Our expectations we hold about the world and others can be a powerful factor .
It's been a rough year. Wouldn't it be a relief to set aside the problems and the issues, the controversies
and the calamities for just a little while, and reclaim the things that really matter? There will always be those who are determined to work themselves into a state of discouraged exhaustion.
Our expectations we hold about the world and others can be a powerful factor in how, we emotionally respond to an experience. If we believe, we are to live a life of ease with little or no sorrow, this unrealistic expectation of the world will make many of the normal events of life more painful than they need to be. With this faulty belief, our well-being will suffer and our inner peace will never be realized.
When we take responsibility for our feelings, and understand that we hold hidden beliefs which magnify our sorrows, we are better able to process the "good" and the "bad" as a natural part of life. With acceptance of what is; and awareness of our own emotional response to what is; we place ourselves in a better position to make constructive choices, whatever our particular set of circumstances we may find. This is a life
empowered. This is the foundation from which well-being sprouts. This is where we should be mindfully working ourselves towards.
Our emotions will constantly be influenced by the outer world. It is not a weakness to respond to the events
of our lives with joy, disgust, sadness, or anger. It is important to understand that somewhere mixed in with
the initial emotional reaction is a set of beliefs which we hold about the event, which can either perpetuate the negative feelings or help us to productively process the unpleasant experience. Acknowledging and accepting the initial reaction is important, but recognizing the beliefs which quickly follow is; where we can begin to empower ourselves.
By : Julia Geraldine Smith