Transforming Moods

“When I was little, I had this science book. There was a section on ‘What would happen to the world if there was no friction?’ Answer: ‘Everything on earth would fly into space from the centrifugal force of revolution.’ That was my mood.”     Haruki Murakami

“I’m afraid of being forgotten. Because, it seems everyone I get close to ends up forgetting about me.”  anonymous

I know we have talked about wearing masks but I’ve been thinking about more reasons why. So many of us at a young age have been exposed to onslaughts of insults, degradation and emotional abuse. Some of us may not even realize where our many insecurities from. Every moment of every day each person that comes in contact with us leaves a positive or negative dent on our spirit.

We think about helping each other physically but we must realize the magnitude of our impact in simple interactions with other people during our day. The tremendous amount of little harmful things we believe  are unnoticeable actually affect others in a huge way. Of course they are observed taken in and then color our own moods. Have you ever noticed when you are at someone’s house and they are unhappy, that  It permeates a room and it manifests a quiet atmosphere from their guests.We can’t help picking up the tone or moods of others. We are more sensitive than we think. A frown or harsh but quick retort will send us for cover as we sense another emotion. We may not think about why we react the way we do but the evidence is present if we take notice. On another day we might throw out a joke but we sense the necessity of refraining from joking on this particular day. We never question what it is that makes us stop in our tracks.

Our mind turns swiftly to other concerns and never lets the majority key into our intuitive thoughts. It is so automatic that we hardly  give thought at all. There are times when we glance across a room to discovered a person looking over at us. Maybe we remind them of someone they know or perhaps they know us and we wave back at them. How did we know to glance their way? It is our intuitive sense at work yet we keep that notion in the back of our minds.

Most people frown on anything they cannot see, hear or touch. To them it doesn’t exist. We are left with covering our ideas. We do not want to suffer any kind of discrimination or attention. If we have gotten into trouble as kids especially, we learn to control our urge to speak our  mind.  So many of us divulge so little. Weighing the effect of our words is important. I know we might  recall those people who speak right out but they are also controlling what they say. They toss our unimportant words almost as a diversion from a sensitive atmosphere. We all laugh and dismiss this retort and they keep their cover.

Sometimes it feels like we hardly know some people or most people. The attitudes vary so much and we sense an open feeling of discussion one day and a secretive mood the next. The main point is our ability to grasp so much more than we know. It is so automatic that we pay little attention to it. I think we also remain attuned more to those we care more about. We also pay attention to those we have to listen to.

An insulting phone call can upset us and cause us to think of other times a phone call was detrimental. It leads one down a destructive path. Although we might not want to go there we are on a roller coaster at that minute in time and we have relinquished our power and rights. Down the track we go. I would like to just stop the ride and get off if I don’t like it because it is leading me to a place that I know, I won’t like.

I love the saying,  “Stop the world I want to get off.” I for one have at times thought about sailing away on a boat to an island. Of course I would never really want to go there but the idea of escaping the prickles others impose, makes it appealing. I would venture to say many of us have our own thoughts of escape from the hazards of everyday life. In some way the thinking is a relief valve which allows us to reset our buttons. If I am savoring my alone time on the island, after awhile I begin to remember all the nice things I enjoy about these other people. At that moment those irritating people bring me back to reality and the actuality of it is I would miss them.

I feel better and acknowledge that  I can escape if I choose. It gives freedom. It gives relief from the situation, and the strength to go back and face more. How much easier if we trusted those we love with a bit more honesty. If we could say I am having the worst day and I am going to be blunt and maybe even mean. Overlook my words and actions until tomorrow. Nobody says that  and if they did we might excuse them for maybe an hour.

Bad attitudes can’t be planned. In When we go to a gathering,  we have the ability to infect everyone with our foul mood. Nobody plans it this way but we absorb another disposition. Like radar we pick up on it. I think we have to guard ourselves against such moods. When we sense another negative feeling we can be extra kind and then walk away. The last thing we want is to be miserable along with them. I am not talking about grieving people but  ordinary people who are maintaining a  bad day.

If they can’t pull out of it we might attempt to help but if we sense we are getting no where it is time to release our bond for the moment and get to a safe place. Keeping control of our own cheerfulness will help the situation get better a lot quicker  than joining in the malicious atmosphere. Discerning when we must let it go or stay and help is relevant. It is vital to comprehend our attitudes. It helps us to grasp others. We all have dirt handed over to us at times. We need to take it throw it on the ground and plant some beautiful flowers in it.

We have the power to shut down the pessimism faster than anyone else. I appreciate there are those days that are overwhelming but learning to recognize them and dealing with them swiftly allows us recourse a lot faster. Hiding a bad day is impossible to pull off, while attacking others is never an answer. We are just building the dirt pile and smothering the seeds. Accepting life as a mixed bag is constructive. Sometimes we are better at controlling our thoughts and our moods. Reflecting on something upbeat, even if it is far into the future, promotes a more encouraging frame of mind.

If all else fails hang out with the most optimistic person you can find at a function you are attending and you likely will pick up their attitude and wonder why you were dubious in the first place. Much is in the mind. What we see is what we get. Don’t search for detrimental things. Dig for upbeat thoughts. They are within your brain as much as anything negative. We are the gatherers. We can choose pleasure or sadness. Delve deeper into your mind if you have to and find the peace of contentment and gladness.