Navigating Through The Noise
A couple weeks ago shortly before the semester started, I had one of the WORST migraines that I’ve had in a while. Immediately in that situation I had to turn off all lights, all sounds and any other distractions that could stimulate my attention in order to cope with this. The only thing I could do in that situation was to remain still and pretty stationary until I fell asleep or until the pain subsided.
As I was experiencing this, a lot of frustrations ran through my mind as I was angered about how annoying the pain was and the lack of activities that I could do at that moment. On top of that, I had loud neighbors that were outside making more noise than I ever noticed. In that moment I was reminded of how many different distractions lie around us every day.
In today’s time we now have access to SO much information and resources at our fingertips. So much in fact that we don’t even realize how quickly information processes in our minds subconsciously. With constant stimulation from so many directions, common problems within my generation and our world today have stemmed from negative traits such as: impatience, anxiety, indecisiveness, overstimulation and so much more! Who would’ve thought that the innovation and creativity of technology would lead to things none other than positivity? However, it’s never realized until significant moments that literally force us to stop or slow down in life that we notice this. My recent migraine, for example, was a moment when I realized this. There was absolutely nothing that I could do in that moment to reduce the pain other than medication and sleep. I had to stop everything that I was trying to get done to care for myself. How many times in life are we going to have to experience harsh moments in order for us to recognize what’s right in front of our eyes?
Something that my mom told me over the summer was “Happiness is having everything you want. Contentment is wanting everything you have” and that resonates with me on so many levels to this day. In a world where we have all information or what we want at our fingertips, it creates a cycle of constant satisfaction powered by dopamine that has us constantly chasing instant gratification or the very next thing. As a very ambitious individual, it’s taken my village of family and friends to slow me down and snap me back into the lense of reality to see every good thing in front of me. (THAT IS THE IMPORTANCE OF COMMUNITY BTW). I’m here to share that wise people seek contentment rather than happiness. Happiness is a feeling that constantly fluctuates while contentment is a habit or trait that is constantly practiced.
During the month of February, you’re going to be faced with so much noise. The noise of work. The noise of conflict. The noise of desires. The noise of fear, etc. Noise is inevitable however, there are many methods that you can use to navigate through the noise and towards contentment. Those methods are discovered when you reduce stimulation through self-reflection, discussion with trusted ones and the removal of distractions. As you reflect and recognize your triggers, distractions and maybe even lost desires, you become one step closer to navigating through the noise. So as you embark on the journey of February, remember that you have twenty-nine opportunities to practice contentment, and twenty-nine opportunities to come closer to the discovery of your true self. Happy First of the Month, stay encouraged family!
