By Lynn Russell
If you were told that happiness was a decision, I can hear the groans resonate in disagreement. Shouts from across the land say, “But you don’t know what I’ve been through. The world is a mess, and I can barely afford to feed my pet.” Yes, I fully understand because I’m here in the world, too.
More and more, we are learning that there’s a direct line between our happiness and the thoughts we entertain. We aren’t discussing The Power of Positive Thinking, or You Can Heal Your Life, although you probably can. Instead, we need to look at how it works and how we can take action in our own lives.
It’s no surprise to learn that our history and environment directly impact on our level of happiness. Today, thanks to neuroplasticity, we are learning that it doesn’t have to be that way. We discover that each of us has the power to change the imprint of our past. It takes determination, consistency, and patience, but it does work.
The brain is filled with axions and synapses that carry messages throughout the brain’s system. Over time when we think the same thing repeatedly, the axions and synapses linked to that thought get to the point that they automatically send signals through the same channels. Like a horse that has used the same route repeatedly, it gets to the point where it knows the way without guidance. Over our lifetimes, as toddlers and throughout our lives, our brains use the same route. Eventually, our brains become like that horse and automatically go in one direction. Neuroplasticity tells us we can create new highways and train our brains to go a different route.
Oh, my goodness, it is so exciting to see how much information is coming out about the importance of our thoughts. That was a big aha moment for me. When I realized that the life we live today originally came from thoughts, then I realized that I had the freedom to change things. Our choices are based on our attitudes, outlook, and what we allow our minds to dwell on. It is so simple, yet so few realize this freedom is theirs.
Many years ago, Oprah talked about ways to bring ourselves to a more positive mindset. She suggested that we all keep a gratitude journal. She explained that we should write down five things we are grateful for every night. And, for those who tried it, it worked. Since then, it has become a staple in ways to deal with negativity. Indeed, since those days, we have learned that gratitude is a great cure for depression. It is literally impossible to be depressed while you are thinking about how grateful you are for what you have. If you have difficulty finding things to be thankful for, look around the world and know how blessed you are.
For some people, mindfulness works wonders to help them escape negative thought patterns. Although there are numerous articles on mindfulness, I have seen some that are completely off the mark. Here is an overview of using the technique in your life. Mindfulness is a conscious awareness of every aspect of your life. One of my heroes, and the hero of many spiritual people, is Thich Nhat Hanh. He says about mindfulness, "Walk as if you are kissing the Earth with your feet." He also tells us, “I clean this teapot with the kind of attention I would have were I giving the baby Buddha or Jesus a bath.” So, the act of mindfulness is to give your full attention to every action. Far more than feeling, it is being aware of every part of what you are doing, feeling, seeing, tasting, and hearing. For example, when doing the dishes, you take time to be aware of the water. How it feels on your hands, the temperature, and the silky feel of water with detergent added. The smell of the water with the dish soap added, the feel of it on your fingers, how there is a different quality to the feel than when nothing is added to the water. It’s possible to go on and on just about doing the dishes. We haven’t started on the dishes and washcloth. But I think you get the idea.
Feeling down? Go out and do something nice for others. Try to pick someone you don’t know or not very well. There are a thousand ways to help others. When I was young, I thought people had to be in the ‘helping profession’ to do the most good in the world. However, I now know that is not true. One can be kind and respectful of others and reach out whether they are a ditch digger or an executive in a large corporation. Respect, caring, and giving do not come with a price tag. Go into the world and do whatever you can to help others, but expect nothing in return. I promise you will get rid of your negative feelings instantly.
These are only a few of the ways you can find happiness in a world that seems to have gone mad. And after you have done even one of these suggestions, don’t forget to give some of that love to yourself.
(Image by Joseph Ephraim. Lynn Russell is an NDE researcher and the author of Beyond NDEs: The Next Step in Near-Dearh Experience Research. You can reach Lynn on her website lynnkrussell.com, Facebook and LinkedIn.)
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