True blue

True blue is a saying in Australian slang. It means no-nonsense, no bullshit. Real.

Years ago, when I became aware of the fact that I have a mind, and understood that my thoughts create my life experience, I wanted to let go all negativity. I wanted to live my dream life and therefore I wanted to think positive thoughts.

(It is a frustrating job being a positive person, I’ll tell you.)

A lot has changed since then. Nowadays, whenever I feel a little uncomfortable, I want to know what it is about.

I am interested in the negative thought since investigating it has the potential to make me a calmer and happier person – or simply give me a good laugh.

As it turns out, you can live the life of your dreams and still be human. Still be imperfect and get upset and get angry. And you will.

Emotional transparency clears up your life a lot.

To live in peace is to become friends with unease, too.

Not to run away from it, or deny it, or try to suffocate it with mantras or affirmations, or working too much, exercising, eating, drinking, whatever your method is...

There are moments when acknowledging you are angry is the most positive thing you can do.

Acting from the angry place is another story, it never leads to the outcome you were looking for. But acknowledging the feeling of anger, that sure is true blue.

It is often the undefined fears and disappointments that hinder our feeling of everything being well. It is the unknown that scares us. Once you know what bothers you, what bothers you has less power over you.

Define the thing that pulls your mood down and you will feel a little better, instantly.

Investigate the thought, you will most likely realize, it is insane, it does not serve you, and it contains negative speculation that has nothing to do with what is real and true to your heart.

I should have done better. I should have done more. I am not good enough. I am not pretty enough. I am not handsome enough. I am not skinny enough. I am not successful enough. I am not zen enough. I do not have enough money. I do not know any interesting people. I do not want to go to school. I do not want to go to work. He should be different. She should be different. He should not have said that. She should not have done that. I am too tired to do anything. Why can’t I just get what I want. Why can't the world just revolve around me. Why can’t everything just be easier.

Read the list above on a good mood and it is hilarious. You wonder, who thinks stuff like that…

And yet the answer is, everyone. You and I both, and everyone around us.

It is okay to have those thoughts, and it is okay to experience the negative feeling they cause. Obviously.

But when you understand that you only suffer because you think those thoughts – that it is the thought that causes your confusion, not the situation you think you cannot stand or the person you are mad at – that is when you get your power back. That is what brings you to a clear and honest place and you can begin choosing your thoughts differently.

I want to get better at this. I want to feel good and be healthy and frisky and in good shape. I want to see beauty in myself and I understand that the reason I just see flaws is because I have practiced seeing flaws for so many years. 

I want to let go of this chronic feeling of guilt. I want to be sure of myself and know that I am worthy, so that I do not have to be bothered if someone disagrees with me.

I want to feel it is okay to have different opinions. That having different views does not prevent you from being good friends or partners or colleagues.

I look forward to making my studies and work more interesting for me. I look forward to seeing how my experience changes together with my mindset.

I look forward to feeling lighter and I think I already do, just a little bit. It feels good not to discourage myself all the time. I could do this more often and, actually I will...