This post is also available in: Español (Spanish)
In any given situation, we have the luxury to choose the way we see it. We can perceive even the most challenging state of affairs in a way that brings us peace. This might sound extreme, but it is the truth.
When we are not aware of our thoughts, we let our emotions rule our perception, and emotions can drain our energy to the point that we can’t see the light even when it is right in front of us. An emotional perception can hurt us more than the tough situation itself. It is imperative to become aware of our thoughts in order for us to live a happier, more peaceful life.
When I lived my life under the influence of my emotional perceptions, I constantly felt hurt. The tiniest interaction that was not aligned with my huge expectations brought me intense pain. One day I wasted an entire two hours crying because my best friend didn’t invite me to watch a movie. I was so angry that I literally cried for two hours because she decided that day she wanted to have a date with her boyfriend. It sounds stupid, right? Yeah, when we let our emotional perceptions rule our lives, we tend to do things like that.
Today I could tell you a million different ways to see that silly situation in a healthier, happier way; but the truth is, I was blind at that moment; I did not know any better. Right then, I couldn’t think of another way to deal with that “challenge.” To expand our perception and put a stop to our emotional reactions, awareness is necessary. We need to know what we’re thinking and how we’re reacting before we can recognize that we always have two response options from which we can choose.
For a little while after making the decision to get a divorce, I focused on all the negative aspects of it. My perception centered on all my fears. That is a normal emotional reaction. When I made that decision, I did not know about meditation. I was living my life unaware of my thoughts; therefore, I reacted emotionally to everything. One of my biggest fears was that getting a divorce would make me look like I had failed. I was worried about the way people would see me or think about me.
We abdicate so much power when we are not aware of the way we think. For example, I was letting something I didn’t have any control over dominate me. We can’t control other people’s perceptions, so why do we get so anxious about other people judging us? The answer is easy: we react emotionally. We let fear take control. We create scenarios that don’t even exist, and we get hurt when we do that. The amount of power we freely give away by being unaware is crazy.
After reading the book I’ve recommended before: The Untethered Soul by Michael Singer and starting to meditate, I turned on the awareness light a little. That was the moment I switched my perception about getting divorced. I decided to focus on all the positive things about it. When I made that change, it was a total relief. I was less anxious. I became more confident. And most importantly, I stopped being worried about what people would think. I decided the only person I should worry about was myself. ☺ I turned my power on.
I wrote half of this post way back when I realized that I had turned on my awareness light a little. I wanted to add something else, but I wasn’t quite sure I had another way to explain this until few days ago.
Every weekend, I take my cute dog Canella out for a long walk in the morning. Right after I finish my routine morning meditation, I put on my comfy running shoes, and we go out for a walk. I always take my earbuds and my cellphone with me so I can listen to my audiobooks or any Podcast. However, with all the craziness we are experiencing today due to the virus, this time I did not want to take my cellphone with me. I wanted a little time away from the chat groups, the news, and social media. So I left my phone at home.
We started our walk, and the first stop Canella made was close to an empty beer can that someone had thrown in the bushes. I got irritated and wanted to pick the can up to put it in the trash, but I remembered the virus and decided to keep walking. I was mad, and I started seeing trash everywhere. For five long minutes, I was angry about all the trash I was seeing, and I was frustrated that I was not able to clean it up because I was afraid of touching things. When I turned a corner and saw the sun rising with all its beautiful light, I woke up. My awareness muscle started working.
I analyzed the thoughts I’d just had, and I started laughing. I told to myself, “Wow, I really made myself miserable for five minutes for no reason.” I switched my perception right away. I decided I wanted to see all the beauty on my way. I then found beautiful flowers growing among plain bushes. I saw a many beautiful birds all singing for me. I saw people happy because they were exercising. I saw a lot of different, beautiful colors. I forgot about the craziness for a moment. And the sun was out the whole time, reminding me that the light is always available to us when we decide we want to see it.
We always have two options: we can focus on the dark and let our perception hurt us, or we can let the light that is always available guide us to find the positive side of every situation.
So, what would you choose? 🙂
Love,
Irene
Thank you! Pp