I've hit a slump. After 3 years in the Philippines, I find myself focusing on the challenges - infrastructure, traffic, pollution - instead of trying to enjoy this unique experience living in a foreign country. There are definitely positives to living here. I have never lived anywhere where people laugh or smile more. Makes me think, why am I not smiling more, too? Then I stumbled upon three stories that really resonated with me.
The first is a TED Talk by Shawn Anchor.
Instead of just talking about how cool it would be to just be happy, he challenges us to try 5 activities for 21 days to re-wire our brains to be more positive and optimistic:
1. Three Gratitudes: write down three new things you are grateful for everyday
2. Journaling: write about one positive thing you have experienced in the last 24 hours to allow your brain to relive the experience
3. Exercise: to teach your brain that behavior matters
4. Meditation: to allow your brain to focus on just one thing in the present
5. Random Acts of Kindness: write one email thanking or praising someone in your social network everyday
Then I read an article in the NY Times about the problem with positive thinking. Basically, the author argues that your brain gets lazy if you are overly optimistic, and instead you should use "mental contrasting," where you first imagine reaching your goal, then spend a few minutes imaginging the challenges you will have to overcome to reach it.
Finally, I read an article in this month's Foreign Service Journal. Although the article, "Flying Monkeys in an Embassy" was calling me, I read a letter from a mother to her children instead. In the "Letter to my Global Nomads," three reminders really struck home for me:
1. Be open to the unique gifts each country can give you.
2. Try to find something beautiful in your host country everyday.
3. Find humor in the eccentricities.
According to my resume, I am an action-oriented individual, so I am going to give these ideas a try over the next three weeks and see if I can be rewired.
