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Archive for the ‘Attitude’ Category

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Practice Gratitude

Monday, May 14th, 2012

There’s an old saying that if you’ve forgotten the language of gratitude, you’ll never be on talking terms with happiness.

It’s true that our world is pretty messed and up there’s certainly no shortage of justification for disappointment and cynicism. But what are you grateful for? It’s a question that could change your life.

Gratitude means thankfulness, counting your blessings, noticing simple pleasures and acknowledging everything that you receive. It means learning to live your life as if everything was a miracle, and being aware on a continuous basis of how much you’ve been given. Gratitude shifts your focus from what your life lacks to the abundance of what is already present. Surprising life improvements can stem from the practice of gratitude. Giving thanks makes people happier and more resilient, it strengthens relationships and it improves health and reduces stress.

There are many simple things you can do to build positive momentum towards a more happy and positive living and here is one daily practice that can change your entire perspective towards life.

Keep a daily journal of three things you are grateful for. This works well first thing in the morning or just before you go to bed. Make it a practice to tell your spouse, parents, partner or friends something you appreciate about them every day.

Posted in Attitude, Happiness | 3 Comments »

What Do I Do Now?

Monday, February 20th, 2012

Have you ever pondered and asked, ‘What do I do now?’ You may be at a crossroad in your life and may not be too sure how to make your next move. Your ‘ex’ has moved on with someone else but you are still scared to to carry on with the one who loves you OR you may have quit your job because you know for sure that this is not the kind of life you want to live for the rest of your life. But then again, you are not sure what kind of life you want either. Welcome to the world of uncertainty. Be prepared for something greater for uncertainty breeds opportunity.

Even though you are now out of your comfort zone, this does not mean that you shall immediately enter a comfort zone. You look ahead and what lies ahead seems foggy. Do the next best thing. Tune inwards and that will shed some light. Ask yourself, ‘What do I love to do? What are my strengths and talents? How can I best serve the needs of others?’ List all the things that come to your mind including the absurd ones.

Do the next best thing. Pick one that you feel strongly for and take one small step towards it. You may have a strong interest in baking cakes and never fail to receive warm reception to your cakes. You may want to start with taking up a baking course to enhance your skills. Do one thing at a time. Enjoy the moment.

While making your way through the journey of uncertainty, there will be times that you may feel down, lonely and disheartened. It is normal. You may not be able to see far down the road and sometimes wonder if you are moving the right way. Don’t worry too much. Have faith that light will shine on your path every time you take another step. You just need to follow your heart and move from one step to the next. Don’t be overly concerned about what lies several hundred steps away. Stay focused. Be disciplined. Take one step at a time, you will be guided.

Remember that the darkest hour is just before dawn. You will just have to hang in there. And dawn will surely come and that is the time when you shall shine.

Posted in Attitude, Goal Setting, Positive Thinking | 2 Comments »

Your reality is created by YOU

Tuesday, June 7th, 2011

Everybody looks into their life differently. Some feel their life is wonderful while others keep complaining. However, one needs to realize and understand that the life does not treat different people differently. Its different people who treat their life differently. We actually create our own reality.

The meaning of life is not a search – it is a choice. Meaning is not found in things; meaning is what we make of things. The world means nothing by itself. We give it all the meaning it has. Thus, the meaning of life is a choice we make, not just once, but every waking hour of our day.

The moment anything happens to us, we interpret a meaning for it. The meaning we vote for then governs our perception, our thinking, our choices, our feelings, our reactions, our behaviors, everything! Whenever we elect a new meaning, this changes everything. Here is a great key to healing and success.

An event occurs, and it is your interpretation and meaning that decides everything thereafter. There is no universal definition for either good or bad but our thinking makes it so.
For instance:

Two accidents in quick succession may mean God doesn’t care OR you need to take care.

A boss who spends no time with you may mean he doesn’t like you OR he trusts you.

When your beloved doesn’t call it may mean the romance is cooling OR he/she is simply busy.

Losing your lipstick might mean a world emergency OR it’s time to buy some more.

A stain on your shirt might mean a drama OR nothing.

Showing your emotions might be a sign of weakness OR a show of strength.

A failed job interview might mean you lost out OR something even better is in store.

These events mean nothing by itself. Its we who quickly interpret them as “bad” or “good”, “wrong” or “right”. This interpretation governs our thinking and then creates our reality. Fear is not in things; fear is only in the meaning you give things. Pain is not in things; pain is only in the meaning you give things. Change the meaning, and the fear and the pain are transformed.

Whenever you experience any trouble, look at what is troubling you, and ask yourself, “What if ‘bad’ is ‘good’, ‘wrong’ is ‘right,’ and this ‘trouble’ is a ‘gift’?” The fact is, “This could mean anything.” Changing our thoughts this way may help us in changing our interpretation of happening and create a different reality for ourselves. It also helps us to be open and receptive to higher thoughts.

Step one: Declare, “This could mean anything.”

Step two: Suspend all judgments and clear your mind.

Step three: Be open to higher inspiration, a new perception and a more positive interpretation.

Posted in Attitude, Positive Thinking | 4 Comments »

Go for a Change

Monday, June 6th, 2011

Most people tend to resist making changes. They prefer to stay nestled in their comfort zones and feel uneasy about stepping out. How about you? Do you always sport the same hairstyle, go for the same kind of food, dress in your usual colors and shades, take the same route to work everyday? Do you read the same type of books, listen to certain categories of music, look at things from a certain angle, stick to your job even though you are feeling miserable?

Sometimes, it seems ironic that even when we are struggling in the current situation, we still choose to bear with the pain instead of braving into a new situation. It is as though our world will fall apart if we step out of our comfort zone. Moving out of our comfort zone helps us to expand our thought process and then eventually helps us to break barriers we tend to create in our minds. It may feel uncomfortable and awkward at first but it is just like releasing some knots and unblocking our mind.

Change can be a good thing. Change can be interesting. Change can also be life transforming. However, to embrace change, we need to view change as a friend who is here to help us to become better, to become more interesting, to live a better life.

It is easier to start small instead of going for a drastic changeover. So, the next time, be a little more adventurous. Instead of having your regular paneer tikka and butter naan, why not try a foreign food? Instead of listening to soothing music, why not tune in to rock and roll music? Instead of dressing in your earthy tones, perhaps you can add a dash of color. Let your imagination flow. Initially, you may feel uncomfortable, even fearful. Nevertheless, just persist. As you drop your resistance towards change, you are opening the door to welcome better and exciting possibilities into your life.

Have fun exploring. Enjoy the change.

Posted in Attitude, Motivation | 6 Comments »

Accept others as they are; not as how you want them to be

Friday, March 18th, 2011

People come in all shapes, sizes and colours. Different people from different cultures react differently. This is very true. Be warned, that we cannot just judge people and put them into sub categories just because they do something that we do not like. We need to accept others for who they are and not always expect them to be what we want them to be as this is not possible.

Well, I always say that accepting is not a matter. Sooner or later, we automatically accept people but the point is in the way we accept them.

There are two kinds of acceptance:

  1. Accepting others as they are
  2. Accepting others as how we want them to be

When we accept others as they are we stop judging them and become casual for what they are. However, when we accept others as how we want them to be we put up with things we detest and want to reject outright. Here, instead of accepting people, we actually tolerate them.

Each of us has walked a different path, each of us has had different experiences throughout life and these experiences make us who we are. There are a lot of combinations of genetic and environmental factors that finally shape who an individual is and those elements are not in the same permutation for everybody. We all have gone through different situations and circumstances in our lives and the experience we have got from it has made us what we are today. If I would have faced your situations and circumstances, I would be sitting at your place and thinking the way you think and the same applies for any other person. When you meet, see or live with someone, it is important to understand that they are different than what you are and are bound to think in a different manner. Instead of judging them, you need to accept them as they are. We are no one to judge what is right and what’s not. What you feel is right maybe wrong for someone else and vice-versa. Instead of judging right, wrong, good or bad, it is better we accept people as they are and move on in life with an open mentality and better relationships.

Posted in Attitude, Relationships | 7 Comments »

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