in any situation. Trouble is, what with the after effects of the pandemic, the prospects of soaring energy and fuel prices, rising food costs and general inflation and now to cap it all, a horrific war, I realised I had lost sight of any possibility of a silver lining.
I recognised immediately I’d been watching too much television, or more specifically, too much news on the television, and I’d allowed myself to become overloaded with negative input.
If you are prone to suffering from depression it’s necessary to be utterly scrupulous about what input you allow into your delicate psyche, because your mind soaks everything up and that affects how you feel and how you behave. And at a time of deep uncertainty and turbulence throughout the world, it’s easy to drown in the negative stuff.
I speak as someone who went through a period of depression, and it’s not a nice place to be. It took me a long time to climb out of the hole I’d dug for myself and I certainly don’t want to go there again. That’s why I absolutely refuse to watch horror films, much to my wife’s consternation.
By the same token, when I get a client who suffers from depression my first suggestion is to stop reading newspapers and limit your intake of news on TV and radio. And certainly be very wary of social media, which is full of false news and conspiracy theories specifically designed to get you really worried and anxious – often for no good reason.
Next thing is to do something positive or constructive, especially something that comes from your heart. In my case I spent nine months doing voluntary work for Greenpeace – until lack of earnings forced me to go back to paid work – and that proved to me I could make quite a significant difference after all.
The final tool in my toolbox is meditation. I really don’t understand why so many people shy away from meditation. Perhaps it’s too scary to contemplate because it might trigger a seismic shift in your consciousness and thereby revolutionise your life?
When I discovered meditation, way back in the 60’s, I soon realised I was absolutely ready for an internal revolution – a revolution of my heart and my consciousness, and even my unconsciousness! And it has served me well.
There is no doubt in my mind that meditation is one of the greatest gifts that has ever been bestowed upon mankind. That’s why, at the beginning of lockdown, I started my weekly on-line meditation group (which you are all welcome to join, by the way. It’s free).
Meditation is free, you can do it anywhere, you don’t have to rely on anyone else and no skill is involved. Nothing is expected of you and no-one is judging you. I can talk you through the procedure in five minutes. That means it’s the ultimate inclusive, equal opportunities activity.
Give it a go now, especially if you’re feeling down.