Philosophy

I have this habit of reading back issues of the newspaper when I get back from holidays. My own experience is that the news becomes less important and my response to certain news also less emotional.

For example if you read about the Bali bomb explosions or a man got arrested for chopping up his China girlfriend hot off the press, your emotional response would be quite strong. But if you first read about it two weeks later, your response would not be so emotional.

Similarly, if you are experiencing a difficult time now it will become the past and may not seem so bad later on.

This brings me to something I read in a book. It says (not the exact words):

When you are feeling very stressful or distressful and that you will not be able to bear your burdens any longer, tell yourself that this is not going to last very long. It will become the past too. This is a very comforting thought. It gives you the courage and strength to go through the bad days.

And when you are feeling very happy and joyful, tell yourself that this is not going to last forever. This will help you prepare psychologically for the cloudy days ahead. You could also prepare by showing more love and kindness to others, strengthening your bonds with your family members and friends, taking better care of your health and saving a bit more of your bonus.