“I’ve decided to make myself STRONG. As far as I can tell, that’s all I can do.” Haruki Murakami, Japanese writer, author.
By Ahsan
You have no doubt heard the famous saying: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result is the definition of insanity. I have always thought that this makes sense but was never really convinced of its complete veracity. In my books, doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results is simply a sign of being foolish. Foolish people are not necessarily insane. I’m not. Allow me to shift the meaning towards a more interesting and possibly better answer to this question.
The definition of insanity is basing your personal happiness on what others do and what life throws at you. Dramatic Pause! (Thundering drum beats should be playing in your head) Do you know anyone who says: “I will be happy if so and so would stop doing that” or ‘once I achieve my goal of x or y I will finally be happy?” How foolish! How can you expect other people to behave the way you want them to? How can you expect the weather to be ideal for the picnic you planned? This kind of way of living can only lead to insanity, not happiness. In other words, you need to start accepting reality and face life so that your happiness is not affected.
Life's curveballs and the people in it are not in your control. Believe it or not, your spouse, and even your kids will not act in a way that is always going to make you happy! What happens tomorrow in your life could be pleasing or disappointing. You and I must accept this. The path to a happy life means accepting that life is unfolding and that your job is to handle whatever comes at you. Does this make sense to you? You need to become strong in your ability to handle things and not focus on the outside world. The world is not in your control.
The planet we live on has operated for nearly 5 billion years without your help. There is a plan in operation by an Unseen Hand; don’t bother yourself with trying to figure out why things happen. How you adapt to what happens to you will bring you true happiness. The outside goings-on does not matter as much as the inside goings-on of your mind. So….. What do you do?
Actions Steps:
Become a member of the club called: STRONG: Super Thinking Real Optimistic Never Gloomy
The price of joining the club is a “$100,000 initiation fee” and “$10,000 monthly dues” worth of strenuous personal commitment to become a STRONG version of yourself.
Do the work of making yourself strong inside and accepting what is happening outside as neither in your control or the determinant of your happiness.
Set aside twice a day, morning and evening to sit in solitude and either pray, meditate or repeat affirmations of things that are along the lines of "I am strong," "I appreciate living life," "My mind is in my control," "I am a winner" or whatever else empowers your mind and soul.
Make it a point to focus on having great days full of love, happiness, joy, and peace. Don’t spend your days wasting it on the lower emotions of fear, worry, anxiety, despair, depression or anger. Uncontrolled thinking will get you into trouble.
And there you go. Admit it. My definition just might redefine what insanity is. If you liked this article and know someone who is goal-oriented and should read this, please share it on your social media and suggest they visit www.awesomelifebook.com to subscribe to our email list.