A Key To Shaking Off The Winter Blues

Why do people watch the super bowl? Why do they buy things on ebay? Why do people play the lottery?

Spectators go to the super bowl, or watch it on TV, in part because they "believe" or "hope" their team will win. But in the final analysis they may watch the game because they won't know until the last minute of the game who will win, and by how much. People "participate" in ebay auctions because they hope to get a bargain, and because they are curious to see if they will "win" the item they are bidding on. Likewise, people play the lottery because there is a “possibility," even though a very minute one, that they will be a winner. It pricks their curiosity.

If you find that you feel like pulling into your shell and hiding from the world - call it the winter blues, being in a funk, or dark depression - you need a reason to want to come out of your shell and look around. You could watch the superbowl, go to ebay, or play lotto, but these are only depression band aids. To brighten your spirit for the rest of the winter, you'll probably need to learn how to prick your own curiosity.

Try talking to yourself differently. Instead of saying, "I should...” or “I have to...” try saying, "I might...” “I could...,” and “I wonder...” For example, instead of saying, "I should go shopping” try saying, "I might go shopping. I could go to Kroger’s, Meijer’s, or Wal-Mart. I wonder what bargains I can find? Who will I meet there?”

Robert Shuler called this "the power of possibility thinking." I call it "the power of curiosity thinking." Another way to turn your frown upside down is to use the power of curiosity thinking to plan a surprise for someone else. Again, as you make up and execute your plan, avoid using the words, "have to,” “should,” and “must." Try saying, "I think I'd like to surprise someone with something nice. Who do I know that might need cheering up? I wonder what I can do? What can I find?" Don't forget to keep your secret for a few days. You will find a sneaky smile spreading across your face from time to time throughout the day.

Obviously birthdays, anniversaries, Valentine's day, and Mother's Day are built-in, calendar opportunities to surprise friends and loved ones. But the joy and impact of a non-calendar surprise can be even greater.

In spite of a cold gray day, a bushy tailed squirrel ran across the snow on my deck, poked her nose into the snow as she ran around in a circle three times, and picked up a walnut that I had put there. How did Bushy Tail talk herself into venturing out of her warm nest into the snow? The power of curiosity thinking. She thought, "I wonder if?"

Dr. Greene is an ordained minister of the United Church of Christ and a resident of Richmond, IN. He is also the author of Benjamin's Dog Joseph, Feeling Better: The Wisdom of the Doc, You Can Feel Better: How to cope with chronic pain and physical disabilities, and co-author of Walking Free: the Nellie Zimmerman Story.

For further information about his books, please visit www.densmorereid.com

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