A boy sat on a rock crying. A friend approached and asked, “Why are you crying?”
“Because I got a new shirt today.”
“But that is happy news!” said the friend, “Why would it make you cry?”
“Because it will get old one day.”
For some, it is natural to look at all that will go awry in life: No level of happiness, no amount of kindness, no “final” gift ever seems to be enough for them. It is not that they themselves are “bad” or “wrong” people; it is simply that they have just learned to see and focus on the negative in things.
If you are struggling with perpetually seeing the negative in life, then consider this advice: little by little, begin to notice the positives. Start with gratitude for your basic senses. If you’ve lost some of those, be grateful for the ones you have. Be grateful for your breath. Be grateful for your heartbeat – because we do have this breath, and this heartbeat, in this moment.
Push yourself to expand your gratitude each day for the things you do have, and watch the changes that take place within. Beyond what happens internally, do not be surprised to notice the changes that seem to take place in those around you as well….