17.40 Frustration!

We all get frustrated in our day-to-day lives.

Why? I think it might be because we all have expectations on how things ought to happen, but reality is not affected by our wishes. Consequently, we get frustrated.

This week, as a spiritual-religious exercise, I want you to practice getting frustrated. Just to practice.

(You don’t have to.)

Let's face it, you are going to get frustrated anyway; so here is a chance for you to learn about yourself in a safe environment.

What you will learn in this upcoming exercise is going to be personal to you. You will learn answers to the question, “what do I really do when I get frustrated?” (A lot of us think we know, but frustration isn’t a thinking, it’s a feeling.)

Here’s what I've learned about when I get frustrated:

· I chastise myself for not being clever enough to think myself through whatever problem I’m having .

· I get excited fantasizing of having solved the problem and feeling accomplished in having done so.

· I spend time trying and re-trying solutions that I already know won’t work and then chastise myself for rehashing instead of solving the problem.

· I tend to hold my breath a little bit and don’t notice it until I make an audible, forceful exhale.

Now it’s your turn.

Try to figure out the following:

What is the next number in the following series:

· 1

· 11

· 21

· 1211

· 111221

· ___________

Note your reaction until you either figure it out or give up on it. I advise that when you do either (figure it out or stop trying), you spend a few moments writing a recollection of your experience.

Please notice your reaction to both the problem and to this entire exercise of learning from your reaction.

Spiritual-religious advise for the week: try to learn to be comfortable with the discomfort of being frustrated.

With love,

Rabbi Brian

For those of you still wondering about the answer? The solution will be revealed in the next issue of The 77% Weekly.