2018-10-01_Reader_s_Digest_AUNZ

October• 2018 | 55

READER’S DIGEST

ind you don’t like it, you can always
change your mind. It’s your life.”
Of course things get tough. For
example, my heart still contracts a
little when I hear myself squeaking
a ‘thank you’ at the supermarket
checkout, not having spoken to a soul
all day. When you have one of those
moments, repel and rebuff nega-
tive thoughts with a dynamic force.
We need to diminish their power or
they will establish a stronghold. You
choose the thoughts that circulate in
your mind.

TOOL NO. 7 BE YOUR OWN
GOOD COMPANY, MOTIVATOR
AND CHEERLEADER

You spend more time with your-
self than anyone else, so make sure
you are good company. I am lucky
enough to enjoy my own company,
but if you don’t enjoy yours, what can
youdotomakeitbetter?
herearetimeswhenIthinkthat
no one would miss me if I disap-
peared in a puf of smoke.hat makes
me feel lonely. Rationally, I am sure
they would and to remind myself

I keep a big scrapbook with loving

cards, letters and emails from friends

and family. I am important to them. I

have it in writing.

People rarely give compliments

or praise, so fill the vacuum your-

self. Don’t wait for others to say ‘well

done’. Pat yourself on the back regu-

larly. You are doing so well just put-

ting one foot in front of the other.

When things threaten to over-

whelm and you feel your little solo

rowing boat is taking on water, keep

things in perspective. Whatever trou-

bles you are going through only rep-

resent a tiny dot on your line of life.

In one year, or ive, it will matter less,

or not at all. You are stronger than

you think.

This is an

edited extract

from The Art

of Living Alone

and Loving It

by Jane

Mathews,

out now from

Murdoch

Books.

ARTIST EMERGES ALIVE AFTER BURIAL

Australian performance artist Mike Parr, 73, was buried in a steel

container under Hobart’s busiest street for 72 hours as part of

Tasmania’s Dark Mofo Festival. He had access to oxygen and

water but not food. Known for his extreme works, the artist has

previously tested his physical limits by sticking drawing pins into

his body and holding his finger in a candle flame. REUTERS