This tool is useful because you cannot encode both danger signals and growth signals at the same time. After being exposed to a traumatic event, our minds can begin to think of the world only as a dangerous place and begin encoding everyday events as potential danger signals or “triggers” in an attempt to keep us safe from a danger that no longer exists.

After we’ve experienced a traumatic event,   our brains are reset to be hypervigilant to scary and dangerous things.

But did you know that your brain can’t be searching for BOTH JOY and DANGER at the same time???? It’s called “cognitive dissonance”. So you can use this strategy to once again ”reset” your brain OUT of hyper-vigilant-danger-searching mode!

Searching for joy in your everyday life will help you to create a history that is much fuller and more complete than cataloging only danger signals and trauma triggers.

This exercise, when you know all day long that this is a task that must done at the end of every the day, will force your brain to spend time being busy searching for the things that give your life meaning and joy.

You will do this at the end of every day. It is preferable that you write this down somewhere, whether as a note on your phone or in a paper journal.

So this is how to check your BAGS:

 B is for BEST

What was the BEST MOMENT of your day? This doesn’t have to be a big thing. But no matter how small, there was a moment that was best. What is it??

 A is for ACCOMPLISHMENT

What is going to get the title of “Accomplishment of the Day” today? Was it getting out of bed? That’s ok!! Was it finishing an essay! Great! Whatever it is. Name it.

 G is for GRATEFUL

Name three NEW things you are grateful for today. Because you will be searching for three new things each day, you will have to get specific-

For Example: Not just “I am grateful for flowers.” in general way, but instead:

• “I am grateful for the blue flowers in my neighbor’s yard that I walked past this morning”.
• “I’m grateful for my kid’s smile when I picked him up from school.”
• “I am grateful that I got to go hang out with my best friend today.”

 S is for SOMETHING you are Looking Forward to Tomorrow

Before you fall asleep at night, think about what you will be doing the next day, and find something that you can look forward to, even if it’s something as simple as your morning cup of coffee. Take a few minutes to envision doing that thing.