I am not happy. I am not sad.

Summary

The website content discusses the transient nature of emotions and thoughts, emphasizing that one's identity is not defined by these experiences.

Abstract

The article titled "I am not happy. I am not sad." delves into the concept that emotions and thoughts are impermanent and should not be the defining factors of one's identity. It illustrates this through a narrative of a person facing fear and pain, only to realize that these feelings do not represent their core self. The author, Michael, suggests that true self-discovery lies in letting go of the habit of identifying with fleeting emotions and thoughts, leading to a state of peace and authentic spirituality. The article encourages readers to recognize what is not essentially them and to embrace the quiet space where one can find love and true self. This realization is part of Michael's 30-day writing project, indicating a journey of self-exploration and sharing his insights with his audience.

Opinions

Emotions and thoughts are transient and should not be the basis of self-identity.
The true self is found beyond fear, pain, and other temporary experiences.
There is value in recognizing and detaching from what is not fundamentally the self.
Authentic spirituality and peace emerge from the empty space created by this detachment.
The article implies that the pursuit of the 'real you' may be less important than understanding and letting go of what is not you.
Michael's personal narrative suggests that love is a fundamental aspect of the self, discovered when one stops identifying with impermanent states.
The author's writing project reflects a commitment to exploring and sharing insights on self-identity and personal growth.

Emotions are temporary, thoughts are fleeting, and beliefs change.

Her palms are sweaty, knees weak, arms heavy.

They call her name, and it becomes real. It’s time to go.

Fear shrinks her world and, with her head down, she trudges through the thick mud of panicky dread.

I take her, pin her to my chest, and wait for the nurse to make the injection. Her voice is pain and fear and frustration. The needle goes in; the needle goes out. The room relaxes.

She was scared, and she was in pain, but now she is not scared and she is not in pain. So, she is not her fear and pain. And you are not what you experience.

That’s right. I’m not just talking about what has happened to you. I’m talking about what you feel and what you think.

I am not scared. I feel scared, but the deepest, truest me is not.

Emotions are temporary, thoughts are fleeting, and beliefs change.

It’s second nature to identify ourselves this way. But, as we let go of this habit, an empty space takes shape and forms the place where rest, peace, and authentic spirituality begin.

I spend most of my time defining my days, myself, and my life by what I think and by how I feel. But, sometimes, when I allow myself to, I find my way to this new, empty space where I just am and, in the cosmic quiet of that space, a door opens and, upon entering, I discover that… I am loved and that is all I am.

The difficulty here is not necessarily in finding the real you. I’m not sure how fruitful a journey that will be. The real important, gruelling task will be to recognize all the things that are not precisely and ultimately you and to let them drift away, finding your way to that quiet, empty space where, maybe, a door will open for you.