Focused Happiness

This week I have been asking the question 'How does one stay the path when distracted by happenings alongside the path?' It is difficult enough that the path itself is uncertain; an uncertainty compounded by crossroads and forks. But even when the path appears to be straight and true there are sights to see alongside the path; enticements to pull one from the path; upheaval and turmoil that seem a threat to the stability of the path; plaintive, pleading cries for help, coming from other, unknown paths; and some of these distractions are nearly impossible to ignore.

During good times the scenery along the path is pleasant; in great times - idyllic. During bad times one may observe floods, famine, pestilence, plagues, locusts, earthquakes, tsunamis, beggars, sadness, hand-to-mouth, paycheck-to-paycheck, black-hole-sun. And then there are the mundane times when distractions are minimal; much like driving through the state of Kansas.

The Good, The Bad, and The Mundane - each set of distractions poses its own unique set of challenges. Based on my experience, when times are Good we are tempted to play, we often lack the self-discipline needed to stay the path, and we suffer from an inability to prioritize. When times are Mundane, instead of taking advantage of this lack of distractions to reflect on Truth, Wisdom, and Happiness, we often wander off the path in search of distractions to fool ourselves into thinking times are Good. When times are Bad we may leave the path to blame, curse, criticize, feel sorry for ourselves, or simply wait and hope. Of course I have left much unsaid, but you can fill in the blanks with your favorite non-productive reactions to each of these scenarios.

The question remains - How to stay the path? The easy and obvious answers include self-discipline, persistence, focus, and perhaps a stoical acceptance of Life's inconsistencies. Again, you can fill in the blanks with your favorite productive reactions.

But what thoughts can one think that will actually impact behaviors? Life is not easy. If you believe Life is easy, you are missing something. This week I have (several times) looked back to last week's post to help me move past this week's distractions - specifically (from last week's post) I have revisited the parts about NOT saying or thinking 'it should be better, it should have been better, or it will get better' - but instead saying and thinking 'it can get better and then working towards that by acting in this moment with an eye to the future.' It is going to take some time for this to become second nature, but I have to think that it will. This is the closest I have come to creating synergy between thoughts and behaviors during a time of excessive Life distractions. These thoughts have led me back to my path more than once this week. Now to see if I can advance to the next level in which these thoughts will encourage me to stay on my path; to not wander off or be led astray; to extract resolution and to learn, from my path.

I know I will stray again. I am Human. And 'Whatever is, is right.'

...But that is not an excuse - I must continue to act; and I will not give up.

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One Response to Focused Happiness

  1. Pingback: Resolving Happiness | hopelesshappiness.com

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