Last 5 Next 5 are actually two different concepts. They are both there to help me with my daily goal of being a better person today than I was yesterday.
Last 5 reminds me that I do not know what happened in the last five minutes of someone’s life. So, when I come across someone who is agitated, annoying or just plain frustrating, (there are other words I could use, but I am trying to be diplomatic ;p) I remind myself that I do not know what just happened for them. They could have just been in a car accident, had a bad news phone call, just got dumped… the list is endless in the bad things that could have just happened to cause this person to be in the mood that they are. Of course it is possible that they could just be a jerk, however, it’s hard for me to have empathy for jerks. I much rather think that something bad just happened and I can chose to be nice in their time of need. Of course I am talking about rude behaivour, Not unacceptable behaivour. THAT ought never be tolerated.
The Next 5 is a concept that I adapted in my time with Al-Anon. In recovery they talk often of getting through the next 24 hours… and this is great! I too, have lived 24 hours at a time. Unfortunately, there have been times that 24 hours is too long, and the idea of surviving whatever I am going through for 24 hours seems impossible. So I break it down even farther… to just getting through the next five minutes. I can literally count this out if I have to; it’s 300 seconds.
This has gotten me through some of the toughest times in my life. It has also gotten me through the little things like: a child’s temper tantrum, a long line, Muzak on hold… I just keep telling myself; “I don’t have to deal with this forever. I just need to get through the next 5 minutes.” when five minutes is over I say again; “I don’t have to deal with this forever. I just need to get through the next 5 minutes.” I can’t say for certain that it has saved MY life, though I am positive it has saved other’s. :”D
