Olafur Arnalds songs playing in the backgound...coffee
is brewing....the weather is a mix of sunny and breezy. And, I feel like
things are getting a bit too crazy right now. everything around me is
rather too noisy, that I can't hardly think of myself, what to do and
what to focus on.
In this quiet MOnday morning I am reminded that I need to let go of the clutter in my life.
The silence and the soothing music of Olafur Arnalds made me think of how wonderful to get some quiet time even for just some hours.
There
are too many things in my life recently that stress me out, from
emotional to material - work, home, relationships, duties, family
problems, friendship issues, painful experiences. these are things we
have no control of but we must let go.
As for me, I must first Let go of pain.
I used to think of myself as someone who doesn't get hurt, However, I am aware that pain is inevitable.
“If you let go a little, you will have a little peace. If you let go a lot, you will have a lot of peace.” ~Ajahn Chah
I've
learned that, I create and maintain the problems because It gives that
sort of identity in me. That the more I hold on to it and keep replaying
past mistakes , allows me to have that feeling of shame and regret to
shape my actions in the present. Tendency I cling to frustrations and
worry much about what is coming - the future. That holds a lot of stress
in my mind and body. That results to recent feeling of weakness and
more health issues at present. Ajahn Chah's words lured us that letting
go of pain may never be that simple yet every moment and chances is the
best time to practice letting go and be peaceful.
For me, to slowly let go of pain is to :
1. learn a new skill. Instead of dwelling of the skill you never mastered, learn a new trade or tricks instead.
2. Change you perception and concept with how you deal with things in life. - accept it as a blessing in disguise.
3. Cry it out
- I only have few close best friends that I can really rely on and cry
on, And I can be open to them with what I feel and with the pain I'm
experiencing. It feels so great knowing someone knows what you feel,
instead of judging you but telling you both sides of the coins. And,
according to medical experts crying away your negative feelings releases
harmful chemicals that build up in your body due to stress. So cry it
out...don't be shy. After all we are all human. To be honest, I don't
know anymore how many times I cry my hearts out to few very close
friends, and I could feel they are a bit tired of my drama. (Hey! you know who you are *wink)
4. Channel your discontentment into a something positive actions.
Instead of lurking in your room crying and still feeling the pain, go
out and try to look for some positive things to do like running, meeting
friends over coffee, do voluntary woks or find a new job opportunities.
5. Pray, meditate and do yoga and other exercises. -
Praying and being in my best mental self early morning is one factor
that really gives me that positive vibes within the day. Doing and
engaging in an active sports decreases stress hormones and releases
happy ones - endorphins. It truly improves your state of mind and
thinking.
6. Make a list of your accomplishments- no
matter how simple it is, write it down, and add up things in your list
everyday. I've learned that there are lots of things I 've accomplished
lately that I neglect on recognizing. It was amazing and I feel so proud
of myself.
7. Visualize a box in your head labeled it "expectations" - Whenever you start dwelling on how things should have been or should be, try shelving them into this box of expectations.
8. Stay focus. Something
that you can actually control rather than you can't. I know it is hard.
I'm still struggling on this from time to time but yeah, just keep on
doing.
9. Express your self to a creative outlet like writing , blogging or colouring, drawing, paintinga and DIY projects.
I always express my feelings through writing and doing creative
things. I always see to it I have notepad with me to jot down things i
have in mind at once and what I thought about on things I've heard and
seen. It truly helps to focus and to stay positive. It is like a
visual reminder that you have actively chosen to let go of the feeling.
I
know, these are things we already know. but with all the distractions
around us, we need to be reminded and stop holding on things that is
unnecessary to keep us going to find peace and making pain bearable.
After all, we only want happiness and peace, don't we?
(series of my notes of letting go......)
