Turn your attention to what you can do to transform suffering into compassion, insight, and understanding, which then brings greater happiness. This shifts focus from pain to growth and well-being.
Use mindfulness to catch and isolate specific thoughts causing suffering, then back off and ask for evidence to determine if the thought is actually true. This helps prevent rumination and negative spirals.
Avoid taking things personally unless you are 100% certain it is personal, as this helps build a resilient mindset and prevents unnecessary distress. Question the truth of your thoughts rather than immediately believing them.
Make it a daily practice to express gratitude by writing, calling, or emailing at least one thank you, or by simply pausing to appreciate things often taken for granted. This brings attention back to positive aspects of life.
When facing deep anxiety or suffering, engage in very deep contemplation, looking at the pain directly and working through resistance and denial. This arduous process can lead to incredible relief and happiness.
Contemplate the most painful possible changes you can imagine, asking yourself if you are okay with these possibilities, because they are real. This builds resilience to inevitable life shifts.
Regularly examine your resistance and underlying assumptions that things won’t change, especially when feeling stuck or experiencing looping, unhelpful thoughts. This helps align with the reality of impermanence.
Dedicate effort to supporting processes and building tools within communities to foster nurturing relationships and take better care of each other, elders, children, and the environment. This leverages our innate potential for connection.
Commit to trying to show up every day and be of help to at least one person or living being, and if you can’t help, at least try not to harm. This positive action creates beneficial change.
Recognize that in any situation, there is potential for a loving and caring connection, even if brief, that can create a sense of home, safety, belonging, and joy for at least one living being. This fosters universal, non-discriminating love.
If you want to be happier, you first need to face some hard truths about reality, rather than relying on positive thinking or death-denying dogma. This is the first step towards a well-adjusted, flourishing life.
Believe in preparation for potentially giant undesirable changes, such as having an earthquake preparation kit, to be better equipped to deal with unexpected circumstances. This provides a practical level of readiness.
Check out the East Bay Meditation Center (EBMC) website (www.eastbaymeditation.org) and YouTube channel for accessible wisdom teachings and practices offered on a donation-only basis. This provides a resource for spiritual growth without financial barriers.