I Am On a Self Improvement Journey
I just finished reading a book called 'Fear', which I highly recommend. It was written by Thich Nhat, Hanh, a Vietnamese Buddhist monk, and it's very modest in size yet densely packed with enlightening messages. It was gifted to me by a friend last Christmas. I sort of dabbled through it on and off throughout the year, and I've finally finished it. I would say it's one of those books that is meant to be read over and over again, though. One to mull over and possibly arrive at new conclusions and insights each time.
Anyways, I'm currently reading 'The Happiness Trap' by Russ Harris now. I'm on chapter 9, which challenges the reader to answer a couple questions about what they believe they would be doing if thoughts and feelings were no obstacle for them. If you could live without anxiety or fear, what would you be doing?
The question just feels incredulous to me. The idea of living without anxiety or fear is such a distant notion to me, considering that I've lived under it's compounding weight for so many years now, that it just seems like an impossible image to even conjure. Perhaps I've been telling myself excuses for so long, that imagining myself without any barriers is actually scary. Trying to picture what I want for myself... I haven't truly attempted in so long because I've been managing my expectations- ugh, I could go on and continue avoiding the activity, but I suppose I'll start now.
If I were able to exist without anxiety or fear I would like to think that I'd be creating beauty in the world through many different avenues. Art is my passion. No matter what I'm doing, I find a way or a purpose to create. I see myself styling photo shoots, creating beautiful paintings and jewelry and writing novels. I enjoy sharing a piece of myself, of my perspective, with the world.
I am also a listener and a healer. So I see myself building communities and creating local resources to help others renew and empower themselves. I can see myself working to empower young women through motivational speeches, mentoring, and as a therapist... no, not just young women, anyone who is hurting. I would like to be able to work with people who have experienced traumas and currently don't have the resources to receive adequate or convenient care. I would like to spread love, hope, and confidence.
I suppose that's what I have for now... I hope that as I continue reading this book and working through my self-improvement journey these aspirations become more clear to me.
Anyways, I'm currently reading 'The Happiness Trap' by Russ Harris now. I'm on chapter 9, which challenges the reader to answer a couple questions about what they believe they would be doing if thoughts and feelings were no obstacle for them. If you could live without anxiety or fear, what would you be doing?
The question just feels incredulous to me. The idea of living without anxiety or fear is such a distant notion to me, considering that I've lived under it's compounding weight for so many years now, that it just seems like an impossible image to even conjure. Perhaps I've been telling myself excuses for so long, that imagining myself without any barriers is actually scary. Trying to picture what I want for myself... I haven't truly attempted in so long because I've been managing my expectations- ugh, I could go on and continue avoiding the activity, but I suppose I'll start now.
If I were able to exist without anxiety or fear I would like to think that I'd be creating beauty in the world through many different avenues. Art is my passion. No matter what I'm doing, I find a way or a purpose to create. I see myself styling photo shoots, creating beautiful paintings and jewelry and writing novels. I enjoy sharing a piece of myself, of my perspective, with the world.
I am also a listener and a healer. So I see myself building communities and creating local resources to help others renew and empower themselves. I can see myself working to empower young women through motivational speeches, mentoring, and as a therapist... no, not just young women, anyone who is hurting. I would like to be able to work with people who have experienced traumas and currently don't have the resources to receive adequate or convenient care. I would like to spread love, hope, and confidence.
I suppose that's what I have for now... I hope that as I continue reading this book and working through my self-improvement journey these aspirations become more clear to me.
31-35, F
