The Brain Train.

As we sprint past the finish line of such a challenging year, it can be hard to find positivity. 

Sometimes it takes a little focus shift or a zooming-in on the finer-detail to locate it. There's an exercise I occasionally practise called the ten-finger gratitude meditation that positively reinforces this, and as such, is an appropriate way to start 2021.

The crux of it is to find the time, usually at the end of the day, to list ten things you're grateful for. They can be big or small, and should you want to approach the task more mindfully, you could trace the outline of each hand with a finger as you do it; running it along the edge as you concentrate on the physical sensation, stopping at each fingertip for a moment as you state each point to yourself.

The task may seem trite, but it's hugely beneficial in a world where we tend to hold onto the negative while dismissing the positive out of hand. This trait could take a lifetime to unlearn, or you may be unaware you even do it or that you've picked up such a bad mental habit. 

I suspect this stems from our societal upbringing, which is often less about celebrating positive traits or applying self-kindness, and more about reprimanding flaws. And no-one at entry-level teaches you to look after your mental health properly. It's just down to luck if you stumble across the right approach unaided; our school years are more about learning facts and figures than standing you in good stead for a healthy, well-balanced life. And what's the point of being able to identify Isosceles triangle if you're following a pattern that puts your long-term wellbeing at risk?

That's not to say I think these things are quick-fix; I suffer from depression and know how utterly debilitating it can be, and that when it hits, trying such tactics feels pointless. But I also recognise that the act of restating the good can help those mental cogs and gears kick into life. It's about forging new neural pathways by gently yet repeatedly adjusting your approach. And just remembering how tasty your last cup of coffee was can let in a subtle chink of light.

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