---
title: "The Ugly Raft"
url: "https://books.joshbraun.com/4/forsale/145/the-ugly-raft"
---

**THE UGLY RAFT**

Jenna bought a swan raft for the pool. 

I hated it. 

I thought is was an eyesore. 

Guess what happened when I had that thought?

I got angry at the raft. <br>
I complained to my friends.<br>
I told Jenna is was too big and ugly. <br>

That’s what happens when you add fuel to negative thoughts. 

The fire grows bigger.<br>
You get even more agitated.

Forunately, I’ve been practicing mindfullness. 

23 hours later I dropped back. 

I became aware of my thoughts rather than becoming my thoughts. 

Once I became aware of my thoughts I asked this quesiton: 

“Who is this person telling me the raft is an eyesore?”

I could find them :-). 

That’s because the ego is an illusion. 

The raft isn’t an eyesore.<br>
That’s a label. A story my ego made up.

The raft just is.
It’s a piece of plastic floating in the pool. 

Our perceptions, not external events, disturb us.

Whenever I’m able observe my thoughts I turn down the volume. I feel calm and peaceful.  

The opposite is also true. 

I’m definelty a work in progress in this area.

Are you?