Episode - 065 - Spring Break

I hope all is well with you and that you are enjoying the coming onset of spring. This is just a quick announcement to let you know that the Stop Making Yourself Miserable podcast will be going on a short, two-week spring break.           For me, early spring is always a poignant time, when once again I get to witness the magnificent transformation of nature.  And it always reminds me to try to stop the process of constantly taking things for granted, which seems to be a basic human tendency with some very deep roots. Someone once said that when it comes to all the positive things in our lives, we're like Teflon. We seem to let our good feelings slip away from us, like a buttered omelet sliding off a non-stick pan. But when it comes to the negative ones, forget it. We're like Velcro, clinging to that nasty negativity with a stubborn tenacity that defies all logic. I guess when you get down to it, it's all based on fear, along with its trusty sidekick, ignorance which, by the way, is derived from the concept of ignoring something. Now that brings up an intriguing question – Are we ignoring something positive that could stimulate a major, spring-like transformation in our lives? Could it be the miracles that are happening around us and within us, on a constant, 24/7 basis?           To me, the question reminds me of the basic process of breathing, which is at the very foundation of life for us. We all know this. No breath – no life.           So, what does the process of breathing have to do with the miracle of spring?  Well look at it this way, our inhalation brings us oxygen and with our exhalation we release deadly toxic waste. So, we each inhale life and exhale death about 22,000 times every day.           And this process of breathing is every bit as miraculous as the rebirth of spring. After all it's a phenomenon that can't be explained or understood by science. Call it a gift, call it a miracle, or call it anything you like, the truth is, the process of breathing defies all human understanding.           And even though we are basically unaware of it and take it completely for granted, on a subtle, yet profound level, you could say that are each reborn 22,000 times a day. Wow – 22,000 miracles a day! Can you imagine what life would be like if you could tap into having real gratitude for even just a fraction of that, let alone the whole thing?           So, I guess the basic idea for me is to enjoy this happy season and see if I can become a little more grateful and appreciative for the gift of life. And maybe I can even flip that Teflon/Velcro thing around, and have the positive stick to me like Velcro, while I let the Teflon part of my awareness allow any and all negativity to slide right off of me like water off a duck's back.           Sounds like a good idea, and I'm going to give it a shot. And of course, I wish it for you as well. So in the meantime, Happy Spring, and let's get back in touch soon…