Whether you are craving salty chips, sweet gummies, or something else, your desire for that specific flavor or food is likely triggered by either a physical or an emotional factor. Knowing what is causing your craving can empower you to know what to do about them. Ahead, five types of food cravings and what exactly they may be telling you.

What Is Food Craving?

If your inner chocoholic is paying you a visit, your body could be in need of a mood boost.  Since chocolate consumption is linked to <a href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10.1021/pr900607v">improved feelings of calmness and contentment </a>, that chocolate craving can mean so much more than just needing something sweet.  If you are a female, craving chocolate may also be a sign that you are close to getting your period. Changes in hormones during the premenstrual phase can trigger <a href="https://cpb-us-w2.wpmucdn.com/web.sas.upenn.edu/dist/7/206/files/2016/09/ChocCraveMenopause_App_2009-280jt6p.pdf">blood sugars to dip </a>, resulting in certain cravings. A chocolate craving can simply mean you are close to that time of the month.

Why Chocolate Craving?

While chocolate does offer some nutritional benefit — like being a natural source of magnesium — certain varieties can be loaded with sugar. When tackling the chocolate attack, choose a small serving of dark chocolate or add some natural cacao powder to your smoothie instead of downing a king-size candy bar.

Solution To Chocolate Craving

According to data published in the journal <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8697046/">Obesity Research </a>, larger amounts of carbohydrates consumed is linked to higher levels of serotonin (the happy, feel-good hormone). In other words, your body may need that serotonin boost and knows it will happen after you enjoy that extra-large soft pretzel, loaf of bread or an endless bowl of pasta.

Why Carbohydrate Craving?

If you find yourself craving carbs more often than normal, ask yourself how you are feeling emotionally. What you may actually be craving is a mood boost, which can be accomplished in a healthy way with a sweaty exercise sesh or a chat with a good friend.

Solution To Carbohydrate Craving?

If you have a “salt tooth” instead of a “sugar tooth,” you may be <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3966472/">suffering from an iron deficiency </a>. Iron is an important mineral that plays a role in blood cell production and other important bodily functions. Having a deficiency means that you don’t have enough iron in your body, and you can feel tired and weak. Another cause of salt cravings is good old fashioned dehydration. When you crave salt, your body may be telling you that it needs to restore balance and replenish electrolytes.

Why Salt Craving?

The first step to learning whether you have an iron deficiency is to have your health care provider check your levels. Before you reach for the salt shaker, hydrate yourself first to see if that tames the craving.

Solution To Salt Craving

Sugar cravings are quite common and can strike at any time of the day. If you find yourself reaching for the candy drawer more frequently, it may mean that you are <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24879886/">tired, stressed, or hungry </a>. Essentially, your body is craving sugar for the energy boost.

Why Sugar Craving?

Before you down that box of gummy snacks, recognize if you skipped breakfast this morning, didn’t sleep well, or are experiencing stress in your life. If you say yes to any of these questions, your sugar craving may be telling you that you need to tackle one (or more) of these factors. Go to bed a bit early, have a healthy snack, or incorporate some yoga into your daily life. Your body will thank you for it.

Solution To Sugar Craving

Whether it is melted on a slice of pizza or enjoyed on top of a cracker, cheese is a commonly craved food for many.   If you are craving that ooey goodness, your body may simply be craving some comfort. Since dishes like mac and cheese and grilled cheese are the ultimate comfort food, you may associate the “warm and fuzzies” with these goodies.

Why Cheese Craving?

Cheese and comfort go beyond nostalgic reasons. All varieties contain the amino acid tryptophan, which aids in the production of melatonin and serotonin to help us feel more relaxed or sleepy. A <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4728667/">study </a>published in 2016 brought to the forefront that lower levels of tryptophan were linked to a depressed state. So, a boost of tryptophan may mean a more relaxed and better rested self!

Solution To Cheese Craving

Cravings can come out of left field. Some are completely random, and others can be a great indicator of bigger things going on in your body. Understanding why you are craving foods can help you navigate your health more mindfully.

Learn From Your Cravings To Improve Your Health

Food cravings can appear when you least expect them. But, the types of food cravings you may have may be telling you something.

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5 Types of Food Cravings Decoded By an RD

There are many moments in life when trying too hard is counterproductive. Aldous Huxley called this the law of reversed effort.Try as we might, it is nearly impossible to consciously will yourself to sleep. Sleep comes to those who let their mind wander and focus on anything other than sleep itself. Count sheep, control your breathing, listen to an audiobook, or whatever — so long as it turns your mind from wanting to sleep.

The harder you try, the harder you fall

“The harder we try with the conscious will to do something, the less we shall succeed.”

It’s the idea that the more we try to do something, the worse we become at it.Suppose, for instance, that you are learning how to ride a bike for the first time. You are told to hold the handlebars a certain way, to push off with this foot, to pedal at that speed, to sit in a specific position, to hold your balance here, and so on. There is a small book’s worth of micro-instructions when learning to ride a bike. When we ride a bike, we know all these things, but we do not try to do them. They just happen.In Huxley’s words, it’s “combining relaxation with activity.”

Combining relaxation with activity

But, there’s a spiritual or holistic way of viewing the “law of reversed effort” as well. It’s something that has a much longer history than Aldous Huxley — it’s the Daoist idea of “Wu Wei.”'The inaction'The word “surrender” comes laden with negative connotation. Surrender is cowardly or weak. To surrender to a greater power — or a nobler, righteous one — is not an act of cowardice.It is an act of profound wisdom. There is nothing praiseworthy about swimming in a storm or punching a bear in the face. There is wisdom in knowing our limits, in embracing humility, and even in being pushed around.

Wu Wei

There are many moments in life when trying harder makes things worse. When you have a mosquito bite, a broken bone, or a nosebleed, you leave it be. Picking, prodding, and probing only exacerbate the problem. So, too, with a lot of life’s major moments.Perhaps it is time to step away from what you are doing and enjoy Wu Wei or inaction. After all, if I tell you not to think of pink elephants, there’s only one way to do it.

You can’t force it

Being stuck in overthinking and feeling bad about it makes it a vicious cycle. Sitting back and relaxing makes it easy.

There are many things in life that cannot be improved with greater effort. Sometimes, life requires that you step back.

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The law of reversed effort: The harder you try, the harder you fall

We cannot correct ourselves, more so if you are accustomed to doing wrong.

This is what the Bible says in Jeremiah 10:23, "O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps." We cannot correct ourselves, more so if you are accustomed to doing wrong. What I mean to say is, you are always doing wrong, doing wrong has been your way of life. You seem to be used to it, it will be hard for you to change if only by yourself.

Let us read Jeremiah 13:23. "Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil." Like a leopard, it cannot take away its own spots. The same goes with someone who is accustomed to doing evil, it will be difficult for you to change yourself. But who can make change within us? Our Creator. He is the one who created us, He can renovate or change us.

Let us read Ezekiel 36:26, it says, "A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh." It is God who can make change. The first thing he will change is your heart. Change will come from the heart. It is the heart that directs our whole being. It is the heart that directs the activities of the entire person. Even our thinking comes from the heart.

So, for us to change, it is God who will make the change, He will change our hearts first. After He changes our heart, He will change our spirit. He said that He will give you a new spirit. We cannot change ourselves on our own. It is God who will make the change. Let us read Proverbs 16:9. "A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps." It is God who can correct us. And for God to correct us, we should listen to His word. Let us listen, keep it in mind, believe in the word of God, we will be able to walk in the newness of life.

That has been my experience. In this group, there are members from other churches who were sent to Apalit to spy on me. When they heard the word of God, they changed. Instead of killing me, they became members of the Church. There have been many such people who joined us and changed because of the word of God that they heard. They had a transformation.

In their former groups, they were allowed to commit adultery. They were not expelled even if it was known they committed adultery, they kept doing it. So, they cannot actually change there. But when they joined the Church, with God's mercy, they heard the doctrine, they changed. It is the doctrine of God, the word of God, that can make change.

Better yet, continue listening. It will institute change in you, even in your spouse, your friend, your children, your parents. Just share the word of God with them. It can change a person.

The word of God has power. But here is one secret - the word of God is like a frequency. If you are on the same frequency, it will be effective in you. But if you are not on the same frequency, you will not meet, you will not change at all. Why? One is VHF, the other is UHF.

The word of God and you should be on the same frequency. For you to be on the same frequency, you should obey Him, change your frequency. If before, you did not want to listen to the word of God, now, start listening.

You will feel that the word of God has power to change you, to change your mind, to change your way of living, change your outlook in life, change your preferences in life.

I know of somebody. We became acquaintances, he was a businessman. When he was under indoctrination, he said, "Brother Eli, I am turning away from my business." "Why?" "Think of it, I would be waking up at 6:00 in the morning and do my business until 11:00 in the evening. I would have a bath at 12:00 midnight. I do not have time for my child anymore.

Now, I have learned from the indoctrination, I heard that man needs to serve God. How can I serve God when I'm doing business all day?" So, he decided to sell one of his business. "I want a simple life. I would be selling my big apartment and move in a small one."

His perspective in life has changed. Once you hear the word of God, you will be changed, it will take effect in you. Only that you need to be on the frequency of the word of God.

This is what God said in Proverbs 1:23, "Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you." Return to the reproof of God. Listen to His reproof. Obey the will of God. You will come to know the word, it will have an effect on you.

Discover the true religion that the Lord Jesus Christ taught in the Bible. Learn about His pure doctrines that Christians should obey and live by with.Join the Members Church of God International’s Mass Indoctrination sessions. Day 1 begins tomorrow, January 2, 2022 at 7 PM PHT, God willing.

Congratulations For Reading It All! Now What?

All sessions are available in more than 20 foreign and local languages.  MCGI YouTube ► https://youtube.com/MCGIChannel Instagram ►https://www.instagram.com/mcgidotorg Twitter ► https://twitter.com/mcgidotorg

Find the peace your heart seeks through the wisdom that  the Bible provides.

In this video, Bro. Eli discusses how a person can see a change within himself. * Hailing from the Philippines, Brother Eli Soriano is an award-winning international evangelist who has been in service to God and humanity since 1964. Follow Brother Eli Channel's official social media pages: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BroEliChannel Twitter: https://twitter.com/BrotherEliCh Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brotherelichannel For more sensible feeds, follow Brother Eli’s official website and social media pages: Website: https://www.elisoriano.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BroEliseoSoriano Twitter: https://twitter.com/BroEliSoriano Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elisorianoofficial #BrotherEliChannel

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In this video, Bro. Eli discusses how a person can see a change within himself. 

*

Hailing from the Philippines, Brother Eli Soriano is an award-winning international evangelist who has been in service to God and humanity since 1964. Follow Brother Eli Channel's official social media pages: 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BroEliChannel 
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BrotherEliCh 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brotherelichannel 

For more sensible feeds, follow Brother Eli’s official website and social media pages: 
Website: https://www.elisoriano.com/ 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BroEliseoSoriano 
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BroEliSoriano 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elisorianoofficial

#BrotherEliChannel

Hailing from the Philippines, Brother Eli Soriano is an award-winning international evangelist who has been in service to God and humanity since 1964. 

Follow Brother Eli Channel's official social media pages:

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/BroEliChannel

Twitter:
https://twitter.com/BrotherEliCh

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/brotherelichannel

For more sensible feeds, follow Brother Eli’s official website and social media pages:

Website:
https://www.elisoriano.com/

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/BroEliseoSoriano

Twitter:
https://twitter.com/BroEliSoriano

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/elisorianoofficial

Brother Eli Channel

Ano ang paraan para makamit ang pagbabago sa sarili? | Brother Eli Channel

How can we change ourselves?

“I stop every day right at the point where I feel can write more” Stop when you have the intent to do more, not when you are tired of the task. Let that energy cultivate more energy.

Save some energy in tank

“ In long distance running the only opponent you have to beat is yourself, the way you used to be.”You are always competing against yourself. Every day is a race where you start with one goal, to be better than yesterday.

You vs You

Murakami was a bar owner, and an avid baseball fan. One fine day while watching the match Murakami realised he wants to be an author.Moment of leisure is required. You might be surprised to know a lot of great thinkers had walking as a daily routine. Our brain primarily operates in two modes. Diffused and focus modes. Problem solving requires both. A lot of time you will hear yourself saying, “I got the solution when I woke up” or “I reached to a solution when I was driving” that is diffused mode in action.Go for that walk in the park.Who knows where you land, next Murakami?

Next Murakami?

Lot of people advised Murakami to keep running the bar on the side lines, after all he had been running it for a decade and writing for 0 daysFull commitment. Reminds me of the story where the general burns the boat. There was only one way out, through.

Burn the boat

Murakami gets up at 5 sleep at 10, he has morning routines as well as night routines. Even at cost of maintaining relationship with people he keeps his routines.Murakami has been religiously following the routine for running and writing for 24 yearsDiscipline is the key and Prioritise yourself. Motivation is fickle, if you are slave to it you are slave to procrastination.

Discipline is the key

With the fugu fish the tastiest part is the portion near the poisonRisk to reward ratio. You can’t keep doing the same thing and expect different results.

Take More Risk

No matter how slow I might Run I wasn’t about to walk. That was the rule break one of my rules once and I am bound to break many more.Tiny holes sink big ships. Streak is very important and it is very easy to fall back to old ways.

Don't break the chain

Haruki Murakami is no stranger to fame. His books hit different. A very unique style, Kafka on the Shore is pretty famous, just to rejig your memory. Save some energy in tank : Stop when you have the…

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What I learned while reading “What I Talk About When I Talk About Running”

<ul><li>Insufficient self-control schema is the experience of states of impulsiveness, usually related to several compulsive behaviors. </li><li>If it’s tough for you to moderate or control your impulses around pleasure, you may have an insufficient self-control schema.  </li><li>Schema therapy defines the schema as originating in childhood attachment experience as a reaction to negative emotions. </li> </ul>

Key Points 

Insufficient <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/self-control">self-control </a>schema, outlined originally by Jeffrey Young, is the experience of states of impulsiveness, usually related to behaviors such as <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/eating-disorders">disordered eating </a>, substance use, excessive <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/internet-addiction">screen time </a>, shopping, and avoiding unpleasant, strenuous, or <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/boredom">boring </a>tasks. Schema <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/therapy">therapy </a>defines the schema as originating in <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/child-development">childhood </a><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/attachment">attachment </a>experience as a reaction to negative emotions; and is not to be confused with <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/adhd">ADHD </a>, though the two conditions can co-exist, and not in its origin an effect of <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/dopamine">dopamine </a>imbalance or <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/addiction">addiction </a>, though it may lead to them.

You may notice this voice in your head, especially around the holidays, with so much celebration and abundance of food, drink, and temptation (or the excuse to be tempted). If it’s tough for you to moderate or control your impulses around pleasure, you may have an insufficient self-control schema . You may have a hard time managing this impulsive part; it can be stronger and louder than any more responsible voice and just takes over. Some people call it "getting a case of the f*ck-its." How do you negotiate with "f*ck it"?

“I don’t want to stop, so I’m not going to. I don’t care what you say!”

This impulsive voice may be powered by needs that originate in childhood. If that feeling could talk, it would say something like: “I’ve been through too much, was treated poorly, and it’s unfair! So I deserve to do whatever I want to right now. I don’t care about the consequences! I need this to feel better, and I’m tired of going without it. I’ll just take care of myself and forget everyone else.”

You likely don’t experience this schema all the time. Certain life experiences may trigger it, however. Around the holidays, the schema may be looking for chances to pounce. You’ll know you’re in it if you have an <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/self-talk">inner voice </a>that sounds like an impulsive child and you see the following behaviors: <ol><li>Need for immediate gratification in food or substances </li><li>Avoiding hard or boring tasks </li><li>Acting out in relationships, pouting </li><li>Refusing to consider consequences </li> </ol>

Four Insufficient Self-Control Behaviors

From birth, human beings are motivated to find relief from suffering, starting with the physical needs of safety, food, and comfort. As they mature, people experience emotional needs–especially the need for love, acceptance, and care–more acutely. If a child is in a situation of neglect or seriously flawed <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/parenting">parenting </a>, they may turn back to physical needs to try and feel security and comfort. Very often, this is food, but it can also be avoiding schoolwork and chores–just generally being self-indulgent.

Insufficient Self-Control Schema Originates in Childhood Emotional Hardship

Childhood experiences leading to insufficient self-control may include: <ol><li>Not feeling safe in your environment </li><li>Disorganized or harsh parental authority/structure </li><li>Overly permissive parents </li><li>Emotionally detached parents </li><li>Parents with addiction </li><li>Childhood <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/trauma">trauma </a> </li> </ol>

The most effective way to manage impulse control problems is by preventing them from getting triggered in the first place. Think of it like this: you are a competent adult who is also carrying an impulsive child within. That child may be triggered by certain emotion-based troubles, like feeling neglected, treated unfairly, or hurt. Once that triggering happens, you have an upset child on your hands who won’t be happy until they get gratification.

Strategies for Coping with Insufficient Self-Control

So your job is to try and get to know that inner child, know what upsets them, and try to avoid their triggers. When triggers do happen, have some non-problematic forms of gratification at hand.

<ol><li>Structure, structure, structure. To avoid triggers, plan ahead, anticipating challenges that trigger the inner child. Are you having a long day? Demanding a lot of yourself? Plan little treats or breaks throughout the day. Think of them as micro-dosing of self-care.</li><li>Avoid opportunities for the child to act out. If you know someone’s bringing donuts to the office, go for a walk until the coast is clear.</li></ol>

Six Ways to Manage Your Impulsive Inner Child

3. Care for your inner child using self-talk and <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/meditation">meditation </a>. Start with small steps: just a few minutes of meditation a day. As you work your way up to longer meditation periods, you’ll notice that impulsive child trying to come out. ("Come on! This is stupid! It’s been long enough!”) Spend quality time with your inner child, explaining that you understand they are hurt and upset and that you'll take good care of them, and your way will help them more than acting out. Have patience and kindness, but be firm.

4. Develop a toolbox of healthy forms of gratification . Keep some kind of healthy snack at hand. Have a simple meditation practiced. Text a “buddy” who will help you cope. Have a music playlist for “emergencies.” Write a note to your triggered self to keep handy for later use when triggered.

5. Set <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/motivation">goals </a>, use a planner, and use smartphone notifications. If you’re going to a party, tell yourself you’ll stick to one kind of drink, and have a cut-off time in mind, then switch to seltzer with lime–whatever you like, but have that alternative planned. Use a planner to structure your time, so you don’t stumble into triggering experiences. Use your notifications and alerts for pop-up reminders.

6. Recover and keep going. We are not perfect, and we cause more trouble when we expect ourselves to be. Be OK with the fact that there will be times when that impulsive kid is unstoppable! Remember, they come out of an original context of a child trying to care for themself. Be compassionate with them, and allow yourself to recover from the acting out. Just get back to it when you can. <a href="https://www.self-talk-therapy.com/my-book"> </a>

Insufficient self-control is not necessarily an addiction, though people with addiction issues may also have this schema. If you feel you may have an addiction issue, consult a mental health professional, or <a href="https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline">get help 24/7 by going here </a>.

Is This Addiction?

6 Signs Your Self-Control Issues Come From Childhood Neglect 

Plus six steps you can take to successfully cope.

Understand yourself and those around you.

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6 Signs Your Self-Control Issues Come From Childhood Neglect

IIsolation can provide a distraction-free environment, allowing individuals to focus on their work or personal projects more efficiently.

Increased Focus And Productivity 

Being alone can provide an opportunity to reflect on one's thoughts and feelings, leading to increased self-awareness and personal growth.

Personal Growth And Self-discovery

Without external distractions, people may have more time and mental space to come up with new ideas and solutions.

Creativity And Innovation 

Isolation can provide a chance to relax and recharge, leading to improved physical and mental well-being

Improved Mental And Physical Health 

Taking time to be alone can allow individuals to fully engage in their relationships with others, resulting in stronger and more meaningful connections

Stronger Relationships

Increased independence: Isolation can provide an opportunity for people to develop independence and self-reliance, as they are forced to rely on their own resources and abilities.

Increased Independence 

Improved time management skills: Without external distractions, people may become more mindful of how they spend their time, leading to improved time management skills.

Being alone can provide an opportunity to better understand one's own emotions and thoughts, leading to increased empathy and understanding of others

Increased Empathy And Understanding 

Isolation can provide a chance to prioritize self-care practices, such as exercising, cooking healthy

Improved Self-care 

Without the distractions of daily life, people may have more time and mental space to pursue hobbies and interests, leading to personal development and growth.

Opportunity For Personal Development 

For more life regarding valuable guidance follow me 👇<a href="https://medium.com/@xubair1915">Xubair1915 on Medium </a>

Follow For More 

Isolation is the path to self discovery and understanding life. 

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Only Through Isolation We Reach Elevation 

In 2015, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desmond_Tutu">Desmond Tutu </a>, a former South African Archbishop and anti-apartheid pioneer, traveled to Dharamsala, a place in India and home to His Holiness <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dalai_Lama">the Dalai Lama </a>, for his 80th birthday. Both have fought non-violently against oppression in their countries for over 50 years, while leading millions of people in their spiritual journeys. Hence, they took this special occasion as a chance to sit down together and evaluate one of life’s most important questions: how do we find <a href="https://fourminutebooks.com/resisting-happiness-summary/">joy </a>in the face of suffering?

The Book Of Joy - Summary 

Indeed, a long sit-down it was. Tutu stayed for seven days, during which he and the Dalai Lama intensely discussed this issue. Douglas Abrams, Tutu’s long-time co-writer and editor, documented the conversation, so that one year later, their answers would be available to the rest of the world in the form of a book, <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29496453-the-book-of-joy">The Book Of Joy </a>.

"We create most of our suffering, so it should be logical that we also have the ability to create more joy. When it comes to personal happiness there is a lot that we as individuals can do."-Dalai Lama & Desmond Tutu

Quote

While the two addressed many obstacles to joy, along with eight pillars that enable it, I’d like to use the following 3 lessons to address the root issue and how to move past it: <ol><li>A life without suffering does not exist. </li><li>Since we can’t control suffering, we must practice our response to it. </li><li>Compassion and sadness help us alleviate our troublesome responses to suffering. </li> </ol>

Top 3 Lessons

Especially in the Western world, we are constantly being sold on the idea that it’s possible to remove all suffering from your life. There’s a pill for every ill, money solves most problems, and once you finally have that spouse, the home and the two kids, you’ll be happy forever.But, speaking of kids, how do they arrive in this world? Through an excruciating process called giving birth. If women didn’t power through it in exchange for the bundles of joy kids are, the human race could pack it in right now!

Lesson 1: There is no life without suffering.

Birth is just the most obvious example, however. If you think back to your most formative experiences, chances are there was some anger, frustration or sadness involved, which ultimately helped you grow tremendously.The Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu agreed on the importance of suffering, but only if you experience it in a special way: while suffering, you must shift your focus away from yourself and on to others . This is one of the four big thoughts in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lojong">Lojong </a>, the Buddhist mind training practice the Dalai Lama preaches, which consists of 59 slogans.

Focusing intensely on your own pain only makes it grow, while <a href="http://fourminutebooks.com/superbetter-summary/">looking to others helps you deal with it </a>in two ways: <ol><li>If you go out of your way to help someone, you forget about your own problems and feel better, because you’re doing good. </li><li>You’ll often see that someone else has it a lot worse than you do. </li> </ol>

For example, the Dalai Lama once had to cancel giving a talk and go to the hospital with severe stomach pains. On the way to the clinic, he saw a sick, old man on the street. Knowing the man would probably soon die and feeling his agony, it was easier for him to muscle through. There was nothing he could have done, but at least he turned the man’s suffering into a small force for good. So you see, it’s not about being a saint, it’s about managing suffering in the best way possible.

<a href="http://fourminutebooks.com/insight-summary/">Self-awareness </a>helps a lot when dealing with suffering, because it allows you to see what you control and what you cannot influence. A lot of pain is inflicted upon us externally, for example through unlucky events, natural disasters, sicknesses, or bad things that happen to people close to us.While you can’t prevent these darker aspects of life, there is a corresponding element you do control: your reaction to those events.

Lesson 2: You don’t always control suffering, but you always control your response to it.

While you can’t prevent these darker aspects of life, there is a corresponding element you do control: your reaction to those events. Suffering often leads to fear and frustration, but those are creations of our minds, not reality, as the Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu agree . <a href="http://fourminutebooks.com/meditations-summary/">Mental immunity </a>, as they call it, is the equivalent of a healthy immune system: you’ll still feel pain, but you’ll be able to ward it off a lot better.For example, when you treat a traffic jam as an opportunity to practice patience, rather than fretting about whether you’ll make it on time, you’ll be a lot less stressed.

Whether the source of our suffering is internal or external, it is often the result of us having had expectations that didn’t end up matching reality. We don’t expect traffic jams, deadly diseases, or price increases at the grocery store, so reality “fails” us and we become stressed and angry. The end result is, once again, fear. To turn this fear into joy, or at least not let it overtake, you can channel stress and anger into compassion and sadness, which are two much more productive feelings .

Lesson 3: Compassion and sadness are channels to let go of the anger and stress that result from suffering.

Whether you’re compassionate with yourself and let yourself off the hook, or someone else holds your hand and tells you that things will be okay, it’s a powerful way of immediately dissolving anger. As for sadness, it is an emotion that allows us to <a href="http://fourminutebooks.com/option-b-summary/">reflect and process bad events </a>, which we can use to then take positive action, for example by honoring the dead and their legacy, living in ways that would make them proud, and helping others do the same.

I know <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29496453-the-book-of-joy">The Book Of Joy </a> isn’t the most actionable book in the world, because it’s hard to practice feelings, but I believe it all starts with education. Learn the process of turning suffering into joy, let it sink in, and re-visit it often to become better at it. As these two leaders know: it’s a lifelong procedure, but one well worth pursuing.

The Book Of Joy - Review

The Book Of Joy summary explains why suffering is inevitable, how to react to it better and which emotions you can channel it into, according to the Dalai Lama & Desmond Tutu.

The Book Of Joy Summary

Taoism is all about being one with the Tao, the force behind the universe which controls and guides our destiny. By moving in conflict with it, we will only be in a losing battle, preventing us from finding true happiness.

Be one with the Tao

Think of life as a river, and Tao as the current. We will only get exhausted when we swim against it, it will only distract us from things that really matter. In short, stop setting external things as our goal, instead, focus on the internal, as this will prevent us going against the Tao.

Focus inwards

Stay true to your own value, you should not go over your true capacities without a strong foundation to support it. In other words, don't stand on your tiptoes to look taller, you will only fall easier in face of resistance.Do not exagerrate your value and do not boast your achievements, you will only be put in a very vulnerable position - a slave to validation.

Don't stand on your tiptoes

Like water, we should be soft and yielding, yet infinite and consistent. After all, mountains can be a water's play toy with time.

Let softness overcome hardness

Like water which carves out mountains through the decades, we should have discipline in doing the small tasks everyday. Because that is the only way we could do to conquer the hardest tasks.

Consistency will overcome any hard undertaking

Only by having the patience in letting the Tao manifest itself, we will find true wealth. We need to move in tune with it. Remember, sometimes doing less is doing more.Because like a watered tree, we need to wait for months to harvest its fruit. We will never get to force it.

Let go and let the Tao manifest itself

Being too hard and brittle will limit your ability to adapt. Imagine, if a rock fell off a cliff, it will shatter. But if water does, it will just find another way to flow.

Be flexible

This video discusses how Taoism could help us achieve true happiness with minimal effort.

What can we learn from the Taoists about achieving inner peace? Cuts, voice, footage, script by Einzelgänger. I used creative commons (links below) and licensed material from Storyblocks (links available upon request). PURCHASE MY BOOK (affiliate links): Ebook: https://amzn.to/35e23a5 Paperback: https://amzn.to/2RJYfti Merchandise: https://teespring.com/stores/einzelgangerstore Merchandise design by Punksthetic Art: https://www.youtube.com/user/JRStoneart  Support on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/einzelgangster Music used: Kori - Bloom Provided by HearWeGo Link: https://youtu.be/4ubr8kxWuvE Dan Bodan - The Two Seasons Creative commons: Lao Tzu (1): https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7f/Sakyamuni%2C_Lao_Tzu%2C_and_Confucius_-_Google_Art_ProjectFXD.jpg Lao Tzu (2): https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e8/Zhang_Lu-Laozi_Riding_an_Ox.jpg Zhuangzi (1): https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Zhuangzi#/media/File:Dschuang-Dsi-Schmetterlingstraum-Zhuangzi-Butterfly-Dream.jpg Zhuangzi (2): https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d4/%E7%8E%84%E9%96%80%E5%8D%81%E5%AD%90%E5%9C%96_%E8%8E%8A%E5%AD%90.jpg?download Zhuangzi scripture: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Zhuangzi#/media/File:Eine-Seite-aus-dem-Zhuangzi.jpg Liezi: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Liezi#/media/File:Album_of_18_Daoist_Paintings_-_7.jpg Taoism temple: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taoism#/media/File:Weihai-Xianguting-Temple.jpg Prozac: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antidepressant#/media/File:Prozac.jpg Wine: https://pixabay.com/nl/photos/wijnglazen-drinken-wijn-alcohol-1246240/ Stress: https://pixabay.com/nl/photos/stress-programmeur-etnwickler-ibm-1331259/ Tao: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taoism#/media/File:%E6%96%87%E5%85%89%E5%A1%94-%E4%BA%8C%E5%B1%82%E8%97%BB%E4%BA%95.JPG Tree: https://pixabay.com/nl/photos/root-tree-root-boom-de-natuur-log-276636/ #taoism #laotzu #innerpeace

Taoist Wisdom For Inner Peace

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