From nearly the first day I began writing on Steemit the platform has provided me with immeasurable value (and some headaches). The value I’ve received isn’t just in the form of currency but manifests as a global network of friends. Some of my best memories of these past three and a half years have been exploring the world and meeting and spending time with other Steemians.

Some of you who read me regularly know that I’ve been meditating for almost twenty five years now and how much it’s changed my life.

This quote I found by Gary Vee on Twitter recently really got me thinking. I’ve been contemplating different ways I can use my skill set to return that value to the community. One of those ideas was a new series called Mindful Moments. A good friend and I are also beginning work on a series of children's books with this theme as well.

This Steemit series will consist of very concise posts, that can be consumed in a matter of a few minutes. These posts will contain quotes, art, meditation techniques, or anything that encourages inspiration or a positive outlook.

With this first Mindful Moment the intention will be to prepare the canvas of our minds for what is to come. I hope those who partake in this journey with me will find some inspiration and value in it.

Mindful Moment #1

Our perception of the world is clouded and skewed. For the sake of survival, through countless centuries of evolution, our brains have been hard-wired to give first priority to negativity. Those who noticed that dangerous predator lurking in the shadows first were the ones who survived. Today these predators are almost non-existent but the behavior is still there.

The mass media (and those who control it) have found very effective ways to exploit this negative bias that’s encoded in our DNA for their own influence and gain. Through their decades of constant triggering they've created generations of humans who purposely seek out negativity, unwittingly perpetuate and relish in it. Constant and often pointless arguing seems to be some people’s favorite pastime.

Statistically we live in the safest and most peaceful time in history but the average person feels the exact opposite. As a result there’s a constant undercurrent of festering fear/hatred, an epidemic of doom and gloom, a cacophony of dysfunctional and toxic voices on social/mass media, and friends and family who are turning their backs on one another due to differences in opinion. This is dangerously unhealthy on several levels and greatly diminishes the quality of our lives.

So many of us have lost the ability to focus on our shared commonalities and agree to disagree on those differing opinions. Sometimes those very opinions that we don’t agree on are the best opportunities for an individual to learn, or even to teach.

What is the best antidote to the poison of negative bias? The most effective antidote I’ve found is a complete and total media cleanse.

If you’d like to join me in this enlightening experiment don’t consume any mainstream news for two weeks. Also, try to stay away from social media posts that trigger negative bias or engage in any negative dialogue.

You’ll begin to notice a shift in mindset after just a few days. You’ll be amazed at how much better you’ll feel. It will become as addictive as the negative bias and will begin a positive feedback loop that will be the first steps in transformation.

Remember, every minute we waste on hate and negativity is a minute of our lives lost. When we begin to consciously reclaim our lives, minute by minute, we also begin to take back both our freedom and our power.

"Nothing you have today will last forever. Not your job, your house, or your car. Not the people who are closest to you. Not even the people who vowed to never leave your side. Take a moment and accept the fact that life is short and you don’t have a lot of time to be with your loved ones. Someday all those people will no longer be around you, and you can’t possibly know when. Cherish them while you can." ~Mai Pham

In Gratitude,

~ Eric Vance Walton ~

*I am an American novelist, poet, traveler, and crypto-enthusiast. If you’ve enjoyed my work please sign up for my author newsletter at my website. Newsletter subscribers will receive exclusive updates and special offers and your information will never be sold or shared.

Alarm Clock Dawn, one of the first full length novels published on the blockchain, and the book that started it all for me can be found HERE. Or Click Here to read it for free on the Steemit blockchain