You’ve heard it before: “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” Let’s face it, life can throw some curve balls. You may have experienced something that seems life changing or traumatic, and you wonder what is the next step I need to take?
There are numerous reasons you may have been “forced” into a state of change. Instead of asking why, consider that life may have something better in store for you, making the shift necessary to open up new possibilities in your path.
This Bird Teaches Lessons
There is a house wren in my backyard that sits on one feeder day in and day out. It’s a perfect world for 
him: tasty birdseed, a comfortable perch and a protected environment (except for that pesky hawk). When other birds come to eat at the feeder he doesn’t fight with the other birds. He simply flies to another perch. In a simple way, the bird can teach us to be more flexible with life’s disruptions.
Thoughts Come and Go Quickly
Did you know that the time between a thought and a physical response is a mere 150 milliseconds? That’s .15 of a second. If there is a loud noise preceding the thought, that time – from thought to physical action – is reduced by an additional 18 milliseconds. So why does this matter? Once we realize we are in control of our thoughts, we know it takes less than a second to shift focus to the present moment, which is a quicker way to be open to something new.
In her article, “9 Ways to Let Go of Stuck Thoughts,” Theresa Borchard offers these strategies to help move forward in your thinking:
- Don’t Talk Back
- Know it will pass
- Focus on NOW
- Tune into the senses
- Do something else
- Change your obsession
- Blame the (bio) chemistry
- Picture it
- Admit powerlessness
There is another way to learn to exercise control in your thoughts in order to be open to new experiences: Meditation. Here is a simple 15-minute meditation that can help you reclaim a positive outlook: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3r-CRbY6g7s.
Staying Positive When Life Throws a Curve Ball
Realize that things do work themselves out in the end. So how do you stay focused on the positive when life doesn’t seem to be going your way? Say the following daily until you believe it: Everything always works out for me. It always has, and it always will. Need something more? An article from Elite Daily offers these tips:
- Trust
- Change your plans
- Meditate
- Be patient
- Be positive, even when you’re not positive
- Stop focusing on the stressors instead of your blessings
- Live in the now
- Just go with it
- Have faith
- Turn your mess into your message (pain is temporary)
Write down these emotions on a piece of paper: happiness, anger, grief, surprise, fear, shock.
Schedule a day and specific time where you and a friend can test out telepathy skills. Prior to the appointed time, ask your friend to find a quiet place without distractions and sit in a relaxed state about 5 minutes before you begin the exercise. Each of you should practice meditative breathing: breathe in to a count of four – hold for four counts – breath out for a count of four and hold for four counts. Taking this step will help you get more focused and relaxed.
At your end, visualize each emotion listed on the piece of paper. Leave time out in between – about 30 seconds – as you “send” the emotions to your friend. Really get into it as if you are an actor on a stage. Ask your friend at the other end to write down the time and their thoughts for each feeling received.
Afterwards, compare notes and see how well you did. This test can also be conducted using different scents. Use strong scents such as vinegar, lemon, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla and bleach and see how you do.