Winner Or Loser?

I've  read these words on a billboard: "Release You Inner Winner". Good, I thought, they are starting to spread positive advice on a wider scale. Then, when I got nearer and read the words below, I realized that it was the ad for a casino. Ah, they were talking about THAT kind of winner. Encouraging you to gamble, to hope to be a winner while you already know that you will almost surely be a loser. Parallel with life? It happens when you embark in a situation (train of thoughts, conversation, action) that you "hope" will make you able to prove your point, to "win" over another, while deep inside you already know that it's not the best, the fairest, the most loving choice of behavior.

How To Listen

Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote: "There is guidance for each of us, and by LOWLY listening, we shall hear the right word." The adverb "lowly" means in a non pretentious, non arrogant way. Are you - every now and then - arrogant? Do you have an exaggerated sense of your own importance and abilities? As long as you are convinced that you are always right, you won't be able to hear "the right word" that your inner wisdom is whispering to you. "This does not concern me. I am not arrogant", you (and most of us!) will most probably say at this point. Aren't you? Honestly? I dare you to remind yourself of your own thoughts when someone else is expressing a different opinion than yours, to remember your attitude when another behaves in a way you disapprove of... I dare you to deny that you often feel superior, that you believe you know more and better than others. This is the feeling that does not allow you (and most of us!) to actually listen to the voice of your inner guidance, and this is what makes you go on creating contrast and uneasiness in your life.

Self-appreciation

In your life you are continuously striving to achieve what you feel you are lacking. That's why you can be so creative. But you need to be more lenient towards your efforts - unfortunately often fruitless - to attain improvement and progress. You know that you are not perfect and you know that you never will. But you also know that your potential is much greater than it appears at first sight. If you try to overcome what you believe to be your limits, you can  do more than you thought. While doing this, you need to be patient, kind and understanding towards yourself. It is only natural to feel discouraged at times, but it's the non-quitters, the persistent people who reach (at least partially) their goals. And don't forget to appreciate yourself in the process.

Uncertainty

You need to believe in yourself, believe that you can make things happen. It's not always easy to nurture a deep trust in what you are about to undertake. The awareness of the problems you are going to face tries to scare you (It's going to be very difficult!). Self-doubt creeps in (Will I be able to do it?). Uncertainty about the wisdom of your decision worries you (Is it really worth it?). It all depends on how you "feel" about it. If the motivation is strong enough, you'll find the courage to pursue your goal. If, on the other hand, you prefer to tread on the old path, it's also okay. No decision is right or wrong. Whatever you believe is right for you, at any moment of your life, it probably is. But trust, confidence and courage definitely play an important role in the outcome of whatever you decide to do (or not to do).

Are You "Really" Alive?

It is undeniable that you are alive, i.e. you breathe and physically function. But...is this all there is to life? How do you communicate with and relate to others? How well do you perform your duties? How committed are you to your principles? What are your principles? What are your priorities? How deep is your spiritual search? Do you ever question your own behavior? How much do you care for the feelings of others? Are you quick to judge and slow to forgive?  Socrates said that an un-examined life is not worth living. Yes! If you don't become aware of the hidden patterns that rule your thoughts and behavior, you will carry on lingering in a sort of limbo where you definitely don't live up to your potential of human being.

Dig It Up!

If you take the time to examine your own self in depth, you might be surprised to find stuff that you had either forgotten, thought you had released, or decided to ignore. Everything you have experienced so far has left a mark in your spirit that will never be erased. If it's negative stuff that is creating hidden turmoil inside of you, it's up to you to dig it up, re-examine it, process it and, possibly, release it. They say that the brain is more complicated than the most advanced computer. But the inner self is the most mysterious part of your being because - while the brain can be checked, tried, even measured - nothing can give you secure tools for "spiritual examination". All you need is true commitment, sincere desire, a positive attitude and TRUST that you will find what you are looking for.

Climb the Mountain

Don’t you feel  that you are always looking for something, that the circumstances in  your life are never favorable enough, that your needs are not met as much as you wished? You are often anxious, suspicious, it seems that you never learned how to relax and you keep complaining that things are not going your way - at least not all the time!

Why don’t you try to look at situations from a different perspective? Abandon the hill of dissatisfaction and move up the mountain of contentment. The view is wonderful, the horizon is larger. The problems that seemed like insurmountable  boulders have become like pebbles that your foot can easily throw aside. They do not bother you any more,  now more interesting things attract you attention.  How come? Simply because dimensions have been altered.