Taste Life Blog

60 degrees in January in Minnesota! There has never been a 60 degree temperature recorded during the first week of January in Minnesota’s climate record. EVER!!  Many people love it. Winter people like Gary hate it. His new snowshoes are waiting for him. A winter of fun XC skiing seems less and less likely. I feel very badly for people who depend on our snow economy. We forgot we are not in charge.

This fall I had cataract surgery and lenses implants. I developed an infection in my right eye that does not seem related to the lenses implants rather an infected plug placed years ago in my tear duct. Today, I type with cloudy vision which drives me crazy. Last week’s tear duct surgery has seemed to make my vision cloudier.  The topper is Health Partners paid $7441.00 for the first eye and doesn’t want to pay for the second.  I have to appeal.  I forgot I am not in charge

I have coached a wonderful scientist who has worked at a major Minneapolis corporation for 9 years and has had 15 bosses. The latest boss makes poor decisions, is not organized, is not technical enough and is always taking time off and does not know the word acknowledge.  No matter what this scientist does she cannot make her boss happy.  We have coached about the difference between controlling people and influencing people. Through coaching she is reminded she is not in charge of anyone other than herself. And perhaps the only people she used to influence were her children in grade school.

All of these situations, the weather, a body part that does not work or a boss you can never please can get you down.  Every single day your life brings you wonderful surprises and amazing challenges. Each of these stories begs the question, What am I in charge of?

With this continued cloudy vision I struggle to read emails and feel productive. I keep on waiting. Waiting for my whole life to work…my body, my relationships and my garbage disposal.

I can either focus on abundance and on what I have,  or focus on what I don’t have.

Here are five ways I “flip the switch” to positivity. (Some days I need to do this every five minutes!)

1.     Just Decide.

Decide you can only be in charge of you.

2.     Dump taking things personally.

Let comments bounce off your body. I picture my body like a huge tennis board and I let judgment or negativity from others bounce off me and return them to the sender.

3.     That Doesn’t Work For Me

When you feel like boundaries have been crossed, in a kind, caring, gentle non –emotional way say,“That doesn’t work for me.” Be quiet and listen.

4.     Respond Versus react

After hearing a negative comment or something you disagree with, picture yourself responding  and taking two steps forward instead of reacting taking two steps backward.

5.     You own your beliefs, habits and actions

Remember you are in charge of your beliefs, habits and actions.

You cannot always control what happens to you but you can control how you react to it. Your thoughts create your day. You are in charge of your thoughts. Your thoughts can be like a snowless Minnesota winter or a Hawaiian sunshine day. Trying to control other people is like trying to control the weather.

And boy is that a waste of energy! Wishing you Hawaiian sunshine!

I would love to hear how you flip the switch to positivity and remembering what you are in charge of. Our favorite story will receive a box of tea from Hawaii.

5 tips to be in charge of my life

1. I can’t always control what happens to me but I can control how I react.
2. My thoughts create my day.
3. I am in charge of my thoughts.
4. My thoughts can be like a snowless Minnesota January or a Hawaiian sunshine day.
5. Trying to control others or be in charge of them is like trying to control the weather. I am smarter than that.