Happiness is just over the horizon (or so your mind tells you).

​That voice in your head is constantly narrating the world around you. It labels and judges everything. And, it's never satisfied with the present moment.

To the contrary, something always needs to be fixed, changed, added, or taken away. Or, there's an underlying fear that something will end or go away - this fuels a constant state of unease.

Why does the voice in your head do this?

It seems the primary function of our minds is to solve problems. You may have heard the saying 

"If all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail."

It's the same with our minds, except everything looks like a problem. 

That's why being happy and content never last. Happiness fades, and we grow restless with what we have (or we want what we don't have). 

And, that voice in your head tells you that you can be happier and more content "If only" something else happens:

• If only you get that new position or job.
• If only you find the perfect partner.
• If only you move to this other place.
• If only you get the latest gadget.
• If only you could freeze this moment or that moment in time.

According to the mind, happiness is just over the horizon "once you acquire this" or "once you achieve that" or "once something is exactly the way you want."

The trap we all fall into is, no matter what we acquire or achieve or arrange to perfection, happiness is always going to be "just over the horizon" because there's always something else to acquire, achieve, or arrange to perfection. IF we listen to our minds.

You can see this for yourself: examine your mind and its activity today. Is anything ever good "as it is?" Or, is there something that needs to be fixed, changed, added, or taken away? Even if something appears perfect at first, does that voice eventually chime in with "It could be better if only..." or "I hope it stays this way forever..."?

How do you escape this trap? By strengthening awareness and utilizing it throughout your day. How do you strengthen awareness? By developing a consistent meditation practice and applying mindfulness to your "non-meditating" time.

Held hostage by the drama your mind creates? We can help.

 >  Learn about what we teach.

 >  Join our mailing list.