Good For You!

If you say you are aware of what you are doing, you - hopefully - mean that you are  conscious of the importance of your action, that you pondered well before undertaking it and that you also know what its consequences might be. Is THIS, honestly,  the attitude that guides your life? Do you always know, really know, what you want to say and do, why you are saying and doing it, where your words and deeds will take you, what influence they might have upon yourself and others? If you are able to do this, good for you – indeed! You are then perfectly safe and protected against any afterthought, resentment, or blame. You shall neither regret what you did or the way you did it, nor feel the need to blame others for your mistakes. You shall always be ready to gladly take over your own responsibilities, independently from your behavior, be it either positive or negative.

Real or Fake?

At times, you might have the feeling that your life is not totally real. Yes, you live intensely, you feel joy and pain, love and resentment, satisfaction and depression…. the whole range of feelings and sensations that make your life fully "felt". BUT? Is it possible that you created a world for yourself that is not exactly true? As in a dream, you undergo experiences which seem to be real; you meet people, you perceive places and things that may not exist in reality. You experience life in such a way that, even when you are awake, you behave as if you were dreaming. Why? Could it be because you don't see people and things as they actually are, but as you interpret & judge them?

Imaginary Monsters

What you usually do is analyze, compare and judge. You were taught to do so, this is the example you were given, that’s why you cannot do otherwise. The mind, in order to think of something (it can’t help doing it!), not only does it make you miss the experience of fully enjoying the beauty that surrounds you. It also makes you create real "monsters" in your imagination, absurd fears and worries that have no true substance. It’s impossible to say if, in spite of your willpower, you will ever be capable of freeing yourself from this habit of always having to think. It has become a second nature to you but, if you are really willing to do something about it, you can at least start looking at things with "new" eyes, TRYING to see people and situations in their reality and not as your judgment makes you perceive them. Believe it or not, it's all in your "imagination"!

Worthy Questions

Be ready... Questions galore! How do you want the rest of your life to be? Have you ever really asked yourself such a question? Maybe it’s time you did. Look at your past, quickly, with neither judgment nor regret. Now look at your present. Is it similar to your past? Do you like it? Is there anything you would like to change? And now... ask yourself how you envision your future. Like your past? Like your present? Is there anything you could do to create a future that could be better than the present? Any “adjustments” to make? I know... I know... It’s a lot to think about. But, as your mind is always thinking anyway, can’t you dedicate just a few moments to reflect on something that is of paramount importance? YOUR OWN LIFE?

The People in Your Life

I have often wondered about the importance of people in our life. All those we meet leave an impression on us. Some just make a quick appearance and disappear without a trace, others remain for a while, a few are here to stay. It may happen that someone who had vanished (you thought for good) miraculously re-appear, bringing back all the good memories you have, the good times you shared, the good feelings their presence created in you. The ones I am a bit doubtful about are the people whom you met, you briefly dealt with and who then left the scene.You have no feelings toward them, they did neither bad nor good, they were "apparently" a useless interlude in the play of your life. Why were they there? You believe they meant absolutely nothing to you, yet you "had to" deal with them for a certain period of time. I am still trying to understand WHY they were there.

Edgy Situations

You love Peace, right? You don't like to be involved in conflicts, you prefer to avoid heated confrontations, you wish everybody could be serene and establish good relationships with everybody else. After all, you think, what's the use of fighting? of criticizing? of opposing? Life is short and wasting even one precious moment in recriminating is a foolish choice. Yet, most people seem not to realize such truth. Therefore, you forcefully find yourself in situations you loathe and cannot do anything about. People you know, love or care for don't miss the opportunity to judge, disapprove of each other, break a relationship, hold a grudge etc. Too sad! Does this behavior solve the situation? Certainly not. On the contrary, it makes it worse. Is there anything you can do? Regretfully, there isn't. Your role can only be that of the impartial onlooker. You might suffer from the edgy situation but, on the other hand, you can only tell yourself that, after all, it's none of your business, it's not your responsibility. It might help you feel a little better.

Understanding

To learn to really understand others you can start by examining yourself. Your first question might be: “How does what I am going to do now make me feel? At ease, or not?” Your inner self will answer and you shall know. Do not expect to hear what you “want” to hear. Most of all, you need honesty and open mindedness. If you trick yourself, who will be hurt in the end? When you know yourself better, you can perceive the reasons behind attitudes and behaviors of others as well. You can thus become more available to listen and to share, be less critical, less prone to be offended or grumble at any tiny provocation. You can change for the better, when you “understand”!

Stuck In A Rut?

Do you feel the temptation to stop where you are right now? You have reached your initial goals, you have a job, you may be already retired, you have a family, you have a good time with your hobbies and with your friends. Therefore you think you have fulfilled your responsibilities as a human being, haven't you? But... have you really? If you analyze your deepest feelings, you’ll realize that this is not enough. It’s definitely okay to be contented with what you have but, at the same time, you must not remain stuck in the same position, day after day…after day….  How dull!! There is always something new to be done, to be looked for, to be experienced, to be discovered in yourself  (and outside!) that will make you feel more satisfied and fulfilled. New achievements are awaiting you! Skeptical on this point? Try and see.

Required Equipment

Your life experience and knowledge are enough to get you started on your “journey”. It is the equipment you need, but it can only be of help in preparing your plans, it cannot execute them for you. Once you are well equipped with boots, ropes and nails, you are ready to start climbing a high mountain. But the actual climbing is your own task, no one can do it for you. Both knowledge and material means give you trust in your capabilities. Do not accept mediocrity! As long as you do not dare to go ahead and beyond your perceived limitations, you will never know what you are capable of achieving. Even if you make a mistake, it does not really matter. Each lesson you learn, each step you take – no matter how small – are useful bricks in the construction of your destiny. Just try to understand the cause of your mistake – what you did wrong and why – and do your best to correct your behavior, or attitude, or belief. That is ALL you need to do.

Useless Strife

How often is your spirit totally relaxed? Aren’t you, more often than not, “worried”?  Looking for more success, endeavoring to be better than others, trying to prove your point no matter what. You, like most people, are not willing enough to accept opinions that do not comply with yours because, unconsciously, you consider them dangerous for your own individuality. In reality, no one needs to “prevail” over another. Each human being has a specific place in the great pattern of Life: a place that is his or her own, that will never be taken by anybody else. So…why worry and strife to prove your worthiness, to show that you are "right"?

Success versus Value

Today, I invite you to reflect upon the importance you give to "success". Everybody wishes to become a successful person, to achieve important goals, to be acknowledged and admired. No harm in that, it is a totally human desire. Now, let us see how many yearn to rather become a person of "value". How many would happily barter a "successful" life for a life of "merit", if they could choose? Not too many? Examine yourself, taking these definitions into consideration.

Success means: 

getting, achieving, having. 

Value means: 

principles, standards of behavior, being. 

I find this question quite interesting. It is not an idea of mine, though. It is Einstein's!

The Right Place

The circumstances of your life led you to a place where you feel quite comfortable. And this is good. But, on the other hand, you might have the sensation that you are only comfortable "enough", that where you are now is not totally "home". You may wonder if it would be advisable to dare to look for a change, to move away, to step aside, to leave something behind. Making new choices is always scary because no one likes the idea of jumping without knowing what their feet will land onto. But life encourages you to be brave and take the courage to step out of your comfy zone. Avoiding challenges suits the lazy, daring to face them is for the bold. 

Never Alone!

You might be one of those people who don't like to spend time alone because it makes them feel bored, neglected, lonely. But, nowadays, the modern technology has eliminated such "malaise". Aren't you lucky? You can get rid of such feeling of discomfort by simply using your fingertip. A slight touch and ... here are all your friends displayed in front of you. There are so many services, apps etc. you can choose from...You can write, talk, message, communicate with many people virtually at the same time. You feel connected to the whole world, the whole time...You are brought to believe that even people you hardly know, or don't know at all, are your "friends". You can proudly say the the word "loneliness" has become obsolete. May we expect to find it deleted from the next dictionary edition?

Just To Please you!

Don't you usually expect the surrounding reality to change in order to please you? And when things do not go the way you wish, you are immediately ready to blame others. An alarm clock that did not ring, a moody friend, a bothersome noise... Many are the occasions you face in the course of the day that make you complain about people, things, circumstances. Ask yourself how often you are intolerant. If the alarm clock did not ring, most probably “you” forgot to wind it, or maybe the battery is used up. Nevertheless, deep inside you still secretly feel that the world should move according to your wishes, that other people should behave the way you like or that you need ... for your personal pleasure or benefit.