R.A.D.I.C.A.L. Thoughts

“It is not easy to get resiliency back into our lives, but it is a quality too valuable to be lost.” ~ Dorthea Brande in her book WAKE UP AND LIVE! – A formula for success that works.

The book above was first printed in 1932 and was in it’s 16th printing in 1962 the date of the copy I found on my parents bookshelf. It may still be in print today. The book is chock-full of simple exercises to help us live more consciously and more fully. Most of the exercises can be done throughout a very normal, common day (even though no day is really normal or common!). Most exercises are designed to help you focus on things you do habitually every day without thinking at all … like being more negative than positive, or filling every conversation with I, me, mine. Even though this idea is especially helpful for people who are living alone or are alone much of the time, it’s helpful for anyone. The advice is to stretch yourself by doing something waaay out of your comfort zone just for the creative, expanding invigorating rewards it brings. The suggestion is to put 12 wild, unusual things on 12 pieces of paper and seal them in twelve envelopes and at least once a month pick one and do it! Here are examples … “go eat in the unlikeliest place you can find.” (i.e. a soup kitchen, a foreign quarter of your city, a diner in the country) or “stay up and work all night,” or “say nothing all day except in answer to questions,” or “go without food for twelve hours,” or “ride the bus to a different part of the city and explore.” You get the idea I’m sure. Get out of your comfort zone. Do something that makes you try something totally different from your normal routine. We are much more resilient than we realize. Your midlife divorce recovery has probably made you be more resilient in lots of ways --- just remember that is a very good thing! Now, push the envelope a little farther and create situations that encourage your innate stretching ability even more.

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9 (The Living Bible)