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note: we link to our free guide to mindfulness and meditation at the bottom of the page (no email required).
Once a week we highlight quotes that will (hopefully) resonate with you. We may or may not add our own commentary. Most likely, we will. This week we will start with Seth Godin: "You’re responsible for what you do, but you don’t have authority and control over the outcome. We can hide from that, or we can embrace it." So much of our time and energy is wasted on things we can't control. The ironic thing is, if you take that time and energy you spend trying to control outcomes and reallocate it to what you can control (your decisions and actions in the present moment), you increase the likelihood of achieving desired results. Why? Because if your time and energy is focused on what you can do here and now - and not on mental gymnastics and ruminations - the quality of your efforts will improve. And, you avoid the self-imposed suffering from worry, stress, anxiety, and depression related to the constant (and futile) struggle of trying to control the uncontrollable. Next, from Charles Dickens: "Reflect upon your present blessings, of which every man has plenty; not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some." There's a lot in this quote. First, you aren't a victim and you aren't alone on an island with your struggles. Everyone suffers similar challenges and misfortunes, but your mind tries to convince you it's only you. Or that you have it worse than everyone else. It's not only you. You don't have it worse. If you quit listening to your mind when it tells you otherwise, you won't feel so separated from the rest of the world, and you'll develop more compassion for yourself and others. Second, no matter what problems you are facing, you have something to be grateful for. The state of gratitude, however, needs to be cultivated. Here's one idea on how to do that. Finally, the present moment is the only moment you can actually live. Resist the urge to follow your mind into the past, future, or an alternate reality. What are you trying to "cope" with?
Coping doesn't work - addressing the root cause does. We'll show you how. Comments are closed.
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