Daily Positive Thoughts: March 21, 2017: Life

 

Life

Learning and teaching are players in the same game. If either one stops everything becomes heavy and ceases to be fun. Learning is the reward for respecting life and teaching is the fruit of experiencing life.

Three Components Of Change

In order to bring about a fundamental (major) change, three elements need to exist simultaneously:

Focus: A clear sense of purpose in life and clear goals to guide your life's activities.

Will: The motivation and enthusiasm to introduce and sustain the actions.

Capabilities: The skills and abilities to fulfill your purpose and goals.

But where do you start? There is definitely a right place to begin and that is with your focus. Why? Because if your focus is powerful and based on a very deep sense of your inner most purpose in life, then that will provide you with the will power you need to keep going. Then if you have a clear driving focus in life and lots of will power to back it up, you will soon develop the skills and capabilities you need to make it happen. You may not have them yourself, but your enthusiasm and passion will certainly inspire others who do have them to join you.

  

Self-awareness

The foundation of all spiritual growth and personal development is the awakening of self-awareness. Most people however are not yet self-aware, and the majority of those, are not aware that they are not aware. Self-awareness is easy and begins with simply taking a mental step back, and observing your thoughts, feelings, attitudes and actions. Whenever you do you learn about our self and the basis of personal change and growth is always learning. Step back, what do you see, what enters your awareness? What does it tell you? What does it show you about yourself? Don't judge it, just see it. Don't run away from what you see, just watch it. Accept it. Allow whatever is happening within your thoughts and feelings just to be. And suddenly you will find that inner peace which surpasseth all pleasure.
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Message for the day

The art of giving happiness lies in being happy. 

Thought to Ponder: If I am not happy with something or someone and I am not able to resolve it, I will not be able to give happiness to others too. If I am bringing about a change in myself for someone and am not happy about it, I will not be able to make a difference. Whatever I do for others, I need to do it with happiness. 

Point to Practice: Today I will make a small change in myself or my life style for giving happiness to someone important in my life. This could be something that they have always been expecting, but it need not be anything big. But, while I am making this change, I need to first ensure I am not bothered or am not feeling heavy about it. When I do it with love, it will give me power and positivity. 

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Daily Positive Thoughts: March 20, 2017: Fill the Gap

Gaiola Bridge, Naples, Italy

Fill the Gap

If anyone has any weakness, make it your duty to fill that gap. To speak about someone's weakness is not greatness. The greatness lies in removing that weakness.

Ruling The Kingdom Of The Mind (Part 3)

Rulers have ruled over different territories all across the globe since thousands of years. There was a time when rulers headed the complete world, a time when there was no trace of sorrow or hatred or injustice or disharmony in their kingdom. We know these rulers as devis and devtas or also gods and goddesses today. What was the secret of their success? They possessed, apart from the skills to rule, all the powers to succeed. So what is the secret of success for the spiritual king, which is me? I enhance my spiritual powers and make them a part of my personality trait set. How? The examples of thought suggestions which we explained in yesterday’s message – their practice. Thought suggestions coloured with the seven primary virtues – peace, love, joy, purity, bliss, power and truth. We have explained four virtue types in yesterday’s message.  Our readers could give a thought to the remaining three.

These virtue coloured thoughts, when repeatedly brought into my conscious canvas every day, seep inside me and colour my sub-conscious canvas, which then fills me, the spiritual king’s personality, with those seven virtues. Virtues in turn cause the creation and increase of spiritual powers inside me which in turn makes me mighty or strong, a king with the eight primary spiritual powers - the power to withdraw, the power to pack up, the power to tolerate, the power to accommodate, the power to face, the power to discriminate, the power to judge and the power to co-operate. Such a power-filled king is then obeyed by his ministers - the thoughts, feelings and emotions and his people - the attitudes, expressions, words and actions and all of them learn to respond to the outsiders i.e. external situations, in tune with their king’s personality i.e. in tune with the seven primary virtues and the eight primary powers. As the king, so his ministers. As the ministers, so his people – resulting in a harmony, love and joy filled atmosphere in the complete kingdom. Such an order filled kingdom is a kingdom of high self-esteem, and is respected by other spiritual kings it associates with every day because the kings who come in close connection with such a kingdom experience these virtues and powers from the kingdom and its people i.e. my complete self.

Feel Stuffy?

All the unnecessary, repetitive thoughts that linger around in our minds create a stuffy atmosphere and affect how we feel.

Next time your mind feels stuffy, filter out any negativity or unwanted thoughts. Remove all the contaminants from your mind, just like an air purifier.

Now you can think fresh thoughts, feel good and breathe easy! 

Message for the day

As is our attitude towards others, so is the quality of interactions. 

Thought to Ponder: Our attitude towards others influences our interaction with them. A negative attitude towards another person not only makes me behave negatively. It also makes the other person use that quality again and again when in interaction with us. We actually become a reminder to the other person about his own negativity. For example, if I continue to believe that someone is lazy and we keep expressing that, that person will only remember their laziness when they see us, and use it too.

Point to Practice: Today I will remind one person of some quality that I see in him. I will praise or use this quality of the person at least 3 times. Thus, I will be able to become a reminder for them, of their own specialty. This will encourage them to use this quality at least when they are interacting with us. 

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Daily Positive Thoughts: March 19, 2017: Still Waters

Daily Positive Thoughts: March 19, 2017: Still Waters

Still Waters

A life of turbulence and noise may seem desirable to one who leads it, but wisdom is a pearl found only in still waters.

Ruling The Kingdom Of The Mind (Part 2)

Am I a weak king or a mighty (strong) one? This is a question that each one of us needs to ask ourselves at the end of each day. Every night, call upon your ministers – the thoughts, feelings and emotions in your kingdom court and have a heart-to-heart conversation with them regarding the kingdom and its people, which are your attitudes, expressions, words and actions. A court is also held to check the daily report of the behavior of the ministers. As the ministers of a kingdom, so its people (as mentioned above). To keep the kingdom in order, an able (talented) king will train the ministers and its people to react correctly to topsy-turvy situations which the kingdom is exposed to every day, which causes instability in the kingdom. This ability is the power of the king in action.

To train the ministers to respond correctly, a powerful king will, at the start of the day and at regular intervals in the day, give thoughts of power to the mind such as – I am an ocean of success or I possess the all powerful driving force of motivation or I can destroy obstacles that try to obstruct my path coupled with thoughts of peace such as - I shall not react angrily, but maintain my calm or I shall not look at others’ actions but keep my focus on my stable stage or I shall keep a relationship of outer detachment to external situations as well as inner detachment to internal pressures coupled with thoughts of love such as – I am an overflowing source of good wishes or I will be forgetful of others' mistakes or I shall absorb others' virtues and fill others with virtues coupled with thoughts of joy such as I will remain light and give others the same experience or I shall spread the wings of enthusiasm and fly high or I shall gift a smile and a greeting to everyone. These types of thought suggestions will in turn positively influence the feelings and emotions, the ministers of my kingdom and my attitudes, expressions, words and actions, the people of my kingdom. How? We shall explain that in tomorrow’s message.

Of course, people matter. But do they know that?

Whether it's your partner, boss, friends, colleagues or acquaintances, put extra effort into letting them know they matter.
Why? Because it makes a difference and it matters, to them and to you.

It doesn't need to be long and drawn out, it could simply be a 'Thank you, I really appreciate that' or 'Thank you, that was really thoughtful.' 

Message for the day

The biggest help for the self is to forgive.

Thought to Ponder: When I carry negative experiences, I am not able help myself be light, easy and natural. There is a feeling of bondage and discomfort. But, when I learn the art of forgiveness, I am able to free myself from this bondage. I experience inner freedom and lightness and I am able to make the right judgement too, in future interactions. 

Point to Practice: Today I will forgive someone whom I was not able to forgive all this while. I will not forgive because he needs forgiveness, but because I want to be free. Forgiveness is possible when I understand that everyone has a unique role to play on this world stage. I cannot expect another person to act or behave or think like me, because his role is different and unique. 

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Daily Positive Thoughts: March 18, 2017: Communication

Artist: Gustave Leonhard Jonghe 1829-1893

Communication

The one who knows the art of connecting to others is successful. When someone is not behaving well, we tend to alter our attitude, response and behavior toward that person. We wait for the other person to change, before changing ourselves. When I know the art of perceiving others' specialities and connecting to them, I will always be successful. I am then not dependent on the other person's behavior for my own growth. I am able to see each person's positive aspects and absorb them in myself too. Then I become richer with every interaction.

Ruling The Kingdom Of The Mind (Part 1)

Have you ever looked inside the inner kingdom of your mind where your thoughts, feelings and emotions are your ministers? Is it a kingdom of law or anarchy (lawlessness)? Do you ever wonder – Ah, I wish there would be more order and less chaos in my kingdom! So what stops you from creating a kingdom of law and order? Is it external situations or is it your internal reactions to these situations? Just for one day, perform this little exercise, check that out of the tens of thousands of thoughts and feelings you create in a day, how many are your own creation and how many are responses to external events. If they are your own positive creation or if they are responses to events, but correct ones, then be proud that your ministers are obeying you. Do you realize that the time when these thoughts and feelings are the wrong type of reactions on your part and not your original correct creations, is the time when these ministers are wicked and disobeying you.

A kingdom where the ministers disobey the king (that is you) repeatedly, is a kingdom, the atmosphere of which is lacking in harmony, love and joy, which in our case is our mind. It is a kingdom which is not respected by its people, who work under the ministers of thoughts and feelings, the people being your attitudes, expressions, words and actions, who further disintegrate and go their incorrect way following the orders of their seniors – the thoughts, feelings and emotions. It is a kingdom where the king has to bow down in front of the outsiders, the neighbours, which in this case is the external situations and other spiritual kings like me, involved in these situations. Also, it is a kingdom which is lacking in stability and susceptible (vulnerable) to attacks by the neighbours repeatedly.

(To be continued tomorrow …)

Boring Conversations?

What do you do when you find yourself in a boring conversation? Make a quick exit? You have to respect your time, so try to remove yourself from the conversation as politely as you can.

Remember, not all conversations are going to be amusing or stimulating. And just because something doesn't interest you, that doesn't mean it's boring!

Even if it is boring, you can still try to be more engaged in the conversation; ask questions, listen or contribute. Or just try to find something you can take away from the conversation.

Message for the day

True cooperation is to have good wishes for even the one who harms. 
Thought to Ponder: Everyone needs the cooperation of good wishes to overcome their weaknesses. Good wishes makes them realize their own true worth and empower them to bring about a change. So, even for the one who harms, I need to have a feeling of mercy and good wishes and not hatred. This will help them at every step.

Point to Practice: Today I will think of one person who has not been good to me. I will work on my thoughts in such a way that I will have good wishes for this person. I will do something to have a thought of good wish for this person. The little help that I offer in this way will return back to me too in the form of good wishes and blessings. 

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Daily Positive Thoughts: March 17, 2017: Words Words Words

Daily Positive Thoughts: March 17, 2017: Words Words Words

Words Words Words

Words! They are all around me! I see them. I use them. Harsh words, soothing words, biting words; words that give pain and sorrow; words that give joy and pleasure. They are vital to communication. When words are spoken there are reactions, negative or positive. Either thoughts are triggered or emotions fired or actions performed. Words colour our behaviour. And how lovely it is to hear words that are calm and free from rancour and aggression. To hear words that lift the soul and leave it with renewed vigour. Such words are the sparks of purity. It is important to remember that my speech indicates what is in my mind. As the thinking, so the words uttered. Mental calmness makes my words calm. A pure mind makes for pure words. It is said that speech may exalt someone to kingship or send him to the gallows. I should never let myself indulge in false, bitter and vicious speech. My words should reflect my true, inner nature, that of purity and peace. Words, once spoken, can never be recalled. They reverberate all around, beyond our control. Today, as I utter words, what effect will they have on those who hear them? Will they be the words that are poisonous and cause pain? Or will my tongue be like that of the nightingale, sweet and so, so very soothing and lovely to the ear?

Imbibing Or Absorbing Spiritual Knowledge

The first step into experience, particularly the meditation experience, is knowledge. What does it mean to know? Knowing involves four steps, which ultimately give the meditator the experience of realization:

The first step of knowing is information. With information, our intellect opens to new ideas and opinions.

The second step of knowing is knowledge, when we begin to reflect and think on the ideas and views that we have listened to. At this point, we often have to select only a few of the ideas we have heard, as it is not always possible to reflect (think) on all the information that is fed to us. In order to deepen our understanding, we reflect on the information and sometimes discuss our findings and thoughts with others.

The third step of knowing is when we move from thinking to doing, that is, from knowledge to wisdom. Wisdom is gained when we commit ourselves to doing. Knowledge translated into our everyday behaviour is called wisdom, which, in turn, is called quality life. A life of quality is where personal values are not only realized but also lived and experienced through our practical actions.

Doing, or practice, naturally brings us to the fourth and final step of knowing, which is called truth.

In - Tuition

Often when our minds are quiet, we can hear our inner voice, the wisdom that we carry at the core of our being.

All we need to do is recognize, value and learn from our inner tutor.  Imagine the cost effectiveness and convenience of having a tutor available 24/7.

So go on 'listen in' to receive some in-tuition.

Message for the day

Correction is to correct what is wrong and not to correct who is wrong. 

Thought to Ponder: I need to correct the mistake and not the person. When I am caught up with correcting the person, there are a lot of negative feelings. Also, no one has the power or the patience to listen to corrections. But, when I am focused on correcting the mistakes, I use others' qualities and my own qualities to better the situation. So, there are positive feelings and emotions. 

Point to Practice: Today I will see what I can do to change a situation when something goes wrong. I will not worry about who was wrong, but try and focus my energies on what could be done to better the situation. Thus, I will be able to contribute in the right way.

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Daily Positive Thoughts: March 16, 2017: Power On

Daily Positive Thoughts: March 16, 2017: Power On

Power On

Each day we all need to recharge our spiritual battery, otherwise the light of our consciousness becomes dim, thoughts become fuzzy, and decisions are impregnated with doubt. Power is available inside and outside. Inside us we have a spiritual centre, at the core of our consciousness, pure radiant spiritual light. This is what we are. However it is now blocked by our attachments, the record of all our life experiences and many learned beliefs and perceptions. Outside us we have the sun of spirit, the source, invisible to our physical eyes but only one second away when we are able to quieten and focus our mind. Meditation connects us to both sources of power - that's why meditation is the way to access the real vitamins and the minerals that spirit craves. The vitamin of pure love and the minerals of truth and wisdom. Take time to empower yourself today. Sit quietly and connect your mind to each source and allow yourself to recharge and renew.

Newness At Every Step (Part 2)

A very important aspect of newness in our lives is a different perspective to life’s situations. A positive perspective makes life experiences more beautiful. A positive minded person with a positive perspective looks at life differently than a person with a somewhat negative mindset. Let’s say a person is facing a challenge at work and is not being able to come to a solution to overcome it. If he were to look at the current crisis in his life with a different perspective, he would arrive at a solution much faster and more easily than if he were to remain with the same perspective which he has been keeping for a long time. Solutions to problems can be arrived at magically at times with a different attitude and view point. But to make life full of new ideas and thoughts, one needs to fill the mind with fresh knowledge, not only from the world but also from spiritual sources which talk a lot about the self and also about God. Remember the more you know about yourself and about the Supreme Being, the wiser you will become and will look at life with a fresh perspective, which is the key to success.

Also, looking at people’s specialties, in fact different specialties in different situations, adds a positive flavor to life. The same people will look different and nicer when you do that. Don’t forget, everyone has different specialties that we generally know and are aware of. Say, you are not on good terms with a person and you receive negative energy from that person regularly. See that person’s different specialties for a few days and you will never get tired of the situations involving him or her. This is practical positive thinking and also new thinking.

(To be continued tomorrow …)

Find closure

When a relationship, a job or something significant ends, whether it was planned or not, take time to find closure otherwise you may find it difficult to let go.

Find closure by working through your feelings and accepting what once was and what's happened. 

Then shift and move on from what's finished to what's ahead, into the next chapter of your life. 

Message for the day

To admire is to imbibe their qualities.

Thought to Ponder: It is easy to admire someone. But, when I admire I also need to understand what makes the person so great. What are the qualities that he has in his life, or what qualities he has developed during the journey of his life? I need to make an effort to imbibe these qualities.

Point to Practice: Today I will think of one person whom I admire and see what I can learn from his life. I will then focus on imbibing at least one quality from him, into my own life. This will be the real tribute I pay to the person whom I admire. 

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris