Taking Control of How You Feel--Maria

Humans are creatures of habit. We live in a cycle of an automatic routine of repeated
behaviors because it gives us a sense of comfort and instant gratification. When we have a set template of how to react to a situation, the equation of determining the “good” from “bad” is entirely diminished, making the process of reaction systematic and efficient. This habitual behavior leads us to convince ourselves that what we feel has a foundation, be it as a direct effect of what we are accustomed to witnessing in relationships within society or what we have instilled into our emotional schedule. Complaining, rather than discussing, how to solve the issue only further supports the idea that, although you are fully aware of what is being done incorrectly, you are too set in your way to implement change. We all seek the feeling of happiness and crave the sensation of being self sufficient. Figuratively speaking, we have the necessity of finding that treasure of an internal overflowing sea of satisfaction and, in its entirety, love. Yet we negligently search for rusted keys scattered on the ground repetitively forcing them into the keyhole and give up seconds after the realization that it is not the missing piece to the puzzle that will allow you to uncover this reserve of joy. We simply don’t have the mental strength to face our flaws, accept them, and most importantly, change them. This is the point

where you should ask yourself, “how can you want something that you are not willing to work for?” We have voids for a reason. We have insecurities for a reason. We constantly struggle in decision making and following our moral codes, and when the lines blur, that is not the cue to fall into the pattern of emotional reflex, but to challenge our minds to make the best possible decision. Train yourself to identify what triggers anger and sinks your spirits, accept that feeling this way is necessary, but only momentarily, and then separate yourself from it rather than try to create resistance. It is okay to go through things alone and walk away. We are all one hundred percents of somebody, we are all glasses all the way full. We are all enough. Creating a dependency on someone else, who also has issues to solve with themselves, is the best recipe for disaster. It is imperative that we acknowledge that happiness is not a place or a tax bracket, it is a state of mind. As proven by the popular love-hate rice experiment, our words are powerful. So be thankful and speak your gratitude into existence. Practice appreciating the things you hate and reshape your mind to embrace the bumps in the road, because it is what makes us grow and develop and prepare us to worship our inner gods and open our eyes to see that

we’ve been swimming in our overflowing seas all along.