Friday Motivation November 1, 2019

The true hero is one who conquers their own anger and hatred.

— Dalai Lama

Conquering anger and hatred doesn’t mean abolishing it completely from your being.

Anger is a natural manifestation of frustration, injustice, insecurity, fear; and can be a self defense mechanism. Knowing how to deal with your anger is important in leading a healthy life.

Anger takes a toll on the body in a myriad of ways from high blood pressure, headaches and can be so stressful that it impairs your immune system.

When we are seeing red it is near impossible to think correctly. We are not productive. We are caught in just that emotion.

Then there is the toll on the relationships around you.

Anger comes from within. It is our reaction to external pressures and internal thoughts and feelings. You can learn to grapple your anger and dig into the core to resolve these feelings. This can change your reaction to these external pressures.

We all feel these things. Knowing how to cope and deal so they don’t negatively impact our lives is important for our well being and our relationships. 

As wise master Yoda said, “Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to Anger, Anger leads to Hate, Hate…to suffering”

Being angry once and a while is certainly human and completely normal. When it is social injustice, that anger when not self consuming can spark action to a better world.

Working through an argument and anger with someone you love and care about is a key part of a healthy relationship.

Doing what we can to resolve our anger and to resolve the underlying causes of that anger so that it doesn’t continue is indeed a heroic undertaking. Applaud yourself for working to grow as a person. These are not easy, but they are infinitely rewarding.

Thursday Motivation October 31, 2019

Bar Harbor, Maine
*Photo © J. Marcus Ross

The mind that is anxious about future events is miserable.

— Seneca.

How often do we make ourselves miserable thinking about that conversation with our boss later this afternoon or that presentation we have to give next week ?

Thinking, quickly becomes anxiety, when we spend time doing it without constructive thought. If there isn’t a direct purpose in figuring something out and coming up with an answer, then we are just whooping ourselves up about the future.

We miss the moment. What needs to get done now –  worrying about something that isn’t even happening yet. The anxiety is impacting the here and now. And that may in fact make the future be what you fear. 

I’ve done this plenty of times in my life. I’d say it used to be a big part of my life. It still rears it’s ugly little head from time to time.

Working to reduce this helps not only be more productive, but happier overall.

It takes some adjusting.

Each time you find yourself doing this, remind yourself – there is no purpose in thinking about it now.

Plenty of time to deal with it when it’s happening.

Don’t fight the thought.

Don’t get upset with yourself for thinking. Just don’t lean into it. Acknowledge the thought and feeling that comes with it, and move on. Go back to what needs to be done right this moment.

With practice it can be done. You’ll be amazed at how much happier you are when you adjust this one thing. It takes work, but it is so worth it.