Daily Positive Thoughts: July 19, 2017: No Problem

 

No 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.

8 Keys To Success For Facing Exams (Part 1)

We all live our lives with different types of challenges always in front of us. One of the most important challenge which all of us at some time or the other face is giving a school or college exam, which will determine our future. And such an exam is as important as anything else. We often hear some of our close ones tell us that yes – we have an important exam in the coming days. These are mostly school or college exams and the ones giving them are important to us and we want them to do well in the same.

So, what should I, as a parent or a friend or a relative, give advice to people close to me so that they succeed in exams? A first step in giving exams that are extremely important is being determined and strong mentally and having a positive vision as well as attitude to them. Very often, some very intelligent children or grown-ups don’t do well in their exams. This is because of a lack of concentration which is affected by fear and nervousness. Very very well prepared students with their courses and syllabus, at the last moment, are not able to answer the questions presented to them because their minds are flooded with lots of thoughts. Most of such thoughts are negative ones of failure and the fear of the same. On the other hand, students who are lesser prepared but more strong mentally sometimes do well because their mental stability and the drive to excel positively is a lot more. In this message, we shall explain eight ways of increasing mental strength and focus, which will help students in their exams. They will also help you, even if you are not studying for any exam.

(To be continued tomorrow …)

Purity

A powerful, yet often misunderstood, aim of spiritual study is purity.
Purity of the soul means to return to its original divine qualities.
The soul has become so polluted with less than divine qualities, it can
hardly enjoy being alive. Purifying the soul puts the higher self back
in charge - useless and negative thoughts are removed and annoying
habits finish. A pure soul cannot be touched by sorrow; indeed the
power of purity is such, it serves to remove the sorrow of the whole
world. Purity restores happiness - even bliss. All you need to do, in
order to re-establish your purity, is want it. But you need to want it
intensely, to the exclusion of everything else. The one thought, "I
must become completely pure". sparks a fire of love between you and
God. This fire melts away all the pollution, and your purity becomes
such a power that it frees you from all battles for ever.

Message for the day

To be a giver is to understand others' needs and give accordingly. 

Thought to Ponder:  When there is a conflict, it is easy to expect from others. But, the other person too is expecting from us. Instead, it is important to make an attempt to understand what the other person needs and provide accordingly. For this, I need to be full too. So, I need to ensure that I constantly recharge myself and replenish my inner treasures. 

Point to Practice: Today I will contribute. Whatever is missing, that's what I choose to contribute. If someone is lacking peace, because of which he is shouting, I need to contribute peace. I don't depend on the external situation to get what I have to but I delve within and find what I have to. This helps me contribute what is required. 

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Daily Positive Thoughts: July 18, 2017: You Are What You Think

You Are What You Think

 

When you build a house, every brick counts. When you build a character, every thought counts. You are what you think. Love, purity, peace, wisdom - the more you think of these qualities, the more you will become them.

Applying The Law Of Balance To Anger (Part 2)

Yesterday we had explained how the law of balance can be applied to anger on a smaller level. The same law can also be applied on a larger level. Each time a group of people transmit the negative energy of anger physically to another group of people - at that time, either:
a) one party is disturbing the balance temporarily, which will be restored sometime in the future, by the second party indulging in similar behavior, or 
b) balance is being restored at the present moment (because negative energy had been transmitted from the opposite party to the first party sometime in the past). This balancing must take place, because it's an unbreakable law. This is the law of balance.
This law that does not need to be enforced by us, the police or even by God. It is a natural law like other laws of nature.It gets enforced itself and cannot be broken by anyone. Understanding that this law is embedded in the human state of affairs at all times makes us careful and detached so that we don’t hurt ourselves with violent, toxic thoughts, when someone acts negatively.  We create these kinds of thoughts because we believe this is revenge that is justified. Also, knowing that anger that is radiated comes back doesn't mean we don’t have any laws within society – they are required, but it helps us not to take the law into our own hands. We cannot force justice to take place before its fixed time. We cannot force the balancing of energies of anger. If we trying doing it, it is being egoistic and we only upset the balance of our energies as a result. Even to criticize those who try to take the law into their own hands is to take the law into our hands.

Say farewell

The most powerful anchor on our potential to soar high in life is the
past. The past contains the dead weight of experience, learned beliefs
and all our mistakes. Life cannot truly begin until we are able to say
goodbye to the legacies of yesterday at will. Like a filing cabinet,
the past is a resource of information for learning, but it is not a
place to live. When you go to work do you spend your day in the filing
cabinet? How often will you/did you live in the past today? Say goodbye
and make it final. Saying farewell to yesterday, last month and last
year is the sign of a person who wants to live for today and is truly
alive to all the possibilities of 'the moment', while fully aware that
all they think, say and do right now, creates tomorrow.

relax7

Message for the day

To appreciate all scenes of life is to remain happy and cheerful. 

Thought to Ponder: Every scene in my life has a reason and I need to appreciate that reason. Each scene is an opportunity to express my inherent talent (some quality of mine). If I do not use that quality which I need to use in that scene and slip into some negativity, I have lost the opportunity to act out well in that scene and missed out the joy of my role in the scene. So, I need to ensure that I enjoy every scene of life beautifully. 

Point to Practice: Today I will remain happy. Happiness is a choice and I choose to be happy. Everything that is happening has a reason - I understand and appreciate that reason. So, whatever happens, I choose happiness. I understand that there is no meaning in all that I do, if I don't do it with happiness. 

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Daily Positive Thoughts: July 17, 2017: Personal Change

Personal Change

When you do not upset yourself thinking about how others must change and instead you concentrate on your own change, good things start to happen. First, you will feel better about yourself. Second, you will start to have positive feelings towards others and start to understand them. Third, others start having a more positive attitude towards you. There are many hidden benefits in personal change.

Applying The Law Of Balance To Anger (Part 1)

We are all very much aware of the law of gravity. It keeps us grounded on the earth. Gravity ensures everything returns to a state of balance. This is the law of balance on a physical level.

The law of balance can also be applied on a mental and emotional level, to the emotion of anger e.g.  Too many angry thoughts of revenge and animosity (hatred) inside our consciousness can emerge in two ways:

a) either externally as toxic, violent behavior, which will attract toxic, violent responses from others, or

b) if these thoughts are kept bottled inside, they will eventually, after a period of time, emerge as some disease or the other in the physical body. This is because our consciousness then tries to find a way to get rid of the mental impurity, which enters our physical body and restores balance to the mental and physical system, which has been upset due to the creation of the toxic thoughts, in the first place. 

The above e.g. is an application of this law on a micro level. We can apply this law of balance on a macro level, on the world at large, where we watch groups of people, even countries exchanging negative energy. We shall explain that in tomorrow’s message. 

(To be continued tomorrow…)

Know Yourself

Only in relationships 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 the sorrow. Poverty lies in running away from
this, either in its sublimations or its identities

Message for the day

To appreciate all scenes of life is to remain happy and cheerful. 

Thought to Ponder: Every scene in my life has a reason and I need to appreciate that reason. Each scene is an opportunity to express my inherent talent (some quality of mine). If I do not use that quality which I need to use in that scene and slip into some negativity, I have lost the opportunity to act out well in that scene and missed out the joy of my role in the scene. So, I need to ensure that I enjoy every scene of life beautifully. 

Point to Practice: Today I will remain happy. Happiness is a choice and I choose to be happy. Everything that is happening has a reason - I understand and appreciate that reason. So, whatever happens, I choose happiness. I understand that there is no meaning in all that I do, if I don't do it with happiness. 

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Daily Positive Thoughts: July 16, 2017: Point of view

Daily Positive Thoughts: July 16, 2017:  Point of view

 “The Thinker” Sculptor: Rodin

Point of view

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 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.

Success In Your Stride (Part 3)

When told for the first time, we all think that isn’t it a little natural to be a little egoistic when coming into contact with people who are connected to us in our roles of success. Also sometimes some of us, in the wave of success, think it’s fine to order around people, either our family members or other people who come in contact with us. This could be at the workplace or in the spiritual service of humanity or for that matter any sphere of action. But do we remember, the moment we try and control people, we will stop influencing them and our ability to bring about changes in them reduces. And a successful person without the ability to influence people’s opinions and bring the same in the favour of a common cause is like a ship without a rudder, which is used to steer a ship or change its direction. He cannot steer or change people as per the demands of the role of success and make it even more successful. Also, many people leave their basic goodness after having achieved something. Often, we see many people, after having become successful, talking rudely to others, taking for granted the others’ good behavior and also seeing them as inferior. Success seems to bring for them, on the surface, the negative personality characteristics which were not a part of their natures before becoming successful. So, for them, success is temporary because a sweet natured individual, after having tasted success, can truly be called successful.

Also, success for some, takes them away from the Supreme. On the other hand, for some a relationship with the Supreme is strengthened because he has blessed them directly or indirectly with the gift of success – that belief is strong. There are many examples of successful people who became better people after becoming successful. How do we remain egoless after success? Love for God is the deepest and purest love in which surrendering the ego becomes very easy. It is said commonly at the Brahma Kumaris – the return of the love and success that God showers on us is to turn or transform ourselves. So keeping praising the Sweet Lord in success and remain seated on the throne of pure pride or self-esteem. And in return of that, he will fill your life with more and more success, admiration, praise, respect, love and good wishes from each one.

Keep it simple

Live simply so that others may simply live. It's a nice idea, but our
lives are more complicated and complex than ever. What can you simplify
today - your desk, perhaps your thoughts, a meeting? Simple means easy.
Simple means asking, "Is this really necessary?" Simple means keeping
it short but sweet. Simple means keeping the focus of your attention on
what you need to do now. Today's mantra is, "lets keep it simple."relax7

Message for the day

To look at positive in people is to relate to them well. 

Thought to Ponder: Seeing positive in people earns me multiple benefit. One, I will be able to keep my mind free from negativity. Two, for having seen the positive side of people, I will be able to encourage them to use that aspect of theirs when in interaction with me. Three, I will also be able to earn their good wishes as I am relating to them positively under all circumstances. 

Point to Practice: Today I will only have good wishes for everyone I meet. I will take a good thought for everyone dear to me and also for the ones I come into contact with. For today, I will not think negative about anyone. If the thought does come, I will postpone it. 

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Daily Positive Thoughts: July 15, 2017: React Positively

 

Paintings by Lisa Adams

React Positively

Our first reaction to a difficult situation is often negative. There is a tendency to be carried away in a storm of negative thoughts. Such thoughts are of no use and lead us further from the solution.

Thinking one positive thought everyday helps me to maintain stability. Constant practice will help me remain stable even in the most difficult circumstances.

Success In Your Stride (Part 2)

Success stories across the world are measured for their worth not just by what was achieved in a particular life sphere. They are also seen by how the people excelling in their field took success in their stride. Also, how much did they dedicate the success to the Higher Power with the wisest intellect and the one responsible for bringing them the success directly or indirectly. We commonly say Thank God in our thought prayers to him. This has been done since hundreds of years. But do we ever be an embodiment of that i.e. do we really, in our interactions with others and in our sacred space of our mind be completely sweet and humble in living our success. Our success should be filled with the fragrance of God’s love and a dignified and humble feeling of servantship dedicated to the Supreme. Only then, will we be called completely successful.
There was once a daughter of a farmer in a far off land, who was married to the richest prince of that particular time. She started ruling the kingdom with the newly crowned king with much pride and confidence. There was no one in the kingdom who did not look up to her. She controlled the treasure of the kingdom, which included ruling many far off lands. From a simple village girl, she had the whole kingdom giving her the respect and praise, reserved for the highest of the highest. All was good, until slowly over a period of time, she starting becoming arrogant and her relationship with the successful king and the people of the kingdom starting suffering. She forgot that this sudden change in her fortune was a gift of her noble actions that she had performed in her past births. Also to maintain the rich fortune that she had earned, she had to continue her noble actions i.e. she had to remain egoless and sweet because that is the first sign of nobility. Also, she forgot that a humble leader, before ruling people had to rule their hearts, which is the sign of a true leader. When that happened, people of the kingdom starting remaining away from the queen and she starting being seen with disrespect and she lost all that she had earned. So success can come crashing down in a few moments or days if not maintained by remaining noble and humble. 

(To be continued tomorrow …)

Quietness

Have you ever wondered why libraries have special atmospheres? They are places where many congregate but where silence is the code. Quietness in an atmosphere means there is the presence of quiet minds, and quiet minds are not only relaxed, they can concentrate easily and create more freely. Imagine you are in the library of your mind, browsing the accumulated wisdom on the shelves of your life - listen to the silence,
be aware of the stillness. Now you can really listen. Now you can
really hear. Now you can really think. Now you can create. And behold,
you are an artist. Did you not know that silence and creativity are
lovers?relax7

Message for the day

To have the right understanding is to have the ability to finish the past. 
Thought to Ponder: What happened in the past continues to bother me, unless I make an attempt to resolve it. When I bring understanding to the incident, I am able to finish the pain of the past. That means I need to learn something from it, or see some benefit that has come from it. Either way, once I resolve, I would find myself moving forward with lightness, without the burden from the past. 

Point to Practice: Today I will resolve one thing of the past that is bothering me. I will take some time and try and bring meaning to what happened. There is surely something that it was trying to teach, if I am open to learning. So, today I will get to the bottom of the situation and take the learning. 

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris