How did this past week go as you contemplated the decision you made to seek out this website in your
pursuit of a more joy-filled life? What new thoughts or feelings did you experience?

Choosing to believe a situation, an experience or your life can be different is a lesson I had to relearn
(again) this week.

Monday started off with a big disappointment and the week went downhill from there, adding a second
and then a third blow. Into the tar pit I fell– weighted down with anger, frustration, helplessness, and
all-around self-pity. For several days I struggled against the dense, viscous cocoon I had created. I barely
saw over the dark surface, much less actively tried to choose to believe something, anything, would
ever, could ever, be different.

At times like these, it’s hard to stay focused. I looked into the handbag of my life and dug out some
things for which I could be grateful right then, in that present moment. I sat on my patio and went
through a short list. I practiced my Gratitude Meditation^SM and came up with a few more. I acknowledged
what was going right in my sea of sorrow. As the week came to a close, I sporadically believed these
setbacks were only temporary; in the timing of the universe they would work themselves out to my
benefit, despite what I was seeing in front of me, and how my return to running old belief tapes through
my head had dumped me into my fabricated black abyss.

Like a punching doll that falls over when hit, I am slowly swaying back up to center by reconnecting to
my center, the source of all truth–my heart, dwelling in thanks giving, and gingerly reclaiming my power
to choose to believe something different. You can too.

Human beings, by changing the inner attitudes of their minds, can change the outer aspects of
their lives.
William James (1842 – 1910)