I am a believer in touchstones. Something that you can look at or touch that can get your focus back to your center. If you want a mindset of peace...what can you touch or look at the reminds you of peace? I have used different ones over the years.
Here is an example of one of my favorites from years ago. I worked for a man who was really mean spirited. He was good at his job but obnoxious as hell and just plain mean to people who worked for him. I think he considered it a good day if he made someone cry...man or woman...it didn't seem to matter. It was all about getting that reaction.
Well I was bound and determined not to cry...no matter what. I wanted to be professional and stand my ground with him. One day I was in a gift shop and saw a display of buttons. One of them caught my eye. It said...you are ugly and your mother dresses you funny.
For some reason it struck a cord with me and I laughed and laughed. I bought the pin... I took the back pin off and I kept the button in my office drawer.
Whenever I was called in his office. I took a deep breath, grabbed my pin and went in. Sometimes it was in my hand... sometimes I had it in my pocket. Every time I started to slip...get emotional...I would touch the pin. It would center me. I would smile and be calm. I would take a second look at his tie and smile a little wider...my touchstone. It worked. It helped to bring me back to my center.
What do you use? What could you use?
Tomorrow..the qualities you carry through your day if you want a mindset of peace.
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