“A man is but a product of his thoughts, what he thinks he becomes.”
– Gandhi
Last semester I was fortunate enough to be in a class called “The Science of Happiness.” Could it be? Did they really crack the code on how to be happy? Was this class, here at UMass Amherst going expose the secrets for that of which happiness lies?
Unfortunately life doesn’t exactly work in that way, for it was no surprise that the class was a tad more complex than that. On the first day of class the professor prefaced the course with the knowledge that he was not going to be our personal psychiatrist for the semester. This course was not going to be a group therapy session, personally helping each one of us with our personal issues. However, what he did say was that the takeaways throughout and at the end of the semester would be really beneficial to improving our mindsets and lifestyles if we decided to apply them. Little did I know entering the class that my entire outlook on life would be altered, as would my perspective on how I would like to continue my life into the future.
Our “thoughts” are a very funny thing; they have the power to completely shift our perspectives to situations. There is not one of you out there that can tell me there wasn’t a time in your life when you realized later on that maybe, just maybe, you overreacted or created and made up a situation that wasn’t actually fully the truth. It is rarely the case that we view situations in total reality of what they are; most likely, we are biased and shaded due to our own personal “life framing.”
Framing is a psych term, which talks about the way in which each one of us views the world, due to all the life experiences and situations that we have gone through in the past. This is good and bad. It helps us to be aware of our past and situations and people, but it’s bad because it totally can change the reality of the situation and make us jump to conclusions.
If we supply ourselves with positive thoughts and realize that in situations, instead of letting the power of the negative emotions and thoughts take over and cloud our minds and immaturely say things without reason (that we’ll probably regret later on), to step back, cool off, and rationally and positively see the truth and clarity, we will be able to not let the situation spiral out of control. We’ve all been in that situation where before you know it the situation escalated into a fight, driven by emotions, flooded with negativity, and not much sense. We have the power, as Gandhi said, to be in control of our thoughts. If you think positively, you will notice that your thoughts and actions will be positive as well, and can go on to lead a positive life of contentment and happiness.
So the next time you feel yourself being driven by a negative thought or emotion, remember, put on a smile (maybe some lip gloss), take a deep breath, and smile.