“Change the way you look at things, and the things you look at will change” - Wayne Dyer
What would you do if you knew you could not fail? We’ve all heard that one right? I think the more important question is, ‘how many of us have actually TRIED to do just that'? Yeah, I know. Not many. Sounds all grandiose and spectacular and “piey in the skyie” doesn't it? Most of us give up before we even start. It’s understandable, of course - it’s the norm, it’s average, it’s what everyone else does, we fear change or the unknown, you can’t because of this or that, excuse, excuse excuse.
Who the fuck wants to live like that????
The truth of the matter is, I was where many of you are right now, just a mere 8 mos. ago. Afraid, stuck in a prison of my own making, depressed, angry, (I mean one pissed off camper), extremely unsatisfied with my life. Where and how I had come to be, to exist - you certainly couldn’t call it living. Everything had to fall apart for me in order to get it through my thick skull that what I’d been doing my whole life was not working, it never had. Wanna know how long that took me? Around 36 years. Yep, I’m 52 now and sure, I could look back on all of those “wasted” years that I could have known what I know now, but the past is over. Can’t unring that bell. It was opportunity and lessons and I’m thankful for it all and you should be too, for all of the things that have happened to you. They have made you who you are and it is all exactly what we have needed every moment, what we have attracted to us.
The biggest thing I find amazing now is what I once was unable to see myself. And that is how many of you continue to insist that Life is something that HAPPENS to you, versus something you are instead CREATING every moment. Every negative thought begets another one, and so on and so on. Everything we have, to the kind of car we drive, the house and state and county we live in, to the clothes we wear, to the people we are surrounded by, is the direct result of your thinking and what you have attracted to you. People get so passionate about trying to defend their circumstances and life to me, to blame them on something else, I have been threatened with violent behavior! It seems so difficult to believe such simple words of the original Buddha himself - “All that we are is the result of all we have thought”. Yet it is an irrefutable Law of the Universe. Yin and yan, dark and light, good and evil, cause and effect.
So if you want a better life, it’s all very simple my loves. Just begin thinking better thoughts. For instance, what do YOU want? What’s your idea of your perfect life, your perfect day, your perfect car, your perfect house? Every expert says to then write this down, or create a “vision board” in which you see and are focusing on these things every day. Then whenever you start feeling negative or having a bad day, first of all stop and realize it. Acknowledge it. It’s ok to still experience your feelings. But then you let them go; just release them. The moment is over, you’ll get no do overs, whatever happened happened. Hold no grudges or animosities or judgements toward anyone anymore, just let that all go too.
Now I realize this is all easier said than done. But if you can begin to grasp the seemingly simple art of living in the moment that is happening right now, then you can be on your way to a whole new, happier life as well. Since going through my own transformation I no longer dwell or brood over the past, don’t worry or stress out about the future, and just let life kind of wash over me. I don’t follow the wave, in other words. If a wave is coming at you on your way home from work in the form of a road raged individual, you just let that person’s experience and emotion wash over you. That is happening to them; you don’t have to “get on” and ride their experience with them. It has nothing whatsoever to do with you. Just because they are directing their anger at you doesn’t mean you have to react.
So write down some positive affirmations and tape them to your mirror and say them every morning to yourself while taking deep breaths. Look at your 6 and 12 month goals hanging somewhere in your home, focus on what you WANT to happen in your life, not what you DON’T. When you are out in the world, practice not letting anyone ruin your day for any reason, no matter how terrible it is. Do this for 90 days straight. I dare you. Then write to me at thegonzohunter@gmail.com and tell me what changed in your life. You will be absolutely astounded at the results, not to mention addicted for the rest of your life at living in this new way. Some books that are greatly helping me on my journey and are fairly easy reads include "An Open Heart" by The Dalai Lama, The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle, and The Untethered Soul by Michael Singer. And for designing your own, new lifestyle, The Four Hour Work Week by Tim Ferris is a must.
Until next time, living small and loving it largely,
The Gonzo Hunter
