Do you not have a headache?

Do you drink enough water during the day? I don’t. The warming days in NZ only reinforces the need. My body-reminder is a really annoying headache in the evening. By this time it is too late to rehydrate but I have a quick drink while I kick myself for not remembering during the day. I got one of these headaches earlier this week, after spending multiple sunny, enjoyable and busy days outside.?

Two days later and I realised I no longer have a headache. In fact I don’t remember when it stopped? Has this ever happened to you? It is very clear when something painful arrives but we don’t seem to notice the pleasure of a clear mind and body afterwards.?

There is a lesson in this for us. We create habits by repeating our behaviours. If we spend time complaining about something painful, we get very good at it. In the same vein, if we notice (and appreciate) the pleasurable moment we also get better at it.

The way we experience life is simple and consistent. The mechanism doesn’t care whether our thoughts and actions are positive or negative, our focus on that thought is always embellished and eventually conveniently automated for us (into a thought habit).?

It’s great to appreciate this when things are not going well as it gives us some space to step back and see our options. But it’s just as important to appreciate this when things are going well. When we get the space to see what’s happening in the moment we see our options and we have a choice. My choice at the moment is to recognize that I enjoy not having a headache, grab a glass of water before it’s the evening and then continue to enjoy what I’m doing.?

Enjoy yours.?

Tim.