Motivational Pictures #2Lately, I have been re-centering myself with motivational pictures. I simply close my eyes, take a few deep breaths, and "play" some of motivational images that make me happy. It is like I can close my eyes and get an instant injection of happiness into my day. The simplicity of this trick still amazes me.
My catalogue of motivational pictures have similar themes: connections to people and my connection to the planet, being physically and mentally fit, and being grateful for everything that has happened to me in the past, because it made me who I am today. Connections to People: close your eyes and visualize all the people you know smiling at you. Some people visualize all of their loved ones, while others expand it to include family, friends, and work colleagues. I like to also include the people that have been significant in my life, even though I have never met them: authors, actors, activists, etc. You can imagine "your people" all together in the same room, smiling and laughing with you, as though you were throwing a big party. I like to step back and see the world as though I am floating above it, and I imagine all my people where they live. Since I have friends in Los Angeles, Paris, New York, and many other locations, and I can see their smiling faces popping up all over the world. It reminds me that the world is a friendly place.
Being physically and mentally fit: Visualize your body and mind as being healthy and active. See yourself moving, dancing, or having a good memory. Some people find it helpful to imagine vibrant colors running through their entire body from their toes to the tip of their head. For me, great movitational pictures are me running (ok, jogging) on the beach or being able to carry a small child, groceries, or my cat. When I use the color technique, I imagine the color of sunshine, and all of its' energy, running through my body; it is very energizing. Remembering how great it is to be able to breathe in and out, to be able to smile, or to have clear, positive thoughts are all things to be grateful for. It is a gift to have your health and to have the ability to think clearly and feel happiness. The next time you start to get stressed, think about how lucky you already are to have the body and mind that you were born with. Everything else really does come second to you and your loved ones' health and happiness. Being Grateful For the Past: See the good that has come from past difficulties. Those challenges made you who you are today: stronger, more resourceful, more considerate, or perhaps more grateful. For example, if you are divorced, you may have learned that you can rebuild your life, or take care of yourself, or be independent. Did you have a bad work experience in the past? Then perhaps you have learned what you won't do for money or maybe you got creative and made a bad work situation better. There is good in almost anything, so instead of seeing what happened in the past as a negative, look at it in a more positive way. The next time you start to feel stressed, take about 30 seconds to close your eyes and play some motivational pictures. It is one my favorite techniques and I hope it works for you, too :-)
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