Lucky "Characters"

Have you noticed how in family movies and sit-com people keep quarreling almost non-stop, yet at the end they all make peace and have a good laugh? They always find the way to talk their problems over and usually reach a solution that seems sensible and acceptable to all concerned. And, in the next scene, they behave as nothing had happened. Why does it appear so natural on TV and so difficult, almost impossible in real life? Situations are similar, it is stuff that can happen any time to anyone, the characters are people just like you or your neighbor, yet...they don't hold eternal grudges as "you" (or your neighbor) do. Life starts anew in each episode. Aren't they lucky? But, unfortunately, it's all fake.

Locked Box

Imagine the mind as formed by several boxes. Although they are connected, yet each is equipped with a key that can seal and disconnect it from all the others. Surrealistic image? Not really. It is what actually happens when you refuse to acknowledge a situation that is blatantly real. By your behavior, it results evident that you don't "see" what is happening. Why? Because you have willingly locked a specific box (= part) in your brain in order to shut out any unwanted thought or information. In this way, you are able to behave as if the unwelcome situation does not exist and... you feel relieved. But it is an illusory relief. The situation "does" exist and sooner or later the box will necessarily have to be opened.

An Old Song

For sure there is an old song that, when you listen to it, brings back memories. Memories of a time past, when things were easier, happier, when you were younger and full of dreams and hopes. Hearing that tune and those words, how does it make you feel? You may enjoy reminiscing, remembering your younger years, or you may feel sad, being confronted with the expectations you had and the reality you are living right now. Music is a great tool that can give rise to lovely remembrances, to tender feelings towards a past gone forever, while it may also cause sadness, regrets about a present that is not up to your "dreams of glory".

"Love You As You Are" ?

"Love me as I am" is a well-known expression that everybody would like to see followed by everybody else. Basically it means, "Love me in spite of my faults." Although this might sound commendable and selfless, if you reflect more deeply, you realize that, in a way, it is fair only towards "you" (the receiver of love), but not towards "me" (the giver of love). How come? Well, if you are a smoker, I might not find it fair towards myself to become a passive smoke inhaler to spend time with you. If you throw tantrums, I might find it not fair towards myself to have my feelings continuously hurt by your raging fits. Conclusion? I cannot love you as you are "if" you take this as an excuse to continue to be the worse you can be for your selfish convenience.

"Ego" in Disguise

Nowadays many people blather about spirituality but... do they really know its meaning? Spirituality can be defined as a process of personal transformation in accordance with moral and ethical ideals. This said, how many do actually carry out such "process" of inner transformation? Although all seem to know everything about this important concept, very few understand what "spirit" is. Most mistake it for the "ego", which is a master in disguising itself into what each individual wishes to see. Therefore you, too, be careful and don't allow yourself to be misguided by ideas that, under the appearance of "spirituality", are nothing more than "selfishness". 

The Great Magician

Your mind can be tricky. It can behave like a distorting mirror that shows you something different from what is actually there. Imagine that you seriously need to lose some weight but you are looking at yourself in a mirror that makes you thin. You love what you see and disregard what the scales tell you. This is what happens when the way you see yourself makes you act in a way that creates turmoil all around you. You believe that what you do is right while it actually is not. Become aware of the many illusions created by the mind, the great magician that can make you "see" anything you want.

Detachment

Positive Thinking tells us to try to stay detached in facing a difficult circumstance: i.e. be there physically, while remaining emotionally unconcerned. Strangely enough, at times such a situation happens naturally, without any effort on your side. You find yourself in a special occurrence where you feel that what is happening is so absurd that it cannot be real. You are there, you witness what is going on, you even take part in the action, yet everything seems fictitious to your logical mind. However, it isn't. It is authentic and you are in it. But your emotions are detached, possibly even absent. Later, after overcoming the problem, it all appears like a dream to your memory. So... just forget about it!

Your Best Is Enough

The French philosopher Michel de Montaigne wrote, "What we don't know (yet) is nothing compared with what we will never know". Depressing statement? I don't think so. A mystic said that we should aim at the stars although we know that we will never reach them. Or... Maybe we will. No one can tell for sure what is bound to happen. Why not try your best to outdo yourself, to accomplish something special, something worthwhile? Something to be proud of? No need for heroism, just being the best you can be is enough.

Inspiring Others

Don't you think it would be worthwhile to manage your own life in a way that, beside making yourself reasonably happy - as you deserve - you could also be an example for somebody else? Imagine the fulfillment you will experience when someone tells you : "You inspired my life" or "You gave me the courage to go on" or "You provided me with the strength I needed to dare". Your main goal in life is to do good to yourself and, as an immediate consequence, to do good to your fellow human beings. If you think only of yourself you become selfish. The good must be shared because it belongs to all. 

Need a Prophet?

In the olden days it seemed that people needed a spiritual guide, someone to show them the right path, whenever they were conducting themselves in a corrupt, unethical way. Therefore, they got "prophets" and were ready to accept them. What about today? Do people need modern prophets? They probably do, but would they be ready  to listen to a real one? Anyway, what is at hand right now? So-called gurus whose aim is to make money? Stars of the entertainment world who lead the young generation on the path of immorality? Or powerful people who encourage to consider money and control as the highest goals in life?

Water

What would your attitude be towards a "truth" that the 'experts' want you to believe at all costs? A comparison can be made with impure water that people are compelled to taste and accept as pure. Some are uncertain about its freshness but allow themselves to be convinced to believe in it. Others declare that, if that dirty water is the only one available, they won't believe in the existence of any other kind of water. A third group say that, although the water is not limpid, they believe that clear water can be found. And they plan to find it. Eventually, a few actually do find it, many do not.

Does this ring a bell?

Being "Frank"

Someone told 17th century French author La Rochefoucauld:

"Some people speak quite rudely at times but justify their behavior by defining themselves  'frank'. What is their problem?"

He answered:

"We endeavor to make a virtue of the faults we are unwilling to correct."

Learn More

If you remain in your shell, content with what surrounds you and do not wish to learn more, you will keep on leading a repetitive, sometimes dull life, with no wider horizons in sight. On the other hand, being curious can encourage you to read more, to find out about things that will excite your interest. You might discover that you like to know more about the cosmos, exotic food or ancient civilizations and your enthusiasm will grow while you keep exploring new fields or delving deeper into old ones. If Einstein believed that his only special talent was curiosity, what about us? What about "you"?

Your "Greatness"

Do you ever feel that you own an energy much greater than the one you usually employ in your daily life? It is the feeling - seemingly hidden and possibly unknown - of your "greatness", of a skill that you possess but of which you are unaware. If you learn about the life of talented people, both of the past and of the present, you might sense a stirring  in the deepest part of your being whispering that you, too, can do something "special". You don't need to do anything exceptional, just something that makes you able to express who you really are. Wouldn't it be wonderful if you could discover what your hidden talent is and... do something with it?

Changing Attitude

Positive Thinking does not "change" anything. Nor it "distorts" anything, as  some seem to believe. The individual is totally aware of each situation. A positive way of thinking simply helps to acquire the attitude with which to face the situation in the best possible way. Thought intentionally focused has the power to "adjust" a problem by providing the tools for changing one's attitude towards the problem itself. And a changed attitude can perform miracles.

Slayer of the Real

Author Alan Cohen calls the mind "the slayer of the real" and Indian philosopher Krishnamurti expresses a similar belief. The meaning they attribute to it is that, when we are having an experience (from drinking coffee to admiring a sunset), we miss the true essence of the moment because our mind engages in "thinking", i.e. starts to judge the taste of the coffee (too hot, cold, bitter, sweet etc..) or to make comparisons (with a sunset we saw in Hawaii or in Greece etc.). Positive Thinking does not attempt to destroy reality, on the contrary. It shows you that what you believe to be the negative side of reality can be seen from a different viewpoint and thus accepted with a lighter heart.