Daily Positive Thoughts: February 16, 2017: The Value of Optimism

Daily Positive Thoughts: February 16, 2017: The Value of Optimism

Isola Bella Borromean Islands, Lago Maggiore, Italy..

The Value of Optimism

When faced with problems it can seem difficult to maintain inner cheer, the mind gets caught up with more and more negativity, fear or worry. Because of this, the problem seems bigger than it is and we lose the ability to find solutions and work constructively.

The first step I need to take when I recognize a problem is to smile to myself. When I make sure I am happy within, I know that every situation will pass and has something to teach me. Then I will find solutions come more quickly and easily.

The Negative Shade Of Respect In Relationships (Part 2)

In yesterday's message, we had looked at the incorrect and negative side of respect (the energy of fear) in relationships. Today we look at this kind of relationship from that person's perspective from whom respect is demanded. When the boss or the parent or the spouse (please refer to yesterday's message) tries to induce respect inside you for him or her, in return you fear him or her, most of the time thinking it is respect. But, at that point, you need to remember it is impossible to give respect to another if we, at the back of our own minds, fear them. If you are scared of someone or something, it means there is an absence of self-respect, there is a lack of a true realization of your own value, your specialties, your skills and the virtues and powers that you possess. And if you do not respect yourself, you cannot truly respect another. It is only when you are firmly established in your own self-respect that you have no fear of others and are then capable of giving genuine respect to others. Sometimes we are not comfortable with being seen as fearful, because our image will take a beating, so we try to avoid admitting we fear someone by saying we respect them, but internally we are in awe of that person and being in awe is not respecting him or her.

Many a times, two prominent people e.g. two actors or politicians or sportsmen are not on good terms. They accuse and bring down each other publicly and are known enemies in the press. While they do that, they also carry a subtle fear of each other, a fear that the other will outperform them; the other will be more popular, the other will be more powerful etc. This normally happens because of a lack of self-respect.  They both will probably hide that and will pretend that they are confident and established in their self-respect. But if their self-respect were genuine, they would not be scared of each other, and they would have the courage and the patience to talk and work with each other and listen to and offer the hand of friendship to each other, whom they perceive to be an enemy. But when they don't have the strength of their own self-respect and when they are unaware of their lack of self-respect, subtle fear for the other creeps in, which they don't realize and if they realize, they do not admit the same. And that's why the restoration of self-respect is only possible when the ego is recognized and no longer nourished. Because, fear always comes from the ego and ego is nothing but an excessive attachment to one's false image.

A Time to Unwind

When we rewind and replay our memories, not only are we reliving the past but we're also triggering all the associated feelings. 

If they're bad memories, not only are we retaining the negativity but we're also causing ourselves unnecessary pain. So be kind to yourself and stop pressing the rewind button.

Of course, there is a time to rewind constructively, a time to rewind the happiness. But there is also a time to unwind, press play and enjoy the "right now".

Message for the day

Greatness lies in being uninfluenced by negative. 

Thought to Ponder: It is common to get influenced when we hear or see anything negative. But our effort should be such that we are not influenced by anything negative. For this, we need a long time of practice of seeing positive. If I have been seeing positive in a person, I will not easily connect to his negative, even if it is being expressed at that time.

Point to Practice: Today I will look at only positive in people. If anything negative comes my way, I will use it as an excuse to remind myself of that positive which I have been consciously practicing to see. This will help me to slowly connect to positive instead of the negative aspect of a person. 

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Daily Positive Thoughts: February 15, 2017: Look For Goodness

Look For Goodness

In everything, goodness is there; our goal is to find it.

In every person, the best is there; our job is to recognize it.

In every situation, the positive is there; our opportunity is to see it.

In every problem, the solution is there; our responsibility is to provide it.

In every setback, the success is there; our adventure is to discover it.

In every crisis, the reason is there; our challenge is to understand it.

By seeing the goodness, we'll be very enthusiastic and our lives will be richer.

The Negative Shade Of Respect In Relationships (Part 1)

Many a times in offices, we find the dominating boss who wants everyone in the office to fear him or her. The boss may not necessarily be a person with a negative personality, but this desire exists inside the boss because he or she holds a negative belief that people fearing him is the same as respecting him and respect is something that any boss would naturally yearn for. This can happen in homes also, with a dominating father or a dominating mother doing the same with the other members of the family.

The main reason why this happens is because the boss or the father or the mother is normally lacking in self-respect, although he or she is unaware of it. Due to this, he or she, without realizing again, is looking for it from others and in fact over a period of time, as the need builds up or increases, he or she will start demanding the same from others, which takes a form of the negative energy of fear in the relationship. The boss or the father or the mother starts feeling that the sign that he or she is successful in achieving in getting the respect he or she wants, would be the other fearing him or her. Simply getting someone's attention or the other being in awe of him or her or the other being under his or her negative influence which are all subtle forms of fear is then mistaken for being respected, and if he or she does not receive respect in this incorrect manner, he or she will even try and bring about the creation of respect in the other and try and pull it from the other using various methods which are violent in a subtle way, harming the relationship in a big way.

In tomorrow's message, we shall look at this type of relationship from the other's i.e. the employee's perspective or the perspective of the other people in the family in the case of the father or mother.

We have a right to free speech but we still have to watch what we say!

Otherwise, all in a flash of a moment, words just leap out and then there may be regret and guilt.

Communicate with ease but consider other people and their feelings.

How? 

Give your speech censor a moment to consider. You sound so much sweeter when you do!

Message for the day

To keep a fast for the mind is to free it from waste and negative. 

Thought to Ponder: We do keep fast on some days. On such days, we take care not to include certain things in our food or lives. But, true fasting is to keep the mind free from what is not good for it. That means, I need to work on keeping my mind free from negative and waste thoughts, which only harm my mind. 

Point to Practice: Today I will keep a fast for my mind. I will not think of something that is not good for it. To do this, I will also take a beautiful thought of positivity like, "I have the best in my life" or "today is a great day". Then, I will be able to keep a fast for the mind in the right way. 

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Daily Positive Thoughts: February 14, 2017: Like a Star

Like A Star

At the end of the day, on the wings of your thoughts, go beyond the cares and troubles of the world. Remove your mind from everything and everyone, and become blissfully detached, like a star. Like a star, be free to radiate light, for your essence is light and peace. Enjoy the simplicity of the night sky, the peace. And then, when you want to, you can shoot down to earth.

The Beauty Of Giving (Part 3)

A personality of giving comes natural to some people and for some it is the most difficult thing to do. There are people who live only for others. Every single moment they give to others what they require. It’s not about only donating wealth and clothes or food for that matter. That is a different subject of service. We will not discuss that in this message. But here we talk about giving love and happiness to each and everyone you meet. It can become the most beautiful intention of your life. Love in the form of sweet words and warm gestures that make people happy. Even if you have a problem in your life which you are facing since a few days, keep giving during that time. It will ease your problems. You can actually spend many years of your life serving each one with these two qualities – love and happiness.

Also, other qualities which people would like from you are peace and power. Today, the world is lacking these two qualities immensely. Peace in every individual’s life can be given to them by remaining silent yourself. Silence does not mean talking less only but also remaining free of any unnecessary thoughts which are not important at a particular point of time i.e. they are irrelevant. Such a person with fewer number of thoughts will automatically transmit the energy of peace to others. Also, people today are lacking emotional strength and they weaken under life’s pressures very easily. Are you ready to be the one who can stand as a pillar of strength for others by being powerful yourself? So take up this responsibility and deepen your spiritual personality i.e. make yourself full of spiritual treasures. Become a giver.

We know gratitude is important, so here are three steps to integrate gratitude.

Firstly, look up, look around & notice the beauty surrounding you.

Secondly, sincerely appreciate the people you interact with, friends, colleagues, the cashier...

Thirdly, at the end of the day, look back at the day & note what went well, what you learnt & what you enjoyed.

Do this & you'll find more things to be grateful for!

Message for the day

To move forward is to be on a pilgrimage. 
Thought to Ponder: When someone goes on a pilgrimage, there is only one thought of moving forward. Our life, too is a pilgrimage of experiencing progress in all we do. When something uncomfortable comes up, my vision needs to be fixed only on the goal and nothing else. 

Point to Practice: Today I will create an aim for myself of something I want to achieve. This could be even a short term goal or even imbibing a quality in myself. Every time I am faced with any difficult situation, I will focus my energies on achieving my goal instead of wasting time and energy worrying over what is wrong. 

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Daily Positive Thoughts: February 13, 2017: Connecting With Others

Daily Positive Thoughts: February 13, 2017: Connecting With Others

Artist: Kagaya Yutaka born in 1968 in Saitama, is a Japanese digital artist

Connecting With Others

We are normally kind to people who are kind to us. But when someone is not behaving well, we tend to change our attitude, response and behaviour toward that person. We wait for the other person to change before changing ourselves. So we do not find change in others or in ourselves.

When I see others’ inner qualities I connect to them more easily. I will not be dependent on another person’s behaviour for my own growth today. I will see each person’s positive aspects and take them within myself. In this way I will become richer with each interaction.

The Beauty Of Giving (Part 2)

A different set of personalities or natures of all the people you meet will always be there and the adjustment of natures with them is what will always be required. Suppose there is an acquaintance of yours who is a little egoistic and at times she can be difficult to please. You give a lot of love and regard to her but she never seems to return it. Such a person can be difficult to interact with and she also may be conditional. She may make the relationship with you dependent on the type of behavior you may show to her. Suppose one day you praise her, she will be very good to you. On another day, you point out her mistake and she will show a different behavior. In the same way suppose you have a close associate who loves people giving him admiration and a lot of remarks about his personality and wealth. One day, someone does not do that and instead praises someone else in front of him, he would feel insulted. This is the way some people will be. They are not givers but they always want something or the other from the other on an emotional level or even on the level of words and actions.

Also, the method of becoming a giver and not someone who is always asking for love and respect from others is to start filling oneself with those treasures first, by connecting with a Higher Source or God, who is full of those treasures Himself and that too permanently. Do you know that God never, even for a second, asks for treasures from any human being? He has only one intention - to fill others with everything good he possesses. He possesses every virtue that will ever be seen in any human being – He is an Ocean of all those virtues. We need to train ourselves to make our personality like God’s by having a deep relationship with Him though a medium of remembrance.

(To be continued tomorrow …)

Value yourself and then value others.

Comparing yourself to others is not helpful. It can make you feel better than or less than someone else.

But if self-improvement is what you're looking for, then use your comparison habit for a positive effect.

How? Notice the special quality that the other person has and then enhance that quality within yourself. As a result, rather than feeling discouraged, you'll take encouragement from others.

Message for the day

The nourishment of happiness brings health.

Thought to Ponder: The one who always gets the nourishment of happiness, has a happy and healthy life. Every aspect of life is filled with good things. There is enthusiasm and energy for making use of the resources in the best way. There is the power to overcome physical ailments too. Without happiness, life becomes dull and boring and there is no energy to do anything.

Point to Practice: Today I will be happy. Even if things go wrong, I will not worry about it today. I will do all I have to do, but with the consciousness of being happy all the time. This will ensure that I remain healthy in the mind, and therefore the body too. 

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Daily Positive Thoughts: February12, 2017: On Becoming Tolerant

Daily Positive Thoughts: February12, 2017: On Becoming Tolerant

Artist: Odysseas Oikonomou, Greek painter, born in 1967 in Albania

On Becoming Tolerant

When someone disbelieves us, we usually argue back and try to prove our point. Yet we find that the more we talk, the less people listen. Unable to convince them, we end up frustrated.

Instead, when someone challenges the truth of my words, I should think about whether they might be right. Rather than stubbornly clinging to my point of view, I could embrace this as an opportunity to learn. Even if I am correct in my thinking, if I become able to understand someone else's point of view without getting angry or refusing to listen, I become tolerant.

The Beauty Of Giving (Part 1)

Have you ever wondered why is it so difficult to forgive someone who has wronged you in any way? There are people who do not seem to bother about the hurt and pain that they may seem to receive from people around them. After all pain is our response to people and pain is not given by others to us. Then there are people who can carry the memories of a negative incident for a complete lifetime so much that it can affect their physical health and moods to a very large extent. Is it not easy to forgive and forget? Or is it for some the most difficult thing to achieve? Why the difference?

There was once a shopkeeper in a little village of Southern India who used to sell coconuts to people. Once while selling his product to a rich trader, he was asked by the trader – Can you lend me a few coconuts for a day? I will return them to you in the evening. The shopkeeper replied – I can sell the coconuts to you at a lower rate if you wish but I cannot lend them to you. The trader needed the coconuts just for a function as decoration. In the same manner, at times we are like this shopkeeper. We indulge in trade in our relationships. We want something in return for everything we give. We want love in return of love. We want happiness when we give happiness to someone. When this does not happen we are hurt and cannot forget what happened. Also, another energy that we often transmit to others is one of begging. We beg for peace, love and joy all the time. What that means is we are always asking for positivity from others, which will not always come. Suppose you are a part of a group of friends with different personalities and a lot of positive and negative characteristics which everyone possesses. Do you always get what you expect from each one? No. So how does one handle this?

(To be continued tomorrow …)

Thinking too much is like eating too much.

The heaviness makes it impossible to think effectively. Here are a few tips to keep your mind vibrant and full of energy:

Diet. Avoid pessimistic and cynical thinking. Feed the mind light and healthy thoughts.

Exercise. Stimulate the mind with different and interesting ideas and concepts.

Rest. Every now and then, pause and let your mind digest everything it has taken in.

Message for the day

The power of transformation brings all attainments.  

Thought to Ponder: When there is the ability to transform negative into positive, and waste into useful in a second there is the ability to be useful for the self and others. There would not be just complaints against the situation, but the best would be made out of all situations and move on to the aim set out. 

Point to Practice: When I am able to use the power of transformation to finish negative and waste, I am able to experience being free from obstacles. So I am able to experience contentment under all circumstances for having made the best use of everything available. 

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris