Before saying goodbye to January, these past 31 days have been not being the best start for the year. Mass shootings, extreme weathers, and continued layoffs dominated the headlines. These events affect people in negative ways. All while in the midst of the winter season (in the Northern Hemisphere).
Couldn’t help but feeling depressed? Yes. Hard to stay optimistic? You bet. But before tossing in the towel and giving in to these happenstances, best to pause momentarily and examine if we are letting lives be dictated by our moods and feelings. Why bother, you ask?
You see, moods, feelings, and even circumstances are transient. They are the ebbs and flows of our daily life. What seemingly unbearable at the moment will pass. Yes, even the Covid-19 pandemic will not last forever despite it has been three years thus far.
A rocky start in the January does not refute what is possible for the rest of the year. The potential always exists. Okay to recognize the impacts of our moods, feelings and circumstances. But beware not to fall prey, reacting or be led by them.
Lastly, I will leave you with the lyrics by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie:
We are the world
We are the children
We are the ones who make a brighter day, so let’s start giving
There’s a choice we’re making
We’re saving our own lives
It’s true we’ll make a better day, just you and me
How would you make your choice?
Running with Buddha 