We are truly our own worse enemy. Why is it when something goes wrong we are so fast to turn on ourselves and start the worry process?
People are motivated by two things. The need to avoid pain and the need to experience pleasure, yet we focus so much on pain. What causes man to suffer? First there is physical suffering, the kind that come with injury, disease and age. The second is mental suffering, which is imposed on us by ourselves. Both types of suffering can be overcome.
Mental suffering comes in many different flavors but they are all caused by the way our mind perceives the circumstances of our lives. Often times, in fact most times, we make mountains our of mole hills in our mind and turn a simple inconvenience into a drama that ruins our day. Why do we chose to think so poorly? Because this is what we have always done. The mind needs to be trained to do otherwise. How many times have you worried yourself sick over a situation that turned out to be nothing? I know I have done my share and lost many hours of sleep and happiness for doing so. No more…..
Another cause of suffering is unfulfilled desires. Should we then not have any desires? Certainly not, but it is the way in which we perceive and handle these desires that is the problem. In our world of instant gratification this situation has worsened. When we don’t get what we want immediately we suffer. The answer? Focus on what we already have, be appreciative of your wealth. Then you will find more of the same coming into your reality, without the suffering.
Worry is a super highway to pain. It causes the body to breakdown and happiness to disappear. Worry will also attract more things to worry about into our lives. I know people who worry about everything and anything, plus they admit it! The will tell me “I am a worrier by nature.” Sorry, but you are a worrier by choice!
The final thing I will address in this essay is physical pain. The amount of physical pain you feel and can endure are a product of your focus. As the saying goes “pain is a fact of life, suffering is optional.” Physical pain can always be charged by changing the perception of it.
I have heard many people say that they just cannot find happiness. This is because they are so focused on suffering. Happiness could be standing right beside them and they would miss it while they worried their lives away.
The next essay in this series will discuss how to get on the Path to Happiness, now that we understand what causes us to suffer. For right now decide to be happy. Find a reason to be happy. Make a list of all the great things in your life. Believe me, there are plenty.
Master Art Mason is a full time martial arts school owner and teacher. he is currently writing a book on conquering the mind and becoming happy.