snippets of everything » Happiness

Change is possible

ames — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 09:19:11 +0000

“The whole of Buddhism is based upon the idea that through our own efforts we can change the way we are. Our emotional patterns, our ways of thinking and feeling about ourselves and the world are not god-given or set in stone by our early childhood experiences. By the conscious application of awareness upon our mind we can cultivate particular emotions and ways of being so that they begin to dominate our everyday experience.”

- Paramananda

Beauty

ames — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 09:17:21 +0000

“When we have positive feelings towards ourselves it becomes much easier then to like others; we are not threatened by them.”

- Paramananda

House sitting 1

ames — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 09:17:00 +0000

A few weeks ago we house (and dog) sat a big old Victorian villa that is slowly being renovated. It had a big garden which was a delight, given our wee flat does not have one. Needless to say we spent most of the weekend in the garden. Even though it was only a few miles from home it felt like we were on a summer holiday! Sometimes just a small change in environment can be quite influential.

Your homework for this week

ames — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 20:05:35 +0000

Each week our study group at the Buddhist centre has homework, to apply what we learn in the class. At the moment we are studying Know your mind by Sangharakshita. Know your mind is about the teachings of the Abhidharma, or science of the mind. Our homework this week related to the chapter on negative mental states; anger in particular. With this in mind I thought that maybe you would like to participate and perhaps report back if you feel inclined, after the week as we do in our class.

Our homework was to notice when we have active and passive rage or anger. Secondly, notice how we respond when a friend or partner is in rage? This could be at you, or toward someone else.

Passion

ames — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 17:56:20 +0000

“When you decide that you’re going to deliberately determine the terms of your own life, you’ll probably be surprised at how hollow the supposed roadblocks really are.”

- Jonathan Mead

If only it felt so obvious

ames — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 17:26:33 +0000

“The basic and rather obvious lesson of life, seemingly so hard to grasp, is that happiness is a state of mind, not something that can be taken from others or from the outside world.”

- Paramananda

Soul feeding

ames — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 08:25:37 +0000

“When you do things from your soul, you feel a river moving in you, a joy.”

- Rumi

Why Minimalism?

ames — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 09:31:34 +0000

Over the years I’ve gradually gone from being a ‘collector’ to a minimalist. Minimalism means something different to different people. To me it means less is more. It is not about restriction, or restricting the amount of stuff that I have, but it is about having less to have more freedom, and more experiences. As an example, last year I moved countries with one backpack and a bicycle.

My attachment to collecting stuff has gradually changed over time with prioritising (I either buy these things or I can go to Europe and go travelling), and through seeing through my desires for things, and re-checking them. When I am wanting to click buy now I ask myself, “will I really use this? Or is it a shelf sitter? Will it just take up space, or if I was to move countries tomorrow would I take it with me?” These questions have really helped curb unwanted purchases, opening up time, space, energy and financial resources to have other experiences, which to me, are more important. De-cluttering is mentally freeing, physically freeing, and enjoyable. I know happiness doesn’t come from financial purchases, so purchases are are purely functional and enjoyable, as opposed to purchasing for the habit of purchasing, or wanting a particular item to fill a void. This doesn’t mean I don’t get enjoyment out of my swanky cameras or smart phone, but instead I know when I have enough of these things for function and enjoyment as opposed to running on the treadmill wanting.

Once I started on this journey I noticed it builds over time and spreads into other parts of your life. For example I am perfectly happy in a one-bedroom flat. I could have a larger flat or house, but I don’t want one, as I know this space is enough for me. It isn’t about going without. It is enough, and that is minimalism to me: knowing when you have enough and are happy with that.

Feed the right thing

ames — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 15:26:47 +0000

“A fundamental rule of life is that whatever you focus on grows. Why? Because repetition cultivates belief.”

- Jonathan Fields

Initiative surpasses talent

ames — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 15:19:39 +0000

Over the years this has been my most important lesson when it comes to succeeding in anything. Why do I think this is so?

The most talented athletes or creative people I have met, haven’t necessarily succeeded in that thing they are talented at. This may be because of laziness, or lack of belief. Either way, whatever the reason, I know that if you have the initiative you:

Create opportunities
Get out of bed even if you are tired
Talk to people and make it happen
Turn up
Get out of your comfort zone
Work harder
Take responsibility
Look for ways to improve, and solutions

I have heard the excuse “but I am not talented..,” but if you have initiative you are indeed talented, because all talent is, is intentional choices built up over time to produce being good at something. So in the end, there is no such thing as talent. There is only initiative, because talented people aren’t good at anything if they don’t do it that thing they are good at.

This inspires me no end, and with every success, the spiral continues to add success. Feed success and it grows.