Sometimes the best things in life come in the most unexpected manner.
We have probably heard of this phrase numerous times throughout our lifetime. As a child, we do not understand what it meant because in the eyes of a child, everything is colourful and beautiful. As the years go by, our perception changes. We have been through experiences that tells us otherwise. Is it really so or only the way we see as is?
Many of times we encounter ambiguity. What does this mean?
Have you ever been in a situation whereby everything seems so clear and yet you have no idea how to proceed to the next step. It is like you already know what to do in the next step but somehow you remain stationary as if you have no idea of it. This may not happen often but in the back of your head you know that you have been through such a situation before. Have you ever wondered why?
For example, you drive to work daily using the same route. Day in day out you are driving at the same time with the same car on the same journey. Somehow, one fine day, something is different. Something may have caught your attention and you suddenly find yourself not knowing what to do. Perhaps you would say that the something is new and that is the reason you do not know how to react. But if you think back, how many new things you have already encountered in that same journey? How did you handle those new things? Why is your encounter today any different from the past experiences?
If you really seek, you will know that it really is just yet another event that happens along the way. It is no different from all the other events that have happened. It is our perception that changed everything. We, in our human bodies, have a great mind. We just love to hold everything we see as true and everything we hear as worth believing. How often have you asked yourself what exactly is the truth?
Once a wise lady told me that if you recite out a thousand times of a lie, it will soon become a fact. It does not matter anymore where the story comes from. If does not matter who started making up stories. If it is told enough times to ourselves, we will believe it is true. The moment we believe it is true, we are able to influence the people around us into making them believe it is true as well.
Who can tell if Einstein’s theories are the only equations that is correct? Who can tell if the center of gravity of earth is really in the core? Who can tell if what we study so religiously in schools are facts? Everything can change. In fact, everything changes over time. Whether or not we live to see the day is another matter by itself.
Some people are wiser than others because they already understand that no theory in the world means anything. Having all the knowledge in the world does not make you a wise person, it just saturates you with information. Having all the information in the world does not mean anything if you do not put it to practice. Having practiced everything you have studied upon does not mean you have really learnt your lesson. The lessons of life is simple. In our lifetime, simplicity seems difficult.
We have chosen to see with our eyes when we should with our heart. There is a reason why a person only has one heart. Every organ we have has their own function. Two eyes to see the right and wrong, two ears to listen to the good and bad, and one brain to decipher the observation and think of a closure. The closure can be a decision or the final destination. Follow the one heart we have to show us the path to enlightenment. Open up to receive all the good things coming towards us.
The body, mind, and soul are three parts in one entity for many. Be different. Be as one.
They laugh at me because I’m different; I laugh at them because they’re all the same.
Kurt Donald Cobain (Kurt Cobain), American singer-songwriter and musician, 1967-1994
Are you taking enough time to heal?
We are all alive. Anything that is alive can heal. It is the matter of whether or not we believe in ourselves. Given time, we all have the ability to heal. There is no need for technology. There is no need for external intervention. We have the ability ourselves. We just have to trust ourselves.
There have been many miracles before that even doctors of the modern medicine cannot explain. In the book the Secret, Cathy Goodman shared her beautiful inspiring story of how she overcome something that is feared by most, cancer.
She was diagnosed with breast cancer. She took the path that she feels is most right for her, to have strong faith that she was already healed. She believed wholeheartedly that she was already healed. She watched very funny movies and would laugh and laugh. She knows that stress was one of the worst things she can do while trying to heal herself. It only took her three months to heal from the time she was diagnosed and all was done without the standard protocol of the modern medicine; chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
This is just one beautiful story of all the many beautiful stories that we tend not to believe in. This is only believed to be a miracle that can happen to a handful of selected people but that is not true. This can happen to anyone, any regular person, you and me. The limitation that we have in our brain is all that is limiting us from achieving what we yearn.
Open up your mind!
With every downfall, there is an opportunity. The only reason why you keep seeing it as a downfall is because you believe it is and that you remind yourself every minute of the day that there is no way out. There is always a way out. You just have to open up your mind to see it. You just have to have an open mind to receive what is about to come into your life.
We are being put to the test. We all are. Each and every day of our lives is a test itself. Most people choose to stay in their comfort zone that is so that they feel comfortable all the time. The lack the energy to receive challenges that will potentially push them higher to become a better person. It is all by choice. What you choose, you become.
We are always being placed at crossroads. We are always given choices. Whichever route you choose to take brings you to a different destination. Which is the final destination that you wish to reach? Which is the ultimate destination that gives you the satisfaction you are so hungry to get? What do you have in mind? What do you want to do in this limited lifetime you have?
If you are saying “I just want a peaceful life”, a peaceful life it is you will get. There will be very little ups and downs. You will be doing almost the same things day in day out. Your friends will be your friends. Your family will be your family. You seek life differently from the rest of the world. You are probably already enlightened to the point you know what you really need.
If you are saying “I want to be an entrepreneur”, you will be one, one day. You have to be ready at all times to face challenges that is out of the ordinary. Entrepreneurship is only meant for those who are ready to tackle anything and everything that comes in their way. It is the total opposite of tranquility. Are you ready for what you are about to face? Are you ready to take on hardships?
If you are saying “I want to bring enlightenment to everyone”, you will be able to do so. You may not have any disciples now but the day will come when everyone will look up to you, even after you are gone from the face of the earth. Buddha walked this path alone. He gave up all that he had in life in search for enlightenment. To this date, most people only know who Buddha is but not many will be talking about the kingdom he had left behind.
Trust yourself. You have a universe within you that can make the difference.
Trust in what you love, continue to do it, and it will take you where you need to go.
Natalie Goldberg, American author and speaker, 1948-present
Waking up with a full mind.
There are times when we wake up in the morning and we find that our mind is saturated. There have been so many things going on around, especially in such special circumstances. People around the world are all talking about the same issue over and over. No matter how much we are trying to let go of the negativity, it just keeps coming back.
The sense of fear floods the soul.
Everyone is talking about the spread of the virus. Everyone is worried of their family members. Everyone is worried for themselves. What can we do? What can we do to make a difference in the world?
Fear is something everyone has to go through no matter how fearless the person may be. How can we use this to our advantage? This is perhaps how we should rephrase our question. This is perhaps the way we should be training ourselves to think.
Open your eyes!
The opportunists have their own way of transforming fear into the best marketing strategy. All the riches in the world is fear driven.
Medicine and pharmaceutical has been in the mainstream healing industry for the longest time possible in the modern era. Though there have been many cutting edge discoveries and there is no doubt of the contribution of the invention of medicine, there is a catch in everything noble. People have developed more and more classes of medicine for the smallest possible symptoms anyone can describe.
Modern age people want a cure to their sickness, most often just described in the form of symptoms.
When there is a fever, paracetamol is prescribed.
When there is a cold, antihistamine is prescribed.
When there is a sore throat, antibiotic is prescribed.
When there is a cough, cough mixture is prescribed.
When there is an ache, painkiller is prescribed.
Are these really cure to the root cause of the sickness, or just treatment for the symptoms? How many times have you visited the conventional general practitioner in the past one year?
We only think of wanting to heal fast but we have not done our part in really healing our body. What our body needs is just quality sleep, fresh air, sufficient fluid, nutritious food, and sanity of the mind. What have you done to keep these five important parts of your life top notch? Whatever you do before bedtime has a lot of influence in the quality of sleep you get. If you keep yourself in an enclosed area for too long breathing in just cool air from the air conditioner and purifier, no matter how much you yearn to be healthy, there is only so much you can do to your health. Whatever amount of exercise you do will not be enough if you are not replenishing yourself with the right amount of fluid and nutrition. No matter how much you try to leave behind the notorious things that are bothering you, your mind will still be bogged down if you cannot let go of it.
Talk to yourself. Listen to yourself.
We are all animals and we have our own instincts. It is time to bring that out into the light. You are gifted. Believe in that. Trust your body. Your body knows what is best for you. Put up a routine that suits you. Your life may be on the fast track but there is only so much you can do in the limited amount of time you have. Ask yourself this question, if tomorrow is dooms day, what will you do today? Ask yourself deep down inside, what is most important to you if there is no tomorrow?
There may be something that you really want to do. There may be something that you need to do. Whatever it may be, this will keep your priority top notch. Nobody will know what happens tomorrow or if there is going to be a tomorrow. The best thing that we can do for ourselves is to let fear of tomorrow become our advantage today. Anything is possible. You only need to believe in yourself. Choose what you must and success awaits.
Live on fear only to make fear your stepping stone.
Fear has two meanings: ‘Forget Everything and Run’ or ‘Face Everything and Rise’. The choice is yours.
Hilary Hinton “Zig” Ziglar (Zig Ziglar), American author and motivational speaker, 1926-2012
What is it in for me?
Sometimes we do discover opportunities that require us to be taking some risks. Yes, there may be a risk whereby we lose it all. Yes, there may be a risk whereby we will fall deep and hard. Are you willing to take that risk?
Everything is just down to one simple calculation. How much are you willing to give in order to take? We are always in the scenario whereby we need to weigh between choices that is placed in front of us. Perhaps you have never had the need to make such big decisions. Perhaps you have had the need to do so but you have been avoiding it for the past ten or twenty or even thirty years.
Most of the time, the choice is between getting it right and getting it far. There is always a conflict that cracks your head. You do not know whether or not you should proceed. It becomes harder when things are set in written agreements. You are not sure whether or not you should be putting your signature on it. You are not a lawyer, you cannot see the fringes that may be hidden somewhere inside.
If you do it, you stand a chance of losing everything. What does everything mean to you? Does it really mean that you will lose everything or does it only mean that there is a possibility you may be taking a risk of losing things that you hold dearly to? It is time to put on the thinking cap. What is at risk? Have you had everything arranged the way you should? Are you willing to go all out?
If you do not do it, you stand a chance of losing your future. What does your future mean to you? Is it something very far from sight or is it the thing that you really want, day in day out thinking about? If you do nothing about it now, will you ever regret in future? If you see other people succeeding in their endeavours, will you envy them? Are you willing to sacrifice your future for your doubt now?
Weighing between the two can be hard. You always want the best of both sides. You always want the best for now and for future. This is merely chasing for perfection. Nothing is ever perfect in the world. Even God is not perfect. Even his Holiness is not perfect. It is the imperfection that makes us the perfect creation. At least we know we are not robots or clones.
Varieties is the best thing that ever happen in the world. Varieties keep us happy and healthy. There are plenty of choices out there that each of us can choose from. We can choose to be us or somebody else. We can choose to do the things that we like. We can choose to have the things that we love. We can choose to be with the people we care. The choice is in our hands.
What do you choose now for yourself?
Are you more willing to be you, whoever you are now?
Or are you more willing to be you, whoever you are ten years from now?
Who are you ten years from now?
Where do you see yourself ten years from now?
When is the right time to start something new to be the person you want to be ten years from now?
How do you react to circumstances to make yourself the person you want to be ten years from now?
The most complicated question can sometimes be answered with the simplest word of all.
NOW!
If not now, then when? If you are contemplating now, think back ten years before, were you contemplating back then? Why did you not take action back then? What stopped you from doing what you should back then? Where are your friends now, those who have taken action back then? How is the hesitation back then different from your worries now?
Uncertainty is the biggest certainty in life. Do what you must to make your life worthwhile.
Although our intellect always longs for clarity and certainty, our nature often finds uncertainty fascinating.
Carl Philipp Gottfried von Clausewits (Carl Von Clausewits), Prussion general and military theorist, 1780-1831
Doing something that is ought to be done a long time ago give the sense of relief.
Sometimes we seem to have too much on our plate and we have to weigh which is more important to deal with first. What is your criteria?
Work? Family? Friends?
If you are put in the position to choose, which will come in mind as your priority?
We each have 24 hours a day, no more, no less. What we choose to do with our time determines who we are. We may not have the privilege to think.
Workaholics are people who put work above everything else. It is as if they are married to their work. Whatever work might be, they are just too busy to deal with everything else. Sometimes, the family supports them. Sometimes, the friends understand them. But have they ever realize that it is not other people’s responsibility to put up with them all the time?
As a workaholic, you might be missing too much in life. Yes. Work is important to put food on the table for the entire family. You may be thinking that you are doing your best to provide for everyone but have you ever thought that they too yearn for your attention? Some parents keep complaining that their children are a nuisance without realizing that it might be purposeful to catch the attention from the people they love.
Some people are simply very close to their family. They are so closely knit that other people might envy the wonderful relationship they have. Even when there is a chance for promotion at work, they would gladly turn down the offer just because they want to spend more time with their family. They are considered the beautiful bunch. They are hard to find, scarcity in the current society.
However, there may come a time when you are torn in between two families. Your family, and your in-laws. Is it possible to create the best outcome in such circumstances? You have to realize that sometimes, giving in too much to the demands of everyone is chaos in the making. You can never satisfy every single person in your family. This is the time for decision making. One with not much choice and is bound to create unhappiness in the other. Every decision has an outcome.
The youngsters, on the other hand, are very often friend-focused. It is everything about their friends. Wherever the friends go, they will want to go. Whatever the friends do, they will want in. Nothing else matters. Everything that the boss says is probably too stressful. Everything that the family says is probably nagging. Everything that the friends say is always right.
Do be careful with the mix. It is always great to meet with new people. It is also rather easy to fall into the friendship trap whereby you can no longer think for yourself because you are too dependent on what everyone else says. You should realize that there is no such thing as forever friends or foe. Sometimes, in certain circumstances, your best friend can be your worst enemy and your most hated enemy can be the one saving you from dirt. Nothing ever is certain.
Have you forgotten another relationship, one that is most important of all relationships?
YOU!
You are always thinking of work, always ahead of what your boss wants.
You are always thinking of everyone else around you, meeting their needs at all times.
How about you?
When was the last time you spent a minute with you for you? Have you been thinking of what you really need as a human being? Do you know what is the one thing that is missing in your life? Is there a time when your mind is totally blank, of the presentation to your boss, of the chores waiting for you at home, or of the outfit for the class reunion this coming weekend?
There are people who would only think of one word, “ME”. But there are also people who have never thought of this very important two letter word. In two far ends, we are all humans after all, with very different mindset. It is selfish to think of yourself all the time but it is foolish not to care for yourself either.
Find the balance between caring for yourself and others. We are all important enough to deserve love at all times.
In all aspects of our lives balance is key. Doing one thing too much can cause upset, like the old saying goes, everything in moderation is the secret!
Catherine Pulsifer, author
What have you been learning throughout the years?
We have been thought by many teachers along the way to our adulthood. What exactly have we been learning from them? Have they been great teachers? Have we been great students?
Everything happens for a reason and the reason is to help us grow to our better selves. Most often, people love to complain about the situation they are in. Are you that kind of person?
It is time to shift your mind. Think of it as such. Everything and anything around you can actually teach you a lesson. It does not matter whether or not that thing talks and tells you directly the lesson it is trying to teach you. It is all about your own realization. If you observe closely enough and put on your thinking caps, you will notice that everything changes over time. Nobody needs to explain that to you. Nobody can explain that to you. You need to realize it yourself.
Take that light bulb hanging from your ceiling right now. What do you see? At one glance, you probably think it is just a light bulb and it is functioning as a light bulb. Look closer. Observe the difference when it was first bought from the store to now. What is the difference you see? You may not realize but the light may be a little dimmer than before. There is a little more dust collected on it than before. The filament may be a little darker in colour than before. After several years, the filament may have lived its lifetime and the light bulb stops functioning.
What do you learn from the light bulb in your house? It can be bright and shiny when new. It can become old and stale over time. One fine day, it will just stop emitting light. Light bulbs are the icon for the human mind. Most often when we have an idea in our mind, it is like we have turned on the electricity and the bulb is lit. What happens when there is no electricity? What will you have in mind then? What will your life be like then?
Every human is similar. We live, we grow, and there will come a point when we get stuck. This is the turning point. This is the time when we have to decide the next path we choose to take and create. This is the time for change. Change can happen at any point of time but most importantly, change has to happen when you are stuck. If you decide to just stay where you are, you will remain stuck until you are able to see that there is a way out.
What kind of a person are you?
It does not matter how fast you can see the need for change. Most important of all, you really need to take action to change you. You must be willing to do so. When you have decided on the route you want to take, go all in. Sometimes, you may be in total darkness but if you are clear of your destination, light will find you. Somehow, someday, someone may just walk into your life and show you the way. You may or may not know the person at that moment, but it is important that you trust your own instincts.
There will be also people who will try to make believe that the old way is the best way. The stable way is the only way. They may be people you love dearly. They may be people you look up to. They may be people who are always there to hold you when you fall. They may be very important people in your life. Still, your life belongs to you alone. Nobody should have the right to control over your decisions.
What if you do not take action now and you regret later when you see someone succeed?
What if you take action now and you somehow fail to achieve success?
You have to weigh between the two most important questions in your life. Whether or not you will take action is very much dependent on your answers to these questions. Which one is more painful?
Uplift yourself. Learn what you need. Observe what you should. Do what you must. Feel you deserve everything.
You, yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.
Siddhārtha Gautama (Buddha), Ancient Indian philosopher and spiritual teacher, 5th to 4th Century BCE
What do you have in mind today?
Most people will think of the things that needs to be done today. But have you forgotten about the things that are still undone from yesterday? There are so many things each person have to handle every single day. How do people get by and still have time for fun?
Are you a person who has to scramble through things every single day just to finish a task? How much time do you need to find something you need? How does your desk look like? How anyone lives through their daily lives really depends very much on the person and has got nothing to do with the aesthetics of what our eyes can see.
Some people live great in a total mess. These are called the creative bunch. We may see papers everywhere, totally disorganized and we get a headache but for them, this is their way to higher understanding. If one day, you cleared up their desk, they would have a hard time looking for that one thing that they need at that very moment. If left in a mess, it would just take them seconds. If all organized up, it would probably take them hours if not days, and in some cases, they may not even be able to locate it in their entire lifetime.
Some people need space for clarity. If things are in a mess, they cannot function at all. They need everything to be organized. You will see that their desk is often empty you really wonder how anything can get done. Where are the notes? Where are the “to do” lists? Where are the plans? Everything is just not there for anyone to look for. If someone puts something on their desk, they would be freaked and they immediately want it off. So, they get on is in the speed of light and then leave their desk empty again. There would probably be files upon files elsewhere as long as the desk is empty.
Most people are a little bit of both. You are probably the messy person when you are busy and the tidy person when you have a little time to get organized.
It is perhaps the greatest feeling of all to get things lifted off your shoulders. It makes you feel light. How you want to do it depends on the task itself and how you actually organize its route to finishing. Sometimes, drastic measures are necessary.
Humans are social animals. We need to live amongst other people and get things done together. Even if you are an introvert, there is no avoiding human contact. Even if we are all in a lockdown, there is no avoiding communication between each other. Everything needs to be planned out strategically in order for anything to work out the way it should. Time will tell that if we work together as a team, we are stronger.
A team means there is a leader. The leader is responsible to get things organized and moving. A great leader will plan small tasks for each member of the group. A great leader knows who is best at each task. A great leader gives opportunities. A great leader encourages brain storming. A great leader builds paths for exploration and enhancement. It is all about how well the person can deal with situations in a strategic way.
You may have thoughts that the current situation do not permit any organization because it is ad-hoc and of high urgency that needs to be done this very second. Sometimes, you just need to jump into action before even having the time to think. This happens all the time in stocks and business where decisions a second later can mean a total disaster. It is okay during that urgent time. Have you ever thought what needs to be done afterwards? Most people forget this. Post-mortem. When you have been stripped off your rights to think then, you think afterwards. Can it be done better? Is there another path to take? How to tackle such situations in future? These are all very important information for the entire team so that when you are not there to guide them through, they can function as they should.
Think the way successful people do. Organize your thoughts to help others help you.
Once you have a clear idea of your priorities – that is your values, goals and high leverage activities, organize around them.
Stephen Richards Covey (Stephen Covey), American educator and speaker, 1932-2012
To do or not to do?
Sometimes we wake up in the morning we are totally blank. Most of the time we do have something in mind. Perhaps that something has been in our mind since the night before or even for the past whole week. We are just not sure whether or not we want to really do it.
What is the cause of the halt?
Whatever that is in your mind, what is the issue with it? Why are you not taking action to doing it yet? What is bothering you so much that you do not want to act on it? Is it because of uncertainty? Is it because of the risks involved? Is it because you are just not ready for it? Is it because you are worried that the people around you will mock you? It is because you do not know how?
Where there is a will, there is always a way.
STOP! Stop your procrastination right now. Just ask yourself this one question:
# How bad do you want it? #
If you really want to do something, nothing in the world can stop you. If you keep giving yourself excuses, nothing can help you. No matter how high your motivation is, it really does not matter unless you do something about it. No matter how happy you may feel when thinking about it, nothing really matters unless you are really in it. No matter how big or small your dream is, it is just going to remain a dream unless you build upon it.
Your dream may be big. Everyone has their own big dreams at some point of their lives. It does not matter what that dream is. It only matters if you take initiatives to work towards making your dreams come true.
Sometimes, just by thinking you already have what you want will simply bring you to it, even though you do not yet have it. Sometimes life is as such. When you want something bad enough, you think about it all the time. You believe that you are going to get it one day. You picture yourself in that happy state of mind when you already have it. You remember that feeling all the time. You remind yourself over and over about that thing that you love so much. The universe will find a way to put it in front of you. You will get it one way or the other. Sometimes the outcome is even better than imagined.
I always tell people that I have manifested my dreams before. The most important of all is the dream since I was a kid. Of course when we were kids we had many dreams, most of which are just day dreams. But there is this one dream that I have manifested and have brought immense light into my world of darkness. Perhaps you have already read my previous articles telling of this story but I am really proud of this and I will tell it over and over to remind myself that the Law of Attraction really works.
I love dogs, all kinds of dogs, big or small. One species in particular that had captured my heart so deeply is the German Shepherd. Their intelligence and loyalty is just… indescribable. They are willing to sacrifice everything, including their own lives, to protect the humans they love. I told myself that I would like to have one when I grow up. Perhaps I have wanted it so badly this dream dwell right inside my subconscious mind for the longest time ever. Consciously, I have forgotten about this during my teens and my work and married life.
I was just living the normal lifecycle that everyone is living. Get through with school. Get a job. Get married. Start a family. One miscarriage brought me into total darkness for six whole years. I was in deep depression that I thought I hid well from others. One day, this little abandoned German Shepherd puppy lookalike came to our doorstep. He lit me up instantly. My husband finally saw the light in me once again. As much as he is afraid of dogs, he is willing to adopt this puppy into our lives. Our Max is four now. This miniature German Shepherd lookalike has brought so much happiness into our lives.
I have finally let go of the prison I set myself in. I am 100% depression free now. I can talk about my depression. I can talk about my loss. I can finally talk freely without holding myself back. I can finally be myself with the arrival of our beloved Max.
Letting free your mind can bring you what you really want deep within.
To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you.
Lewis Benedictus Smedes (Lewis B. Smedes), Christian author and theologian, 1921-2002
What do you want out of life?
There are a lucky few out there with their vision very clear from day one. Are you that lucky few or are you still searching for yourself? Some people just settle down with what it is that is presented to them because it is stable. Some people never give up and always asking for more. Some people are a little bit of both, they search then try and they find that it is unsuitable and they halt, then after some time of resting, they will start their search again. Which describes you?
However you choose to live your life is in your own hands. Some people fall and get up again quick. Some people fall and think that it is the end of life. Some people fall and take their own sweet time to heal. Whichever way is chosen is very much dependent on the situation the person is in and how hard did the person fall.
Life is full of ups and downs. It is never a smooth ride. This is what makes life exciting. This is what all of us should be proud of, that we are living a colourful life. It is only through the way of life that we learn the meaning of life. Thus, we all see life differently.
People chasing after their dreams.
These are the people whom are often labelled as the crazies. They will venture all out like they have nothing to lose. Sometimes they succeed, sometimes they fail. Whatever it is, they are very clear of what they really want out of this lifetime. They fall and they get back up bigger and stronger. They learn from their past mistakes. They never ever give up. These are the small bunch of people who will succeed in life because they are always ready to make their dreams come true.
People who have dreams as dreams.
These are just dreamers. They often have big dreams but they do not know how to achieve them. When they learn the way, they ponder upon for so long that the opportunity is gone. They are not risk takers. They are always worried about the effects of failure. They will only let their dreams become dreams for the rest of their lives. Perhaps they would one day achieve their dreams, perhaps not. Perhaps they will regret that they did not chase after their dreams when they had the chance. Do you want to be one of them?
People who just go with the flow.
These are people who love to please. They do have dreams, but it does not seem like their dreams are important enough to be brought out to the light. Most of the time, they are shy to tell about their dreams. Perhaps they do not want to risk being labelled as crazy or idiotic. Whatever the reason, it is not important. What is important is that you know what you are doing. If you think that just living the life that your elders taught you is good enough, then you have already reached your goal. If you have even the slightest doubt about it, perhaps it is time to look into yourself.
People who somehow love to go against the flow.
These are the nuisance bunch. It is not because they like it this way. It is because they have their own special mindset. They might sound wrong at this moment but they may be right in future. Never to condemn any thought. It is all in the mind. What everyone else choose to see as wrong, we cannot make right. What everyone else choose to see as right, we cannot make wrong. Always be open to opinions. Then scrutinize to make decisions. Never ever decide on impulse. Always be prepared with the knowledge needed to live the life that you are seeking.
People who are idolized by many.
These are the lovely bunch. It is not the way they are being born. It is all about being themselves. If you are true to yourself, you will send out the right vibration to the people around you. If you have been in a classroom setting, you will definitely know the person you look up to and the person you can ignore. It is the charisma of the person. It is hard to describe but you just respect the person the way the person is. They are transparent. They are true. They are positive. Do not envy, instead, model upon them.
Which kind of person are you?
Learn to become you. You are worthy. You are special.
You do the right thing even if it makes you feel bad. The purpose of life is not to be happy but to be worthy of happiness.
John Tracy Kidder (Tracy Kidder), American writer, 1945-present
How do you feel today?
Are you a pleasant person to be around with? Sometimes we think too much of our surroundings that we forget about the most important things of all. Ourselves.
It is not to say that we should only think about ourselves and leave everyone else be. The people around us are important. Many of times we have over expectations of ourselves to meet the expectations of others.
As a child, how often have you followed the instructions of your parents? When we were children, we tend to think all that our parents teach us is correct because our minds are like a blank sheet of paper. Whatever our parents do, we tend to follow. Whatever our parents say, we tend to mimic. It is just natural. There is probably only a handful out there who would have their own mindset at such a tender age.
Back then, if a child talks back to the parents, they would be considered as a difficult child. It is due to the teachings passed down from generations to generations. No party is at fault. Perhaps parents should spend time understanding why the child is behaving as such. May be the child is notorious. May be not. It is the duty of parents to find out why their children act as such instead of just giving them the negative notion that their parents have been using on them over the years. It is not fair to just simply judge based on what we see on the surface.
In the current modern age, if a child talks back to the parents, they would be labelled differently by individuals. Times have changed. The old ways are not always agreed by everyone anymore. Some will still label the child as disobedient. Some will be able to see that the child is hungry for attention from the parents. Some will be amazed how the child can be so intelligent. Whatever everyone else say is not important. It is still the responsibility of the parents to understand why their children behave such a way.
Parents have a huge responsibility over the family that they are trying to build. It is time to realize that, as a parent, you cannot escape being someone you might not be. If you choose to have children with your partner, you have the responsibility over how your children develop. There is no doubt about it.
Many parents these days are just too busy to spend time with their family. Perhaps it is time to ask yourselves these questions.
Are you starting a family because of willingness?
Are you starting a family because it is the right thing to do?
Are you starting a family because everyone else is doing it?
Are you starting a family because it was an unexpected event?
Are you starting a family because you want to please your partner?
The sense of willingness is at stake. Many people just start having a family for the sake of giving their parents grandchildren. Some people just start having a family because their friends all have children. Whatever it is, it is by choice. Nobody can force you to do anything you do not wish to do. Once you have chosen, it is your responsibility to stay till the end.
Whether or not the child is born in the way you want, you are responsible.
Whether or not the child is grows up to be the person you are proud of, you are responsible.
You are totally responsible for your child. Never ever blame your children for keeping you at home, not being able to go clubbing with your friends. Never ever blame your children for spending too much time with computer games when you yourself are on your smart phone all the time. Never ever blame your children for acting out whenever something does not happen the way they want because they are just mimicking you. Never ever blame your children for being closer to your maid than you because you never spend enough time with them. Never ever blame your children for talking back at you as you never keep your promise to them.
It is easy to play the blame game but ultimately, being a good parent is not a job, it is a responsibility.
To say you have no choice is to relieve yourself of responsibility.
Patrick Ness, British-American author and lecturer, 1971-present
We often question what it is in the world that we are looking for.
Each time we ask this question, we are placing ourselves in a situation of uncertainty. There are many realms in this world. Whatever we see is only limited to our own imagination. Some people are gifted with the vision of certainty. If you are to interview them, they will probably tell you stories of their travel through space and time to realms that we can only dream of going.
To the normal people, these gifted humans are mystiques and that they are strange. Just because they are the minority with such a gift, that does not make them strange at all. In fact, it only makes them stronger.
As humans, we usually side the part where we think is true, anything our five senses can detect.
Whatever we see is of utmost importance to every one of us. That is the reason why people often say see to believe. What do you make of magic? We often think of magic as a trick that has been carefully engineered to make audiences see the unbelievable possibilities. What if there is magic beyond explanation? Has anyone ever questioned how Wim Hof is able to walk up Mount Everest without prior training, proper clothing, or any special equipment? Perhaps you would say that he is the special being. Do you know that he can train people to do the same things as he did? How do you explain that?
Whatever we hear is often taken as the second truth. However, we do not realize that our minds work in a very susceptible way to the negative side. Has anyone ever questioned why the news is always showing terrible events happening around the world? Is it because there are no great things happening that is worth reporting? It has all got to do with the audience. Making news is also a kind of business. Reporters will only make news that sells, and negative news are the most sellable ones. Somehow, majority of the common people just like to learn about disasters rather than enrichment.
Whatever we smell is what makes our mood for the day. Scent is something more subtle that the body processes differently from the rest of the other senses. It is something that can make our imagination run wild. If you smell something delicious, you will somehow feel a little urge to eat even though you know that you are not hungry. If you smell something calming, you can have a better night’s sleep compared to when you smell a stench of animal droppings. Everything has a scent to it. Somehow, because of sight and sound, we have neglected our sense of scent.
Whatever we eat has a taste to it. Some people are labelled as gourmet because their taste buds have much greater sense than the rest of the other people. This used to be a very important tool to let us get through life in the jungle. We have just forgotten the use of them along the way while we excel in the modern age. By just having a little taste of a plant in the tip of the tongue, we should be able to tell if it is food or poison. Losing touch with nature makes us more susceptible to ingesting unhealthy foods thinking they are for the best of us. Perhaps it is easier to explain that convenience is never nature intended for living.
Whatever we can feel by touch is what we deem real. Anything that we cannot touch is just talk. Humans love the fact that things come in cold hard evidence. While something we can touch is also something we can see, something people talk about that probably has a smell and taste to it, it does not mean that otherwise do not exist. What seems real can be from imagination. Everything that the mind can imagine can become a reality. We may not see it in our lifetime but it sure will become a reality in future. Before the Wright brothers invented the first flying machine, humans can never fly. It is through their imagination and perseverance that we are now able to go around the globe in less than 60 days.
There is one more sense that we have definitely lost touch with, the sixth sense. This is the most powerful of all senses. This is the one sense that keeps our ancestors alive in the harsh environment they had to live through in order to bring us to this world. This is not mystical, it is real. All babies had this but it is lost over time. It is lost because of the material things we feed our minds with. If you are a person who keeps asking “why he is so successful while I am not?” perhaps you are looking into the wrong direction. The answer is within. Only you can answer this question for yourself, nobody else can do it for you.
Always travel within for answers. Success will only come to people who are self-sufficient.
The snow itself is lonely or, if you prefer, self-sufficient. There is no other time when the whole world seems composed of one thing and one thing only.
Joseph Wood Krutch, American writer and naturalist, 1893-1970
What is the important thing we should focus on right now?
We have different perception at different stages in life. There is no one size fits all for anyone because whenever we encounter something new, we get enlightenment one way or the other. Whichever way we choose, it seems to be the right choice at that moment itself but then becomes irrelevant when we reach another stage of life.
Children tend to focus solely on play. This is because they feel play is fun and provides happiness. At that moment, joy is of utmost importance in their life. Nothing else seem to matter. However, there are those not so fun activities that they still have to deal with in the midst of having fun; school and studies. Some children find it interesting to learn something new in class and make friends along the way. There are always some who end up piling stress on their shoulders because they simply do not like the way classroom works. There are also some who become somebody else when they are in class because they want to be a top performer.
Guardians play an important role to guide the young minds to become better each day. As adults, it is our responsibility to nurture a better generation to come, not to impose upon them the dreams we have not achieved. Each individual should be allowed their own choice of life. Whether or not they make it through school with flying colours really does not matter. What matters most is that they become someone whom they want to become. As long as they are kind to themselves, others and nature, everything is worth-while.
People in the working environment tend to be obsessed with climbing up that career path or the total opposite, just working for the sake of money to pay the bills. While everyone makes their own choices, what really matters is the satisfaction within.
The hardworking people sometimes work too hard they have forgotten that life has many other elements to it. There should be time to spend with the family, friends, and oneself. Life is not just about being in the office and work through the day with minimal time for family, some time for friends, and no time at all for yourself. Life is about balancing between what seems important and what seems can be neglected.
Has it ever occurred to you that you are important?
Have you ever questioned what life is about?
How do you want to live the rest of your remaining life?
Is it living day to day?
Or you want that sense of fulfillment till your last breathe?
Humans have been searching for centuries of what life means. Everyone have different findings as each one has a different perception of how life should be. However vast the differences in opinion is, it only comes down to one thing.
Nothing really matters if one has no health.
You can have a bucket list full of things you want to achieve in life. But if you have no health, how are you going to achieve it? It is not impossible, you just need to find alternative paths to finally reach your goals.
How can you climb Mount Everest if you are 80 years old and laying in the hospital bed almost taking your last breath? Is there a way to go around it? Do you just lay there full of regrets for not taking great care of your health when you were younger and when you had the chance? Or do you keep on fighting till the end, telling yourself that you will walk again like you were in your twenties? The choice is yours.
It does not matter how limited your resources is, it only matters how resourceful you are. The human mind is the magical tool we each have. How we choose to use it is entirely up to us. You can choose to keep thinking of your limited resources, or you can choose to think of different solutions to a situation. Be the person you really want to be and live with no regrets.
Be kind to yourself, others, and nature. Nothing else matters.
Everyone goes through adversity in life, but what matters is how you learn from it.
Louis Leo Holtz (Lou Holtz), former American football player and coach, 1937-present
What do you do when you wake up late on a work day?
Each one of us have our daily routines that we do that seem important day in day out. But there will be days that we find ourselves too tired to wake up on time in the morning and having to pick and choose which routines that we must complete before we really get out that door to head to work.
How do you determine which activities you must do?
First things first, the toilet visit is a must. We must clear ourselves of the toxins that our body worked hard to collect over the entire night while we are asleep. No matter how rushed life is, we must remember to remove unnecessary things out from our body in order to function well for the rest of the day. One must never skip toilet visits, especially the first one in the morning.
What else is there that we must do before we walk out that door?
Some people have very simple routines. Wake up. Get cleaned and they are good to go. However, most people with families have more complicated routines in the morning. There will be some that needs to prepare breakfast and pack lunch. There will be some that needs to water the garden and feed the pets. There will be some that need to take care of the young and elderly. We each have our own problems and difficulties to face every single time we open our eyes in the morning.
Sometimes, we tend to think of everything else before ourselves. If you have been on a plane, you would have heard of this very important announcement before the plane lifts off. In case of an emergency and the oxygen mask drops from your overhead, always put the mask on yourself before attending to others under your care. This announcement is very important as we always tend to care for everyone else before looking into ourselves.
Perhaps we have forgotten one very important point. We can only take care of everything else if we are in the proper position to doing so. Just imagine having to take care of your child, or your parents, or your pets during the time you are sick. How does that feel? Just imagine having to give positive advice to others when you yourself are having low self-esteem and out of confidence. Do you think you will be able to handle everything in a mindful way?
It is important to spend at least 20 minutes every morning to ponder upon yourself. This is the most important thing you must do every single morning whether you wake up early or late. It does not matter the time. It only matters the space. You need the space for yourself. You need to look within to move further. You need to first tend to yourself before helping others find their way. You need to be in good shape. This 20 minutes can be your daily stretches, or your daily meditation, or even your daily workouts. Just do it. It is only 20 minutes after all.
Great parents will say they need that 20 minutes to prepare breakfast for their children.
Great children will say they need that 20 minutes to care for their parents.
Plant lovers will say they need that 20 minutes to water their garden.
Pet lovers will say they need that 20 minutes to feed their pets.
We always have choices that we can make. How about taking that in between instead of sacrificing one or the other? Is it possible to take 10 minutes to yourself and 10 minutes for others? Give yourself time to uplift yourself. Give yourself time to think and be yourself. You will feel the difference, instead of just rushing through your already late morning routine. Is it possible for you to call in to your boss to inform that you woke up late this morning and that you will be late for work. Admit your fault. Your boss may be angry. You may get a warning for this misconduct but at least you are doing what is most important in life. You take care of yourself as well as the people close to you.
Waking up late is no excuse for self-ignorance. Any routine can be adjusted to fit whatever limited time one has.
Spontaneity-flexibility within a routine.
Marty Rubin, Self-titled aphorist, philosopher bum and happiness freak
