Once I began to perceive and accept the inherent absurdity and slipperiness of reality, I found it much easier to establish a solid foothold.

There’s reams of data out there, that–when juxtaposed against our limited and transient lives–underlines my insignificance, transience, and ignorance.

The only practical conclusion I can take away from that is to focus on enjoying the moment, and appreciating the Mystery as much as possible.

Distraction from pain. Giving into a craving. Doing what nets me the most happiness and fulfillment.

I find it useful to perceive where they appear to be the same, even when they are completely at odds.

When I try to let things go, I usually get hung up on two aspects–the effort or “trying” and my focus on whatever I’m trying to let go of.

When I let things be (like the Beatles sang about), it works out better for me. I’m allowing everything–not just the object of my negative focus–to exist as it is, and I’m no longer trying. Ironically, this allows me to let go much faster, and I can home in on what I truly want. For me, the distinction is small but important. I’ll still outwardly tackle issues and tasks, but while I’m doing so, I’ll continue tidying up my inner landscape.

I have no proof, but I believe the ability to be unconditionally happy–to funnel my attention onto an omnipresent feeling of existential well-being–is more than just a trick of the mind. I believe it is our inherent right. I believe it springs from an all-inclusive, generative source. I believe we came from it, and even though we might throw a fit to add some drama to the stories we call our lives, I believe we will return to it.

I believe we are trapped in a no-lose game.

I view emotional management as an existential game, in which continual acceptance–which often means including/acknowledging my internal negativity–is my present moment aim. For me, that’s the surest way back to positivity: by allowing whatever arises its own existence, without necessarily agreeing with it and/or grudgingly tolerating it. (Another way to phrase is it would be to not reject it and mentally let it be.)

The faster I can get back to open positivity, the better I am at perceiving and capitalizing on an abundance of opportunities. From there, I can stack advantages and gains, and build constructive momentum. The converse is true when I wallow in negativity longer than necessary (when it doesn’t feel like relief anymore, and/or my gut says I need to move on) or if I try to fight or deny it. That makes it linger longer than I’d like.

I’ve come to realize when I feel negative about something, it’s because I desperately want to feel the opposite emotion, not because I truly hate someone, believe I’m not worthy, etc. etc.

So after I accept/acknowledge/include that dug-in negativity (to loosen it and part ways with it instead of exhausting myself trying to reject it) I focus on what I truly want. At first, it’s usually an empty assertion, but as it gradually strengthens, I get back to the point where I can’t remember why I ever felt the pull of negativity in the first place. It takes some diligence, but after going through the cycle time and again, I’ve learned to trust in the process.

Routines, willpower, and intelligence are all good, but despite focusing individually on those virtues ad nauseum, I’ve stumbled on blind spots in their overarching coverage.

Nowadays, I prefer to focus on timing, specifically the internal harmony I personally associate with it. I find the most fulfillment in that internal harmony, regardless of the effort, thought, or controls I’m exerting over a situation. That feeling of flow is irreplaceable–it indelibly marks the confluence of events, of things coming together in the right place, the right time, and the right spirit.

All those other things are nice, but I consider them pieces of the whole, components that play their part in the right place and at the right time.

In my experience, the present moment has a distinct feel, an immersive novelty that fully engages me.

There’s no checklists or justifications that guarantee I’ll perceive it. I can only know it by intuition, as well as an inarticulable sensation of absolute calibration. When I’m truly aligned with it, it auto-corrects my checklists while simplifying my justifications into relevant observations that leave as needed and don’t wear out their welcome. It’s primarily an allowance to let things be, and to flow into the next moment of space-time perception.

The thing is, that’s going to happen anyway. My life is just easier when I drop my internal resistance to its immediate unfolding.

Personally, my ability to create is dependent on my ability to allow–I don’t shape things into being so much as allow things to be shaped. Most of the time, the narrative surprises me with an unexpected twist while I’m writing it.

If I take too much ownership or become too prideful in my creation, I cut myself off from the rhythm and flow. The creation is as much a product of existence and the audience as it is my own imagination. I’m just happy to do my part, and facilitate its becoming.