So what exactly is a box? One of the dictionary definitions states "an area or space enclosed within straight lines, in particular." How does this fit in with Joy you may ask? The boxes we put ourselves in are all within our head, our heart, our psyche. These areas that are blocked off are areas of the mind or areas of us that we close off to those around us and sometimes even to ourselves. The straight lines comes in because the conflict is always due to the rigidity of our flawed thinking. Unhappiness comes when you try to control things that are out of your control. The world doesn't exist in black and white and when we back our minds into a corner we don't allow ourselves to see things the way they truly are.
Others put boxes in our minds in so many ways, from gossip to discrimination. This limited thinking damages not just us but so many people around us so very badly. When we allow others to tell us what to think we give up our freedom and our right to really complain about the repurcussions of our sctions. Yes of course it's super easy to get caught up in the newest fad or idea or philosophy; we all make mistakes. The point is we have to always be on the lookout for those boxes that are being placed in our mind and limiting what we think and therefor do. We may not be able to stop them from coming in but if we can recognize them when we see them we can get them out right away. Be aware. Be mindful.
We put ourselves in boxes without realizing it all the time. When we tell ourselves we aren't good enough to make the team or to get first place. When we tell ourselves not to try out for the office decathlon. When we tell ourselves not to go for that extra project at work you really want to get involved in. When we tell ourselves we aren't good enough, not smart enough. Not thin enough, not cute enough, not sexy enough, not wanted, undesirable, useless. Yes these are all terrible thoughts we should be avoiding, but they are there because of these rigid limitations we set in our minds on what is good and bad, acceptable and not acceptable. Those rigid lines causing so much discomfort and anguish are something of our own making. We are tricking ourselves.
So boxes are all around us and it seems we are all trapped in some box or another right now. Don't lose hope though. Just because we are in a box doesn't mean we still can't grow. There are some boxes we get put in that we have no control over and there is no way we will ever get out of it. We have to learn to live that way. An example of that is how I was born with whatever genes I needed to trigger my Bi-Polar Disorder when I was 17. I will forever be trapped with that diagnosis and emotions plaguing the back of my every thought, but I can still grow into something amazing and strong and beautiful. I can still flourish, one limitation doesn't mean it extends to another. When you feel trapped figure out who is really controlling your thoughts, where are they coming from and what or who is behind them. Clear your head, center yourself and be mindful of the present. Change those boxes, get rid of them, tear them apart. When you can't keep going, don't give up. Don't let one thing you can't control dictate your life and your decisions on the future. Human beings are extraordinary and strong, resilient and amazing. For example, look at these old trees. Years and years ago they were transplanted, taken out of the ground and put with roots and dirt into these wooden containers to hold them until they could be put back into the ground somewhere else. Relocation. That was quite a while back. These trees have now taken over their boxes, almost overgrown them even. They took over and took advantage of what was available and kept growing. They had sunlight and dirt and room. Look where they are now, look at how much they grew even when trapped by man in wooden boxes that wouldn't let them put their roots into the ground. They have become gigantic trees with leaves that form a canopy to block out the sun. Our Joy is what gives us our strength to grow through the hard times, including the times when we are trapped or boxed in. We use our Joy when everything else has failed. Don't be afraid to rely on it, it will always be there. When you find yourself in a box get out of it, and when you can't - grab a hold of your Joy and grow. Grow because it's the only thing you have, there's nowhere else to go. You have to live. Live with your Joy, it's what smashes those boxes and opens up others worlds beyond.
