Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Dampening Disappointments

[Thursday’s Post]

Bouncing back from non-starters, disappointing results and criticism are part of our maturing process. Sure, these can hurt us emotionally yet they are bound to occur, at the most unexpected moments.

Kids are taught discipline through suspending their immediate gratification. Delayed gratification is about knowing how to have your cake and eat it, but not all at once, or at one sitting. You can hold back your urges, so that we can channel these motivations into other pursuits of higher relevance and usefulness.

Recall when we resume a bad habit or break a vow that we regret. Regret, left unchecked and unattended, can be destructive chains in human psychology.

We have our bad days – times when things appear to defeat us. Instead of feeling conquered, choose other behaviors to lead ourselves. Exercise, reading an inspirational book, watching competitive sports, or having a productive conversation with a close friend or confidant can excite our neural pathways. Renewed thinking can change the way we feel, almost immediately! Notice how recognition from friends on Facebook or Twitter can engage us. Seek psychological group ‘hugs’ or do a group run, and enjoy the mental, emotional and spiritual energies that come with them.

Step on your disappointments, and step up on your appointments!

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