Kelley Pujol Writes: Let's Get Down to Business

We’ve talked about losing weight and we’ve talked a little about some of the tricks our minds can play. But whether what is bugging you is your body, your finances, your job, your marriage – or just a general sense of frustration, in order to stop being frustrated we have to start in the same place.

Now, first off, don’t worry. I’m not your granny and I’m not going to tell you to adjust your attitude. I’m not going to tell you that you can only control one thing in this world and it is your attitude – because guess what? You may not even be controlling that!

What we have to start with is your perception.

Imagine if you will that you are in a museum. It is quiet – you are the only one there. The air temperature is perfect. It feels so crisp. You are seated on a very comfortable padded bench seat, and you are looking at the most beautiful painting you have ever seen.

The colors are exquisite and the texture is so realistic you want to reach out and touch it.

The problem is the frame.

This perfect painting is surrounded by a frame made of garbage. Old vegetables, dirty Kleenex, gnawed chicken bones. Some of it is in a real state of decay – wretched, oozing, putrid, noxious. The scent is overwhelming.

How long are you going to be able to enjoy looking at the painting? At what point will you cease to be able to concentrate on the painting at all – only on the unpleasantness of its frame? When will you decide that it is just not worth it and leave the painting and the gallery all together?

That frame represents your perceptions. Right now, everything you are experiencing is being filtered through the frame of all your past experiences. You are doing this subconsciously, without even realizing it.

I’d like you to try this exercise for the next two days. As you go through your day, I want you notice what is sapping your energy – what you dread, and what is feeding your energy – what you look forward to. Simply notice, but don’t judge your reactions as good or bad. For example, you may ( and probably will) find that many of main people in your life – the ones you say you live for – may seem to be what is bringing you down, and you may feel guilty about this. Don’t. For today, just pay attention and make a mental note. Then we will go from there.