Escaping the Chains of Negativity
We are plagued by negativity. Not only do we voice it about others, but we also do it to ourselves. This is highly counterproductive as it stops us from doing the real work of improving ourselves. It puts us and other people down and infects our days with bad energy that we don’t want.
Negativity is born from a threat to our needs. We’re afraid bad things will happen and we will lose our peace, we’re afraid that we aren’t loved, and we’re afraid that people don’t respect or understand us. It sucks when something doesn’t go our way, but taking on the mentality of a victim doesn’t solve any problems. Instead, it makes us feel like the world is against us.
We must let go of the pain from the past. We can do this by forgiving those who have wronged us. In this way, along with limiting the time spent with negative people and increasing interactions with those we enjoy talking to, we can become less negative.
Getting Rid of Fear
Life is full of uncertainty, and that translates into a lot of things to be fearful of. But fear is just an upgrade from negativity and stresses us out even more. There are potential benefits to this fear because it can give us the awareness to make decisions that are in line with our values and purpose.
Think deeply about what scares you. Why are you afraid of this thing? Keep going deeper to find the true cause. Most of the time, we are afraid that we will lose what we have or lose control. One way to cut off this fear is via detachment.
We have to accept the temporary nature of things and realize that most of what we own doesn’t matter. When this happens, we have less to fear. By understanding your fears, you can arm yourself with the knowledge of how you can grow from it. Essentially, we are most scared of what we might gain.
Enhancing With Meditation
All the lessons imparted in this book can be better internalized and utilized through meditation. It helps if you can immerse yourself in this to gain a better foundation before going off on your own. A long exposure beforehand is necessary before you can progress to smaller periods in your day and still get a benefit out of it.
A basic way to meditate is by getting comfortable in a quiet space. Close your eyes and lower your gaze. Focus on your body, or your breath, or your thoughts. If you find yourself wandering from your purpose, gently nudge yourself back. Do not berate or judge yourself for the lapse in concentration.
