In the last few years, Ruby Wax has quickly become one of my favourite people. A sufferer of depression herself, she got herself a degree in MCBT (Mindfulness-based Cognitive Behaviour Therapy) and through a number of books and tours, has brought mindfulness down to a level accessible to all. As a rather brash and slightly risque comedienne, she knows just how to ‘sell it’, with a good dose of self-deprecating humour and refreshing relatable humour along the way.
I know I’m being a ‘fan girl’ but before I stop gushing, I’ll say that her book, ‘Frazzled’ is probably the best guide to Mindfulness that there is (and I’ve read LOTS).
Anyway, I’m talking about Ruby today because I watched a DVD of her ‘Frazzled’ show yesterday and I wanted to share this direct quote:
“If you asked me to define what happiness is, I would have to say it’s when you can focus on what you want to focus on and not get dragged to where you don’t want to focus.”
See…. even if you don’t like her comedy, this makes sense right?
Speaking from personal experience, I know that practicing mindfulness has dramatically improved my ability to control where my mind goes to, and to ignore negativity and useless thoughts when they do seep in.
As such, my daily experience of life overall, has also improved dramatically.
Because where your mind is, is where you are. If you’re on a beach, but your mind is fretting over a report that needs doing when you’re back at work, then you needn’t have wasted your time and money going away. You may as well have stayed at work.
If you want to be happy, learn to control where you mind goes.
Not sure where to start?
Try just a minute now, listening to your breath; feeling your breath; feeling the breath touch different parts of your body.
And build up from there.
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