See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil

Lately, I've been feeling out of sorts with the world. It's not unhappiness, it's more of a discomposure that won't lift.

Despite daily reminders to "smile" scheduled into my calendar along with Post-It-Notes stuck inelegantly on doors and walls, it's been hard to raise my spirits. This means I'm in a complaining mode, feeling burdened by just about everything, and exhausted by unusually small annoyances and irritations.

Well-meaning friends suggest I should opt out of watching any news which, oddly, puts a smile on my face. Growing up, a carved wood figurine of three cute monkeys offered similar advice, staring at me from the living room shelf year after year, saying, "See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil."

But, turning a blind eye to the tragedies of the world is not in my DNA, though I've tried. It always feels sinful. So does hearing others say, "It's not my problem," or, "Nothing I can do about it," or, "It's their karma."

But it's silly to blame others for my state of mind. I know it's up to me to pull myself up and out of negativity.

Last night, in the midst of folding laundry, I said to myself, "I just need to be more cheerful!" Without missing a beat, I heard a surprising retort: "It's not about cheerfulness."

That stopped me. I sat down and wondered: if feeling better is not about being cheery and uplifted, then what's it about?

"Right thinking," echoed back.

As I went about finishing my chores, I fixated on "right thinking." Had I gone off the rails?

I remembered previous admonitions. Hold fast to faith, to patience, and love. Trust the Divine, and keep in mind Newton's Third Law of Motion: for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. Appreciate all the beauty in my life, and love it. Remember that goodness overcomes evil. Focus on bringing forth that goodness. Find satisfaction in small actions that add up as time goes on. Follow guidance by doing what my heart is asked to do in the moment, and be grateful for it. Believe it's enough for that moment.

That brings me to this moment and writing this pledge. Please support my quest to think rightly as summarized above, despite the insanity of war which will likely always pain my heart and mind.

Thank you.