Not every itch needs to be scratched

Life is full of ups and downs, right? People we care about get sick or pass away. We might have money troubles, floods in our basements, or even leaky roofs. Yeah, stuff happens! So, what does Buddhism have to say about this? Can we ever be truly happy? Well, the answer is a "yes," but it's not as simple as that.

Buddhism doesn't promise to spare us from unpleasant experiences, but it does teach us how to deal with them. The trick is to let these tough times wash over us without getting too caught up in them or giving them more meaning than they deserve.

We can't always be happy, but if we don't dwell on our problems, the unhappiness won't stick around forever. Every experience we have is either pleasant, unpleasant, or neutral. Our natural tendency is to try to make the good times last and avoid the bad ones. But sometimes our instincts aren't the best guide.

If we can pause for a moment after something happens, we can give ourselves time to think about how we want to respond. So take some time for yourself today. Find a quiet spot, put away your phone, and just be. Notice how you're feeling and what thoughts are going through your head. Not every itch needs to be scratched right away, or maybe ever.