"You have power over your mind — not outside events. Realise this, and you will find strength."
— Marcus Aurelius
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I’m still away in New Zealand, travelling around and catching up. Refreshing my accent and all. When it takes as long as it does to fly out here, you gotta stay for a while.
One thing that I think is really neglected, even in this age of awareness of mental health, is how to become mentally, emotionally, spiritually resilient to the ups and downs of life.
Even good old Marcus, Emperor of Rome, had to remind himself of where he could totally control his destiny … within.
Realising it is one thing, the practice of it so you become it is an entirely different thing.
We can create heaven and hell easily and quickly by the thoughts that we invest our energy in. What you focus on, grows, and if you focus on what could go wrong – even to avoid that trouble – it can grow so quickly, “like a child” as Buddha once said.
Awareness is part of the strategy. Choosing to be actively positive, appreciative and glass half-full is another. Realising that your energy is essential – and therefore some kind of non-negotiable self-help routine (beyond a couple of glasses of wine and Netflix every evening) to stock up your battery is another.
Being present and full of presence is a beautiful thing too. Realising that your mind will give you a ton of options (and rarely realities, so take all of them with a pinch of salt) — and arguing and trying to fix it is difficult at times, so a simple “Let’s see” and returning to where your feet are and working from here is another fine strategy.
Slowing down and not trying to conquer the world in one day is another. Remembering and prioritising what’s truly important to you, telling yourself a better story, seeing if you can define life and not let it define you …
There’s so much advice and cliches and glibness that you’re already exposed to. But they all work. They do!
Why not pick one thing, one little thing, and practice it consistently?
It’ll build in a lovely way, in a way that means you’ll have real strength when you need it most. And that might be the most precious thing you can possess.
If I can help, let me know.
Go well!
Arjuna