Posted by: Jan on June 7, 2009
Categories: Mind/Body/Spirit // Comments Off on RICE Formula is First Aid for Mind, Body, Spirit Distress
Summer brings family, friends, and all kinds of people together in everything from trips to the beach to trips to the emergency room. Some people are too much in a hurry to get somewhere and accidents happen.
Others make plans that have to be changed because the weather didn’t cooperate or someone can’t take time off from work. There are those who made a poor choice and now there are consequences that affect a whole lot of other people.
That’s the time to remember this easy and quick remedy – RICE! I don’t mean the rice you throw at the bride and groom, or the rice you fix into a pudding or side dish.
This RICE is a perfect first aid formula for any distress in mind, body, or spirit:
REST the issue. It is what it is. See it, face it, and let it go. Don’t make it bigger than it is and don’t let it ruin the rest of the day, weekend, or vacation.
ICE the anger. Put a stop to the boiling inside. Let the pressure out in some constructive exercise like jogging, walking, or weeding the garden. If thoughts about the problem keep running through your mind, go back to the first step – REST the issue!
COMPASSION for everyone involved and for yourself. Give yourself and others some space. Think of alternatives, plan B, a way to salvage the event or circumstance. If you can’t get to that space – if the resentment or rage, hurt or tension are still hanging on, go back and ICE those feelings until they cool down and dissipate.
ELEVATE your thoughts and feelings. Find something good to focus on. From this moment on make it good. Give yourself and others another chance without counting how many times you or they are starting over again. If you’re not in this space within half an hour or less, go back to the previous three steps and take your time working it out.
No matter the time of year or season of your life, you as well as everyone else on the planet deserves good times and fun times. Be prepared for the mistakes and mishaps that happen. Keep your RICE formula handy and use it immediately upon the first signs of distress!
Have you found some bit of wisdom and support in these suggestions? Do you have your own simple and effective way to deal with these issues? Please drop a line in the response box below (or click on the comment link in Facebook) and share your thoughts with us.
I’m looking forward to hearing from you.
Janice M. Puta
Author of Pathways: Tales for the Spiritual Seeker
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