The Day is Neutral

Just a quick one today. Something that has been going round in my mind for the last month is how the day itself is neutral. The day didn't do anything to me. The day didn't wake up and decide "I'm really going to go out of my way to annoy Sophie" or "Today, lets make everything manageable and lighthearted". No. I did that.

An easy to relate to example; if I wake up and I receive a bill that is larger than expected, I could take it in my stride, accept what actions I may have taken to incur such a bill and take the appropriate steps to get it paid asap without giving it too much more thought. However, if I got the same bill and go straight into victim mentality thinking "poor me!", i could worry about how I hadn't accounted for this expense or think it is very unfair and greedy of the company to ask such a high amount. I would feel hard done by and resentful, and this attitude may spill over into all other areas of my life, most likely affecting other people too. My point is the event itself, the things that happen in the day, are neutral. It is ME who chooses how I see them.

What I mean is, my perspective has the power to completely transform my reality, and most importantly, my perspective is something I have control over. I would even go so far as to say we have individual responsibility to shape our perspectives to enhance our wellbeing and the wellbeing of those around us. Of course, we all have different circumstances and life experiences that will make us more inclined to interpret events in certain ways, but we don't HAVE to be controlled by this.

Of course, it is not quite as easy as simply deciding we are going to be easy breezy and positive about everything forever more. As with all behaviour change, it takes practice, and some compassion towards yourself (I am saying this to remind myself as much as anyone else!). Some things I would invite you to try to start encouraging a more positive perspective include: when you wake in the morning, before looking at your phone, take a moment to remember your connection to all other living things. That you are no greater or lesser part. You may wish to do this as in a form of prayer, or simply lie still and place a hand on your chest and stomach, and take a few slow breaths. Use this time to set your intentions for the day. Perhaps you want to practise assuming positive intent in those around you? Maybe you want to see the opportunities that arise to help others? Some people benefit from writing these intentions down, along with a few things they are grateful for and anything else they wish to be mindful of throughout the day. If time permits, a few minutes meditation or reading a daily reflection is also highly recommended.

“Once you have reached a certain level of consciousness, (and if you are reading this, you almost certainly have), you are able to decide what kind of a relationship you want to have with the present moment…One decision changes your entire reality.” - Eckhart Tolle