When you feel frustrated, remember something you're grateful for to bring your perception back into balance.
A misunderstanding people have about the inward path is that there’s a place of enlightenment you can reach where you’re free from the worldly burdens of being human. In other words, many have the idea that if you practice long enough, you’ll no longer feel anger, desire, or frustration.
Spoiler alert: that’s not true. So, if you beat yourself up for feeling angry now and again, stop. You’re human. It happens. And it will happen again. It’s not about never feeling difficult emotions, it’s about knowing how to manage those moments with grace and understanding.
Frustrating moments are never expected, that’s one of the things that makes them challenging. They hit us by surprise and completely change our view of the world. The trouble with that is that those frustrations then bleed over into the rest of our thoughts. This makes everything we think, see, hear, and speak more irritating and irrational. Pulling yourself out of this zone so that you can trust your mind again is crucial. And that’s what mindful awareness helps you do quickly and gracefully.
We prepare ourselves for many of life’s potential troubles. Maybe we have a stash of bottled water in the closet in case there’s a natural disaster. Or a little extra cash set aside for emergencies. So, in the same spirit, let’s be wise and prepare for unexpected emotional tension.
The next time you’re surprised by a frustrating moment, notice the feeling and mentally name it for what it is. If you’re feeling frustrated, think “frustration is passing through me”, if you’re feeling anger, think “anger is passing through me.” Notice the thought is not “I’m frustrated.” It’s a useful distinction to make because when we feel something challenging, we aren’t stuck like that forever. It’s not “who” we are. It’s just a feeling moving through us. After you name the feeling, make sure to slow down your breathing and relax the muscles in your shoulders.
Then, think of something you’re grateful for. Holding a beautiful thought in your mind is a powerful way to rebalance your perspective. It will remind you that the moment of frustration is temporary and not all that there is in life. It’s like an anchor of clarity. It’s also useful to think of a few things you're grateful for now while you’re feeling fine. That way, those nuggets of goodness are ready in the back of your mind for when you need them the most.
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i'm grateful these beautiful words are moving through me. or at least into me. i might keep them there.
Great work 👍