… And there is so much beauty in it. I don’t want this to come off as a love letter to Toronto (because of the photos…) but more of a love letter to the world in general.
And it’s so easy to get wrapped up in the negative. Admittedly for me, when I think everything is going great, there’s still a little voice in my head that is wondering when it’s going to come crashing down. It’s something I still need to work on. I even went and paid a lot of money and talked to someone about that a few years ago. They provided me with different mental exercises to try and change those pointless (and preventable) thoughts and projections.
They told me to look at the facts, and the evidence. They said to assemble in front of me what I know for sure.
What if I lose my apartment and then I become homeless?
Griffin, do you have a good, stable job?
Yes.
Are you at risk of losing your job?
No.
Do you make enough to pay your rent and support yourself?
Yes.
Are you living outside your means?
No.
Well, are you going to lose your apartment?
… No.
Those conversations really forced me to better analyze my thoughts and where they were coming from. Nowadays it isn’t as bad but I still feel it creeping back (being a human and all).
I’ve found the solution to stopping those destructive feelings right in their tracks.
Look for the beauty in the world. There are toxic things, there are certainly toxic people – but beyond that, there is so much beauty. And with that beauty comes such vivid clarity. Being in this new city is allowing me to look at everything with a very obvious childlike wonder, and the positive energy that comes with that is absolutely exhilarating.
I mentioned this in another post – but there will always be those negative people who will want to tear you down. To tear down good things and positive situations. Maybe I’m a little too trusting and I know I wear my heart on my sleeve. But I’m not going to apologize for that. Those whose objectives are to bring anyone down for any reason possess a harmful energy that you do not need. Nobody does. Again, move past it, extract it, think logically, gather your evidence, and look for the beauty.
There is beauty in tall buildings. There is beauty in the snowfall and in friendships and in laughter and in hot coffee. There’s beauty in the subway (guys, I love the subway) and in avocados. There is beauty in GORD DOWNIE! There is beauty in healthy relationships. There is beauty in literature and music and family. There is beauty.
I understand it is a challenge because sometimes the mind just goes there – but there is no beauty in negativity and it is exhausting and damaging to your spirit. Rid yourself of it. Destroy it. You’ll thank yourself for it later, believe me.
