I had written before that I think happiness takes a great deal of effort, and very often it entails a lot of fighting. Mainly, I think, we are fighting against the various neurotic and dark forces within ourselves that prevent happiness from flowing through us freely, and these things can be remarkably difficult to overcome.
Things like comparing ourselves to others. Worrying about what others think. Engaging in self-destructive thoughts or behavior. Projecting our own insecurities onto others. Engaging in self-criticism. Digging a negative pit of despair and climbing into it. Allowing ourselves to feel powerless. Refusing to live in the present moment.
I had previously posted a poem by Rumi that describes the heart as a guest house. When certain thoughts and feelings come to the guest house, it is best to invite them in, make peace with them, serve them some tea, and then send them on their way. If you do not let them in, they will bang and bang and bang on the door and wreak total havoc until suddenly they are in complete control of your cozy little guest house.
I still agree with Rumi's description of the heart. However, the thing that I have recently learned is that, very often, happiness cannot be achieved until certain things are DENIED ENTRY into your guest house.
Worry, stress, anxiety......there is no room for you today. Sorry. The guest house is filled to the brim today with love, joy, and purpose. I refuse to allow myself to be held captive by my worries. I refuse to allow myself to spend even a moment anguishing over what others may think of me, because those who choose to judge me without understanding are not friends, and are therefore not welcome in the guest house. I refuse to allow myself to judge others, because each person is on his or her own special path with its unique obstacles, and there is no way that I can possibly begin to understand the entire exquisite mosaic of another person's life.
Today I am happy.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
5 comments:
So well put. I have started denying entry, and it makes life so much better.
You are an exquisite, amazing person, Brooke, and you inspired me with this entry. Love the Rumi poem, but I think you're right about closing the door on certain things. Amen to that, sister.
Funny thing I was just writing today that fear, stress, frustration (akin to your words: worry, stress, anxiety) come from the idea that I cannot trust myself. It is as if I am working for a company and lose faith that the boss can run it. When I maintain the illusion I'm competent to manage myself (through music, caffeine, or the afterglow of a few earnest compliments) then I can keep worry, stress, anxiety from entering my guest house.
Rumi is amazing.
I really REALLY like your specific antidotes: love, joy, purpose. Acts of love, joy, and/or purpose as vaccines for fear, worry, stress, anxiety, depression, frustration.
Thank you all for your kind words!! Bob, I hear ya.....I frequently wonder if I'm good enough/doing enough with my life/being the kind of person that I TRULY want to be, and I realize that I have those worries during times when I really don't trust myself. And while, yes, it can be hard to trust yourself when you are not feeling valued externally (which I'm not necessarily saying is the case with me right now!), and it can be easy to blame external circumstances for your lack of faith, true faith in oneself and self-confidence has to still be there when external things are crappy. This is a lesson that I'm juuuust starting to learn.....
I should not be so incredulous when heros of togetherness and bold action and creative insight and world travel wonder whether they're good enough. Only driven propellers cavitate. But gee your bubbles are purrty.
Post a Comment