Stress is our friend
Interesting conclusions based on research.
“You can’t stop the waves,
but you can learn to surf.”
Source: Caption on a surfing poster Cited by Jon Kabat-Zinn in Full Catastrophe Living
About money
“It would be great if being that rich allowed you to live perfectly happy life. Of course, it helps but that’s not how it works.
I believe there are some areas where money is useless.”
Tom Sancton author of the book “The Bettencourt Affair” utterance in film “The Bettencourt Affair” (Netlifx)
We are not thoughts, and thoughts are not reality, only its interpretation or refrains of the past
It’s worth realizing this. We can save ourselves a lot of suffering, mistakes and conflicts.
“When you become aware of negative thoughts
As you become aware of the negative thoughts and images in your own head, hold them in awareness by approaching them with kind interest and curiosity, perhaps expanding your awareness to one or more of the following (return to the breath after each):
Maybe I accept the thought as fact?
Maybe I’m jumping to conclusions?
Maybe I think in black and white terms?
Maybe I condemn myself because of one incident?
Maybe I focus on my flaws and forget about my advantages?
Maybe I’m blaming myself for something I’m not responsible for?
Maybe I’m judging myself?
Maybe I’m setting unrealistic goals for myself?
Maybe I think I know what others think and what the future will be (usually negative)?
Maybe I expect constant perfectionism?
Maybe I’m exaggerating my failures?
The main attitude with which you should approach your thoughts is one of mild interest and curiosity.”
Segal, Williams, Tesdale 2022
Often live goes by, sometimes we realize it
I recommend the film “Still Time”, which shows this phenomenon with distance, warm humour, but also realistically. Maybe you will find yourself in this film? Maybe you’ll change something?
“If I Had My Life to Live Over
I’d like to make more mistakes next time. I’d relax, I would limber up. I would be sillier than I had been this trip. I would take fewer things seriously. I would take more chances. I would climb more mountains and swim more rivers. I would eat more ice cream and less beans. I would perhaps have more actual troubles, but I’d have fewer imaginary ones.
You see, I’m one of those people who live sensibly and sanely hour after hour, day after day. Oh I’ve had my moments, and if I had to do it over again, I’d have more of them. In fact I’d try to have nothing else. Just moments, one after another, instead of living so many years ahead of each day. I’ve been one of those persons who never goes anywhere without a thermometer, a hot water bottle, a raincoat, and a parachute. If I had to do it again, I would travel lighter than I have.
If I had my life to live over, I would start barefoot earlier in the spring and stay that way later in the fall. I would go to more dances. I would ride more merry-go-rounds. I would pick more daisies.“
Nadine Stair, 85 years old Louisville, Kentucky The Stress Reduction and Relaxation Program Workbook, Center for Mindfulness in Medicine, Health Care and Society, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, USA
Three-minute breathing break
A breath break will allow you to stop for a moment in the avalanche of everyday activities, notice what is happening to you and be closer to your breath, body and inner peace.
“Try to find a quiet space during the day where no one will disturb you for 3-5 minutes. If possible, sit upright, close your eyes and focus on the here and now.
Ask yourself: What am I experiencing right now? …. what thoughts …. feelings …. body sensations? Try to register and accept what you are experiencing, even if it is something unpleasant.
Gently shift your attention to each subsequent breath as you experience it. Breathing can help you anchor yourself in the present moment.
Try to expand your field of awareness of breathing to your entire body to become aware of what you are experiencing now.
Come back to regular activity.”
Institute of Mindfulness-based Interventions – IMS
Life happens only here and now, beyond thoughts and concepts
Author of the book The Power of Now. I recommend the book and this video with a simple and profound message.
“When we are mindful, deeply in touch with the present moment, our understanding of what is happening deepens and we begin to be filled with acceptance, joy, peace and love
… Around us, life is bursting with miracles – a glass of water, a ray of sunshine, a leaf, a caterpillar, a flower, laughter, raindrops. If you live in awareness, it is easy to see miracles everywhere. Every human being is a multitude of miracles. Eyes that see thousands of colors, shapes and forms; ears that hear flying bees or thunder; a brain that considers a speck of dust as easily as the entire cosmos; a heart that beats to the rhythm of the heartbeat of all beings.
When we are tired and discouraged from the daily struggles, we may not notice these miracles, but they are always there.”
Thich Nhat Hanh
“The Guest House
This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.
A joy, a depression, a meanness,
Some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.
Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they’re a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still, treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you
out for some new delight.
The dark thought, the shame, the malice,
meet them at the door laughing,
and invite them in.
Be grateful for whoever comes,
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.”
Rumi – Translated by Coleman Barks and John Moyne from Essential Rumi