My 81 year old Mom has started a new habit of calling me every morning to her room and saying she’s going to die. She’s absolutely fit and fine, and this is merely a fear. I tried to talk her out of it — telling her all her medical reports are fine, and even the doctors say she’s doing great. Yet, her morning routine of whining didn’t stop.
One day I told her we don’t know about tomorrow, but in this moment, here and now, today, you are alive. And you can live this moment the way you wish.
I told her every morning the only conversation she is allowed to have with me is about what she wants to eat. She’s a foodie, so this ploy is working. I ask her if she wants Chhole bhature, butter chicken, rasmalai or laddus. She perks up at the mention of these, and I hope my trick will sustain.
I tried to get her to focus on what was in her and my control (living up the day), instead of focusing on what is out of her and my control (what will happen tomorrow). So here we are living each day to the fullest.
What about you? Are you focusing on what is out of your control or what is in your control? Or can be brought under your control with effort?
