Enthusiasm
Those who are fired with an enthusiastic idea and who
allow it to take hold and dominate their thoughts find
that new worlds open for them. As long as enthusiasm
holds out, so will new opportunities.
Factors That Shape Our Perception (cont.)
There are four main criteria that may influence how our
perception of reality is distorted or altered (changed).
We had discussed "Mental Positioning" yesterday. Today
we discuss:
Mental Limits
It is said that the solution to important problems we
face cannot be obtained in the same consciousness (state
of mind) we are in when we create them (the problems) -
the consciousness needs to be changed to see the
solution.
Mental limits are those which we have imposed on our
mind. We create these limits ourselves or they can
come as a result of our education, the family
environment and the society in which we live. For
example, at work a mental limit is always thinking in
the same way. So we always take the same decisions and
get the same results. Experience itself may also
generate mental limits. You think you know how to do
certain things and these convictions act as mental
limits. The greater the mental limitation, the greater
will be resistance to change. Due to the mental limits,
we usually have a series of readily prepared responses.
They are excuses and justifications that provide us with
poor results. We are always trying to solve problems
using the same formula and this often causes stress
because we cannot find the answer.
The main mental limits are related to identity. We
create a very narrow and limited image of ourselves. * I
am a man, * I am a woman, * I am a Christian or a
Gujarati, * I'm young, * I'm old, * I am white or black.
The image we have of ourselves may be limited, because
we do not have sufficient knowledge of our own
resources, virtues, values, and identity. A deep
investigation into our inner selves will help us to
change the image we have of ourselves.
(To be continued tomorrow ...)
Soul Sustenance
Practical Ways of Changing Old Habits or Beliefs (Part
2)
Positive Affirmations
Affirmations are promises that we make to ourselves.
They are helpful for breaking negative habits or weak
thoughts that have been created as a result of mistaken
attitudes. Affirmations help to strengthen the mind,
although to be effective there must be acceptance and
understanding behind them. It is interesting to begin
experimenting with them and, later on, we can begin to
create variations of new affirmations, according to our
individual needs.
Here are some examples:
* Today I will experience peace through positivity. I
will see what is good in others and will not think about
what is negative or harmful. I will see others in the
way I would like them to see me. * From now on I will
not judge others. * Today I will speak peacefully and
share peace with everyone around me. I must speak as
softly as I can. * Today I will make the past the past
and look towards the future with a new vision. * Today I
will not react angrily. I will stay calm and in peace
and will not sacrifice this for anyone or any situation.
I must not allow anything or anyone rob me of my peace.
For the affirmation to be effective, we must repeat it
to ourselves often, so that it becomes recorded in our
subconscious. It is also important to proclaim the
affirmations with feeling, believing in them and not in
a monotonous and impersonal voice. As a minimum, you
should repeat each affirmation at least five times a
day. If we listen to something repeatedly, we begin to
believe in it. In reality, this is the origin of the
majority of our beliefs, when as children we heard our
parents tell us things over and over again. Advertising
uses this technique constantly. They create a phrase, a
slogan, and repeat it over and over again in the media
until, finally, people believe it. To be able to control
your life, first you must know and dominate your
beliefs. One way of doing this is through affirmations.
(To be continued tomorrow …..)
Message for the day
Patience brings harmony in relationships.
Expression:
When there is a misunderstanding in a relationship we
hardly put in any effort in order to understand the
other person. We tend to become impatient and we don't
listen to the other person to understand them. Because
of which we start inventing things about them. This only
further increases the misunderstanding.
Experience:
When we have a difference of opinion with someone, we
need to give some time to understand and listen to the
other person. Only then will we be able to understand
the other person's point of view. This practice will
enable us to finish any misunderstanding we have with
others and bring harmony in relationships.
One Step of Courage
Usually when there is a difficult situation there is the
general tendency to experience fear. At the time that
there is courage required, there are fear and negative
feelings. These negative feelings deplete energy and
there is no constructive work done to change the
situation. The understanding that one can do a lot and
reach great heights, enables one to take courageously a
step forward. With each step taken with courage, there
is a hundred-fold help received. Also courage means to
understand the accurate method of achieving things. When
there is this kind of courage, there is a lot of
progress in whatever is being done.