Post 18: A Skill Worth Building

No matter what, at some point in my life I am going to be sad. And angry. And every feeling I don’t want to have. Emotions occur no matter what I do. The only way to not experience feelings is to cease to exist. And I don’t recommend that for anyone.

The crazy thing I keep finding is all my feelings are always available. The only thing that decides when they show up is what I am thinking about or remembering. I reflect on something that makes me angry, I get upset. I remember something that makes me sad, I feel sadness. All feelings are always available, just like thoughts.

And just like thoughts they are merely occurring. I am not rage. Rage happens to me. I am not happiness. Happiness materializes in me. This is simple to prove as I have moments where I am not happy. If I was happiness, that would not be possible.

Switching from, “I am sad.” to “I am experiencing sadness.” seems to affect how I feel. Sadness is just a storm which will pass by, not a permanent part of my being. I can be whatever I choose to be. I can focus on what makes me happy and find happiness. I can put my attention on what causes me anger, and I can feel annoyed just as easily.

Learning to control where my focus is pointed keeps sounding better and better.

~Ryan Lynch

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