Stop Being Miserable
I was told once, many years ago, that if you want life to be great, then make it that way. “Your life is as good as you make it.” My response was always, “Whatever, lies!” The concept, even still, seems so abstract, so wishful and unscientific. How could you possibly influence a dismal situation positively? The answer is, you can’t.
Fair enough, you can’t. So what are we here for, then? Well, the subtlety of the imperative “stop being miserable” statement lies in its methodology. It’s quite obvious that you can’t simply change an unfavorable situation by clicking your heels together and saying “Take me home, Auntie Em.” Instead of changing your assertion from “stop being miserable” to “try to stop being miserable,” for example, change the way you go about achieving it. If you cannot directly change the situation you’re in, change how you perceive it and how you react.
I’m not advocating the creation of an alternate reality wherein your mind plays games on itself. What I’m suggesting is revamping your outlook. You might call it optimism, as opposed to pessimism, but if you must call it optimism, please don’t leave it at that. Skeptical optimism, perhaps, or cautious joy. An awareness of what is real, but a reaction that provides a clear course of action that leads to a remedy; approaching the problem with an inner sincerity that blooms with happiness. The source of misery is not your situation — whether you’re alone, bereaved, forsaken, disowned, or forgotten — but the melodramatic reaction to your situation that develops in your mind. The truth is, this all boils down to good, old-fashioned willpower, and even if your willpower is strong, you must channel it positively and be conscious of its direction. From there, you may choose for yourself whether you will take control of your life or allow yourself to fall victim to misery.
So, in the way of advice, I offer the following: Stop being miserable. Plain and simple.