Have Something in Your Life
That Takes You Out of Yourself
I have a friend who swears by her adopted greyhounds. No, I
don’t mean she stands next to them and curses, although I’m
sure she does from time to time. But what I mean is that no
matter how miserable she is, no matter how hard she’s been
working, no matter how annoying life has been, no matter
how fed up, cross, or what sort of a bad hair day she’s had,
when she gets home and gets that incredible greeting from her
rescued dogs, it all then becomes worthwhile. The gloom is
lifted, and she is instantly restored, calm, happy, and loved. It’s
a bit sad, but there you go (only joking).
For me, it has to be my children and where I live. Although
my kids drive me insane at times, there is still something
incredibly magical about the way they view the world and how
they grow. As for where I live, I only have to think about going
home to feel lifted and invigorated.
For every one of us, there will be something different that
does it, that pushes our button in a very positive way. And I
find the wonderful thing about this Rule is that it invariably
isn’t the things that cost money that have this power. The
things that lift us are usually magical in some way—a particu-
lar view or person, a pet or a child, a favorite book or film that
we turn to, to help us recharge. It might be a state of mind
that we arrive at through some ritual such as going to a place
of worship or meditating. It might be a certain piece of music
that lightens our heart. For some it will be reorganizing their
stamp collection; for others it will be doing charity work or
being a volunteer. (There’s nothing like doing something for
others or for a greater good to take you out of yourself.)