The first step to becoming happy is realizing how we are making ourselves unhappy. This is very hard to see because we are certain that something outside of us is making us unhappy, that some event from our past is preventing us from being happy, that there is some defect within us that prevents us from allowing ourselves to smile, to love.If we were in a constant state of loving…
We often notice that when people are faking positivity and pressuring positivity, we tend to find that this is really a desperate cry for help. Because they are unable to face reality. They want to face a fantasy. And it’s a fragile and unstable happiness. I’m going to say something a little controversial — but it’s true: toxic positivity doesn’t actually exist. What we usually mean when we say “toxic…
Contentment and satisfaction are the opposite of suffering. When we are fully content, we feel fully fulfilled. And when we are in that state, there is no longing, no craving, no trying to find meaning in life or wondering about our purpose. There is only peace and clarity. And that is the state we're all trying to reach, that lasting happiness.A lot of people think that the answer to contentment…
You’re making yourself suffer because of the expectations you placed on the world. We rarely want to look inward. We rarely want to accept that we are fully responsible for our own state of mind, our well-being, our peace, and our contentment.Everything man-made in this world was first imagined. Someone saw it in their mind, drew it out, gathered the resources, and others joined in that vision, and it became…
There are two main blocks that people have from being their happiest, most peaceful, loving selves possible. And it really comes down to two different types of people.The First Block: The People Who Think They’re Happy (But Aren’t Truly Happy)The first type of person thinks they’re happy, but they’re not really happy. This is the kind of person we all know. They always have to be doing something. They have…
Nature can be our greatest teacher if we learn how to listen correctly. It can teach us patience, its beauty can inspire, and we can understand its (and ours) nurturing, loving way. We don't have to go off and meditate in a cave for 30 years to become aware of our place in the cosmos, either. Our nature, our true nature beyond all our societal programming and upbringing, can be seen…
Whether we are aware of them or not, we all have negative thoughts that, on a subconscious and unconscious level, stir up stress and tension within our mind and body. In fact, when we are not aware of them, uncomfortable thoughts can easily become repressed, suppressed, and denied. While stuffing them down may be preferable to dealing with them, from a holistic perspective, these disturbing thoughts can turn into chronic…
Most people tend to hear negative stories about themselves or others and believe those. It’s very difficult for many people to believe positive stories about themselves. And it doesn’t always come from others, often it comes from our own mind. Our own mind tells a negative, fear-based story, and it shapes a pessimistic and scary world for us. Whether someone says something rude or critical and we believe it, or…
Study after study has shown that meditation can lower our perception of pain. Some dentists now even offer meditation training for pain reduction instead of using anesthesia!The fact is, our mindset not only affects how much we feel pain; it also often creates the pain by holding tension in the body. Tension in the body is one of the leading causes of chronic pain. It leads to tight muscles which…
We’ve all seen the memes about cutting out anyone in your life who drains your energy or doesn’t appreciate you. But those people too are clearly suffering and maybe we can help them. If we cut every person out of our lives who isn’t perfect, we’d have to cut everyone out of our lives, including ourselves. So where’s the line? How can we show compassion and forgiveness, but still protect…
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