{"id":1011,"date":"2019-12-20T03:06:03","date_gmt":"2019-12-20T09:06:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lindagorchels.com\/blogs\/?p=1011"},"modified":"2019-12-18T15:11:11","modified_gmt":"2019-12-18T21:11:11","slug":"is-well-being-a-choice","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lindagorchels.com\/blogs\/is-well-being-a-choice\/","title":{"rendered":"Is Well-Being a Choice?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Quick. What was your first thought when you woke up this\nmorning? Was it: Today will be a great day? <\/em>Probably not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What was your last thought before you went to sleep last\nnight? Was it: I\u2019m so grateful for [fill-in-the-blank] that happened in the\nlast 24 hours<\/em>? Again, probably not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But why not?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why do most of us lack these habits? I guess we get caught\nup in the busyness of everyday life. And these well-being behaviors can be\ndownright hard<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I know they\u2019re hard for me. I am a recovering pessimist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But long ago I learned that well-being is a journey, rather\nthan a destination. We don\u2019t one day arrive at a state of well-being and stay\nthere forever. We have to keep fixing potholes, clearing debris, and taking\ndetours when necessary. But, step-by-step, we make progress. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are some steps we can all take.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Acknowledge it\u2019s your choice<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Trauma and setbacks happen to all of us. They\u2019re\nrarely a choice. But how you react<\/em> to them is. Your attitude is the\nchoice you make.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Some people grumble that roses have thorns; I am grateful that thorns have roses.”
<\/p>Alphonse Karr<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Choice is an interesting word. Dictionary.com defines it as \u201cthe right, power, or opportunity to choose.\u201d Think about that. Choosing an attitude of well-being is your right<\/em><\/strong>.<\/em> A positive attitude gives you power<\/em><\/strong> over the situation, and the opportunity<\/em><\/strong> to lessen your own misery. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Face your reality<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019m not suggesting that you choose to ignore<\/em> all\ntraumas or setbacks you face. Rather, I\u2019m suggesting you sculpt your attitude\nin a more constructive direction while acknowledging\nthe reality<\/a> of the situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s say you came in second place, not being offered a job\nyou wanted. Or you had a fire that damaged your house or apartment, but without\nphysical injury. Or you missed an event you wanted to attend. Being bummed is\nokay. But don\u2019t wallow in negative feelings too long. The longer you\nimmerse yourself in negativity, the more ingrained the action becomes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Face reality head-on and work to change (or at least accept)\nthe negative reality. What might you do to find an even better job? Be grateful\nyour insurance covered the cost of the property damage. Identify another\npromising event to attend.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prime your brain<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Throughout your life, you have primed your brain to perceive\nevents in a certain way. Chances are you have a stronger reaction to bad news\nthan to good news.  (Psychologists refer to that as negativity bias<\/a>.) <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can\u2019t eliminate bias, but you can work to control or\nmanage it. Start by framing your self-talk. Say \u201cI can\u2019 instead of \u2018I can\u2019t.\u2019\nSay \u2018what can go right?\u2019 instead of \u2018what can go wrong?\u2019  Practice priming\nyour thoughts in a beneficial direction until the positive attitude becomes a\nhabit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Take action<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Commit to choose well-being and put it into action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo by Binti Malu from Pexels <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n