We are hostile, hungry and frisky. Is that all? We owe it to ourselves and others to be more than our base rudimentary self with its primal desires. It’s certainly a solid origin story because it guarantees survival of the species. So what? In a first world country, waking up is the only prerequisite to a reasonably comfortable lifestyle. The best case awaiting us is the evolution of our species to its fullest expression. This requires taking reigns over the unbridled base self. This can’t happen if we are constantly overwhelmed by the perturbing matters of life. Turns out these matters are very rarely permanent or pervasive beyond our mental fixation on them. The mind that matters can never become the mind over matters.
How do we advance beyond the unrest we feel in the unpredictable and mercurial nature of our circumstances? How do we overcome the disappointments, hurt and anxieties we experience in our dealings with others? It’s easy right? You’ve read it time and again in the self-help literature… change your thinking, change your life. Done! So why don’t people just do it then? Sounds self-explanatory and unencumbered. A truth to be sure, but not easy to apply in its raw state. A brain that has a habitual way of thinking is wired to do so. Not everyone can simply flick a switch and suddenly think totally differently from then on.
In my experience this loaded philosophy breeds more disillusioned souls. I have discovered it is far more helpful to simply shift your thinking. Nothing forceful and no vows of amendment required. A minor deviation on previously held beliefs is sometimes all that’s required to attain a subtle and inflective “aha moment”. In that moment an opening for a brighter future is created. It’s far more gentle to your soul and neuroanatomy. A pathway to inspired action has been cleared. We are more amenable to facing the matters of our life with renewed energy.
Be a buffalo. When buffalos and cows are grazing on the planes an interesting phenomenon occurs when a storm moves in. Cows try to outrun the storm although they can’t, so they inadvertently stay in the storm longer. Surprisingly, buffalos run towards the storm. Therefore, they are in the storm for less time. One key idea and lesson prevailing is to go towards discomfort and embrace the reality of the struggles we are facing. This way we can forge the necessary character and gain the required competencies sooner instead of colourful avoidance tactics which prolong the struggle.
As the Navy Seals teach the BUDS recruits in their infamous hell week: “Embrace the suck!” The idea: get comfortable with the uncomfortable. One idea, one insightful quote or one simple phrase might be all that’s needed for a shift in our interpretation of our predicament. That shift can be life transforming. All great stories and movie scripts always have it. Director Guy Ritchie calls it a "character defining moment". From then onwards the protagonist’s life is altered, for good or ill.
One unsavoury YouTube clip, one alcoholic beverage, one criticism from a peer or one random act of compassion is all it takes to skew our perception of reality. We don’t need a major catalyst to have major impact on our lives. Stop waiting for some big life-changing event or person to make all the difference! They are too far and few apart to waste precious life force. In fact, life offers us copious subtle and at times almost imperceptible opportunities to redirect our reality for the better. After all we tend to conduct our lives according to our personalised reality in spite of the one that exists beyond our present apprehension. We just need to be open to those opportunities, aka lessons. Stay open. Stay receptive.
All too often we are confused, confronted or confounded by life’s apparent indifference to our plans. The results: we get stuck, apathetic and get caught in a rut. If we ruminate on the perceived injustice or prejudice we believe is dealt us, we are stifled from transitioning to a higher plane of possibility. For some this lasts as long as a lifetime. The mind over matters either looks for meaning in the adversity or simply focuses on what is within their control. The intent of which is to bring clarity to our lives.
I have found on countless occasions in my life that as long as I kept focusing my mind on empowering and purpose-directed questions, the most appropriate lesson availed itself. Once I attuned my mind to that lesson, the mental block dissolved which laid way to progress both spiritually and tangibly.
When our mind is caught up on some matter we tend feel stagnant or at an impasse. We all seek progress at these times. Why? Apart from the relief of forwards movement we value ourselves more when we progress and relish the joy it brings. Nothing gratifies us more than struggling, overcoming and progressing. The veritable hero story. In turn, progress means we are truly achieving self-mastery which leads to life-mastery. And nothing gives us more fulfilment than knowing we are surpassing our weaknesses and forging our character in the pursuit of a life worthy of us.