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The Secret of Happiness
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You need to get some silicone earplugs. Foam earplugs are
not good enough.
While you are at the drug store buying silicone earplugs,
you should also buy yourself a pill case. Choose a pill
case that is sturdy enough to survive life in your pocket
and also the right size to hold a single pair of earplugs.
Put a pair of earplugs in your pill case. Put the pill case
in your pocket.
Imagine a public space that you normally find stressful.
Airline travel is a perfect example.
Put in your earplugs before boarding. Leave them in for the
entire flight.
The roar of the plane fades away. Voices blur. Crying
children are in the distance, someone else's problem.
You won't be deaf. You will still be able to hear what's
going on and what people say to you. But you will gain
peace and perspective on where you are and what you are
doing. Circumstances will no longer manipulate you. Now
you can choose your reactions.
On landing, put your earplugs back in your pill case. Pill
case goes back in your pocket.
No need for noise-canceling headphones--that's overkill.
Emergency room. Christmas shopping. You have the right
to choose how much you hear no matter where you are. Your
earplugs are a volume knob for your life.
