Daily Positive Thoughts: May 12, 2017: The Illusion of Dependency

Daily Positive Thoughts: May 12, 2017: The Illusion of Dependency

The Illusion of Dependency

The more a person depends on a pattern of thinking, a particular person or a particular role, the more there is fear of loss. The security created by dependence is illusion. The reality of life is that anything external to us can, at any time, vanish. What will we do then? Where is our life's anchor? If it is not within, we will suffer.

Steps Of Determination (Part 3)

 

Almost every single day, our determination will be tested, which is a common experience of many of us. Every time, we make a promise of determination to ourselves, there will be a difficult situation which will try and break the promise that we have made to ourselves and try and make us emotionally unstable and weak. We have to ensure that does not happen and continue on the path of determination and achieve our desired objective in the shortest possible time. Being determined means not a single thought should be there in our mind, which has weakness or a lack of power; only positive thoughts and thoughts of victory, which you tell yourself, is certain. 

Thus, in this way, we will not only become more successful but also the thought that victory is like my birth-right, which can never go away from me, for even a single second, will be like the fuel which will run all our actions with a lot of strength and there will be positive success at every step. There cannot be constant success without determination. Sometimes, even when we had negative thoughts in our consciousness, we are successful. It can happen at times that what you did not even anticipate or expect, suddenly happens, in spite of a weak state of mind. What this can do at times do is that we become used to that and expect that to happen every time. But, that will not be the case every time. Finally, we have to empower or strengthen ourselves so much as to weaken situations through our powerful thought and not let them reduce our determination. We need to do this so that the next time we have a difficult situation, we are mentally prepared for it and we change the situation from a negative one into a positive one successfully.

The Problem

Solutions are never necessary because there are no problems, only our perception makes it seem so, and only our minds make our perceptions seem real. If there is a problem it is our perception. That is hard to see in a world that celebrates and rewards the finding and solving of ‘the problem’. When you decide that you will no longer perceive the problem, you will see only the facts or a situation. Facts are just facts and any and every situation can always be improved, unless it is in the past, then it’s just a memory, and memories are never a problem, are they? If you can cancel from the patterns of your perceptions, the very idea of ‘problem’ then you will not only be a positive thinker and positive proactive actor, you will be a leader.

Message for the day

To finish weaknesses from the seed is to ensure they don't come back. 

Thought to Ponder: When I don't understand the real cause of my weakness, I cannot get rid of it fully. It, then, keeps coming back again and again in some or the other form. So, the first thing I need to do is to understand why that particular weakness is coming up again and again. For example, if my weakness is laziness, I need to check if it is because of escapism or fear of failure or any other weakness. This practice helps me to work on my real weakness. 

Point to Practice: Today I will pick out one weakness of mine, which I want to do away with. I will then, try and discover what the real cause of my weakness is. I will then try and work on removing that weakness first. I will also do this with a lot of self-respect without any negative feelings. 

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Daily Positive Thoughts: May 11, 2017: Comparison with Others

Comparison with Others

Comparing yourself with others will leave you vulnerable on three counts: you'll either feel inferior, superior or impressed. All three of these states are dangerous because they all disregard the underlying principle of our true connection with each other - mutual love and regard, based on independently generated self-esteem. To protect yourself from this vulnerability, make sure that your attention remains turned within, towards the spiritual experience of pure pride. Staying centered in your elevated self-respect will help you remain undisturbed by others around you. Keep asking yourself, "Who am I?" "How would my spiritual personality respond to this event or person?" this will help to center you further, and allow you to enjoy the successful efforts of others.

Steps Of Determination (Part 2)

Determination is a power of the mind, which is present inside each one of us to some extent or the other and we all can increase it as much as we want. First, the realization needs to be there that I need to become determined and challenge my life’s negative situations or even improve my nature as a person or become successful in every sphere of my life or give love and keep good wishes for everyone or make my relationships more beautiful and full of peace, love and joy or make a rich career or shape up my role in a positive manner. These are some of the different aims and objectives we may have at different stages of our life and the start to fulfilling these objectives, apart from doing something or the other on a physical level and on an external level, is an internal thought and deep feeling of determination.

Without determination, anything we do on an external level, we will not be able to achieve its desired aim and objective because the moment we begin our journey of fulfilling our aim, there could be an obstacle in our path and the moment we see the obstacle, we may not have the spiritual power to cross the obstacle. The spiritual power that needs to exist in our mind should in the form of thoughts and feelings as well as an attitude full of hope, patience and of course, determination. So, the start has to be made in any purpose with our minds oriented very very consciously towards determination and then that determination should come into action. And this determination will then become the secret key in opening opportunities, which will lead you to your desired destination of success.

A New Recipe

We benefit from enjoying the company of the people around us.  Not only do we learn other people's life lessons but we also learn to improve our ability to communicate, tolerate and collaborate.

But we don't always get to choose the company we keep.  So even if we don't like someone, we can always find a way to enjoy their company.

Maybe be less critical and more appreciative.  Maybe find a common interest or show a genuine interest in their hobbies.  That way you can share interesting tidbits you've picked up, a new exhibition at a gallery, something new…

Message for the day

The method to be easy is to be busy in the mind with right things. 

Thought to Ponder: If I don't keep my mind busy with the right things, it will just wander and maybe even go to those things that are harmful. The mind is like a child. I need to know the art of keeping it busy, so that it is not attracted to anything harmful. So, it is important that we keep a schedule for the mind too, just as we keep a schedule for the activities of the day. 

Point to Practice: Today I will make a schedule for myself for the mind. My schedule for the mind would be that which inspires me to change my consciousness while I am doing what I am doing. I will remember one quality or specialty of mine and keep it as a background in all I do. For example, I take the thought, "I have a special role to play in the drama of life. I am a good actor using all my best qualities and abilities" It could also be a thought like, "I am contributing my sweetness (or any other value) in all I do". 

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Daily Positive Thoughts: May 10, 2017: Positivity

Daily Positive Thoughts: May 10, 2017: Positivity

A shark in the waves

Positivity

If my mind is still enough, I can see the deeper meaning behind each situation. No matter how bad a problem may seem on the surface, if I remain positive eventually I will see how everything has worked out for the best.

Steps Of Determination (Part 1)

A very important and influential aspect of our lives which we sometimes do not give adequate importance to, is how determined we remain at every step of our lives and how we use that power of determination to conquer different types of obstacles. It is commonly said that – faith can move mountains and faith is nothing but a strong thought of determination at every step of your life, telling yourself that you will remain free from negative and unnecessary thoughts. And you will also fill your mind with positive thoughts which are required in every situation, to overcome difficulties and achieve success in them.

Also, determination means that no matter how strong the winds of different negative situations may be, remembering that my stable internal state of mind is more powerful than the external situation and if we remain strong, the situation will weaken and go away within a very short period of time. So it’s not about fighting the situation in different ways but it’s about changing the different scenes of the situation so that they become as per what you desire, with the help of your inner power. Very often situations are not as per our desires and we can keep fighting externally to bring them to what we want. Sometimes we may succeed and sometimes we may not, largely because our internal state of mind is not powerful enough and also the power of determination inside our minds is lacking. So, bringing yourself to a stage of power, which is not external power, but internal power, the power of the mind, based on mental strength and not physical strength or the strength of our role or position which we might possess, will make us free from the influence of difficult situations of varying intensity. And it will also change them in a short period of time or make them positive soon. 

(To be continued tomorrow …)

How are you going to handle people's opinion of you?

Everything about you speaks volumes to others.  And everyone is going to have an opinion about you.  

You can't stop people having their opinion, but what you do with those opinions is entirely up to you.

Are you going to let it bother you, be offended, worry about it, do something to change their opinion...? 

Message for the day

To leave weaknesses is to decorate with virtues. 

Thought to Ponder: True decoration is to decorate ourselves with virtues. For example, happiness and peace brings decoration to my face. In order to be decorated, I need to leave attachment to weaknesses. When I am able to give up weaknesses, my virtues too are uncontaminated. In order to give up weaknesses, I need not give too much importance to them. Instead, I need to focus on working on my strengths.

Point to Practice: Today I will decorate myself with one virtue. I will start with happiness. When anything happens to take away my happiness, I will remind myself that I cannot spoil my decoration. I will do all that I can to make happiness a natural part of my life. 

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Daily Positive Thoughts: May 09, 2017: Good Relationships

Daily Positive Thoughts: May 09, 2017: Good Relationships

Good Relationships

In order to create good relationships...

• with your mind, think about what you have to learn from others,

• with your eyes, look into good qualities of others,

• with your words, recognize, value and appreciate their accomplishments,

• with your actions, cooperate and do something for others.

Letting Go Of The Branches Of The Life Tree

A very common habit that has become deeply embedded inside us is the habit of possessing, to which we succumb repeatedly. We come in contact with different people, material comforts, roles, positions, experiences, achievements and of course our own physical body etc. on an external level and our own thoughts, viewpoints, beliefs, memories, etc. on an internal level  etc. throughout our life. All of these are like branches that make up our life tree. Possession is like clinging on to one or the other of these different branches from time to time, as we fly from one branch to another, while covering our life journey.  The spiritual point of view on this habit is clear and very straight forward. It is not possible to possess anything. If we do try to do so, we lose our freedom. To experience the freedom, we need to dare to let go of the branches, which does not mean to lose or leave them because the branches are always going to be there. We can return to any of them to rest or pause whenever we want. But, it is about being aware and alert, because the moment a pause on a branch turns into a stop, the stop turns into a brake and, after that, the brake turns into a blockage. As a result, like the bird whose flying agility degrades on a physical level if it does the same; our intellectual and emotional agility starts to degrade.

When we learn to let go of one branch at a time, we are always welcoming new positive and empowering experiences in our life, one at a time. Like the birds, by letting go of one branch, we are then able to spend the rest of your lives trying and discovering many other branches, one branch at a time, and so we can enjoy the view from each new vantage point. We can choose between a life of flying and soaring or be stuck on one or the other branch, seeing others as they fly past and enjoy a life of freedom where they do visit their life tree from time to time and their life does revolve around the tree but they don't try and possess it or any of its branches.

Trust life  

Being trusting doesn't mean not being careful.  Be careful and be sensible.  Just trust life a little bit more.

Trust that life presents situations for you to grow and develop.  Trust that life knows your potential for greatness.  Trust that life wants to nurture you into being a better person.  Trust that life is there for your happiness and fulfilment, no matter how else it may seem.

Message for the day

The way to be healthy is to have the nourishment of happiness. 

Thought to Ponder: The best nourishment for both the body and mind is the nourishment of happiness. The one who is able to be in happiness under all circumstances is truly healthy. When I have the aim to be happy, I will start finding reasons to be so. Happiness brings a lot of other qualities that help me empower myself to face challenges. So, I become stronger mentally, thereby becoming physically healthier too. 

Point to Practice: Today I will be happy whatever the situations or challenges I may have to face throughout the day. Instead of finding small little reasons to be upset, let me today find small little reasons to be happy. Even when everything seems to be going wrong, there is surely something that is going right or could go right with my effort.

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Daily Positive Thoughts: May 08, 2017: Solutions to problems

Daily Positive Thoughts: May 08, 2017: Solutions to problems

Solutions to problems

In order to find solutions to problems, it is important to improve the quality of my thinking. I need to calm my mind by creating peaceful thoughts. The first thing that follows is that problems stop affecting me. I am able to think more clearly, which brings about a solution.

Restoring The Mind-Body Balance 

Many people are under the impression that the focus of spirituality is only on the mind and the soul, and the physical body is neglected. But that’s not true. Our physical body is essential to our life and the art of living. It is our vehicle and our home. An appropriate balance of diet, sleep, relaxation and exercise is important for the body. However, when we enter the world of spirituality, the main emphasis is on the mind and the soul. This does not mean that we do not value or take care of our body. Without a healthy body, we would not be able to express ourselves mentally or spiritually. Spiritual progress, which includes the listening/studying and imbibing of spiritual knowledge, the practice of meditation, the inculcation of divine virtues and the spiritual service of others through different means is much easier and better with a healthy body. 

Unfortunately, though, we have lost the art or wisdom of balance and for very long we have placed too much emphasis on our physical form, the body; and less emphasis on our spiritual form, the soul, as a result, reducing our spiritual awareness. One of the aims of spirituality is to restore this balance between mind and body so that we can experience well-being and happiness at every level. So while our body and our physical energy are essential, the focus of spirituality is on the mind and the soul, to help regain the balance.

  

Do something constructive

Feeling guilty is like sitting in a rocking chair. We rock back & forth emotionally, but it doesn't get us anywhere!

The next time you find yourself sitting in the rocking chair of guilt, hop off & move to a better emotional place. How? Ask yourself, what can I do to make amends? And then act on it. 

Do something constructive & you'll feel better about yourself.

Message for the day

To recognize weaknesses is to have the ability to transform them. 

Thought to Ponder: We do try to work on weaknesses to remove them, but most times we are not able to understand what the real cause for them is. So, we do not find any marked difference, i.e., we are not able to bring about much of a change. The method to find the real weakness is to keep introspecting as to why the weakness is working. This needs honesty in the heart and clarity in the intellect. 

Point to Practice: Today I will pick out one weakness of mine and check what the real cause of that weakness is. When I try and understand, I find that I am much more easily able to work on removing my weaknesses. I then don't have guilt or negativity but am able to work on it with confidence. 

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Daily Positive Thoughts: May 07, 2017: Peaceful Mind

Peaceful Mind

Learn how to keep your mind peaceful by feeding good thoughts to your mind. Let your mind rest.. let it be restful… not restless. Remember: my mind is my own. I mustn’t let my mind cause me distress. I cannot slap my mind (suppress the mind) – I have to give it love. By giving your own mind love you will make it peaceful.

Self Esteem

Self-esteem comes when I really value myself: When I place value on myself, then others, too, will value me. When I don't value myself, how can I expect others to value me? If I continuously put myself down, saying I'm no good or I am not capable, other people who hear this will start believing it. So what do I do? The key word is consciousness. As I start to make my consciousness positive by creating positive thoughts many times in the day about myself like - I am the most fortunate soul in the universe or I am a victorious soul, I cannot experience failure in any step in life or I am a self sovereign soul, ruler of my sense organs or I am a destroyer of obstacles or I am a spiritual rose flower who spreads the fragrance of divine qualities or similar thoughts, I become spiritually alert, then I am in a position to start valuing my life and as I start valuing myself, I develop self-confidence. The effect of this is that I start valuing others, understanding that everyone has their own position: not higher or lower, just different. Each one's uniqueness has its value.

Finishing Tasks

Often we're able to accomplish a task better when we do it in small bits over time.  It's when we have too many bits of unfinished tasks that our mind just starts to go into overload.

Whenever you can, try to finish what you start.  Finishing tasks leaves you with a joy of accomplishment and peace of mind.

Go on, try it for a whole day.  Finish a task before starting a new one and see how you feel at the end of the day.

Message for the day

To see and relate to virtues is the best form of diplomacy. 

Thought to Ponder: It is said that we need to be diplomatic while dealing with people. Yet, many feel that being diplomatic, equals to not being honest or truthful. However, the easiest way to be diplomatic is to see and relate to virtues. When I am able to see others' virtues, I am only relating to them with that. There might be weaknesses, but I don't highlight them during my interaction with them. So they too are more comfortable with me. 

Point to Practice: Today I will look for virtues. Out of all the people, I interact with; I will pay special attention to list out the virtues or specialties of at least three people. Every time I interact with them, I will remind myself of these qualities at least once during the interaction. This practice will help me create a habit of picking virtues. 

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris