Creating Moods
If you don’t like the mood you’re in, create another. There are many ways to create a mood. You can set the lighting, you can put on music, you can go for a walk in nature, you can meditate. All these things can help to dislodge an unwanted mood and make way for a more enjoyable mood. All of these things can show you that you have the power to create a mood. You have even more power that that.
Once you realize that you have power over your moods, your moods lose power over you. Nobody can make you angry, only anger can make you angry. Nothing can make you sad except for sadness. The only reason to feel anxiety is because you are worrying. These moods can all sneak up on you as your circumstances change from moment to moment. You think things in response to what is happening around you and your thoughts give rise to moods. You create these unwanted moods by accident, so it feels like they happen to you. When you practice creating the moods you like, you will surprise yourself with your skill.
The first step in creating moods is noticing your moods. When you find yourself in a mood, notice your thoughts. If you are angry at somebody, forget about them and take responsibility for your own anger. Imagine things from the other person’s perspective. Imagine things from the moon’s perspective. The moon in unconcerned by your anger. When your anger has passed, think of something pleasant, and concentrate on how pleasant feels. If you can feel pleasant, you have created a pleasant mood. That is an extraordinary power.
The more you practice creating the moods you enjoy, the easier it becomes. After a little practice, when you have developed your creative powers, as you keep checking in with your moods, you’ll notice you’re often kind of happy.
