I’ve realized that a lot of our worries come from being a little close-minded.

Meaning, we typically focus on the worst thing that can possibly happen because we don’t bother to expand our minds into the realm of the great things that are just as likely to occur.

That’s one of the core concepts to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. The ability to look beyond what’s happening and stop having such a narrow focus.

I’m not saying you gotta be optimistic 100% of the time in order to eliminate all stress from your life, but you definitely don’t have to be pessimistic 100% of the time either.

A good parable I think about whenever I’m getting caught up in the moment is one that Buddhists’ call The Poisoned Cup.

There was once a young monk living in a Monastery who one day approached his master distressed and restless.

“Master,” he said, “I cannot stop my anxious thoughts. My mind is like a storm, filled with worry and doubt. It feels as though every small problem becomes a great disaster in my head.”

The master smiled and poured a cup of tea. He then took a small pinch of salt and sprinkled it into the cup.

“Drink,” he said.

The young monk sipped the tea and immediately spit it out. “It’s too salty to drink!” he said.

The master then led him to a large lake by the monastery and took the same size pinch of salt, and sprinkled it into the water.

“Now drink from the lake,” the master instructed.

The monk cupped his hands, took a sip, and nodded. “It tastes pure and fresh.”

The master placed a hand on his shoulder. “Your worries are like the salt,” he said. “If you let them fill only a small cup, they will overwhelm you. But if you expand your mind, like the lake, those same worries will lose their power over you…”

“Do not shrink your world to fit your fears—expand beyond them.”

Just like in the story, sometimes all we need to do to get out of a rut is expand our minds and look at the bigger picture.

Escaping anxiety and stress doesn’t start with eliminating the problem itself. It starts with you.

Until next time,
Isaiah Taylor

Dive Deeper

What I’m Currently Reading - I’m about finished with Deep Work by Cal Newport. A book on digital minimalism and how to center your focus on the most important task in front of you.

Quote Of The Week - “If you have time to whine, then you have time to find a solution.” — Dee Dee Artner