Contents
The ability to enjoy simple things makes us happy. But with age, it becomes more and more difficult to do this. Albert Einstein said: “There are only two ways to live life. The first is that miracles do not exist. The second – as if there were only miracles around. How to learn to notice the miraculous?
Which of us in childhood did not stare at a bizarre cloud, at how ants carry food along the path, at dust particles dancing in the sun? It happens that, absorbed in our adult life with its difficulties and limitations, we gradually lose the ability to emotionally respond to the beauty of the world around us. But the ability to admire what you see affects the quality of life.
Studies have found a link between emotions and blood levels of cytokines that serve as indicators of inflammation: those who experience particularly high levels of strong positive emotions, such as admiration and pleasant surprise, had the lowest levels of cytokines.
Exercises
1. “Mind of the student”
We experience admiration when we feel contact with nature, listen to music or admire a work of art. But there are many other situations in our lives when we can let the beauty of the world touch us. To do this, we need to develop the “mind of the student” in ourselves: get rid of the haste and automatic reactions that limit us, and look at the world around us with an attentive and fresh look, without judgment.
This is how, wondering, we rediscover the world for ourselves and can fully appreciate what surrounds us.
And then everything becomes a source of admiration: our usual affairs, our relationships, a walk, the work of our body … You can keep a “diary” of these moments, writing down your feelings and everything that resonated in your soul, that surprised, amazed, delighted, delighted.
2. Eyes Wide Shut
Another simple remedy is to lose sight for a few seconds, this most “overloaded” sense organ, in order to direct more attention to other channels – close your eyes and feel, touch, taste, hear for real.
Personal experience
Mikhail, 55, Head of HR at a bank
“I lead an active life: work, family, civic actions – there is little free time left. Therefore, it was not easy for me to slow down, observe and fill in the “diary”. But gradually it came. Recently I was walking with my grandson. Suddenly he stopped and froze, spellbound. His eyes sparkled.
What was he looking at? On the leaves that swirled and rustled under his feet. I felt great joy. Joy from the fact that I saw his admiration, but also from the fact that I could admire him, admire with him.
About the Author: Ilios Kotsu is a positive psychologist and author of In Praise of Insight.