You Are in Charge of What You Think
Posted on Apr 13, 2009 - 7:25pm by Buck Black in Health
I am writing this post to build off Wayne’s blog post “Where’s the Light?” What is one to do about it? Well, you can certainly write your congressman, OOIDA, and various other entities. However, I also want to remind you that much of this is also out of your control, unfortunately. It is so important to remember what is in your power and what is totally out of your hands. Worrying about those things that are out of your hands causes plenty of stress related problems…ulcers, depression, lack of concentration, arguments with others, and anger…just to mention a few.
I want to offer a few lines of encouragement to all those truckers out there. Here are several common problems people experience in times like these.
Wondering thoughts
-When you catch yourself focusing on those money problems or other unpleasant thoughts, remind yourself to focus on something else. The dwelling on these negative thoughts just makes things worse and worse. Yes, it is very easy to do dwell on these thoughts…redirect yourself.
-Remember that you are in charge of what you think.
-Don’t forget the law of attraction: you get what you focus on. Be sure to distract yourself by focusing on the road (of course) and listen to some of your favorite music and keep in touch with family and friends. Just make sure to keep it positive.
Difficulty sleeping
Sleep is difficult for many people at various times throughout their life. Of course, the stress from the economy makes it much worse for many drivers out there.
-First of all, remember to control those wondering thoughts.
-Find yourself a bit of background music that is rather soothing. If you are into mediation, defiantly give that a try.
-Don’t forget to stop caffeine at least 9 hours before you plan to go to sleep. Believe it or not, studies show that caffeine negatively impacts sleep up to nine hours after last use.
-Get a bit of exercise before you go to bed. If you are able to make a few laps around your truck or happen to have any kind of workout equipment handy, this can be a great release of the days tension and wear you out a bit.
-Limit your alcohol and other drug use. Although alcohol can make you sleepy, it actually keeps you from going into deep sleep (many times) and keeps you from being well rested.
Anger
When we are angry, it is very easy to get carried away and say all kinds of cruel and absurd things to ourselves (and others!). One of the most effective ways to decrease anger is to cut out those bad things we say to ourselves and change our point of view.
Next time you get angry, give these a try:
-Will it matter next week, next month, next year?
-What right do I have that is being violated?
-Visualize getting along, walking away—Instead of kicking the person’s arse!
-Look at the person/situation making you angry as a test to see if you will become angry.
-If you allow others to make you angry, you are allowing them to control you. Do you really want others pulling your strings?
-No matter how tough you are, you’ll find your matchThe only person responsible for your anger is you
-Imagine what the world would be like if everyone had anger like you Anger is energy. Are you going to use this energy for something productive or destructive?
-Learn to laugh at yourself
-Keep a journal of absurdities
-Find the comedies in the tragedies—It’s a matter of perspective.
As a gesture to all of the truckers out there, I am offering to answer one question via email or talk with a driver for 45 minutes via skype, phone or AT&T mobile to mobile about a particular problem for free at www.TruckerTherapy.com. Just let me know you saw this offer on LifeOnTheRoad.com
I will do my best to help you get in that money making frame of mind!
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How right you are, Buck! A trick I learned from a friend years ago is, when faced with a traffic jam or something that just set my teeth on edge on the road is to turn the XM to the classical station and let one of the masters take over. Although I dont usually listen to classical, something about the music just takes over the jittery brainwaves and smooths you out. It’s also very hard to keep negative or compulsive thoughts going while listening to classical music.
So, turn on “Dr Bach”-and call Dr Buck!
I find your suggestions way too simplistic. Did you ever just TAKE ACTION! How incredibly freeing that is. With very few exceptions there is nothing that an individual can’t control. We, that is, truckers, got into this mess by not CONSISTENTLY taking action and deciding to switch to another channel and say “I can’t do anything about it.” How absurd. When a weak individual gets hit they roll over, when a strong person is faced with a challenge they rise up to it. Getting angry is sometimes the best medicine. If you want to offer “encouragement” to truckers, tell ‘em to get off their duffs and do something – anything – to change their circumstances.
Mike,
Good post! Maintaining control of what you do have control of and not trying to control the things you can’t control will improve your quality of life.
Mike Dandridge wrote a great little book that helps people focus on what’s important and within their realm of influence. The 7th Golden Key is also an audio book – I listen to it while driving. There’s actually ten keys listed in the book. Here’s the first one: Be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.