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diff --git a/content/entry/start-fresh-in-every-moment.md b/content/entry/start-fresh-in-every-moment.md index dcffa28..7313d51 100644 --- a/content/entry/start-fresh-in-every-moment.md +++ b/content/entry/start-fresh-in-every-moment.md @@ -2,7 +2,6 @@ title: "Start Fresh In Every Moment" date: 2022-01-31T00:00:00 draft: false -makerefs: false --- # Getting the Obvious Out of the Way Before I get into this subject, let's get the obvious out of the way so that I don't get misinterpreted. @@ -32,7 +31,7 @@ I'll use Covid as an example. There are thousands of depressing Covid stats and There's a false dichotomy that the only two options are facing the cold, hard, depressing truth and telling yourself comforting lies. Either you're a tortured genius or a happy idiot. But this ignores the fact that it's not just the depressing truth which is depressing. It's the constantly thinking about it that's the most destructive. ## Toxic Positivity -You don't necessarily need to lie to yourself about what's going on in the world not to be depressed. A few people opt for that strategy. They put a positive spin on everything and when that becomes impossible, they outright lie to themselves. This is a form of Toxic Positivity[1]. +You don't necessarily need to lie to yourself about what's going on in the world not to be depressed. A few people opt for that strategy. They put a positive spin on everything and when that becomes impossible, they outright lie to themselves. This is a form of [Toxic Positivity](https://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toxic_positivity). For examples of toxic positivity, just search Youtube for how to get rich. You'll find clueless one-percenters who genuinely seem to think poor people only exist because they have the wrong mindset. I don't think I need to explain how harmful this is. This extreme can be avoided by just not lying to yourself. @@ -41,13 +40,8 @@ What does any of this have to do with starting fresh? Well, people tell themselv And it might be true that if you relapse then you're likely to become a regular user again. I don't know the odds. But on a personal level, the odds don't matter because it's counterproductive to remind yourself of the bad odds while you're trying to quit. -It's much more helpful to focus on the positives like "If I quit, I'll be healthier." or "Other people quit using, so it's not impossible." Focusing on the positives without deluding yourself isn't anything new. It goes all the way back to the ancient Stoics[2] who invented several techniques for achieving positivity without delusion. +It's much more helpful to focus on the positives like "If I quit, I'll be healthier." or "Other people quit using, so it's not impossible." Focusing on the positives without deluding yourself isn't anything new. It goes all the way back to the ancient [Stoics](https://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stoicism) who invented several techniques for achieving positivity without delusion. From a subjective perspective, you are always starting fresh. Every moment is a new moment and it's going to be filled with whatever thoughts you happen to have. Reflect on the past and learn from it. Plan for the future. But there's no need to cling to the past and imagined future as final arbiters of who you are or what you're capable of now. The past doesn't make you who you are any more than the thought of money makes you rich. So if you're waiting for a reason to let go of thoughts of your past or imagined future, I give you permission. Drop the mental baggage and start fresh in every moment. You'll be a better person for it and it'll be better for everyone around you. - - -Link(s): -[1: Toxic Positivity](https://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toxic_positivity) -[2: Stoicism](https://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stoicism) |