"I want to feel good"
This simple phrase can become your mantra that guides you through the day with every choice you make. When presented with a fork in the road, you choose to go left or right. Consciously or subconsciously, you choose. For example, someone is being disagreeable or argumentative, you have the choice to go to the mattresses, (act without restraint, combating them) or diffuse it (act with mindful intention, not engaging in the conversation). If you want to feel good, you will find yourself letting go before getting caught up in a petty squabble (that often generates a 3-day grudge) with your colleague, your kid, your sister, whoever, thus maintaining good vibes.
The energy expended isn't worth the price- the price being discomfort or disconnection that results from a disagreement between you and your spouse have over how to handle the holes in the backyard, your hound dog continues to dig. You let go of the need to participate in "vent sessions" at work. When you discuss a problem in life with the intention to feel good, you choose to see it through the lens of opportunity, or even gratitude. If something is going on in your life that you don't like, use that feeling of being in contrast, to outline what your ideal scenario looks like and then take steps toward it.
Mindfulness reminds you that everything is temporary. You will find much-needed solace in that, when the current financial place you are in, where you live, the news, all leave something to be desired, remember too that it's all temporary. Focus on feeling good. Mindfulness keeps you engaged in the moment and not ruminating about things outside of your control, not dwelling on events that don't impact your life directly or losing sleep about things that may or may not happen in the future. (Studies show 80% of what we worry about never happens.) Thinking " I want to feel good" as many times as you can throughout the day, redirects your attention.
Where your attention goes, energy flows.
If you feel good and the mantra pops up in your mind, great, ride the wave. Sink into appreciation and contentment. If you notice that you aren't feeling good, do something else, think of something else. Doing this consistently will interrupt the pattern in your brain, and reroute your default states, literally. Meaning, you will feel good more often and will have to work less at it, just like with any practice. If you are having trouble shifting your mindset, consider doing a mindful body scan. Become conscious of your intention to feel good and you’ll be pleasantly surprised about how you lead your days and where you choose to invest your energy.
For more mindfulness guidance check out Getmotiveteduniversity.com