I have spent a long, long, long time trying to settle on what the meaning of our lives is. I have tried to make the messy and chaotic nature of life into some coherent sort of formula without success. And the reason for this is obvious, life is not organised, it is not the same for everyone and it does not follow a straight path. But as I try to figure out how I will get through this by being "okay" I have settled upon an age-old philosophy based upon the balance of three different components.
Body
We must look after our bodies and keep them in good form. This means eating the right foods, doing the right exercise and keeping in shape. We must look after our health. We must dress ourselves in clothes that make us feel good. As humans, we are essentially made up of a physical component, an emotional component and a spiritual component, and although we may see our "body" as being the most superficial of the three, we still must not underestimate the importance of looking after it. As we learn to do this, we will be more energised towards life and have greater confidence in ourselves.
Mind
Our attitude is of most grave importance. It is imperative that we perceive things rationally, not through a warped lense. We must be kind to ourselves, love ourselves and feel confident with ourselves. We must remember that attitude is everything - we are not slaves to our circumstances, but can actively overcome them in the way we respond to them. Finally, we must believe in ourselves - whether you think you can or you can't, you are right.
Spirit
I believe this is the most extensive component of the three. To me, this component encapsulates the essence of life and what it means to display human spirit. Above anything, it involves doing things that make you feel free and make you feel alive. We must engage ourselves in living and doing things that give us "flow", the mental state in which a person is fully immersed in a feeling of energized focus, full involvement, and success in the process of an activity. Let us find the things that make us feel free, alive and happy: netball, surfing, writing, swimming, reading, running, yoga, relaxation, helping other people, being compassionate, spending time with friends... Find what it is that makes you feel alive and enjoy it for the rest of your life. Share experiences with people. Help others to do the same. Let go. Breathe. Be free.
I often see the latter component as the greatest of the three, as I believe it is the one that is directly attached to our meaning and our happiness. However, these three components are intertwined and are all equally important. Without one, the others cannot exist in harmony, so it is important not to throw out balance. Love your body, nurture your mind, release your spirit.
Live.
Wednesday 16 February 2011
Visualisation.
Many psychology studies have shown the effectiveness of visualisation as a means of learning and creating change. I was once told by my physiotherapist that imagining a muscle in my knee as a lemon being squeezed with each squat could actually lead to faster recovery. I have also been told that imagining myself taking a spectacular intercept or executing a creative feed would translate such things to a netball game. Seeing things clearly in our minds seems to make them more real in reality and the consequences seem more significant. Here is my own image.
If a person is unfortunate enough to suffer from a crush injury, blood flow from the affected area or limb is restricted and is unable to flow towards the heart. In first aid, one is taught to remove the object as soon as possible. However, if such an act is not possible, there may be little hope for the injured person, because the longer the object remains unmoved, the more the toxins build up and threaten this person's life.
The toxins accumulate to a point where, once the object is removed, they gush out of the area and are free to destroy the rest of the body; like a tourniquet when it snaps, the blood rushes from the site.
So now imagine these toxins not as physical pain or infection, but mental pain. Perhaps if when we are crushed and the object oppressing us is not removed for an extended period of time, our negative thoughts and emotions too begin to accumulate. The toxins build up, so that, even when that hindrance is removed and we think that we are ready to be free and happy, we are more at danger than ever. Just as I was ready to fly, I too have been shot down by the gush of these toxic thoughts. Overcome again by a tidal wave of negativity, I wonder, will I survive?
If a person is unfortunate enough to suffer from a crush injury, blood flow from the affected area or limb is restricted and is unable to flow towards the heart. In first aid, one is taught to remove the object as soon as possible. However, if such an act is not possible, there may be little hope for the injured person, because the longer the object remains unmoved, the more the toxins build up and threaten this person's life.
The toxins accumulate to a point where, once the object is removed, they gush out of the area and are free to destroy the rest of the body; like a tourniquet when it snaps, the blood rushes from the site.
So now imagine these toxins not as physical pain or infection, but mental pain. Perhaps if when we are crushed and the object oppressing us is not removed for an extended period of time, our negative thoughts and emotions too begin to accumulate. The toxins build up, so that, even when that hindrance is removed and we think that we are ready to be free and happy, we are more at danger than ever. Just as I was ready to fly, I too have been shot down by the gush of these toxic thoughts. Overcome again by a tidal wave of negativity, I wonder, will I survive?
Monday 7 February 2011
Choices.
Despite my most recent views on life being solely based on the scientific and sterile nature of our existence, at this moment in time I have taken the opportunity to stray from my deterministic viewpoint and step into the somewhat unfamiliar territory of a perspective based on free will. A logical person, I have always believed that much of what we get is set out for us; our biological make-up determines a considerable amount of our intellect, our personality and, dare-I-say, our attitude.
Eternally jealous I have always been of those who can reject the lemons that life throws at them and demand oranges instead; those whom I believed were “born with” a positive and resilient attitude. And while I trudged along a gloomy path of sadness and despair, I regretted that I was not born with that same strength.
But why should I? Part of me still believes that an element of attitude is pre-determined in our genetic make-up, but why should I be a slave to such bitter dispositions? We should not be passive in the way we think, we should feel empowered. If there is one thing I have finally learnt after 18 years, it is that attitude is everything. And although I spent many a day wishing and waiting for mine to change, I have now decided that enough is enough, and refuse to wait any longer. I was recently told that “we make our own luck” and I think after years of waiting I finally understand what this means.
Life may just be a void of time that we, carbon robots, fill with things to make it seem worthwhile, or maybe it is an opportunity to learn, to love and to live. We have so many options as to how we wish to view the world, and we are given a choice: to reject what lies before us and be miserable, or to take this opportunity, embrace it and be happy. It may not be easy or natural, but in the end, having a positive attitude is the only choice – at times it will be difficult, and at times in may not seem like enough, but ultimately, it must be.
Eternally jealous I have always been of those who can reject the lemons that life throws at them and demand oranges instead; those whom I believed were “born with” a positive and resilient attitude. And while I trudged along a gloomy path of sadness and despair, I regretted that I was not born with that same strength.
But why should I? Part of me still believes that an element of attitude is pre-determined in our genetic make-up, but why should I be a slave to such bitter dispositions? We should not be passive in the way we think, we should feel empowered. If there is one thing I have finally learnt after 18 years, it is that attitude is everything. And although I spent many a day wishing and waiting for mine to change, I have now decided that enough is enough, and refuse to wait any longer. I was recently told that “we make our own luck” and I think after years of waiting I finally understand what this means.
Life may just be a void of time that we, carbon robots, fill with things to make it seem worthwhile, or maybe it is an opportunity to learn, to love and to live. We have so many options as to how we wish to view the world, and we are given a choice: to reject what lies before us and be miserable, or to take this opportunity, embrace it and be happy. It may not be easy or natural, but in the end, having a positive attitude is the only choice – at times it will be difficult, and at times in may not seem like enough, but ultimately, it must be.
“You have a choice. Live or die. Every breath is a choice. Every minute is a choice. To be or not to be.” ~ Chuck Palahniuk
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