Life is not a rehearsal
Marie Snider
Saturday, January 13, 2007
I live my life from a red three-ring notebook.
My notebook goes with me from my desk to my favorite recliner in the living room.
But it never leaves the house. I would be lost if anything happened to that important notebook.
The first line on the first page in the notebook is a reminder that LIFE IS NOT A REHEARSAL, followed by a list of my present goals.
My goals are quite diverse. Among them are: Have fun. Stay calm. Toss three things every day. Drink eight glasses of water a day. And get a book of my columns ready for the printer by February 2007.
The rest of the notebook is designed to actualize these and other goals.
There are more than 20 sections designated by 2-inch tabs, like calendar, Amber (my adorable dog’s name), groceries, dentist, e-mails sent, garden, movies, menus and so on.
One of the most important documents is two pages I have copied from Dr. Bernie Siegel’s book “Love, Medicine and Miracles.”
Siegel is a surgeon who really believes in the mind-body connection.
In his practice, Siegel noticed that some very sick patients survived against all odds. Then he began observing those “survivors.”
Siegel found that survivors take charge of their own lives. If given six months to live, “They do not rely on doctors to take the initiative but use them as members of a team.”
Another characteristic is “the ability to love oneself, combined with the ability to love life, fully accepting that it won’t last forever.”
Self-esteem and self-love are not sinful, said Siegel. “They make living a joy instead of a chore.” A positive attitude is very important. The good news is that, even if it doesn’t come naturally to you, a positive outlook can be cultivated. It may be hard work, but it’s worthwhile.
And always remember, laughter is good medicine. Siegel is so convinced that laughter can boost the immune system and help us lead longer, more productive lives that he has made an audio CD, entitled “The Beginner’s Guide to Humor and Healing.”
If you feel you have nothing to laugh about, just try assuming the facial position of a particular smile. This simple exercise can actually affect physiological measurements of emotion, said Siegel.
In other words, fake a smile!
The two pages from “Love, Medicine and Miracles” that I have in my red notebook contain a list of survivor characteristics formulated by psychologist Al Siebert, who has also studied the personalities of survivors. Among the characteristics that can help you be a survivor are:
F A child’s innocent curiosity.
F Willingness to look foolish, make mistakes, and laugh at yourself.
F An active imagination, daydreams, mental play, and conversations with yourself. (I especially like this one because I often talk to myself.)
F Aimless playfulness for its own sake, like that of a happy child.
F A positive outlook and confidence in adversity.
And most important of all: The feeling of getting smarter and enjoying life more as you get older.
So, as you begin this New Year, remember what it takes to be a survivor. Take charge of your life, have a positive attitude, be nice to yourself, have fun and always remember to laugh. After all, LIFE IS NOT A REHEARSAL.
F Write Marie Snider at thisside60@aol.com or visit her website at www.visit-snider.com