The world we live in is challenging. It always has been and it always will be. The problems that we face are just iterations of the problems people have been facing forever.
Life is difficult, you can’t control other people so put your focus on controlling yourself. Your greatest asset is also your greatest liability, your brain. Use it for good, stay positive, remind yourself that you can’t change other people. If someone has an opinion about you, that is their own, do not attempt to tell them different, focus on your own self.
Your life will always be filled with challenges, barriers, and disappointments. It's best to admit this to yourself, and decide to be happy anyway. Alfred Souza said, “For a long, long time it had seemed to me that I was about to begin real life. But there was always some obstacle in the way, something to be gotten through first, some unfinished business, time still to be served, a debt to be paid. Then life would begin. At last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life.”
This also reminds me of the emptiness that you feel when you get something new. That new bike, new cell phone, new car! You told yourself, once I have that, I’ve made it and I’ll be happy. How many times has that happened? Did they make you happy for more than a few minutes, hours or days? Unlikely. Be happy with what you have and more importantly, try practicing being happy for others. It is a difficult concept to grasp but once you can feel happiness for others, it will come back to you. This is a practice that has no English translation but it is known as “mudita”.
I’ll write more on mudita in the future but it’s a beautiful concept.
Next time you feel that road rage coming on, take a deep breath and think about the control that you have and make it positive control.
Here is a workable tip: Trade your TV and News time for educating yourself (read as much as you can) – Here is my list to get you started: https://www.promotionsguy.com/ryan-s-favorite-reads
I’m writing tips each week for people aspiring to improve. These are not industry related but they generally have something to do with growing as a person or growing a business. My intention is to help others grow while growing myself. My book recommendation this week is “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho.
If you have any questions or would like to discuss something, feel free to shoot me an email at ryan@promotionsguy.com