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Yesterday I accidentally slammed my left hand in a door. +1 to my list of injuries. Waking up this morning involved a lot of pain and sighing. My initial reaction is to feel sad and frustrated. I tend to internalize my feelings and isolate myself. I almost allowed myself to fall into that same pattern of hopelessness, but I decided that today would be different.

In the depth of our pain, it’s hard to remember that we have a choice about how we feel. The path of least resistance is to fall victim to our own negative thoughts. When we have those thoughts, we can choose whether or not we want to believe them. We can choose whether or not we’ll allow those negative thoughts to persist and turn into thought loops, spiraling out of control.

We can use acceptance to allow ourselves to be exactly where we are right now, without any impatience, judgement, or resistance to our current situation.

Yes, it’s hard to take this approach in our most difficult moments—but choosing to sink deep into our own suffering is more destructive. With a negative attitude, we have the capability to turn one bad day into many bad weeks or months. We can get stuck in a depression, repeating the same negative thoughts in our minds.

Or with a positive attitude of choosing not to suffer, we can try to see the good rather than the bad. Instead of letting our thoughts rule our lives, we can choose gratitude. We can be appreciative for so much else in our lives.

Today, I’m choosing to accept where I am right now. I’m choosing to stay positive and not let my pain bring me down. I’m choosing not to be consumed by suffering. I’m choosing to be grateful for everything else.

What do you choose?

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