I get migraines, so I have come to really appreciate the days when I don’t have one. On the mornings I don’t have a headache I will bring to mind what a night with a bad attack was like, not for too long, just enough to feel the lightness in myself. The feeling of no aches or pains gives me something to be grateful for, but I quickly forget, which is why I like to remind myself of what it could be like.
This is a mental technique used by the Stoic’s called Negative Visualisation. Stoic philosophy is a highly practical outlook that has proven very beneficial to me. This idea of the Stoic’s helps with the constant desire we humans seem to have for, something else, a car, holiday, phone, partner, whatever. And even if you stop and look around now at your stuff, some time ago you really wanted all of that too, is it that now enough? Anyway, a Stoic knows that if you can want what you already own, your on way off the desire treadmill.
Think about your phone for a minute, and all the information it contains. Think of how reliant we have all become on that technology. Now imagine you have left it in a taxi, or on a shop counter. Really imagine the inconvenience and possible woe that might come from such an unfortunate mishap.
Now hold your phone and be grateful for it, you haven’t lost it. When I do it accidentally, like the time I thought my bike had been stolen (I was looking at the wrong rack), I really savour the joy!
Sometimes it is ok to remember what we could lose, because if done properly and for the right reason, negative visualisation adds flavour to life.
Denis Magee 