Daily Positive Thoughts: March 30, 2017: Good Relationships

Daily Positive Thoughts: March 30, 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.

The Benefits Of Togetherness Over Isolation

Nowadays, there are more and more people who are choosing to live alone. Perhaps the reason for that are experiences in the past of pain, peacelessness, rejection, disappointment or failure when living together, in a relationship or even more than one relationship. As a result, the preference for living alone sets inside them. Perhaps, it is their alternative search for peace, happiness and success that leads them to make this decision. Also, the belief that if you live alone, you are free and you can do what you want, when you want and without having to explain yourself to anyone. But are we, as human beings, basically by nature, meant to live together or to live alone? Each human being has the need to belong and provide that feeling to others. You can belong to a family, a group of friends, a bunch of close school or college students, some office colleagues, a club, a community, a religious group etc. The mere presence of others; the participation, communication and collaboration with others; the assistance provided to others and received from them and the sharing of positive energy with others in a group; inspires and challenges us and others immensely. The same can happen, if we are staying alone, but to a limited extent. Greater inner spiritual empowerment takes place inside those who live and work together, not those who distance themselves from others. In a group, we broaden our limits and make our heart bigger when we do things for others that we wouldn't do for ourselves.

Each human being is a source of love for others. It is a basic human nature to love and be loved, which is not possible unless there is some kind of unity or mutual belonging. Distancing or isolating oneself implies an absence of love, neither given or shared, neither received.

I'm Sorry

"You were right. I was wrong. I'm sorry."  Can you willingly apologize when you're wrong?

Being right doesn't really matter.  But what does matter is acknowledging when you're wrong, taking responsibility and apologizing humbly.

Admitting you are wrong not only helps you to be more open-minded but it also enhances the quality of your relationships.

Message for the day

To remove waste is to ensure there is power to transform. 

Thought to Ponder: We do want to bring about a change in our lives, but most times we are not able to do so. This is because; a lot of thought energy is getting wasted in unnecessary things. Any thought which is not brought into action in the right way is waste. So, we need to check and change such thoughts, so that there is power to change. 

Point to Practice: Today I will check the quality of my thoughts from time to time (at least 5 times today). If I find myself thinking something that is not useful (it may not necessarily be a negative thought), I will change it with a nice positive thought. This practice will help me recognize what is waste, and then work to change it too.

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Daily Positive Thoughts: March 29, 2017: Caring Heart

Daily Positive Thoughts: March 29, 2017: Caring Heart

Caring Heart

I express my care and concern by responding to situations with a cool head and to people with a warm heart. If I remain aware that as fellow human beings we are all part of one family, and that even the smallest of gestures can make a difference in people's lives, I am always blessed with a caring heart. It takes so little to show that I care yet it can mean so much.

Detached Observation – A Spiritual Skill

Detachment is the basis of our ability to be positive and affectionate with others while we interact with them. This is what is known as commitment and the relationship of detachment and it begins with what is known as a spiritual skill: the skill of being a detached observer.

One needs to be a detached observer in two dimensions: one within and one outside:

The inner art of detached observation is the ability of separating ourselves from our own thoughts, emotions, attitudes and behavior. On the external level, the art of detached observation is the art of being witness to the scenes that take place around us. While we detach ourselves and observe how the game of life develops, without being active participants, we are able to see the big picture with greater clarity. That makes it easier to see clearly what role we have to play and where our contribution lies. We are creators, and our thoughts, emotions and attitudes are our own work.

In reality, detached observation is the first step towards personal strengthening. If we don't manage to detach ourselves from our thoughts and emotions, they will turn into our owners and will consume our energy.

Mirror of your consciousness

Only in relationship can you know yourself, not in abstraction and certainly not in isolation. 

The movement of behaviour is the sure guide to yourself, it's the mirror of your consciousness; this mirror will reveal its content, the images, the attachments, the fears, the loneliness, the joy and sorrow.

Poverty lies in running away from this, either in its sublimations or its identities.

Message for the day

When words are sweet, there is a positive impact.

Thought to Ponder: Sweet words are like flowers, when given to others brings happiness and spread love. On the other hand, harsh words are like stones that hurt. Harsh words emerge when there is some weakness working within me. Harsh words means that in some way I am feeling helpless and am resorting to something which is not so constructive.

Point to Practice: Today I will not say anything that is not sweet. If a situation does arise where I have to say something not so good and nice, I will move away from there. Till I am sure that I will not speak such words, I will not come back to that situation. In fact, I will try and resolve that point in my mind so that I don't speak anything negative. 

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Daily Positive Thoughts: March 28, 2017: Truly Precious

Two Humanitarians for the Ages: 

Saint Teresa of Calcutta: 

 Died September 5, 1997 &

Diana, Princess of Wales: 

Died on August 31, 1997

Truly Precious

More valuable than the things we give to each other are the gifts of virtues we pass on quietly to others through our selfless and noble actions. These gifts are truly precious because they are imperishable and they multiply the more we share them.

Breaking The Cycle Of Negative Energy Exchanges (Part 5)

To conclude, we all know that every individual is inherently good. A little shade of the incorrect or improper personality exists inside each one, however light the shade is. We also know that this shade was not there originally in the soul but is an acquired one. And also the person with the shade does become aware of it in times of solitude and also is making an effort to remove it so that no discomfort or sorrow is caused to anyone because of it. Along with the negative shades every person possesses many positive personality traits which are their strengths. Now when we are having an exchange of negative energies with such a person, what does a spiritually sensible person do, look at those light shades of negativity which are coming into action at that time or focus on so many positive colours of the personality of the other, colours that we have seen or heard about from others many times in the past. Also, an accompanied realization that even I have my share of negative shades which I am working on erasing, makes this vision easy to practice.

Practiced consistently, this kind of positive vision accompanied by a deep hearted appreciation of the positive personality colours of the other person is mercy in action, which is a shade of pure soul-to-soul love. Such appreciation makes it easier for others to reflect on and see what they need to do to change. But the first impact of this appreciation is on me, in keeping me free of negative and waste internally. So appreciating the other’s strengths in my mind and emerging them in my consciousness at such a time is very important as this not only keeps my perception, which is susceptible to being influenced by the negative at that time, clean, but also reaches the other person on a vibrational level and he/she is inspired and empowered to bring those strengths into action, as a result playing his/her part to end the negative energy exchange. This is spirituality at its most magical. I'll not only have removed a source of pain, which is the negative shade of the other’s personality in this case, which is coming into action; I'll have grown spiritually as well.

Make the problem smaller and you'll find solutions easily.

Problems come and go.  Keep thinking about a problem again and again, and you make it bigger and more challenging than it really is!

So instead of magnifying, downsize your problems.

Think: The situation will pass.  I am bigger than whatever is happening.  I can handle it.

Message for the day

To learn the art of controlling is to steer through life's situations easily. 

Thought to Ponder: When I am driving, the road is not always straight. Yet, I know when to apply a brake or when to turn the steering wheel. In the same way, in life's situations I need to understand that everything will not go as I plan. Instead, I need to learn the art of knowing when to stop (apply brakes) and when to turn my thinking in a direction which is more constructive. 

Point to Practice: Today I will have a mental traffic control system for myself. From time to time, I will have a signal for myself to stop and check if I am going in the right direction. If I find myself in the wrong way, I will immediately change my thoughts in the right direction or just postpone the thoughts. 

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Daily Positive Thoughts: March 27, 2017: Making Peace

Daily Positive Thoughts: March 27, 2017: Making Peace

Making Peace

There is something that you can do to help create peace in the world, and that is to make yourself peaceful.

The first step in this is doing some real soul-searching to find out what has made you peaceless in the first place. Turning your mind within allows you to discover, underneath the many surfaced emotions of everyday life, a deep, undisturbed pool of spiritual well-being. You need to explore that part of the self, not just to understand it, but to experience it again and again. This is a very satisfying experience, one that refreshes the soul and fills it with peace. From this vantage point, it becomes easy to recognize the kind of thoughts and feelings which are self-destructive.

The power of self-realization will work wonders in transforming these destructive mental habits. You will stop blaming others for your peacelessness, and get on with the work of cultivating your truth.

Breaking The Cycle Of Negative Energy Exchanges (Part 4)

One of the root causes of negative energy exchanges between any two people is a clash of personalities or also called clash of sanskaras in spiritual parlance (language). This can happen between two people who are wrong or between two people, one of whom is right and the other is wrong and also not very uncommonly between two people who are both right in their own unique way. This happens simply because sometimes personalities of two people are correct, their ways of working are correct, their ways of thinking are correct but they differ. This clash of personalities causes irritation on both sides, which becomes dislike, which becomes anger, causing hurt on both sides. How does one correct this? An important method for this is the sacrifice of the ego. Very often the cause of negative energy exchanges between two people who are both right is subtle ego on both sides, which ends when one of them sacrifices his/her ego. It is often said that the one who sacrifices his/her ego, is worthy of receiving the garland of blessings in a gathering of people of varying personalities as he/she brings about harmony in relationships.

The one who sacrifices the ego is mature and humble enough to realize that the responsibility to bring to an end negative energy exchanges with a particular person lies with him. Such a person has a soft intellect and realizes the significance of moulding or adjusting himself as the situation demands and how that can bring to an end the exchange. Such a person is like an ocean of good wishes. He will sacrifice his own interest, sacrifice the - I am right consciousness, sacrifice the - Things should be done the way I like consciousness and put the interest of the other first; he will renounce his own name and glorify the name of the other. Such a person will very commonly praise the other and his way of working as well as his personality either individually or in a gathering. Such a person becomes a teacher and friend for the person with whom he was exchanging negative vibes prior to that, becoming an instrument to bring to an end the negative exchange of energy.

(To be continued tomorrow …)

The 3 R's of Relationships. 

Here are the 3 R's to make the relationships that matter most, easier: Roles, Rules, and Rituals.

Roles clarify what is expected of you.  Otherwise there's frustration and confusion when roles are unclear.  Know your specific role in each relationship and play your part well.

Rules are boundaries that outline what your limits are and where you stand.  For healthy relationships, it's good to discuss and review your rules regularly, and know when to compromise.

Rituals are simple things that build meaningful connections, such as making eye contact as you say 'good morning' and 'goodbye'.  Make up and keep up with rituals that work for you.

Message for the day

To learn the art of controlling is to steer through life's situations easily. 

Thought to Ponder: When I am driving, the road is not always straight. Yet, I know when to apply a brake or when to turn the steering wheel. In the same way, in life's situations I need to understand that everything will not go as I plan. Instead, I need to learn the art of knowing when to stop (apply brakes) and when to turn my thinking in a direction which is more constructive.

Point to Practice: Today I will have a mental traffic control system for myself. From time to time, I will have a signal for myself to stop and check if I am going in the right direction. If I find myself in the wrong way, I will immediately change my thoughts in the right direction or just postpone the thoughts. 

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Daily Positive Thoughts: March 26, 2017: I wish to be me

Daily Positive Thoughts: March 26, 2017: I wish to be me 

  

I wish to be me

How fast can life become? How much can we do in the corporeal amount of time we have. There are only 24 hours in the day, but we're trying to fit 26 hours into it. If we could watch a movie of our average day we'd probably be amazed at all the things we try to do.

And then there is the exact opposite. Some of us spend our lives watching others doing and achieving, and from these images we build such high expectations of our own life, and then sit around feeling utterly powerless in our attempts to meet these expectations. That powerlessness becomes hopelessness and hopelessness becomes depression. If we can just see this process and release these expectations! If we can at least be detached from any expectations, we will get back some of our inner power and self-motivation.

It helps to stop watching others and their lifestyles, especially in the media, and then comparing yourself to them. It helps to eliminate all but one 'I wish' from your mind. There is only one valid and useful 'I wish' and it is simply "I wish to be me". For that is all you can ever be. It is all you can ever have. It is all that you are. And when you know it, you will be free of all expectation and desire, and able to enter the most relaxed state of being, at will.

Breaking The Cycle Of Negative Energy Exchanges (Part 3)

A simple pro-active response in breaking the cycle of negative energy exchanges with another person is the deep inner realization that the other soul is at that point of time lacking in the treasures of peace and love, although the foundation for the realization should be a humble consciousness. Very often this realization is based on an egocentric consciousness, which instead of cooling the situation can serve to make it more volatile on a subtle level. So based on this realization is an inner reminder to the self of my duty at that point of time - serving the other soul with the infinite treasures of God's love and peace, which I am an embodiment of.

So, pure donations at that time in the form of constructive positive and powerful thought vibrations for 5 minutes, once a day, at a fixed time, does the work of a soothing balm of love and peace for the other person. Through this method, your feelings of lightness, contentment and goodwill reach the other person, with whom you have a problem. By doing that, these positive feelings transmitted to the other person pave the way for a realization inside the other person, of the negative that exists inside him/her in the form of shortcomings and misdemeanors (incorrect actions) committed, if any. The realization serves as a motivator for change. Also coming into contact with the other person with a cheerful face and colouring the other person with your enthusiastic company, a company full of the feelings of sweetness, happiness and contentment brings about transformation in the other as our actions become teachers for the other and the other is humbled and is inspired to become likewise. Also donations in the form of humble and soft words, words that are numbered (few) but invaluable, help in bringing to an end the negative energy exchanges and winning the blessings and good wishes of the other as well as people connected with the situation.

(To be continued tomorrow …)

Drop the comparisons.  

"Yesterday was such a good day!"  "The food yesterday was really tasty!"  Does that mean today isn't a good day?  The food today isn't tasty?  Compare one moment to another & you don't enjoy the present moment.

Understand: every day, every moment, everything is different, unique & special.  And then you'll experience contentment in the present moment & enjoy what is.

Message for the day

To be egoless is to learn from people.

Thought to Ponder: Each and every person I come into contact with has something to teach me. When I work with ego, I become deprived of this learning. I am not able to see the positive in people. Nor do I have the humility to understand that there is a lot to learn and improve. Being egoless helps me continuously learn and progress.

Point to Practice: Today I will learn something from someone really close to me. I will take one point that I feel that I should imbibe from this person. I will consciously work on imbibing this point into my life. 

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris