'Secret Shifters'

Thinking positive all the time is not easy. We can be distracted or tempted to think negative thoughts when something unwanted or unexpected happens in our lives. In 'The Secret' a tip that is explored to help focus on positive thoughts is the use of what is referred to as 'Secret Shifters'. These are triggers that help change our mood. As explained in the book, it is impossible to think negative thoughts when we are feeling good...so FEELING good is a key in this process. We all have things in our lives that (whether conscious or subconsciously) we reach for when we are feeling down; things that give us a little lift and help turn our mood around. OMG it's week 2 already over on 'Shhhh It's a Secret'. I have given it a lot of thought but not produced a LO yet. There are so many things that change my mood ...

• A bag of pick & mix sweets
• An episode of 'Friends'
• A walk in the sunshine with Andrew
• Listening to my favourite music
• Taking photos of beautiful things

All those yes, but there's one thing I have learnt to do when I'm anxious or stressed which has changed my whole life. I'll go back a bit. In February of 2004 (just before my 40th birthday) we were lucky enough to holiday in Jamaica. 2 weeks with Andrew and the girls doing absolutely nothing :O) It was the nearest thing to paradise I have ever encountered. Each morning we would have a breakfast to die for and then we'd go and find a sun bed. The beds overlooked the beach & sea and had the thickest most comfortable cushions on you could imagine. The hotel even provided a fresh towelling cover, every morning, that fitted over the cushion. The drinks would flow thick & fast. The warm breeze would waft through the palm trees overhead and the steel band would play Bob Marley music all day. I was laid there one day listening to 'Don't worry, about a thing,' when it occured to me that Bob was right. There was nothing in my life to worry about, even when life was hectic and bad stuff happened, life wouldn't stop, nothing would happen so why worry about it. Since that day, on the occasions when I've been worried, stressed or anxious, I've gone back to 'my place' and imagined my little piece of paradise and it's done the trick everytime!! That day actually changed my life!!!