The purpose of life is not to eliminate suffering. It is not to reduce it either.
The purpose of life is to get acquainted with it.
So that you can recognise it, manage it, and enjoy all the little moments when suffering is not there.
Solutions
For as counterintuitive as it might sound, sometimes – perhaps often times – you don’t need a solution.
You need to listen to yourself and others.
You need to stay in the situation.
You need to allow time to pass.
You need somebody to be in it with you.
If you can accept this kind of immobility, you’ll find that solutions are just a bridge to the following problem.
Taking control
When a friend doesn’t reply to a message, a colleague treats us with distance, or somebody is not as kind as we’d wish them to be, catastrophism swoops in. It whispers tales of abandonment and rejection.
It’s a distorted thinking that breeds anxiety, nudging us towards assuming the worst about others’ behaviour. It tempts us to construct elaborate narratives of abandonment or rejection. And it fails to consider alternative explanations such as busyness, personal difficulties, or simply a momentarily distracted mind.
In the end, what catastrophism does is putting at risk the very same connection we would like to preserve.
Pause. Take a breath. Challenge any claims.
It’s a sure way to start taking control of your thoughts.
All at once
It’s a moment to cherish when you watch something, you witness something, you experience something, and that something gets your mind going.
It can happen with any thing.
Even with a very good movie.
Here are three thoughts inspired by Everything Everywhere All At Once.
- Potential – Life is a tapestry of infinite possibilities. Each choice we make (or not make) represents the path we follow. And it means forgoing all other potential paths. It’s both empowering and daunting. But it is only by accepting this truth that we open ourselves up to a newfound sense of freedom. We stop dwelling on missed opportunities and start appreciating the beauty and uniqueness of the path that was given to us.
- Release – A central struggle in our lives revolves around the ability to let go. We cling to our thoughts, fears, societal and cultural prejudices, and desires to control our circumstances and others’ circumstances. What if we release these attachments? By freeing ourselves from the weight of unnecessary burdens, we are ready to embrace the unknown. Within us and all around us.
- Interdependence – It is easier to navigate the complexities of life when we recognize the importance of relying on others. Seeking help and forming meaningful connections is not a sign of weakness, it is a testament to our strength. Interdependence grants us diverse perspectives, shared experiences, and a network of support that immensely amplifies that path are asked to accept.
The life we are living is just as meaningful as any other life we might envy, aspire to, imagine.
That’s all the potential we need.
Out of fear
Every decision you make out of fear is a decision you should not make.
Fear of being cheated.
Fear of being hurt.
Fear of being unsuccessful.
Deal with the fear first, and only then you will be equipped to make a decision.
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