There’s a lot to be upset about in this world at times. And rightfully so. But there’s also quite a bit that gets under our skin and throws us off course that quite frankly, doesn’t deserve the attention we give it.
The palm tree is considered the strongest tree in the world, even stronger than the mighty oak because it bends with the wind.
There’s so much we can’t control in our every day — traffic, rude strangers, technology glitches, sirens blaring while you’re trying to meditate. But the more we push against some of these not-so-big-in-the grand-scheme-of-things things and let them upset us, the more they separate us from joy and break us.
In his totally fantastic, bestselling book, Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff and it’s all Small Stuff, Richard Carlson tells readers that when faced with something that’s upsetting them, “Ask yourself this question: Will this matter a year from now?”
It’s easy to get caught up in things that aren’t really that big of a deal unless we make them out to be. So if you’re seeking more peace, joy and ease in your life (and who are we kidding, aren’t we all?!) here are two easy ways to keep the little upsets from ruining your day:
1. Take a cue from Richard Carlson and ask yourself, “Will this matter a year from now?”
If so, then allow yourself to feel all you’re feeling so you can work through it and know that everything’s going to be OK.
If not, take a deep breath and know it’s in your best interest to let it go.
2. Out of sight, out of mind.
Our focus is like that laser beam in the movie Honey, I Blew Up the Kid. The more we think about, talk about and overall obsess about something that upsets us — the bigger a problem it becomes.
It’s kinda crazy how often we’re still talking about something that upset us hours after it happened.
Keep yourself from carrying something negative throughout your day by resisting talking about it to everyone you encounter after.
“My day was great, except for my deli was out of my favorite bread and my phone had some update it took me a half-hour to figure out — talk about a waste of time.”
Why go there?
And while we’re at it, definitely ditch any urge to post your complaints on social media, where comments will keep them alive for days.
Life will never be sunshine and rainbows all day, every day — there will always be little things that get on our nerves. But, instead of making mountains out of molehills, love yourself enough to prioritize your happiness, take a deep breath and let the little things go.
Wishing you an easy and relaxed weekend!
XO
Quote du jour
“The happiest people don’t necessarily have the best of everything, they just make the best out of everything that comes their way.” — Unknown
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