Hello Sisyphus2. I know exactly what you mean when you describe your feelings. I've been there. I recall doing an NLP CD a few years ago where the author casually asked the listener to choose a really, really happy moment in their life. One of TRUE happiness. I recall really struggling to find one! Was my life really so unhappy? Not really, I just figured I was an 'unlucky person' just about 'getting by' in life.
Anyway, I've turned all that around now, but although for the most part I'm positive, I still respect that the smallest thing can cause an instant shift from being on a peaceful vibe to being on a stressed vibe - but recognising this shift is the key, and you've done just that, so don't worry!
I use two methods to get myself back on track Sisyphus2. One is the 'Think Happy Thoughts' method shared in The Secret. You may recall Bob Proctor suggesting we think of a baby (not 'that' baby). :-) I have a list of memories that make me feel good or laugh out loud, and these shift my vibration to a positive one if I'm suddenly feeling low. I based this list on 'feeling' instead of 'perceived happy moment'. For example, I might recall my little girl giving me a big hug and telling me she loves me with all her heart. The 'feeling' recalls her actual hug, but also the smell of her freshly shampooed hair as she'd just had a bath, the sound of hair soft voice as she whispered it, the sensation of her little breath in my ear. Soppy I know, but a 'feeling' I can recall that lifts me. Compare that to the memory of winning a small amount of cash on a lottery ticket, and this memory is flat and emotionless by comparison.
The other method is a simple meditiation that takes only a few minutes. I use this method if the 'Think Happy Thoughts' method is over-shadowed by a particularly black cloud - maybe I'm a bit down, received devastating news, or just had a huge argument with someone I'm close to.
Anyway, I just find somewhere quiet, switch my mobile to 'silent', take the phone off the hook etc if I'm at home, and sit comfortably. I slip off my watch and loosen my belt if I'm wearing one - just so I'm comfy for a couple of minutes.
I close my eyes and imagine myself somewhere nice with the sun on my face. This could be a garden on a lazy summers afternoon, a memorable deserted beach in the tropics, or a high mountain top with cool rarefied air - whatever makes you feel relaxed. I smile as I 'feel' the sun on my face.
Next, and this may seem a little hard to visualise at first if you've not done it before, I imagine I'm 'breathing in' the sunlight. Literally - as I inhale with my eyes closed, I imagine a stream of sparkling sunlight flowing into my mouth and filling my body with light. I do this for a couple of breaths until I can imagine myself 'glowing'. Next, I say to myself, "I am letting go of all my anger" (for example) and as I breath out, I see the 'bad emotions' flowing out of me as grey light.
If you've seen the Tom Hanks film 'The Green Mile', you may recall the character of John Coffey breathing out millions of tiny black balls, like a dark cloud coming out of his mouth. Well, I visuaise the same - breathing in the pure white light, breathing out the grey/black light, nice relaxing, long, deep breaths. I might do some out-breaths saying, "I am letting go of all my anger", and the next few breaths, "I am letting go of all my resentment" - whatever negative emotions you want rid of.
I close by breathing in lots of sunlight until by body is glowing like the sun, and then smiling and being very happy and grateful that I feel so good.
As you open your eyes you'll feel a million times better, and attacting more feelings of 'feeling a million times better'. It really works, and takes only a few moments to do.
I hope this helps in some way - do let me know how you get on.
Curtis
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