Happy Thoughts

In the play/novel Peter Pan by J. M. Barrie, Peter is teaching the three Darling siblings, Wendy, John and Michael to fly, but as the narrator in the novel says: "Of course Peter had been trifling with them, for no one can fly unless the fairy dust has been blown on him." So, in the novel are the children actually flying by magic, and this is the way they're tricked:

"You just think lovely wonderful thoughts," Peter explained,
"and they lift you up in the air."

Real life is not like this, it's the other way round, and I try to live by it. Magic is not real, but "Happy thoughts" can make reality magical, and I think the last day's events are proof of that. Let me start with my friend's talk, which she's about to hold next month.

My friend is asked to talk about "Joy and positive thinking, and how that can contribute to bring out the best in people, and help us tackle every day's challenges." Or something like that. Yea, yea, we've heard it before, what's the news? Well, not much maybe, but that's why it's so brilliant. It's simplicity. And to be honest - even if most people know that it helps to be positive, not many really know how to achieve it, do they? It's like any other activity; just because I recognize a soccer ball it doesn't mean I can play the game.

The whole talk (and our fabulous day discussing it) is obviously too long to repeat here and now, but there's an essence which I'd like to point out. We might not be in charge of what life has to offer, but we can take control of our reactions to it. And another thing - how many times have you heard that it's important to live in the present? But do you know how to do that? That's where commitment to the moment comes in, and an openness and willing to experience the smallest detail.

Yesterday is gone, and tomorrow is not here yet, so what's left is today, and that's life! I can hear the more rational people, or at least what they are according to themselves, ring their warning bells: "You have to take responsibility, you have to plan for the future! You can't just live life as if there's no tomorrow!" Believe me, that's not what it's about. It's so demanding to be that attentive to the moment, that I don't think it's possible for a sane person to stay that way for a very long time. You soon start to worry about next day's meeting or what to wear for the party, but having time like that, when time stops, gives you such pleasure, that it'll last and spread to others.

And thinking positive - what is that exactly? For one is not saying yes to everything, as some might think. It's more in terms of omitting that nasty and negative word not. It seems like our brains have some difficulties in recognizing that word for what it is, and more pay attention to the object. The energy you put in not wanting ridiculous work hours, quarrels with your spouse or a pimple on your nose at the worst time, seems to go straight to exactly that, and you end up with the things you didn't want.

Positive thinking is visualizing your dreams and goals. Try picture yourself in a situation you would like to be. If your relationship isn't working, how would it look like if it was OK?

Anyway, this has slowly brought me back to the beginning of the day. Before that very engaging coffee date with my friend, which actually lasted through the whole day, with lunch, dinner, three glasses of wine and more coffee, I had made a little wish. Just a simple wish, nothing too demanding I think, but you could say it worked! (See last post under here. Got both a hug and a power tool...) Maybe it was just me, but that moment was very now, and that's all that matters at the end of the day, isn't it?