TBI: No time for blame or shame

Most of us got where we are through little or no fault of our own. We had an accident, an unforeseen occurrence. Even if we did something "less than intelligent" that caused our event, (DWI for example), we can't undo the past. That only happens in movies. What we can do is learn from our mistake and put it in the past. Now is the time to focus on healing. We all have a tendency toward negative thinking and blaming ourselves. "What was I thinking?" "If I had only done..." "I should have never..." There is also the trap of wallowing in self pity: "Why did this happen to me?", "Life is so unfair". "I don't want anyone to see me like this, It's so embarrassing."
Obviously, everyone here has a pretty positive, forward thinking attitude, or you wouldn't be part of the study or this group. Good for you. But what helps you stop the slide into negative thinking?
For me, shame is not an issue, most of my friends think I should have been on "the list (of Minnesotans with brain damage)" years ago. I occasionally think about what I should have done, and in the future I will be much more careful. Some things I just won't do again because I am "getting up there in age".
But I have so much to be thankful for. Many tell me that I am lucky to be alive. I am, and more than that, I'm not in a wheel chair, I know who I am, I can do nearly everything I could do before the event. I can see the humor in my situation and often joke about it. I get away with taking naps, because now it's part of the healing process. Perfect excuse. I have come to grips with the fact that I can't do as much as I used to because of fatigue. Fortunately, being retired gives me more time than most, so what I can't do today will be there tomorrow.
I realize, that I am luckier than some in the group, I've been told by many, the importance of patience and positive thinking, And I've seen it work for me.
STAY POSITIVE!