The Healthy Management of Reality - Stanford University

do what you wish. If you are able, notice that the situation could actually be seenas humorous. You have seen comedy skits of a grouch getting more and moreworked up, red in the face, veins sticking up from his forehead. Is that the way youare acting? And, if you are, will it help you achieve what you want? Often, theanswer is no. Noticing this, becoming mindful of this process, can often derail theotherwise predictable chain of events: blowing up at the person, feeling immenseanger and resentment, and ruminating about the situation for some time to come.Instead, you can smile inwardly, figure out another way to get what you want, andproceed with your day without carrying unnecessary baggage. Sometimes, justdeciding not to keep on butting your head against the other person will allow himor her to stop fighting you as well. This is the epitome of managing your reality ina healthy manner.I believe that all of us are capable of making these types of changes in ourday-to-day lives. But the probability that we will use this ability skillfullybecomes better and better the more we practice. And here is where the power oftime comes in. By planning to create a better life for oneself, and beginning to acton the plan, one increases the chances that one’s life will be better in the future.And, if we ever face severe circumstances, or outright tragedies, the realitymanagement lifestyle can reduce the chances that we will add unnecessarysuffering to an already painful event.HMOR.July2005.Muñoz.doc 70