Everyone will agree with me that to a great extent, we create our fate every single day, and most of the ills we suffer from are directly traceable to our own (and surprisingly controllable) attitude. Life is packed full of uncontrollable events; in many situations the only thing we can control is the attitude we choose to respond with.
When you really take the time to think about it, everything happening around us is neutral and meaningless up until the point that we give it meaning. And the questions we ask ourselves drive the meaning we create and the attitude we have about everything.
Regardless of what you’re going though, it’s about choosing:
- Will I allow this to upset me?
- Will I choose to make this bad or good?
- Will I choose to stay or walk away?
- Will I choose to yell or whisper?
- Will I choose to react or take the time to respond?
When we are feeling down about a life situation we can’t control, we typically start by reinforcing the hard truth: sometimes changing our situation isn’t possible – or simply not possible soon enough. We can’t get to a new job in an instant. We can’t make someone else change against his or her will. And we certainly can’t erase the past. But…
We CAN always choose an attitude that moves us forward. And doing so will help us change things from the inside out, and ultimately allow us to grow beyond the struggles we can’t control.
Here’s one powerful question that will support all of us with a positive attitude adjustment when we need it most:
Who would you be, and what else would you see, if you erased the thought that’s worrying you?
Honestly, worry is the biggest enemy of the present moment. It does nothing but steal your joy and keep you very busy doing absolutely nothing at all. When you spend time worrying, you’re simply using your imagination to create moments you don’t want.
Realize that, somewhere within us all, there does exist a supreme self who is eternally at peace. Because inner peace does not depend on external conditions, it’s what remains when you’ve surrendered your ego and worries. Peace can be found within you at any place and at any time. It’s always there, patiently waiting for you to turn your attention toward it.
Peace of mind arrives the moment you come to peace with what’s on your mind. It happens when you let go of the need to be anywhere but where you are, physically and emotionally. This acceptance of the way things are creates the foundation for inner harmony. The need for something to be different in this moment is nothing more than a worry, and worries simply lead you in circles.
It’s always the right time to embrace the present – just the detached awareness and acceptance of right here, right now. Only then do you have the power to focus on your challenges and opportunities more mindfully … which changes everything in the long-run!
So again, think about it: Who would you be, and what else would you see, if you erased the thought that’s worrying you?
Identify a specific thought that’s been troubling your worried mind lately, and then visualize how your life would be different if you removed this thought:
- How would it change your outlook on your present life situation?
- Would you treat yourself and others differently?
- How would you feel?
- How would you behave?
- What else would you be able to accomplish?
Let us Grow Together 