Transcending all worry & anxiety about the future— Find the happiness in doing your best, and you will always be happy.

[Eckhart Aurelius Hughes]

This is a discussion forum topic for the November 2022 Philosophy Book of the Month, In It Together: The Beautiful Struggle Uniting Us All.


If how grateful and happy you are depends on the proverbial cards you are dealt, you will always feel the cards could have been better, and you will always suffer with anxious worry about the next hand to be dealt.

If you think your happiness depends on the cards you will be dealt, then you may indeed have much to anxiously fear, and you may indeed worry deeply about what cards shall be dealt to you in the future. Practicing presence is tough if not impossible when one is so anxiously worried about the future. All that fear and worry can be like barking dogs chasing you back to the miserable prison that is the comfort zone.

To enjoy the invincible true happiness of consistent inner peace, you must fully and unconditionally accept that which you cannot control.

If you cannot be grateful for the cards you are dealt, then you can be grateful for how incredibly well you play them. And then you will securely and confidently know that, no matter what cards are dealt, and no matter what the future holds, you will be happy and grateful. Then there is no reasonable worry at all. There is no need to fear, and any unreasonable fear that is left is met with transcendence, which in relation to fear we call bravery.

Transcending fear does not eliminate it fully, but it does tend to greatly reduce its presence, especially since obsessive fears have such a tendency to be self-fulfilling. Regardless, what's left of it once you've transcended fear is nothing much more than a mere fun curiosity, like passing clouds in the sky. For the brave person who notices his own fear but is not a slave to it at all, fear becomes a plaything, toyed with by the likes of horror movies, motorcycle rides, and roller coasters.

If you cannot manage to say, "it could be worse", then at least still say, "it couldn't go better".

In other words, say, "I am doing my best."

There is infinite peace and happiness in being able to honestly say that. And you always can, because you can always choose to be doing your best. As Voltaire wrote, "a person is free the moment he or she wants to be". It's only illusions that hold you back.

The illusion that it could be better is one, perhaps the main one that summarizes them all. If you truly do your best, it cannot be better. It's the best it can be. There is great inner peace and happiness in knowing for sure at every moment that things are going the best they possibly can, and that everything that's meant to be will be. Not one speck in the universe is out of place.

When you fully and unconditionally accept what you cannot control, and are honestly doing your best with what you can control, then there's a sense of perfection that comes with that. Everything is the best it could possibly be.

That which you may lose when you waste time or energy resenting the proverbial cards you are dealt, toying around with the literally miserable and seemingly self-fulling illusion that it could be better, is that which you regain when you let go of all that, fully accept the proverbial cards, do your absolute best, and know with certainty that things couldn't possibly be better. Then you have nothing to worry about, because you know that no matter what the future throws at you, you will still be truly happy, you will still meet it and endure it with the true happiness of invincible consistent inner peace. And you can always say with firm happy confidence, "I am doing my best."




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[Hazel Mae Bagarinao]

In other words, say, "I am doing my best."

There is infinite peace and happiness in being able to honestly say that. And you always can, because you can always choose to be doing your best. As Voltaire wrote, "a person is free the moment he or she wants to be". It's only illusions that hold you back.

I agree %! Any place, anytime, I can be free no matter what. It is just how the mindset works. Inner peace and happiness are internal, so it is just a matter of choice. I chose to be happy and free.

[Surabhi Rani]

I like the words 'Not one speck in the universe is out of place.' Also, the philosophy of doing our best in our lives to achieve the state of perfection in our actions greatly appeals to me. This is the great secret of life extensively and commonly discussed in the great texts and scriptures. It feels great to learn here that it can be achieved practically through our constant struggles and endeavors in life.

[Surabhi Rani]

I like the words 'Not one speck in the universe is out of place.' Also, the philosophy of doing our best in our lives to achieve the state of perfection in our actions greatly appeals to me. This is the great secret of life extensively and commonly discussed in the great texts and scriptures. It feels great to learn here that it can be achieved practically through our constant struggles and endeavors in life.

[Surabhi Rani]

I like the words 'Not one speck in the universe is out of place.' Also, the philosophy of doing our best in our lives to achieve the state of perfection in our actions greatly appeals to me. This is the great secret of life extensively and commonly discussed in the great texts and scriptures. It feels great to learn here that it can be achieved practically through our constant struggles and endeavors in life.

[Surabhi Rani]

I like the words 'Not one speck in the universe is out of place.' Also, the philosophy of doing our best in our lives to achieve the state of perfection in our actions greatly appeals to me. This is the great secret of life extensively and commonly discussed in the great texts and scriptures. It feels great to learn here that it can be achieved practically through our constant struggles and endeavors in life.

[Onyango Victor]

This is a discussion forum topic for the November 2022 Philosophy Book of the Month, In It Together: The Beautiful Struggle Uniting Us All.


If how grateful and happy you are depends on the proverbial cards you are dealt, you will always feel the cards could have been better, and you will always suffer with anxious worry about the next hand to be dealt.

If you think your happiness depends on the cards you will be dealt, then you may indeed have much to anxiously fear, and you may indeed worry deeply about what cards shall be dealt to you in the future. Practicing presence is tough if not impossible when one is so anxiously worried about the future. All that fear and worry can be like barking dogs chasing you back to the miserable prison that is the comfort zone.

To enjoy the invincible true happiness of consistent inner peace, you must fully and unconditionally accept that which you cannot control.

If you cannot be grateful for the cards you are dealt, then you can be grateful for how incredibly well you play them. And then you will securely and confidently know that, no matter what cards are dealt, and no matter what the future holds, you will be happy and grateful. Then there is no reasonable worry at all. There is no need to fear, and any unreasonable fear that is left is met with transcendence, which in relation to fear we call bravery.

Transcending fear does not eliminate it fully, but it does tend to greatly reduce its presence, especially since obsessive fears have such a tendency to be self-fulfilling. Regardless, what's left of it once you've transcended fear is nothing much more than a mere fun curiosity, like passing clouds in the sky. For the brave person who notices his own fear but is not a slave to it at all, fear becomes a plaything, toyed with by the likes of horror movies, motorcycle rides, and roller coasters.

If you cannot manage to say, "it could be worse", then at least still say, "it couldn't go better".

In other words, say, "I am doing my best."

There is infinite peace and happiness in being able to honestly say that. And you always can, because you can always choose to be doing your best. As Voltaire wrote, "a person is free the moment he or she wants to be". It's only illusions that hold you back.

The illusion that it could be better is one, perhaps the main one that summarizes them all. If you truly do your best, it cannot be better. It's the best it can be. There is great inner peace and happiness in knowing for sure at every moment that things are going the best they possibly can, and that everything that's meant to be will be. Not one speck in the universe is out of place.

When you fully and unconditionally accept what you cannot control, and are honestly doing your best with what you can control, then there's a sense of perfection that comes with that. Everything is the best it could possibly be.

That which you may lose when you waste time or energy resenting the proverbial cards you are dealt, toying around with the literally miserable and seemingly self-fulling illusion that it could be better, is that which you regain when you let go of all that, fully accept the proverbial cards, do your absolute best, and know with certainty that things couldn't possibly be better. Then you have nothing to worry about, because you know that no matter what the future throws at you, you will still be truly happy, you will still meet it and endure it with the true happiness of invincible consistent inner peace. And you can always say with firm happy confidence, "I am doing my best."




---
The book is available for purchase from all major book retailers in both ebook and hardcover format.

View on Barnes and Noble | View on Amazon | View on Books-A-Million | View on Bookshelves

This approach encourages a sense of mindfulness and presence, fostering a deeper connection with the tasks at hand. It emphasizes personal growth, continuous improvement, and a positive attitude toward challenges. When happiness is tied to the effort you put forth rather than external results, you gain a more sustainable source of fulfillment.

[Jay Lu]

True happiness and inner peace come from accepting what we cannot control and focusing on doing our best with what we can control. By shifting our focus from external circumstances to our own efforts and responses, we can find a consistent sense of contentment and peace.

[Ghettson1]

While it is true that practicing gratitude and accepting the cards we are dealt can lead to a sense of inner peace and contentment, it is important to acknowledge that life's challenges and circumstances can impact our well-being. It is not accurate or fair to suggest that one should always be able to say, "I am doing my best" in every situation or that everything is the best it could possibly be.

Human experiences are varied and complex. There are times when individuals face overwhelming difficulties, obstacles, or injustices that may be beyond their control. It is natural to experience emotions such as frustration, disappointment, or sadness in such situations.

While it is beneficial to cultivate a positive mindset and strive to make the best of our circumstances, it is also important to acknowledge and address the genuine challenges we face. Sweeping statements that imply everything is perfect or that one should always be able to feel happy and grateful can dismiss the very real struggles people go through.

Moreover, it is worth mentioning that personal growth and improvement often involve acknowledging areas where we can do better and seeking to make positive changes. The mindset of "I am doing my best" should not become an excuse for complacency or a barrier to personal development.

Ultimately, finding balance between acceptance and striving for improvement is key. It is okay to acknowledge when things could be better and to work towards positive change while also maintaining gratitude for what we have. Each individual's journey is unique, and it is important to approach it with compassion, understanding, and a willingness to adapt to different circumstances.