Dear Shirley:

It would be easy to have peace of mind if you always got an A on tests and achieved the results you wanted. The more you want this success level as a condition to peace of mind, the more stressed you will be and the more chances to make mistakes (the more distress, the less attention and the more mistakes).

The challenge is to accept less than an A, less than the desired success, even failure- with equanimity, peace of mind, calm. At first it is distressing, but then you can say to yourself: this is an opportunity for me to practice peace of mind, acceptance, non comparison (to others). Talk to yourself gently, like a good mother would talk to her daughter, patiently, kindly, lovingly.

Practice, practice… and you will get better at it. (although not perfect, and that is okay!)

anita