Notes From the Couch - The Politics of Happiness & Defining Moments - Are You Ready for Change?
Throughout history, we have seen pivotal moments in American politics when the human spirit was fervently inspired.
One such moment occurred during Barack Obama's Iowa victory speech when the Illinois senator passionately addressed our nation following the caucuses.
We are choosing hope over fear- in the face of impossible odds people who love this country can change it- years from now you will be able to look back with pride and say that this was the moment when it all began- this was the moment when we tore down barriers that have divided us for too long-this was the moment when we finally beat back the politics of fear and doubt and cynicism- the politics where we tear each other down instead of lift this country up- years from now you will look back and say that this was the moment- this was the place where America remembered what it means to hope- hope is not blind optimism- it is not ignoring the enormity of the task ahead or the roadblocks that stand in our path- it is not sitting on the sidelines or shirking from a fight- hope is that thing inside us that insists, despite all the evidence to the contrary, that something better awaits us if we have the courage to reach for it and to work for it and to fight for it (Barack Obama).
At the dawn of this New Year I invite you to apply Obama's words to the politics of your own life.
Have you given up hope that something better awaits you?Years from now when you look back on your life, how do you wish to remember this time period?Are you ready to create a defining moment in your life?Are you blinded by fear and cynicism or invigorated by a wealth of possibilities?Are you hiding on the sidelines of life or flourishing in center stage? Those who spend their lives looking behind or fearing what lies ahead miss what is right in front of them.
The choices you make today directly influence your reality tomorrow.
As Obama so aptly stated, hope is that thing inside us that insists, despite all evidence to the contrary, that something better awaits us if we have the courage to reach for it and work for it and fight for it.
What in your life is worth fighting for?Do you believe that something better awaits you, or have your resigned yourself to your current state of affairs? Children and animals are blessed with the gift of mindfulness- carefree and exuberant; they are free from the constraints of mind identification and self consciousness.
Can you even recall the last time you laughed from deep in your belly, followed impulse instead of reason, released your inhibitions and severed your attachment to the past and future?Happiness is in large part a function of the perspectives you chose to adopt.
If you focus on past regrets or future concerns you will miss out on the present moment and pass through life in a self induced, anesthetized trance.
The majority of folks I see in my practice are struggling with emotional pain and inner turmoil related to situations, challenges or perceived losses that have already happened, or ones that have yet to occur.
Believe it or not, there is never a moment in your entire life that is not right now.
I am reminded of the recently divorced single mother who lies awake at night dreading the prospect of financial disaster, the middle aged mother of adult children who longs to return to the blissful days of early childhood, and the doctor's wife with chronic depression whose single days were spent searching for a mate, while her married life is filled with longing for her lost youth and missed opportunities.
Once she finally reached her goal of a beautiful home, loving husband and healthy child, she found herself wrestling with a profound sense of spiritual alienation, discontent and emptiness.
I have been thinking deeply about the concepts of hope and change in recent months.
In a Mercury column several months ago I stated: I feel like Rip Van Winkle emerging from a 20 year slumber and returning to his village, only to discover everything has changed and his wife and close friends are long gone.
The village I must reclaim is that of my own soul.
Like Rip Van Winkle, I face the reality that the past is gone and there is no turning back.
However the only moment that ever truly matters is now.
My analogy of Rip Van Winkle was intended to illustrate the disillusionment and emotional numbness we all experience when we allow the toxicity of fear, doubt, ambivalence and stagnation to poison our minds, hearts and souls.
When we bust through the shackles of fear the word suddenly seems more vibrant and we feel more alive.
It is never too late to begin this process.
Just as Obama stated, it is time to choose hope over fear-even in the face of impossible odds.
If you learn to love and value yourself and celebrate the life you are living, you can create a defining moment in your life and unleash the power of change at any point in time.
Would you like this moment to be your defining moment- the moment you charge through your self imposed barriers and fight for your dreams?The path to fulfillment will become clear once you release your fear and turn your focus away from obstacles and towards possibilities.
If you focus on the enormity of the task at hand you will never recognize your dreams; if you visualize yourself at your final destination, your journey will progress with surprising ease.
A dear friend of mine lost one of his arms during early childhood as a result of a gunshot wound.
Despite the fact that he is well beyond age 60, he continues to perform strenuous manual labor on a regular basis and he radiates love and tranquility.
He is humble as the day is long, attends church on Sundays and derives pure joy from helping those less fortunate than himself.
Without fail, my friend always greets me with a warm hug and a glowing smile.
He sings while he works and rarely gripes or complains.
Once, when I inquired about how he manages to perform grueling manual labor with only one arm, and he laughed and replied, "I have more strength in this arm than most people have in both arms combined.
"The story of my friend illuminates the power of perspective and the unlimited capacity inside each of us to shape the course of our own destiny.
Whatever your unique circumstances of adversity may be, why not make this the defining moment in your life?Wipe the canvas clean and begin to create your own unique portrait of faith, hope and optimism.
Remember- the colors you choose today will be reflected in your life portrait years down the road.
Close your eyes, breathe deep, and capture the beauty of the present moment.
As Obama recently stated, years from now you will be able to look back with pride and say that this was the moment when it all began.
One such moment occurred during Barack Obama's Iowa victory speech when the Illinois senator passionately addressed our nation following the caucuses.
We are choosing hope over fear- in the face of impossible odds people who love this country can change it- years from now you will be able to look back with pride and say that this was the moment when it all began- this was the moment when we tore down barriers that have divided us for too long-this was the moment when we finally beat back the politics of fear and doubt and cynicism- the politics where we tear each other down instead of lift this country up- years from now you will look back and say that this was the moment- this was the place where America remembered what it means to hope- hope is not blind optimism- it is not ignoring the enormity of the task ahead or the roadblocks that stand in our path- it is not sitting on the sidelines or shirking from a fight- hope is that thing inside us that insists, despite all the evidence to the contrary, that something better awaits us if we have the courage to reach for it and to work for it and to fight for it (Barack Obama).
At the dawn of this New Year I invite you to apply Obama's words to the politics of your own life.
Have you given up hope that something better awaits you?Years from now when you look back on your life, how do you wish to remember this time period?Are you ready to create a defining moment in your life?Are you blinded by fear and cynicism or invigorated by a wealth of possibilities?Are you hiding on the sidelines of life or flourishing in center stage? Those who spend their lives looking behind or fearing what lies ahead miss what is right in front of them.
The choices you make today directly influence your reality tomorrow.
As Obama so aptly stated, hope is that thing inside us that insists, despite all evidence to the contrary, that something better awaits us if we have the courage to reach for it and work for it and fight for it.
What in your life is worth fighting for?Do you believe that something better awaits you, or have your resigned yourself to your current state of affairs? Children and animals are blessed with the gift of mindfulness- carefree and exuberant; they are free from the constraints of mind identification and self consciousness.
Can you even recall the last time you laughed from deep in your belly, followed impulse instead of reason, released your inhibitions and severed your attachment to the past and future?Happiness is in large part a function of the perspectives you chose to adopt.
If you focus on past regrets or future concerns you will miss out on the present moment and pass through life in a self induced, anesthetized trance.
The majority of folks I see in my practice are struggling with emotional pain and inner turmoil related to situations, challenges or perceived losses that have already happened, or ones that have yet to occur.
Believe it or not, there is never a moment in your entire life that is not right now.
I am reminded of the recently divorced single mother who lies awake at night dreading the prospect of financial disaster, the middle aged mother of adult children who longs to return to the blissful days of early childhood, and the doctor's wife with chronic depression whose single days were spent searching for a mate, while her married life is filled with longing for her lost youth and missed opportunities.
Once she finally reached her goal of a beautiful home, loving husband and healthy child, she found herself wrestling with a profound sense of spiritual alienation, discontent and emptiness.
I have been thinking deeply about the concepts of hope and change in recent months.
In a Mercury column several months ago I stated: I feel like Rip Van Winkle emerging from a 20 year slumber and returning to his village, only to discover everything has changed and his wife and close friends are long gone.
The village I must reclaim is that of my own soul.
Like Rip Van Winkle, I face the reality that the past is gone and there is no turning back.
However the only moment that ever truly matters is now.
My analogy of Rip Van Winkle was intended to illustrate the disillusionment and emotional numbness we all experience when we allow the toxicity of fear, doubt, ambivalence and stagnation to poison our minds, hearts and souls.
When we bust through the shackles of fear the word suddenly seems more vibrant and we feel more alive.
It is never too late to begin this process.
Just as Obama stated, it is time to choose hope over fear-even in the face of impossible odds.
If you learn to love and value yourself and celebrate the life you are living, you can create a defining moment in your life and unleash the power of change at any point in time.
Would you like this moment to be your defining moment- the moment you charge through your self imposed barriers and fight for your dreams?The path to fulfillment will become clear once you release your fear and turn your focus away from obstacles and towards possibilities.
If you focus on the enormity of the task at hand you will never recognize your dreams; if you visualize yourself at your final destination, your journey will progress with surprising ease.
A dear friend of mine lost one of his arms during early childhood as a result of a gunshot wound.
Despite the fact that he is well beyond age 60, he continues to perform strenuous manual labor on a regular basis and he radiates love and tranquility.
He is humble as the day is long, attends church on Sundays and derives pure joy from helping those less fortunate than himself.
Without fail, my friend always greets me with a warm hug and a glowing smile.
He sings while he works and rarely gripes or complains.
Once, when I inquired about how he manages to perform grueling manual labor with only one arm, and he laughed and replied, "I have more strength in this arm than most people have in both arms combined.
"The story of my friend illuminates the power of perspective and the unlimited capacity inside each of us to shape the course of our own destiny.
Whatever your unique circumstances of adversity may be, why not make this the defining moment in your life?Wipe the canvas clean and begin to create your own unique portrait of faith, hope and optimism.
Remember- the colors you choose today will be reflected in your life portrait years down the road.
Close your eyes, breathe deep, and capture the beauty of the present moment.
As Obama recently stated, years from now you will be able to look back with pride and say that this was the moment when it all began.
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