Do You Choose to Be Happy?
Why are so many of us stumbling, grappling for happiness, pleasure, and fulfillment? I think it is because we have been trained by our very culture and schooling to look away from the depth of our thoughts and to stay in the safe shallows of a superficial life.
Daily thoughts and responses can be guided by a set of assumptions about ourselves and others that are so deeply embedded in most of us that we do not realise that we make those assumptions or that there is an alternative.
Meditation is my pathway to alternative thinking. Meditation allows me to choose musings that bring a spark to my moments, rather than consciously thinking about sad or negative thoughts. It is in my control.
I am not suggesting that you should, nor is it possible to constantly be imbued in positivity and uplifting reflections (although that sounds magic!). However, have you noticed that every idea or opinion produced by thinking or occurring suddenly in your mind, is fleeting?
Thoughts are transitory unless we continually manufacture the belief by ruminating and convincing ourselves with support for its existence.
Let’s take ‘anger’ as an example. Late yesterday I received unpleasant news and it left me feeling vexed and irritated. I found it difficult to turn off my negativity and concern that surrounded the content of the news and sleep didn’t come easy to me. I chose to meditate first thing on waking this morning to invite a little more freedom and choice into my day. The annoyance and anger I felt last night isn’t here anymore and when thoughts of this news arise in the next moment, I am aware that they only surface because I am choosing to identify with the news and the reflection of my internal counter argument. I am fully aware that my angst and irritation will pass away when I no longer think about the scenario.
This is such an important truth about the nature of the human mind. It is actually impossible for me to keep feeling an emotion like anger or annoyance for more than a few moments at a time unless I choose to. As these emotional states do not support a thriving and enjoying life for me, I simply make the choice not to ruminate in that mindset. I choose instead to continually permeate and diffuse unhelpful feelings by manufacturing uplifting emotions and thoughts.
When we get lost in thoughts and we don’t examine our minds via meditation, we lose this awareness and potential pragmatic control over the nature of our own minds.
What is thriving in your thoughts and feelings today?
