It’s an interesting fact that your habits and chosen, practiced disciplines, whether good or not so good, kick in strong when needed most.
It’s needless to say that if you’ve been making a good effort to practice positive, helpful habits, they will strongly support you at times when things become challenging. It works the other way too. If you’re practicing negative habits that aren’t so good for your health and well-being, you’ll do more of them when times get tough and you feel pressured.
I read an article recently on how the sales of alcohol and cigarettes went up considerably when Covid came along and particularly during lockdowns. In Victoria, Australia where I live (on the Mornington Peninsula), except for what was deemed essential services such as supermarkets etc, all the retail shops and restaurants were shut for months on end and it was somewhat astonishing to see the local tobacconist shop and alcohol stores and even drive in bottle shops were deemed ‘essential services’ and permitted to remain open!
This fact is indicative of how many humans go through life dealing with challenges and pressures in a negative, self destructive, often chaotic manner. Many can’t go one day without consuming alcohol or other addictive substances. Many feel ill equipped to deal with whatever arises without trying to numb their feelings.
When we learn to meditate – calm down, slow down and practice being fully aware of each moment, we develop ongoing inner peace and have no need for artificial stimulants and addictive behaviours.
Being in control of your mind is one of the most beneficial ways to become calmer, healthier and happier. In fact, through personal experiences over my lifetime, I’d go so far as to say developing control of your mind is the only way to lasting peace and happiness. (See Why Meditate and What is Mindfulness).
As another new year begins , why not learn and use the practices of Mindfulness and Meditation as essentials for a happy life and indeed, Every Day Gets Better. 🙂
Thank you, Wendy, a good reminder. And a good point about alcohol and tobacco shops deemed “essential” during the lockdown! It shows what value our societies place on these addictions.
Yes it’s interesting that the Govt deemed alcohol and tobacco ‘essential’ yet chiropractors had to close their clinics. 🤷♀️🙁