Chapter 75 The Importance of Physiology and Disposition.
I have more good news for you. You can change your feelings and gain relief and joy in a simple way, and here you will learn how. Research has shown that while our feeling affects our behaviour, behaviour also shapes feeling reversibly! In their tests psychologists found that after their subjects pretended to look scared, their bodies reacted with increased heartbeats and colder temperatures, as if they were really afraid. Different reactions also came with acted anger and sadness. Then there are religious mediums, who change internal conditions to empower themselves; they walk on fire, or cut and rejoin their tongues!
Acting happy makes us happy, and behaving in a certain way changes the way we feel. I learned that too well in all these years There were times when I felt tired and unsociable, but as soon as I acted light-hearted and friendly, the cheer soon grew in me and took over! You can use your expression to change your emotions. Isnt that fun? Let me prove that to you: Now, you sit up or stand up straight, stick out your chest and your chin, look up confidently, take a deep breath. Say to yourself, "Nothing whatsoever bothers me, I feel good. Smile or even force a gentle smile, and gradually widen it, then start humming a tune. You will be surprised how assured and pleasant you feel!
As you see, you can change your physiology instantly by improving your breathing, poise and expression. You can change your condition by picking the right things to plan, focus and work on; so channel your thoughts to all the best things. Furthermore, perfect your skills by adapting your state to the needs of various demanding environments. Do develop this talent, and maintain harmony and cheer always, even when things get tough or go wrong. The key to excellent living is to let many good ideas, values, interests, undertakings and fascinations direct your life. Sadly, others fall into the lowly paths of extravagance, wastage, laziness, gluttony, alcoholism and drugs, where their state deteriorates, with sad consequences. Mind you, your stance is so important that it moulds your creativity, well-being, intelligence and performance. If your state is further supported by confidence, belief, conditioning, concentration, determination and action, it culminates in awesome power and achievement. To understand my point, just watch carefully the circus performers and Olympic champions, doing their diving, swimming, weight-lifting and gymnastics feats!
Your energy is controlled by your thoughts and actions. Bad posture, countenance and negative emotion can undermine your well-being. When you say, "I might lose this tennis match, he looks stronger than me, your defeat is almost certain. If you slump, slouch, sulk and skulk around, you are unlikely to be happy and bad things may even happen to you! At times, you may blame your feelings on other peoples actions, when in fact you are the culprit with your imagination, sensitivity and negative views. Stop being a gloom-monger and improve the way you feel. Whenever someone treats you badly, it is his poor mental and physiological state, not his person; forgive him. On your part, maintain your good outlook, and you would never think, say or do regrettable things, you would improve the situation instead.
You can also use your disposition to dispel or subdue fear and panic during a crisis. Some people become a nervous wreck or just collapse at a disaster or accident. You need not have to. Just appear cool, calm and collected, keep your behaviour smooth, steady and serene, and you will feel confident and exude composure. Your calmness is infectious too, and will help others in trying moments. Smile and cheer yourself up always. Dress and feel your best to improve your mood, assurance and performance. Even a clean car drives better than a dirty one. That is why sports champions, karate and kung-fu experts yell at the critical moment. This tightens their muscles, increases their strength and courage, and frightens their opponents too!
This is what we really need in life - the ability to change and improve the way we feel. What a wonderful tool to have! Now you can make yourself feel good, and if you can tickle yourself you can laugh whenever you please. You realise too that if you act and pretend long enough, you become what you are acting! The next chapter will further teach you how to behave and live better. Your disposition can master your environment; get into your most resourceful and empowering mode now, change your state and change your life!