Calm down:
on happiness and freedom from stress
I’m a naturally cheerful and optimistic person, but countering those qualities are my tendencies toward fear, anxiety, and control. This contrast plays itself out physically: my usual state is to have a smile on my face and a lot of tension in my body. It’s often hard for me to relax into the moment, especially when there’s a lot on my mind (and on my calendar). In moments of relaxation and joy, I’ve written the following reminders to myself, which I refer to when I need to recall what matters.
You are so loved. Sometimes it’s good to get a reminder. I made this one for some of the people most dear to me (view it).
Work is not life. If you hate your job, this one is obvious. But even if you love what you do — as I do — it’s easy to get caught up in thinking your work is the most important thing. For me, especially, I’m constantly thinking about my legacy, and that drives me to equate “being a great artist” with “my life was worth living.” That kind of thinking only brings anguish, and disregard for the deep preciousness of simply existing. Living is its own wonder. It is enough. Read my original “Life Is Not Art” post. It’s a rewrite of an earlier articulation of the same concepts (read the earlier post).
Happiness is already yours. Chances are, there’s already much in your life to be grateful for. Read my post on simple happiness, or my post on gratitude.
Find what it means to you to live life to the fullest. It’s probably not the same thing for everyone. But once you know what it looks like for you, you can create your own reminders, and pursue your own happiness. Read my musings on this.
An end note: We don’t know how much time we have. This is why it’s so important to me to relish just living. We’re all born to die, and we may do so at any time. All we can do is work with what we have, and try to enjoy it as much as we can. Read original post, written after the premature death of my sister’s friend Elena.
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