Photo attributed to Thenix

Every single time we are suffering in any way, shape or form, we are suffering due to the boundaries set by us due to the past or the future. We are either berating ourselves for the past, or dreaming about the future, and all of that removes the possibility of contentment and peace. Removing the past or the future from our constant thinking patterns will help with that suffering. Being in the very difficult present moment is the only way to do it.

But the present seems boring. It is sterile. It doesn’t have drama associated with it. The past is dramatic. It has a storyline, it has climaxes and emotions. It is more interesting than the present. The future as well is mesmerizing. It has no boundaries. It can be anything that you wish for it to be. You can be a superhero, a villain, a millionaire, a movie star, anything you wish to be. You can create it in your head.

The creations in your head are dangerous. The stories we tell ourselves are dangerous. Do you know why you do the things you do?  It is because of the stories in your head. You tell yourself things like this; you are good at bowling; you are bad at languages; you are going to happier once this year ends; you are going to be sad once your vacation ends; your life will end if your relationship ends; your life will begin once you get married; you will be ecstatic once your debt is paid off; your life will be amazing once you get a higher-paying job; you should haven’t dated your ex; you shouldn’t have gone to university; you shouldn’t have taken out student loans; you shouldn’t have travelled for a year; you shouldn’t have spent your money on clothes.

The stories are endless, and none of them are real. They are not the reason you are unhappy in the present moment. If you really think about it, if all of the stories in your head were different, you would still be in the same position, lamenting about the past, or dreaming about the future. It is only when you take control. Take control of your thoughts and emotions that swirl around in your head. You are in charge. Not some piddly past, or some weird future. The only person that matters is you. The only thing that matters is your happiness.

Everything else is peripheral.

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