Member-only story
The Three-Word Ancient Philosophy I Try to Live By
My little mental reset button.
“Count your blessings.” That’s it. It’s that simple. Maybe even a little boring. You’ve probably heard it a million times before. But why has this ancient phrase lasted through the ages? Why do so many people still find comfort in it?
Because it works.
You might think, “Yes, but life isn’t always great.” And you’re right. Life can be tough. Loss, disappointment, and pain are inevitable. The universe will always be indifferent to your pain. What “count your blessings” does is that it helps you choose a better mental state.
Our brains are wired to focus on everything wrong with our lives. Start your day with the wrong mindset, and suddenly, your whole day feels like a disaster. It’s like your brain is wired to zero in on what makes you miserable.
When I focus on my problems or dwell on them, I feel worse. I see all the things wrong in your life. They consume my thoughts. Every small issue feels huge. I see faults everywhere. It’s a never-ending game of “spot the danger.” It becomes a trap. Learning to detach helps.
I consciously focus on something else happening for me.
Psychologist Susan Nolen-Hoeksema’s study on rumination (repetitive and passive focus on…