Was Mercury in retrograde this week I wonder? Contrary to the gorgeous weather I had a few truly, bitingly bitch-ass moments. One is bound to. There are too many people here! Anyway here are a few solutions; namely the IMPROVE Skill from D.B.T. Cornucopia of techniques.
The intent of the IMPROVE skill is to improve the moment by replacing the immediate event that has caused unpleasant emotions, with a more positive act, thereby making the moment more pleasant and easier to tolerate.
• Imagery: Improve the moment with Imagery. Imagine a beautiful scene on the beach or in the mountains. Image a safe place in your home.
• Meaning: Improve the moment with Meaning. Find purpose or meaning in your daily activities.
• Prayer: Improve the moment with Prayer. Ask for strength from your supreme being. Better yet, I find doing the rosary is a great way to detach from the world and discover remarkable peace within! Reciting the Hail Marys, is a great way to massage the mind and encourage disparaging, belittling or derogatory thoughts or vile words to evaporate from the mind; thus create a sense of peace, contentment and comfort. You need not be a saint to feel the peace of one. Further;
• I find that when I say “Hail Mary, full of grace” that a part of me actually becomes Mary with all her beauty, chasteness, innocence, strength and illumination! Truly. It’s hard to feel the healing beauty and power of nature in the East Village, but saying the Hail Marys is a fantastic substitute. TRY IT MARY ~ LOL.
• Relaxation: Improve the moment with Relaxation. Breathe deeply. I recommend inhale through the nose for 4 counts, hold 5, 6 & 7; then exhale on 8. Do this 3 times, it’s quite remarkable. Great for falling asleep too. Also, take a hot bath, massage your neck with a vibrator; my fav is the “hypervolt” as it’s much quieter than all the others.
• One: Improve the moment by focusing your attention on this moment. Often becoming instantly aware of fear or stress kills it!
• Vacation: Improve the moment with Vacation from adulthood. Go to the beach or the woods for a walk. OR if you can’t leave the city, keep finding interest and comedy in all the various characters around you. LOOK at people, study them, learn from them. Be entertained by them ; )
• Encouragement: Improve the moment with Encouragement from self. Say positive affirmations aloud to yourself. My two fav go-tos are “I love you” and “Anything that obscures my true self will be removed.” (St. Anthony’s breastplate paraphrasing).
one of my fav ways of getting around (and truly functional training) is riding my bike in the city. Yes it's insane, scary and dangerous but I prefer feeling the wind and making my legs push and pump with speed to walking along listening to all the words and noises that have absolutely nothing to do with me! God Bless my bicycle! I seriously need to get back on the unicycle. Maybe today : ).
Thank you for reading Mary. Come for a massage soon! LOL.
Best
Steve the nycmasseur 10-25-24
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