Quote:
Originally Posted by Lilium_Bellator
Today, I felt happy.
This is rather rare for me. Most of the time I'm either anxious, depressed, lonely or stressed. Never happy. The last time when I felt like smiling, my brain managed to think up all the lovely things that caused the anxiety and depression, making me feel that once more.
I can't stay happy. I don't know why. Something always comes up. Nothing particularly bad is happening in my life right now, other than the issues above. But I just can't stay happy. I can't not worry about stuff. It just...happens. There's no other way I can describe it. I convince myself that I'm not allowed to stay happy, that the feeling is abnormal and I should feel all depressed.
Does anyone have any ideas on how to not go back to that mindset, and actually stay happy - or at least somewhat positive and not self-loathing - for more than a few hours at a time?
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I am happy all the time, but I'm 88 and have done a lot of living and learning. I could make myself unhappy if I chose to. but I prefer enjoying every minute I have left. Years ago I read "The perfected yogi is aware of every breath." He or she is probably also perfectly happy. So I've been working on being aware of every breath for a long time.
A simple way is to try to count every breath. When you lose track, start again as soon as possible. If you really tune into your breathing, it feels very good. Really staying tuned to feeling how you breath and keeping count can also block your going back to what you call "that mindset." The mindset is your own telling yourself things, thiinking. It is possible to control it and your thoughts. I do. I'll check back here to see if you try it. If you don't I'd be interested in why not.