Photo credit to the author.

My first real attempt at maintaining my mindset outside of emotion was in the very simple act of picking up litter. I had travelled to the beach for reasons and as I walked up and down the shore observing the surf I became very aware of the amount of trash on the beach. My anger continued to grow with every piece of garbage I passed. What had started as a pleasant, beach side walk, was quickly turning into a rage fest. As I neared venting my frustrations openly and publicly, I took pause for a few seconds to think. “What am I so angry about?” I thought to myself. To which I replied “I am angry about the amount of garbage lying on the beach.” The next thought that occured to me may have been the very first one I have had based in logic. “Will yelling at people out here enjoying the beach eliminate the garbage?” I asked myself, to which the response is an obvious and resounding, “No.” In continuation with this line of reasoning I started to ask myself the next logical question, “What will get the garbage off the beach?” to which I immediately answered myself before I had even completed the previous thought, “Pick the shit up dumbass!” Next thing you know my happy ass is strolling the beach picking up trash and not giving a fuck about what other people are doing. I imagine it must have looked pretty funny from an outsider’s perspective. Here comes some guy down the beach with a scowl on his face, looking like he’s ready to death with his eyes. Next thing you know, the motherfucker is wandering around, picking up trash, looking happy as a pig in shit!

This story is not one of flawless success, yet, unfortunately. I still have to practice every waking moment to maintain my perspective. The world can be a place full of distractions if I allow it to be, and there have been times when I let those distractions overwhelm my focus. As recently as yesterday I allowed my emotions to affect my perspective in a way that was a waste of energy. I had a professional meeting with another human being in which I perceived that person to be intentionally pushing my buttons. The lack of professionalism this individual displayed, especially considering the meeting place, was appaling to me. Just as frustrating was that I had gone into this meeting with an open mind and amicable countenance, yet this individual still seemed contrary to having a meeting of the minds. By focusing on their actions instead of my own, I let my very hot temper get control of my mind for a brief moment, and it resulted in me expressing my observations loudly in public. I didn’t direct my comments at anyone specifically, which is a win, but there is at least one other, better, solution that I could have come up with. Know the enemy, know thyself. Know thyself, know the enemy. Perhaps if I put this thought at the front of my mind I will be able to perform to the best of my capability next time.

I still get mad. I have flaws, everyone does. My style of writing isn’t the best either, but it is interesting. 🙂