Photo by PAlessandro Valli
Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment” – Buddha
I worry like every one else, but I rarely worry about the past. There are things I would like to have done otherwise, but I have learned from those things as well.
I do sometimes worry about the future, but then again a lot less then I used to. I have simplified my mind. I have chosen to live in the now.
Simplifying your mind does not only mean you choose to worry less, but it also creates peace of mind by simplifying everything in your life.
Letting go of things, clearing distractions, owning less stuff, buying less, stop doing the things you don’t really want and just doing what is important (following your real passion and spending time with family and friends) will fulfill you with more happiness.
It all starts in the mind.
Let’s take a look at how to simplify your mind:
– Leave your past alone
Learn from your past mistakes. Making mistakes means you are trying, you are living and doing something. Don’t make a fuzz about it. Learn from it and forget everything else.
Accept your past, there is nothing you can do about it anymore. Focus on the present and make something beautiful out of everything to come.
– Future worries
Try not to worry too much about the future. 90% of the things you worried about in the past didn’t happen and 90% of the things you now worry about will never happen. Don’t let your horrible imaginations drag you from one end to the other.
When these thoughts occur, recognize them and say: “stop!”. Replace a thought of worry for a thought of trust, calmness and confidence. Tell yourself, it’s okay to be imperfect. It’s okay to make mistakes and be human like every one else. It’s gonna be alright.
– Live in the now
Focus on what is right in front of you. Clear out distractions in your mind. If you walk outside, enjoy your surroundings rather than thinking about who you should be sending a text message. If you talk to a person, try to really listen instead of being stuck with your head in the past or future and letting the moment pass you by.
Regrets and worries are overrated. Simplify your thoughts, smile, be lighthearted and allow yourself to be in the now. You will gain more by being present.
– Love your fear and it cannot drive you, push it away and it owns you
If you fear something, someone or a certain situation, tell your mind that you will allow yourself to really “love” it. Welcome your fear with wide open arms and embrace it with a big heart. You will see that the fear in your mind will decrease and slowly fade away.
On the other hand if you resist that something or someone you fear in your mind, if you refuse and try to push it away your fear will only expand and it will own you. Learn the quote by heart so you can use it next time a situation occurs that might not seem all too pleasant. Try it and see for yourself.
– Let go
Let go of status symbols. (bigger houses, luxury cars, more fancy clothes and expensive watches, etc.) Let go of high status vs low status. Let go of looking more important or excellent, rather be important or excellent and not having to show off or prove yourself to everyone.
Don’t take yourself so seriously, make fun of yourself, accept your flaws, smile, be real and be cool.
Let go of artificial. Let go of negativity. Let go of people sucking the life out of you. Let go of what you don’t want. Let go off more.
Love to simplify
Fall in love with simplicity. Simplifying creates a positive effect on the mind.
It enhances the quality of your life and way of thinking. Things become more clearer and lively.
Fall in love with less. Fall in love with basic. Fall in love with enjoying what is already there instead of wanting what you don’t have. Fall in love with creating instead of buying. Fall in love with your passion instead of material things. Fall in love with what is most important instead of everything at once. Fall in love with now instead of tomorrow.
“If a man’s mind becomes pure, his surroundings will also become pure” – Buddha
Thank you. It’s simple, I know, but that’s why I came searching here. I know the simplest of words can change a lot. They ARE and always HAVE been powerful, but I didn’t know exactly what I was looking for.
“90% of the things you worried about in the past didn’t happen and 90% of the things you now worry about will never happen.”
This was when I suddenly started to feel a lot better. Amazing how drastically I can remind myself.
It may not always work, but do and keep doing the little things that make you laugh or interested or energized or exercised or refreshed, even if it may feel like a lie at the time. Even if it seems temporary. Keep being self-productive even if it’s for a moment.
And remember the words here.
Thankyou 🙂
thanks for the great advice. Something I like to do is to set a point of origin similar to a 0. I would recommend always trying to advance towards the positive in your life; really explore the positivity that is all around you and absorb it into your day as you live day by day. you don’t need to go towards the negative but if you feel like its necessary then don’t delve to deep into it, and bring yourself back to the positives before your day ends.
-5-4-3-2-1 0+1+2+3+4+5+6+7+8+9+10! God bless you all!
Wow, what a beautifully written piece. Really spoke to me on so many levels. Thank you so much ❤