Resilience Through Reframing
Things are not what they are, they are what we think they areEvery event in our lives come to us as STIMULUS. I see a glass of wine.
We run the stimulus through a filter in our memory called BELIEF. I like wine. Wine is good. And this elicits a response. I drink the wine. Here’s the thing about beliefs- they are not concrete. Two people see the same plate of liver and onions. One thinks licks their lips with hunger, the other gags. Who is right?
The holidays are a great time to start practicing.We have a ton of pre-conceived ideas about what the perfect holiday is. Meals served at a specific time, with a set group in attendance and perfectly chosen presents unwrapped by grateful recipients by a roaring fire in a wintry wonderland. If we relax on these expectations we can have just as much fun someplace without snow, with strangers, lost luggage, and no presents. It’s all about the filter you chose. Is this stressful or an adventure.
A large part of reframing can come from FORGIVING. This might be forgiving yourself for decisions that don’t serve you (like eating too much chocolate or gossiping). It might also be forgiving others. A child of an abusive parent might to chose to forgive their parent in order to let go of hurt & anger and to break the cycle of abuse. A note about forgiveness- forgiving someone DOES NOT mean you are condoning their actions, just that you are releasing any need to hold on to hurt, anger or sadness.
Reframing Checklist
How do you know if you are done? When you have given up all hope of a better past.
|
Recent Comments