The human mind is so complex that we sometimes forget its power; it has the ability to make us great individuals capable of reaching great heights or to break us and destroy us at any moment.
Suicide is considered the tenth leading cause of death in the United States of America, according to the American Foundation for Suicide PreventionŲ Approximately 42,773 Americans die by suicide each year.
5 Ideas to educate and train the mind to think positively
The mind may be the origin or source of suicide, but we can attain a state of continuous happiness through:
1. Happiness Has No Relation to the Future
The German speaker and writer Eckhart Tolle says, "People think that time will make them happy, but we cannot find true happiness by waiting for the future." We often repeat phrases like, "I will be happy when the bills are paid" or "My life was better and happier when I was younger."
We all fall into the trap of believing that we will feel better, more at ease, and happier in the future, or when we reminisce about how easy life was in the past. Happiness is not closely tied to human circumstances and conditions but rather is greatly influenced by the mental perceptions of the future and the past. These perceptions have a significant impact on our current state, even though they have no bearing on what is happening in our lives at the present moment.
Our minds are filled with a multitude of thoughts, and we often believe that we will be happy when we lose excess weight or that we will be happier when we can eat whatever we want. Despite this contradiction, we struggle to make a definitive decision, and then we wonder why we are so perplexed.
Our level of happiness is not determined by the actual circumstances or situations we go through, but rather by our perception or understanding of those circumstances. Therefore, the human mind can come up with countless reasons for feeling distress and dissatisfaction if left unchecked.
So, in order to enjoy a more balanced and harmonious life, we must first pay attention to the discouraging thoughts that roam in our minds. Then, we should redirect those thoughts by transforming them into ones that empower us and give us confidence.
The future is merely a creation of the mind's illusions, but if you want to think about the future, you should do so in a positive way and then take constructive actions in the present to paint a bright future for yourself.
2. Stop Making Assumptions
Often, our minds complain and gripe about things we have no clue about. For example, we quickly seize the opportunity to shout and get angry when we're stuck in traffic during rush hour, and we start making assumptions and guessing the reasons for the congestion without any evidence.
Additionally, we frown at a stranger if they don't thank us when we offer them help or a service. Therefore, we judge these people in our minds and classify them as impolite.
However, that person we extended a kind gesture to might have simply forgotten to express gratitude, perhaps due to being in a state of shock or dismay after receiving distressing news. Similarly, it's not too hard to consider that the traffic congestion might be the result of an accident. Yet, we often choose to fabricate a negative and pessimistic story instead of accepting things as they are.
Our patience wanes in similar situations, and we easily become angry due to mere speculative thoughts that cross our minds. However, we become unhappy individuals, losing our composure as we complain and immerse ourselves in the mind's desire to know the excuses and justifications behind the irritating actions of others. This is because the human mind actually goes through hardships and struggles when things don't align with its own rules and values.
Many internal conflicts and problems can be avoided if people understand that each of us holds a set of different values that we believe in. You shouldn’t mind someone who is treating you badly, as your understanding and interpretation of the events happening around you are solely responsible for determining your happiness. Therefore, choose to interpret what is happening to you and understand it in a positive way.
As the poet and playwright William Shakespeare once said, "There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so."
3. The Pursuit of Happiness
We face different choices in every moment of our lives, and we can decide to resist a situation or accept it. However, things will unfold as they are destined to, whether we accept them or not. There are two ways to deal with situations that don't go as planned, and they are:
- Complaining and grumbling within your mind, convincing yourself of a fictional story about how awful those things are, which will lead you to a lot of pain and suffering.
- Accepting those things as they are and searching for the positive and beautiful aspects in them, which will give you a sense of peace and joy.
So, change your perspective and shift it from anger and frustration to acceptance and contentment. Convince yourself of the way things are unfolding in your life because they cannot happen any other way. What has happened has happened, and nothing will change, no matter how much you complain and grumble.
The ancient Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu said, "Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don't resist them; that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like."
Letting go of control and allowing events to unfold as they are, without resisting or trying to manipulate them, will ease your tension and frustration. You will feel a greater sense of spaciousness and openness within your heart, and burdens, negativity, and pessimism will no longer have control over you. Instead, you will find yourself radiating positive energy that suddenly fills your life with optimism and joy. Every situation you encounter, regardless of its nature, can be viewed as a positive or negative event.
Choosing acceptance or seeing the positive aspects of a situation can bring you relief and free you from pain and suffering, allowing you to limitlessly explore the wonder and beauty of life.
4. Gratitude
Expressing gratitude is one of the most powerful ways to find happiness. Feeling grateful helps us appreciate the blessings we have and opens our hearts to radiate positive energy to everyone around us, as everything we give to others comes back to us multiplied.
The writer and television producer Rhonda Byrne, in her book and film titled The Secret, talks about how she used the power of gratitude to completely change the course of her life. Her social relationships, financial situation, and health had spiraled out of control, and she felt like her life was falling apart. She began expressing feelings of gratitude as soon as she realized that her thoughts were the ones controlling her life.
She became grateful for all the good and kind things in her life. Instead of complaining about her financial problems, she made it a point to give thanks for all the blessings she had.
She gathered enough determination to completely change the trajectory of her life and shared her transformative experiences through a series of books and films called The Secret. She emphasizes, "Remember, your thoughts are the primary cause of everything happening in your life."
Expressing our gratitude and appreciation for the blessings in our lives signifies that we are openly showcasing our happiness. Gratitude immerses us in a realm of profound positive emotions, elevating our morale and imbuing us with strength, joy, and vitality. As a result, happiness naturally emerges as the secondary and inherent outcome of these emotions.
Studies indicate that the feeling of gratitude and happiness has a direct impact that yields numerous benefits for our emotions and personal relationships.
5. Prioritize Happiness
You should adopt the following key steps and follow them in your life to ensure that you stay healthy:
- Stop trying to control every situation you encounter, because it's impossible.
- Forget the past and stop expecting things to improve in the future. The present moment is the only time you can truly experience joy.
- Accept things as they are; if you can change them, that's great, but if not, there's no need to worry.
- Quit making negative assumptions and judgments. Instead, focus on good intentions and find reasons and justifications for others to maintain your relationships.
- Search for goodness and positive aspects in everything that happens to you and strive to see the beauty that surrounds us.
- Preserve the youthful spirit within us by playing, acting childishly, and nurturing our creative side.
- Ensure that you express feelings of gratitude, making them a consistent behavior and habit in your life. Make every effort to convey your appreciation to others.
In Conclusion
Applying the simple ideas mentioned above ensures that you think positively and powerfully. It will recondition your mind to remain in a state of happiness and well-being, making happiness a way of life for you.
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