“I’m not afraid of storms, for I’m learning how to sail my ship.” –Louisa May Alcott
I’m always so impressed with the people that seem to never be rocked by any adversity. You know, the people who substitute the word ‘challenge’ for ‘problem’. I think that people who have this outlook are eternal learners, convinced that every life experience has some wisdom to impart, even if the lesson brings some pain. I’m always trying to be vigilant of my own thoughts to keep this attitude.
I think that the first step to attaining this outlook on life is to be aware of your thoughts. What I mean by this is that there’s a part of you that can label a thought. There is a moment, just after the meditation of sleep as you first awake, that there are no thoughts. There may be emotions, but no thoughts. Just notice what this feels like, and label it as the absence of thinking. That way as thoughts arise you may notice the difference. Once you can do this, you’re capable of knowing that you are more than just your mind. With this realization it’s possible to understand that just because you think something, that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s true. Worry is an especially good example of this. (People once thought that the world was flat, but the earth’s properties didn’t change just because people had this theory.)
Next, I think that people who have the eternal optimist outlook tend to look for learning in every storm. It feels a lot better thinking about challenging situations as opportunities for learning and growth. So, as you are learning to sail your ship through life, relish the opportunities for learning. They are teaching you the tools you’ll need to weather the storm.
Peace, Love, and Laughter,
Emily