Life appears to take major twists and turns. In one moment, we look to be on cloud nine, grateful, peaceful, content and in the next we seem flattened, upset, anxious, worried and stressed. The trigger for our happiness state could be good news on a job promotion, a wedding engagement or a new baby on the way but another trigger such as a comment from a loved one, friend, work colleague or on social media can reverse that state taking the wind out of our sails and down a path of unneccessary self judgement and criticism.
It’s a vicious cycle.
What we must remember is that these triggers are a response to external events that are completely out of our control. Otherwise it would mean that happiness, peace, contentment and life fulfillment is a game of chance. That we must hope that we get more good moments than bad. That happiness is the luck of the draw and it all depends on what cards we are dealt.
This is false and the truth is that happiness is simply a choice. That no matter what our external circumstances are, internally we can become unattached, unaffected, peaceful and content. When your conscious mind is being turned away from the present moment and too busy stuck in the past or looking to future events, words can serve as useful pointers back to this real truth.
Here are some sayings, I try to keep close by.
This too shall pass.
Don’t take anything personally.
Live life in a light hearted way.
These are my opinions now. These are my beliefs now. I am unattached.
Do not judge.
Be kind.
See the best in others and wish them well.Above all, don’t take life too seriously.
zenpaddy.ie 