We attach to feelings as if they define us, and ironically, not just positive ones. If you’ve wallowed in regret or disappointment for years, it can seem safe and even comforting to suffer.
Lori Deschene writes a wonderful (if long) guest post on Zen Habits about finding a Zen contentment by disconnecting our emotions from attachment to the fickle circumstances of the world around us.
The idea articulated in the above quote is related to the difficulty I blogged about of doing hard things which are necessary for your goals. But also, I think it’s a big reason for the persistence of unfortunate life circumstances. When a certain paradigm or rut is established, it’s hard to break out of for this very reason. The little exercises suggested by Deschene provide a good path to letting go of your ruts, and I hope they help you focus on what’s most important: this moment.
