London - And Not Letting The Terrorists Control YOUR Thoughts...

Yes - what happened in London yesterday IS horiffic.

Yes - it does beggar belief that there are people who feel the need to do such things to innocent people.

Yes - we shouldn't let the terrorists win by changing how we live because of the fear of something similar happening again.

As someone who was born and spent the first 34 years of my life in London I can certainly understand the shock that many people are going through.

I remember having to walk through the 'Ring of Steel' put up around the City of London because of the IRA bombings that went on a few years ago.

At the time Lesley was more scared for my safety than I was.

I used to tell her that if something was going to happen at the same place and time that I was - then I could never 'second guess' where that would be and would instead make myself ill from worrying about it.

I have personally used the tube stations...and walked those very same streets involved yesterday many times in the 15 years I worked in the heart of London.

It's certainly a sad day for humanity once again, that's for sure.

BUT...

Unfortunately - due to the 24-hour blanket news coverage - those of us who aren't directly involved almost become brainwashed into becoming 'voyeurs'...

- How many were killed?
- What stations were involved?
- How many emergency personnel are involved?
- What was the number of the blown-up bus?
- What is the current 'state of alert'?

(I'm guilty as charged having spent most of my day yesterday in front of the TV)

Of course...

This stuff is important for many people - especially those in the media who like to 'keep score' by comparing Madrid to London - or certain details to September 11.

But let me ask YOU this...

What good does this do for YOU?

- Does it put you in a positive mindset about your day?
- Does it make you feel any better knowing exactly where each bomb was placed?
- Does it make you feel better than before the more gory details emerged?

Of course it doesn't!

Now...

Of course this atrocity won't make you feel particularly good.

BUT...

If YOU constantly feed yourself on wall-to-wall news coverage then you are only going to achieve ONE thing...

You are going to be walking around for the next few weeks (or even months) feeling down, miserable, depressed...and perhaps even frightened.

Is that how you REALLY want to FEEL?

After the first news bulletin today - I have decided that I now know enough about what happened - but don't need a constant reminder to 'drag' me down.

Constantly watching this stuff certainly won't serve you well in terms of your general well-being that's for sure.

Just last week I was listening to a tape from 2002 where someone stood up at a seminar and said how miserable she had been - and how the events of 9/11 had pushed her 'over-the-edge' - even though it didn't impact her life directly.

Sure - things like London, 9/11, Madrid, Bali etc WILL impact your life if you, loved ones, friends or colleagues are DIRECTLY involved in what happened.

And...as a father who lost a son (through other circumstances) at four-and-a-half - then I can certainly empathize with what you may be going through and my heart goes out to you.

BUT...

If YOUR only experience of this latest tragedy is via the TV - then for goodness sake - pay your respects of course - but don't get sucked into the doom, scaremongering and sadness of it all.

Let those whose lives are affected get on with coping with what happened.

It's YOUR job to take care of YOURSELF and YOUR thoughts - and to get yourself back on a positive track as soon as possible.

And move on.

Don't let the terrorists win the battle of controlling your THOUGHTS!

Perhaps one of the most positive things that came out of the events in London yesterday was something I heard on the radio this morning.

There was a guy who was in the train station above the tube station where one of the bombs went off. He felt the explosion and, of course, was traumatized once he found out what had happened.

He went home early from work with his girlfriend (who was there with him).

As they watched the unfolding events on TV during the day they, perhaps for the first time in their relationship, REALLY talked about who and what was important in their lives.

He got on one knee...proposed to his girlfriend...she accepted...and from being his girlfriend yesterday morning - is now his fiancee.

Now THAT'S the way to deal with things like what happened yesterday!

My thoughts and best positive wishes to everyone involved - but if YOU were not - then use this terrible event as an excuse to look at who and what REALLY matters to you.

And start building UPWARDS from there.

Posted by vurnumg