Bell Hop
This tool
is the only one that requires a physical object, and I include it here
merely because for me it is so much fun! (OK, I admit it is a
little off the wall, but it works, and that's what counts for me!
)
What you
will need is one of those counter-top bells that are found at the front
desk of some businesses, and, of course hotels. You know the one
I mean, the one that you just can't resist touching the top of, to hear
that clear *ding*! even though someone is standing right there!
I've found
them at office supply stores: Office Depot, Staples, and such.
This one
also requires quite a bit of preparation work, as you will need to
associate the sound of the bell, with the emotion of your choice.
Association,
or conditioning, is the basis of this playful tool.
Having
chosen the emotion you wish to evoke, all you have to do is tap on the
bell anytime you naturally feel that emotion. After a while, your
mind and body will connect the sound of the bell with the particular
emotion, and all you'll have to do to "feel" that way, is to hear the
sound of the *ding*! and there you are!
MY
EXPERIENCE
I choose
to associate the feeling of jubilant, energized inspiration.
To create
the conditioning effect, I kept the bell handy, and for a few weeks,
anytime I felt really good, I'd ding the bell.
Yes, it
was silly, but there was a method to my madness. Imagine how
funny this old Southern Lady looked when she recieved an especially
large check in the mail, grabbed up her bell, and danced around the
room--*ding* *ding* *ding* -ing away!
Again when
I had watched an inspiring movie, and jumped up off the couch, letting
myself fill with happiness (it was SUCH a good ending), grabbed that
bell and *ding* *ding* *ding* we go!
And again,
when I heard the news that a dear, dear friend was coming to visit,
whom I hadn't seen in years! I was so excited! AND INSPIRED
to clean the house, spit spot! Grab that bell-
*ding!* Dust the bookshelf-- *ding!*
Clear away
the mail (isn't it always hanging around?) *ding!*
*Ding!* *DING!*
It wasn't
long before merely the sound of that clear ringing bell would brighten
my spirits, and give me the lift I needed to move through whatever
slump I might find myself in.
Yes, it
took a bit of conditioning, and you just may find it a little too nutty
for your tastes, but to this day, I cannot hear that lovely *ding*
without a smile and an uplift of spirit.
Try it,
you may like it!
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