Conclusions

You may believe that, in a given  situation, the options or conclusions available are only a well-defined number: 1-2-3... You do not accept the idea that there might be others only because your mind cannot rationally see them. Imagine now that you are an instructor: you gave your students a listening test where they had to fill in some blanks according to your reading, which used some words slightly different from the textbook. Later, when you check the test, you realize that most students had written not your words but exactly what was in the book... Your conclusion is that they either had cheated from the book, or one student had memorized the text and passed the answers over to the others. You are sure that nothing else could have happened. Eventually, you find out that, while you were briefly out of the classroom, another instructor had let the students listen to the recording "from the book". Most students had consequently changed the answers!

Possible 'Shift'

You reach a point in life where, if you are 'aware' enough, many things that you had previously learnt and known seem to get overturned. They feel different, they do not ring as convincing as before. You end up non knowing what is true and what is not. How come? What's going on? you may ask yourself. Well, you might be on the verge of a major change, a real shift in your life. What to do? Hard to say. Maybe... just wait and see what happens, without worrying or over-thinking. If the 'quantum leap' takes place, if you are able to see the world from a new perspective, you will have landed on a new level of awareness. If it doesn't, and you find to be still the good old 'yourself', it means that you are not ready yet.

A Difficult Reflection

Why work so hard, worry and struggle to create a wealthy life if you are eventually bound to leave everything behind? Why make plans for an uncertain "future" that may never become "present"? And even if you succeed in carrying out your plans, in realizing your wishes, what for? You shall have to leave everything behind, sooner or later. It is possible that your deep self makes you sometimes wonder about these very difficult questions. The quality of your spiritual life, and consequently of your actions and behaviors, depends on the kind of answers you give yourself. 

Upward, Anyone?

When you are convinced that you own the power to create your life, you can decide in full awareness and freedom what you want to do with your body and with your mind. You understand that they are just means necessary to your spirit so that it can go through the experiences it needs for its progress. This can be considered  a worthy goal indeed. It is a progressive evolution that, on a physical level, must be acquired through worldly experiences. A life seen as a continuous search for the path leading forward and 'upward' cannot come to an end. It is a never ending journey, that apparently started but that will possibly never finish.

Who Is The Boss?

Who decides the kind of thoughts your mind is going to experience? Many people say: This is how my mind thinks and there is nothing I can do. This is the way I am, I cannot change. But...you are not your thoughts. Your own self is something outside the material world, including both your physical and mental body. Unfortunately, sometimes your true self is dimmed by your conditionings. That is why you are unable to realize your strength, your capability to decide what you want to think, in what direction you wish to channel your energy. In a nutshell, the kind of life you want to live. 

Unwelcome Situations

You love Peace, right? You may also believe that, as life is short, wasting time 'fighting' is a foolish choice. Yet, most people seem not to realize such truth. Therefore, you sometimes 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. Does this behavior solve the situation? It usually doesn't. It more often makes it worse. Is there anything you can do? Regretfully, there isn't. Your role can only be that of the impartial onlooker, even if you are forcefully involved.

A Thought of Einstein's

What importance do 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. But...how many yearn to rather become a person of "value"? How many would happily barter a so-called (by the world) successful life for a life of "merit", if they could choose? Not too many - probably. You might like to examine yourself, taking these definitions into consideration.

Success means: getting, achieving, having. 

Value means: principles, standards of behavior, being. 

This question is quite interesting. It is Einstein's.

Two Kinds of 'Seniors'

Some people are old when they are still young. They are bored, apathetic, they behave as nothing new should be expected. They have no enthusiasm or zest for life. On the other hand, some people are considered old only according to the number of their birthdays. They have 'joie de vivre', they enjoy and appreciate every little gift from life. A young old lady, for example, still cares about her looks, she is well-groomed and elegant, she feels at ease dealing with youngsters, she makes plans, is willing to try new ways, learn new things. A young old man does the same. Age hasn't affected their attitude, mood, feelings and behavior. What kind of "old" person are you planning to be?

Changing YOU

Let us say that you are a young person. You look at yourself and are aware of your appearance, character, beliefs, interests etc. You realize what your looks and personality are. Now let us say that you are a mature person: you look at the above features and you see that they have changed to a certain extent: your looks are less youthful, your character, beliefs and interests are most probably not the same as they used to be (or, at least, they are not "exactly" the same). Finally, let us say you are a senior. Same procedure: now you see  that your physical traits are very different, as are your interests and behavior. From this, it is clear that you have gradually witnessed major changes happening in your body and mind. But one question arises: How come that, deep inside, you feel "the same"? You are aware of the physical, mental and emotional changes that have taken place, but you 'know' that the actual YOU hasn't changed a bit. But...where, what, who is IT?

Puzzling Race

In his 2002 book "The Best That Money Can't Buy", American 'futurist' Jacque Fresco asks these questions: "As some fear, will machines enhanced with artificial intelligence, eventually take over? Will people become obsolete?". I believe these questions are worth pondering upon. It is undeniable that modern technology has given mankind many means that make life easier and more comfortable. But...where is all this leading to? If we were to stop here, most might be happy and grateful. Continuing this race towards a never-ending 'progress', can you imagine one or more possible developments? Delving deeper into the matter is left to your imagination (if you think such topic deserves attention).