What Our Lives Really Are

ByMatthew

The greatest revolution of our generation is the discovery that human beings, by changing the inner attitudes of their minds, can change the outer aspects of their lives. – William James

I’m sure I’ve blogged on this quote before, but it bears repeating – at least for me.

As I learned from a mentor, our lives are not what happens to us and around us, and not even just our thoughts about what happens to us and around us, but the feelings that come from our thoughts.

*  *  *

What is so amazing about James’ words, and what I’ve gained from Neill’s work, is that it all starts with our thoughts.

James teaches us that whatever we want to create is possible, if we only properly orient our thoughts (and do the work!).

Neill reminds us that we don’t experience the world, we experience our feelings about our thoughts on the world; change our thoughts and we change our feelings – and thus our experience of the world.

*  *  *

Can’t change (/manage) your thoughts well, or at all?

Meditate.

Can’t meditate?

Sit quietly for five minutes a day.

Can’t sit quietly for five minutes a day?

Seriously . . . ? C’mon! I know you can.*

*  *  *

* If you have a condition of some sort which precludes you from sitting quietly, I apologize, but I sincerely believe there’s a practice (of some sort) that would work for you as well.

Similar Posts

  • Language and Re-Framing

    ByMatthew

    Once again a post is inspired by something from Seth Godin. Here is another excellent post that got me thinking (click here to read the post at his blog): “I’m under a lot of pressure…” The ellipsis hides the most important part of this sentence: “I’m under a lot of pressure from myself.” When you…

  • Mindfulness & Attitude

    ByMatthew

    Either what happens changes our mood… or our mood changes the way we narrate what happens. – Seth Godin People don’t seem to understand that we can either be blown about by the winds of circumstance or we can feel the winds of life, know that it’s sometimes windy and figure out how to use…

  • Imagination & Reality

    ByMatthew

    “Your imagination is your preview of life’s coming attractions.” – Albert Einstein Whatever you focus on, with emotional intensity, comes into being. Let’s dissect that a bit: “Whatever you focus on,” the thoughts and images you repeatedly create in your mind; “with emotional intensity,” whether you feel or generate positive or negative emotions around something,…

  • Find Out What’s Happening

    ByMatthew

    Whenever something isn’t ideal it’s an opportunity to learn, and grow. When you’re willing to inquire, to dive deep, you will solve long-standing problems, heal old wounds and spark growth. But you have to be willing to pause and ask: “What’s really going on here?” For example, when someone is late, why are they late?…

  • Want a Door? MAKE a Door

    ByMatthew

    Don’t spend time beating on a wall, hoping to transform it into a door. – Coco Chanel The only time you should beat on a wall is if you are (hitting it in such a way that you’re) making a hole for a door. Feebly pounding on or flailing against a wall in the hopes it will…