I just finished my new book, “The 7 Triggers of Mental Health Decline in the Elderly and How to Disarm Them Forever.” In the course of writing, I had many opportunities to reflect upon my own feelings and heed my own advice. But I must admit that I am a hypocrite (and apparently a poet as well).
In particular, the notion of what we choose to pay attention to has challenged me a lot. Lost in the discussion of what can trigger a decline in mental health is nostalgic reminiscence. For me, that practice does not work as I inevitably experience a feeling of loss and the palpable sensation of emptiness.
For example, when I think about my college years, arguably one of the best periods of my life, I feel like I have lost something that I cannot regain, like a broken branch of a tree. When I think about how much my children have grown, I feel like I have lost an opportunity to get parenting exactly right. When I think about my deceased mother, I think about how I lost a chance to get being a child and sibling right. When I think about my father, I think about how I am losing a trusted confidant as I take on more responsibility for his well being.
I give a lot of power to the notion of being in a state of “loss” and a lot of lip service to being in a state of “possibility.” The former causes pain and longing, the latter, I am sure, will create a sense of excitement. Deciding to alter the way we perceive things is like exercising a new muscle; it is a conscious effort that takes energy. The pay off for changing this process will be better mental health.
So I make this pledge:
Starting today I am going to concentrate on the delightful future that is in store for me. I will adhere to the cliché that the present is a gift. I will go on a thought process diet and only digest words of wisdom that inspire me to do great things and find beauty in my reflection. How about you? Are you ready to change?
