Why do we generalise our experiences? Especially if its something negative.
“my friend dint even talk to me properly today..ruined the whole day”.. “he behaved so arrogantly today and spoilt my entire day”.. “the food is bad..this day is not at all going on well”.. “my colleague misplaced the entire file i gave him and i was blamed. The WHOLE WORLD is out to get me”.. “i dint get place to sit in the bus.. such a horrible day” .. “my mom cooked exactly the vegetables i hate.. she NEVER listens to me” .. “that girl..she is FULL of attitude and the MOST SELFISH person on this planet”
Haven’t we all heard people around us say this.. sometimes we ourselves do it. I wonder why we are so quick to make the few minor negative incidents in our day to day life the most significant ones and make that the title of the chapter of incidents of the day. Why do we give so much importance to the details that make us feel unpleasant? Isn’t it everyone’s desire to be happy? Yet our impulsive behaviour always takes us the other way. We are so quick in judging others, drowning in self-pity, caught up too much in ego clashes, and deliberately hunt out and find something to criticise in our near ones, etc etc.
But of course, there are some wonderfully pleasant people who do exactly the opposite and hunt for the faint glimmers of positivity beneath the bushel and bring it out for everyone to notice. They seem to be happy always and unruffled by anything around. They are loved by everyone. I consider myself very very lucky to know and be associated with people like that. They have taught me so much.
I have learnt to observe my thoughts closely and when i find some negative thought cropping up in my head, i just listen to myself and try to be aware of the cause for the disturbance. Over 50% of the times, just knowing what is making me tensed, relaxes me!! And then, i take sometime to accept the situation and restrict that negativity to that “moment” and not make it the summary of my entire day.
Next time you find yourself beginning a sentence with “generally, the whole day ....” and accompanied with negativity, put yourself on hold and look out for the glimmer of happiness beneath the bushel and bring it out to the spotlight!!
Life is great like this. : - ) thanks to all my teachers!!
