Imagine being underwater with limited oxygen, entangled in fishing line and next to an explosive device, yet still capable of remaining optimistic. How is this possible? The advice of a navy seal who had been in the exact situation is to look for the next step or the one small thing that can improve the situation, if even slightly.

If you can wiggle your fingers, move the line that’s wrapped around you even a little or do one little thing to make the situation better, do that. Then, find the next thing you can do. And the next. That’s the only way you will untangle yourself and defuse the bomb.  If you panic, you’ll losing precious oxygen and flood your brain with stress hormones that will make it impossible to find a rational solution.

It’s only an emergency if you can’t find a solution. 

I’ve never been in this man’s situation literally, but I’ve sure as heck been there figuratively. In my darkest days, I often felt like I couldn’t breath, that I was trapped in my situation with no way out and that I was going to die if I didn’t figure out everything right then and there. I wasn’t entirely wrong, my life was on the line, but the situation wasn’t going to miraculously change if I didn’t start wiggling my way out of it. 

I had to look at what I had at my disposal, what strengths I possessed, what I had going for me. 

Describe a situation that is troubling you. Perhaps you are struggling with symptoms of depression, you’ve gotten upsetting health news, your hours have been cut at work or you’re feeling overwhelmed with parenting responsibilities. Now think of one thing that you have at your disposal that helps this situation, if even a tiny bit. 

It isn’t about ideal circumstances. It is about learning to focus on what you have to find a solution that brings about change.