Life is not a smooth journey. In fact, it can be quite tough and painful at times. It can throw difficult challenges and problems our way when we expect it the least.
And more often than not, we try to ignore these obstacles since they’re too hard to bear. But they’re our reality and as difficult as they’re to face, it’s necessary if we want to live a happy, fulfilling, and successful life.
Here are 6 harsh life realities we’d all benefit from accepting:
1. You can create the life you want only by embracing change.
No matter how hard you try to keep things in your life “fixed” or “constant,” the truth is that everything changes in life. That’s simply how the universe works.
Avoiding change prevents you from achieving genuine happiness and fulfilling your true potential. On the other hand, accepting change gives you liberation as well as energy to make positive, beneficial changes in your life. That said, what is your choice going to be – are you going to avoid or accept change?
2. Worrying doesn’t do you any good.
In fact, it’s just a waste of time. If things in your life aren’t as you’d like or if you’re struggling with problems, worrying about that won’t change your present situation – it’ll just make it worse.
So, instead of expecting additional happiness, or dwelling on mistakes and failures from your past, or worrying about what tomorrow might bring or whether or not you’ll manage to fulfill all your goals, you should try to embrace the present moment.
Live right here and right now. Appreciate more all the amazing things that have already happened to you and be grateful for what you already have in life.
3. Seeing reality for what it is has an essential role in finding happiness.
If you want to live a truly happy and free life, you need to see and accept reality for what it is. Instead of having fixed ideas and opinions, you need to stay open to and embrace whatever truth arises. And instead of avoiding and ignoring negative feelings and situations, you need to face and accept them exactly as they are.
4. The root cause of suffering is pursuing transient feelings.
The underlying cause of suffering is neither the feeling of sadness nor of pain nor even of loneliness. Rather, the root cause of suffering is this constant and pointless pursuit of temporary feelings, which, in turn, causes us to constantly feel tense, restless, and dissatisfied.
Feelings, such as joy, excitement, and euphoria are not genuine happiness. Rather, they’re just temporary versions of it. That’s why even when we’re experiencing joy or pleasure, we don’t feel genuinely content because we’re afraid that this feeling might soon disappear.
Remember genuine happiness does not come from temporary joy and fleeting pleasures. Rather, it can be found by feeling inner peace and by being satisfied with who you are and what you have.
5. Meditation is the key to reducing suffering.
Meditation teaches us that everything in life is transient, especially our feelings. Both positive and negative feelings just come and go. Once you understand the fleeting nature of all our feelings, you’ll be able to realize how useless and absurd it is to pursue them. And once you stop pursuing them, you’ll become more satisfied with yourself and live in the present moment.
6. No one lives forever.
This sounds harsh, but it’s true – no one can escape death. Everyone you know, including you, will leave this world one day. Therefore, try to spend the time you still have on earth wisely. Spend quality time with your loved ones. Try to be there for them when they need you. Hug them. Kiss them. Let them know how much you love and appreciate them.
