How we experience the world is totally influenced by our perception and mindset, so it is important that we realise that we are the ones in control of our actions, and that how we decide to think and act will ultimately define how we feel.
Albert Sweitzer, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1952, said: “The greatest discovery of any generation is that humans can alter their lives by altering their attitudes of mind”.
When you are upset, anxious or depressed it is important to be able to verbalise your feelings, Shawn Achor, Harvard researcher and author of The Happiness Advantage, advised. In fact, to have someone just to listen to you is really beneficial especially if this individual is empathetic, non-judgmental and prepared to give you support and comfort. French psychoanalyst Jaques Lacan supports that thinking by stating that “symptoms are words trapped in the body”. Therefore we can use words to release the significance of these symptoms.
There are many ways for people to be able to verbalise their feelings and get independent, non-judgemental support, such as Therapy or Mindfulness. Taking the first step to tackle how we feel could bring tremendous benefits in the development of a route to peace and happiness.
