Do You Carry A Moral Compass?
This day I breathèd first–time is come round,
And where I did begin, there shall I end.
My life is run his compass.
~Shakespeare
We all have a moral compass. A magnificent intangible tool to guide us through the journey of existence in this life. As a fan of self-inquiry, I came across a terrific website that contains a understandable description of moral compass. The site is called www.moralcompass.com:
‘A useful way to think about your “moral compass” is to think of it like an ordinary compass with true North representing Integrity, South – Forgiveness, East -Compassion, and West – Responsibility. These four universal principles are honored in some form by people of all races and religions, regardless of gender.’
Pretty cool, huh? Want to try something interesting? Fred Kiel, Ph. D. and Doug Lennick collaborated in creating an assessment that gives you an indication of what kind of of moral compass you currently possess. Click here to take the free assessment.
I am also a fan and subscriber of a website called Good Life Zen. A site maintained and contributed to by Mary Jaksch. An individual passionate about supporting people who want to lead a happier and more meaningful life. Mary recently shared on her a site a wonderful article written by Leah McClellan. An article congruent with the “Moral Compass” awareness. I share it forward with you below.
5 crucial reasons to carry a moral compass
This morning I took advantage of warmth and sunshine to do some early spring cleanup in my front lawn.A few dried-out clumps of tall ornamental grasses should have been cut back in the fall, and their long stalks have been blowing around the neighborhood all winter.It was time to take care of business.I raked and picked up in my neighbor’s yard first, all the while hoping they wouldn’t come home.
The relationship has been strained. I don’t know what’s going on, but their attitude toward me has gone into negative territory, and for my own peace of mind I’ve kept a polite distance.
I’ve felt a little hurt and annoyed, but that doesn’t mean it’s OK for my ornamental grasses to be scattered like hay all over their lawn.
A small part of me didn’t feel like doing them any favors. But that wasn’t a favor—it was a responsibility. The dried-out grass stalks were mine, and there’s no reason they should litter my neighbor’s lawn. Ergo, clean it up.
Very simple. Cut and dried.
I hope we’ll be friendly once again, but meanwhile I might as well keep things as peaceful as possible.
following my moral compass is a big help.
I often depend on it.
A few years ago, a different neighbor expressed surprise and gratitude that I didn’t respond angrily when he complained about my bamboo popping up in his yard.
Why should I be angry? I’d been meaning to install a barrier to keep the invasive roots of my little bamboo stand from spreading, but I was too late. It was my responsibility.
Again, cut and dried. I dug up the roots, smoothed out the soil, and replanted grass in the neighbor’s yard. I also installed the root barrier on my side. Easy-peasy.
i keep my compass close wherever i go, even while driving.
My compass says it’s not OK to yell at people or curse at them; instead, I want to be compassionate. This keeps me in line when someone lays on the horn and flips a finger at me for tardiness after the light turns green.
That doesn’t mean I don’t feel like giving someone an earful sometimes or that I haven’t ever. Far from it. But it’s not worth the aggravation.
knowing my ground rules keeps a lot of peace in my life even during stressful times.
I admit it’s hard to keep the compass pointing due north when a situation involves someone close to me, someone who can hurt me far deeper than any neighbor ever could.
But even though I don’t always follow it perfectly, my moral compass stops me from going down a path to nowhere—doing or saying something I’d truly regret.
And it also protects me from others who aren’t following the same kind of compass that I follow.
do you carry a moral compass?
I don’t mean a list of rules and regulations based on religion, traditional morality, or rules your parents instilled in you that you follow blindly, though many of those guidelines are great.
I mean a custom-designed, uniquely-your-own, tailored-to-fit moral compass that you lean on when the going gets tough.
some of the direction points on my compass look like this:
- Respect others no matter who they are and expect the same
- Be helpful to others and ask for help when I need it
- Honor promises and obligations and apologize when I can’t
- Stick with honesty and expect the same from others
- Acknowledge, validate, or say thanks whether in person or online
- Assume goodness in others and know they’re doing their best
- Remove myself when someone’s best isn’t in my best interest
I have many more like that in different categories—public life, friends, close relationships—but you get the idea. I don’t always live up to them as well as I might, but if I’m lost, I know how to find my way again.
Here are five crucial reasons to keep a moral compass in your pocket at all times.
1. A moral compass provides guidelines in tricky situations.
Let’s say you’re on a second or third date with someone you hardly know. He’s pushy in a way that’s uncomfortable. Or she’s getting a little too physical way too soon for you. You want to slow things down tactfully, but how? Your moral compass gives you the confidence to say “I really want to know you better first” before things get out of hand.
2. A moral compass can make up for shortcomings.
Maybe you’re traveling and get lost in a small town where you don’t speak the language—and nobody speaks yours. What do you do? Rely on courtesy, humility, and respect to ask for help and get you back on a well-traveled road. Gestures and drawing pictures help, too, but more people want to help someone who’s pleasant than someone who isn’t.
3. A moral compass can keep love alive.
In any close relationship, conflicts happen. Lovers get hurt, partners get frustrated, children get angry. Deciding on “the right thing” to do, no matter how difficult, can mean the difference between a screaming, cursing, blaming session or weeks of silence and a conflict resolved in a way that works for everyone. Of course, what that “right thing” is might have to get figured out first.
4. A moral compass can protect you.
My moral compass says it’s not OK to be rude to me, lie to me, speak disrespectfully to me, or in any way treat me poorly, especially not as a pattern or without explanation and discussion. This is often called boundaries, and it gives me confidence to move forward in a situation or step back—or even out.
5. A moral compass can help your business flourish.
Morality in business? Sure. Whether it’s called business ethics or a moral compass, what company survives with unfriendly, unhelpful customer service? How long do employees last, assuming they have a choice, if management belittles them, treats them unfairly, or makes unethical decisions that affect everyone? I’ve heard Steve Jobs was near impossible to work with, but surely the rewards offset the difficulties.
Back to the neighbors and my errant grass stalks turning their lawn into a hayfield.
Maybe they didn’t notice. Or didn’t care. It doesn’t matter. I know I’m doing my small part in being a good neighbor.
doing “the right thing” never hurts, and it might help.
But if I didn’t keep my moral compass in my pocket, I might say “Oh, to heck with it. They’ve been rude to me, so why be nice to them?”
But why feed the flames?
I like my neighborhood, and though it’s not always Pleasantville, my moral compass keeps it from becoming Nastyville. At least on my side of the street.
Leah McClellan is a writer and copyeditor dedicated to peaceful living and helping other writers develop their craft.
Self-Inquiry Homework: What about you? Do you carry a moral compass? How does it help you? Write what you discover in a personal journal.
Once Upon A Time …
by Michelle Maynard Koenig
Once upon a time there was a girl
who feared happiness
. . . now she laughs
who feared to speak
. . . now releases her voice
who feared imperfection
. . . now dances with truth
who feared death
. . . now trusts life
who feared love
. . . now introduces her soul to everyone
who feared tomorrow
. . . now welcomes today
who feared yesterday
. . . now recognizes its lessons
who feared the burden of doubt
. . . now soars on the wings of courage
Once upon a time there was a girl
who journeyed into her own;
nothing is ever as bad as it seems
nor is it as good as it can only be.
She finds the possible in the impossible
and life is like a dream.
Who Do I Have To Hate To Be Your Friend?
Who do I have to hate to be your friend?
When are we gonna see us is them?
Unforgiveness is the prison we are living in.
Who do I have to hate to be your friend?
Hello Mother, alone, we regret to inform you
That someone you love is not coming home.
Charles and Maggie, Thomas and Stephen,
Body for body, we call it “getting even.”
Ahmed, Mohammed, David and Abdul,
Along with Jameela, won’t make it to school.
Boaz and Leah, Jonas and Chavez are carried away.
Tell me which ones to grieve and which ones to celebrate.
Who do I have to hate to be your friend?
When are we gonna see us is them?
Unforgiveness is the prison we are living in
Who do I have to hate to be your friend?
Rage, like poison, we swallow the pill,
Making us sicker each day,
When it’s them we are trying to kill
We build a wall that’s unbending with shame.
Lands and languages differ but our pain is the same.
Haasad is wailing and mourning Ameer,
Joseph’s son Joseph is supposed to be here,
The blast – it happened so fast, Johnny could not get clear,
And the cry of his newborn son he’ll never hear.
Who do I have to hate to be your friend?
When are we gonna see us is them?
Unforgiveness is the prison we are living in.
Who do I have to hate to be your friend?
Who do I have to hate to be your friend?
(These introspective words were written by Bret Martin, aka “The Cancer Crooner,” from Santa Rosa; Tommy Smothers performed “Who Do I Have To Hate To Be Your Friend?” during a 2007 Live Vegas Stage Show at the Orleans Hotel, the video can be viewed HERE.)
No Apologies
by Michelle Maynard Koenig
I make no apologies for smiling
where light of the heart contrasts the darkness of fear;
I make no apologies for honesty
in witnessing my soul embracing itself in another soul;
I make no apologies for inquiring
the divine greater-than-I-am-and-know that expands boundaries of awareness;
I make no apologies for gratitude
for all that sustains;
I make no apologies for harmony
the concerto of life;
I make no apologies for love
the source of everything;
I make no apologies for being
everything and nothing
an infinite masterpiece.
Do You Know Your “No?”
“Live your daily life in a way that you never lose yourself. When you are carried away with your worries, fears, cravings, anger, and desire, you run away from yourself and you lose yourself. The practice is always to go back to oneself.” – Thich Nhat Hanh
Learning to Say “No” – It May Be Easier Than You Think
by Sandra Pawula
When someone asks you for time, pause. Tune into the alarms that are telling you the truth:
- Your stomach tightening
- Feeling annoyed
- A flattening of joy
- A pulling back
- A forced smile
- A voice in your head that wants to respond, “Are you out of your mind?”
Practice new scripts so you can say no with grace.
- “Thank you for asking, I would be happy to help. I charge XYZ. Are you ready to start?”
- “I’m honored you asked, but I won’t be able to help right now.”
- “Let me think about it. I’ll get back to you tomorrow.”
Avoid saying “yes” right off the bat. Take your time and examine the pros and the cons. Ask yourself seriously if the new task fits comfortably in the agenda of your life. If it’s hard to say “no” in person or on the phone, then send an email or letter instead.
If you still want to give, remember you don’t have to give it all. You really can give an hour instead of a whole day. You can offer one idea instead of preparing a full essay. So consider how you can give in a balanced and workable way. Determine your limits and state them in a clear and confident voice. Others will be grateful when you mark a straight line.
When I practiced saying “no”, I discovered it was easier than I ever thought. “Hey, I can do this! I’ve done it once!” The slogan “Just Do It” applies like a charm. I was then encouraged to go on a 30-day fast from saying “yes” to others instead of myself.
You’ll find most people aren’t bothered. They will adjust. They’ll sort out the problem all by themselves or find another friend who can assist. Often, “indispensability” is just a phantom we’ve conjured up in our own head. In reality, life carries on just fine without us.
Understand Your True Purpose
Knowing your true purpose is the the best way to stay on track.
- “What is my personal mission?”
- “Why am I in this life?”
- “Is it to give endless favors or to accomplish a larger goal?”
These are the questions next in line to ask. They will take you one step further to saying a full “yes” to yourself.
Design each day with your mission at the top of the list. By staying true to your ultimate purpose, you will accomplish the greatest good and serve others in a far more effective and intentional way.
Ready to Say “Yes” to You?
Getting to “yes” is a journey, there’s no miracle pill. Chances are your adrenalin will pump the first few instances you reclaim your time. But the sense of liberation will also bring you great joy. So just keep moving forward whatever tests come your way. It will get easier and easier as each victory seeds the next.
No matter how long you’ve been over-giving, you can bring it to a stop. If I can do it after eons of relentless giving, I know you can too.
Sandra Pawula is a freelance editor, writer, and inner explorer. She shares simple wisdom for a happy life at Always Well Within.
The Last Meeting of Two Brothers: A Love Story
When you attain, when you are aware, increasingly you will not be bothered about labels like “awake” or “asleep.” One of my difficulties here is to arouse your curiosity but not your spiritual greed. Let’s come awake, it’s going to be wonderful. After a while, it doesn’t matter; one is aware, because one lives. The unaware life is not worth living. And you will leave pain to take care of itself. ~Anthony De Mello
| This is the story of the first meeting between two brothers, their last meeting, and of family events that took place in the interval. THE FIRST MEETING On the afternoon of the 29th of July 1944, a 13-year-old boy ran from his home to visit his mother in a maternity hospital in Bombay, India. His thoughts ran faster than his legs, for the hour of destiny had arrived. The boy’s future would be golden as he planned—if the newborn sibling were male. But the boy’s future would be of iron—the iron of an apprenticeship in the railways—if the sibling were female. The 13-year-old boy was Tony deMello, and I was the newborn infant. When Tony saw me, he said with joy: “… So now I can become a Jesuit priest!” THE LAST MEETING He was in the United States to conduct seminars on spirituality via a satellite linkup with 600 colleges in the US and Canada, and I was in Manhattan, sent by my Australian employers to work on a particularly interesting global project. In a telephone conversation earlier that day Tony had assured me that he had recovered from jet lag after the long flight from India. But as the evening progressed Tony complained of stomach unease. This should have rung warning bells in me…Tony NEVER complained…he was always at peace with whatever fate dealt him. After dinner we sat in a room to chat, and he left me briefly to take some medication. It did not help. What was planned as a few precious hours spent together was cut short by his increasing discomfort. He said he was tired and wished to retire early. |
 © Copyright Bill deMello Before parting, we agreed to meet later in the year at his Retreat House in India. Our last minute was spent in a big hug and we farewelled each other with choked emotion. The next morning Tony was found dead on the floor of his room. A day later Tony’s body was laid out in the chapel of Fordham University. He looked so vibrantly alive that I could neither believe nor accept that he was dead. I broke down and sobbed … we had much unfinished spiritual business left unresolved. I went through the usual feelings of anger … Why did he have to die? Of sadness … I will never see him again. Of pain and guilt … I should have guessed he was going in for a heart attack and done something about it. Mostly of shock and disbelief … How could a seemingly healthy man, who had been given a clean bill of health by an eminent US heart specialist only months earlier, die of a heart attack? Should we call it fate, destiny, or God’s will? Those questions will remain unanswered till we brothers meet again; who knows where, who knows when. |
Until his sudden death on June 2, 1987, Fr. Tony de Mello was the director of the Sadhana Institute of Pastoral Counseling near Poona, India. Author of five best selling books, renowned worldwide for his workshops, retreats, and prayer courses, he aimed simply to teach people how to pray, how to wake up and live.
Most people, he maintained, are asleep. They need to wake up, open up their eyes, see what is real, both inside and outside of themselves. The greatest human gift is to be aware, to be in touch with oneself, one’s body, mind, feelings, thoughts, sensations.
For more information on the Anthony De Mello and his teachings, please visit www.demellospirituality.com. The site contains spiritual themes and exercises that can enrich and transform your life.
Chung Fu: Inner Truth
Nine at the beginning [yang at bottom] means:
Being prepared brings good fortune.
If there are secret designs, it is disquieting.Nine in the second place means:
A crane calling in the shade.
Its young answers it.
I have a good goblet.
I will share it with you.Six in the third place means:
He finds a comrade.
Now he beats the drum, now he stops.
Now he sobs, now he sings.Six in the fourth place means:
The moon nearly at the full.
The team horse goes astray.
No blame.Nine in the fifth place means:
He possesses truth, which links together.
No blame.Nine at the top means:
Cockcrow penetrating to heaven.
Perseverance brings misfortune.
(Chung Fu [I Ching])
The wind blows over the lake and stirs the surface of the water. Thus visible effects of the invisible manifest themselves. The hexagram consists of firm lines above and below, while it is open in the center. This indicates a heart free of prejudices and therefore open to truth. On the other hand, each of the two trigrams has a firm line in the middle; this indicates the force of inner truth in the influences they present.
The attributes of the two trigrams are: above, gentleness, forbearance toward inferiors; below, joyousness in obeying superiors. Such conditions create the basis of a mutual confidence that makes achievements possible. The character of fu (“truth”) is actually the picture of a bird’s foot over a fledgling. It suggests the idea of brooding. An egg is hollow. The light-giving power must work to quicken it from outside, but there must be a germ of life within, if life is to be awakened.
THE LINES
Nine at the beginning means:
Being prepared brings good fortune.
If there are secret designs, it is disquieting.
The force of inner truth depends chiefly on inner stability and preparedness. From this state of mind springs the correct attitude toward the outer world. But if a man should try to cultivate secret relationships of a special sort, it would deprive him of his inner independence. The more reliance he places on the support of others, the more uneasy and anxious he will become as to whether these secret ties are really tenable. In this way inner peace and the force of inner truth are lost.
Nine in the second place means:
A crane calling in the shade.
Its young answers it.
I have a good goblet.
I will share it with you.
This refers to the involuntary influence of a man’s inner being upon persons of kindred spirit. The crane need not show itself on a high hill. It may be quite hidden when it sounds its call; yet its young will hear its not, will recognize it and give answer. Where there is a joyous mood, there a comrade will appear to share a glass of wine.
This is the echo awakened in men through spiritual attraction. Whenever a feeling is voiced with truth and frankness, whenever a deed is the clear expression of sentiment, a mysterious and far-reaching influence is exerted. At first it acts on those who are inwardly receptive. But the circle grows larger and larger. The root of all influence lies in one’s own inner being: given true and vigorous expression in word and deed, its effect is great. The effect is but the reflection of something that emanates from one’s own heart. Any deliberate intention of an effect would only destroy the possibility of producing it. Confucius says about this line:
The superior man abides in his room. If his words are well spoken, he meets
with assent at a distance of more than a thousand miles. How much more
then from near by! If the superior man abides in his room and his words are
not well spoken, he meets with contradiction at a distance of more than a
thousand miles. How much more then from near by! Words go forth from
one’s own person and exert their influence on men. Deeds are born close at
hand and become visible far away. Words and deeds are the hinge and
bowspring of the superior man. As hinge and bowspring move, they bring
honor or disgrace. Through words and deeds the superior man moves
heaven and earth . Must one not, then, be cautious?
Six in the third place means:
He finds a comrade.
Now he beats the drum, now he stops.
Now he sobs, now he sings.
Here the source of a man’s strength lies not in himself but in his relation to other people. No matter how close to them he may be, if his center of gravity depends on them, he is inevitably tossed to and fro between joy and sorrow. Rejoicing to high heaven, then sad unto death-this is the fate of those who depend upon an inner accord with other persons whom they love. Here we have only the statement of the law that this is so. Whether this condition is felt to be an affliction of the supreme happiness of love, is left to the subjective verdict of the person concerned.
Six in the fourth place means:
The moon nearly at the full.
The team horse goes astray.
No blame.
To intensify the power of inner truth, a man must always turn to his superior, from whom he can receive enlightenment as the moon receives light form the sun. However, this requires a certain humility, like that of the moon when it is not yet quite full. At the moment when the moon becomes full and stands directly opposite the sun, it begins to wane. Just as on the one hand we must be humble and reverent when face to face with the source of enlightenment, so likewise must we on the other renounce factionalism among men. Only be pursuing one’s course like a horse that goes straight ahead without looking sidewise at its mate, can one retain the inner freedom that helps one onward.
Nine in the fifth place means:
He possesses truth, which links together.
No blame.
This describes the ruler who holds all elements together by the power of his personality. Only when the strength of his character is so ample that he can influence all who are subject to him, is he as he needs to be. The power of suggestion must emanate from the ruler. It will firmly knit together and unite all his adherents. Without this central force, all external unity is only deception and breaks down at the decisive moment.
Nine at the top means:
Cockcrow penetrating to heaven.
Perseverance brings misfortune.
The cock is dependable. It crows at dawn. But it cannot itself fly to heaven. It just crows. A man may count on mere words to awaken faith. This may succeed now and then, but if persisted in, it will have bad consequences.
(The source of the above commentary can be found at http://deoxy.org/iching/61. For more information on I Ching, visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Ching.)
7 Benefits Of Silence
by Helena Medena
Silence is a true friend who never betrays. ~Confucius
Even a talkative person can blend into the silence easily and smoothly and bask in the benefits that are very enriching to the soul.
1. Practicing Silence is easier than you think
If you are doubtful wether you can do it or not, start small. Choose to be present and still just for few hours (from wake up time till 12 noon, or from 4pm till next morning). Just that simple choice to go inward will give you external power to do so. Your desire, however, has to be genuine and true.
Turn off your phone, computer, email, social media and other distractions. Just be.
2. Your thoughts are temporary
In our regular life, everything appears so important, because it makes so much noise. As you go into silence, you will see how many “important” thoughts come and go. Thoughts of problems, stress, drama. Even seemingly happy thoughts. Do not get hooked on any one of them, just watch them. They will fade away. You are not your thoughts, you are not even the thinker of them. You are way beyond that. Silence will give you deeper glimpse of who you are.
3. Creative ideas rise from silence
Creativity is not found in the known. It’s not on the level where the problems are. Ideas are of different quality vibration. Silent, peaceful, calm and serene mind can access them gracefully. Go in deeply, visit your inner idea-craft-shop. Everyone has one. Some people, however, never visit.
4. Silence preserves energy
It is a scientific fact that thinking burns calories and oxygen. Worrying, dwelling upon past or fearing the future stresses the nervous system. Silence repairs it. Heart rate normalises. Breathing slows down. The rhythm of the body slows. Silence is restful and nourishing, for during the quiet time neural pathways are formed and windows of opportunities open.
5. Silence deepens your communication
There are many silent retreats that offer residential weekends (or weeks) where everyone is silent together and food is provided. (Check out Vipassana meditation) If you, however, choose to do it by yourself, at home, for more than 24-48 hours, you will soon be faced with at “real” world. Perhaps you will want to go for a walk in the nature or to a market, where people are likely to talk to you and your reciprocation is expected.
Silent mind is more aware. Silent mind can filter between important and distractive conversations. Trust your silence and you will notice that quite often, words are not necessary. It is enough for you to just be. Sweet smile of acknowledgment or a present nod of your head often completes the conversation much better than any word.
6. Silence refines your senses
By the end of day 2, you will start hearing sounds you never heard before. The sound of silence is quite crisp and noticeable. Your senses will become more subtle, purified and refreshed. Tune into those sounds and play with them. As you sit in the nature feel the silent sound of insects walking around or even a leaf growing. When shallow noise is tuned out of your awareness, new awareness are presented to you.
7. Your enjoyment capacity increases
If you need a radio and TV on at all times, if your mind is unable to focus on one task (before it has to check an email), your capacity to deep enjoyment is quite low. Practicing silence allows you to feel it, to be it to own it, and of course, to enjoy it.
Even if you are lover of words (I am!), you very well know that there are no word adequate enough to express the beauty of a breath-taking sunset. How can you explain the taste of mango by using words? Or the depth of love that you have for your child? That magic outweighs the power of any word.
Imagine you and your lover, flirting with words. Fun, isn’t it?
Now, imagine you and your lover, if words are not allowed, flirting with your eyes. Flirting with smiles. Flirting with your presence. Flirting with feather-like touch. Breathing each other in.
Practicing silence will bring many different ways of enjoyment and you will became a better lover of life. Lover of your truth. Lover of present moment. …
Question for you – have you been consciously silent for a longer period of time? What were your experiences? Would you do it again? Would you recommend it and why?
Enjoy the silence.
Change Is In The Air
“Just as the world around us changes and evolves, so do the circumstances and situations in our lives. We live in a universe that is alive, vibrant, and constantly evolving. Change is the way nature, the universe, and the Divine move us through each period of our lives and into destiny. We are led to our next lesson, our next adventure. There’s no need to deny change, to fear it or fight against it. Change is inevitable. Just as the earth is constant motion and transformation, so are we.
Take your place in the universal dance, the universal rhythm. Allow change to happen. Work with it as your life unfolds. Sometimes change comes in one smashing moment like a volcanic eruption. Other times it happens more slowly, the way the winds and rain sculpt bridges out of canyons.
Learn to trust your body– its signs, signals, warnings, and excited proclamations. We let the gathering clouds warn us of impending storms, and we learn to study and predict tremors in the earth. In much the same way, our body can function as a barometer for our soul and its place in the constantly changing and evolving universe.
You are open now, more sensitive than you’ve been before. Change is coming. It’s here. You can feel it in the air. You can feel it in yourself.”
Shifting Thoughts
It has been estimated that the average human being has around 50,000 thoughts per day. That’s a lot of thoughts. Some of those thoughts are going to be positive and productive. However, many of them are also going to be negative—angry, fearful, pesimistic, worrisome. Indeed, the important question in terms of becoming more peaceful isn’t whether or not you’re going to have negative thoughts—you are—it’s what you choose to do with the ones that you have. ~Richard Carlson, Ph.D.
I am as every human being in this world: perfectly imperfect. As such, even employing meditation in my daily life, negative thoughts still occur. What I have learned is that I have a choice as to the thoughts I latch onto and the ones I will release. I certainly have the capacity to over-analyze them endlessly, wasting a lot of energy, becoming non-productive; or I can acknowledge them and release them. How? Meditation and yoga are definitely wonderful tools I have found helpful.
When looking at what a “thought” is when the mind is neutral, at ease, calm, it’s quite ironic that something so non-substance can cause so much havoc and chaos in our lives. I have read many things from wise, insightful people that remind me thoughts cannot hurt me. A thought has no factual substance, no form. It’s inanimate. However, from my experience, if I chain myself to a negative thought, quickly it can snowball into something so chaotic that the stress from same causes harm to the physical body. It’s not the thought that harms me directly, it’s MY CHOICE to latch onto the negativity that causes turmoil in my life and physical illness.
Having said that, every human being has a life story. Not all life stories are pleasant and hunky-dory. And the memories of such are the same. The past is gone; it doesn’t exist. Tomorrow has not arrived, it doesn’t exist. So what it comes down to is the CHOICE I make this very moment. Am I going to be present in this moment, being aware of all that around me, above me, below me, beside me, or am I going to spend the precious moment jumping on the negative train of thought where it is easy to get on and difficult to get off; continuous cycles of over-examining something inanimate – consisting of the what-if’s, how-come’s, why me’s.
When I dismiss negative, unproductive thoughts from my mind, it opens up space for positive ones. It opens up space for creativity, for focus, for being present (in mind, body and spirit) in the here and now. Peace quickly replaces the empty space in the mind that chaos once inhabited.
Just as one bathes or showers daily to clean the body to remove dirt and grime; so should the mind be cleaned regularly. The body is fed three times a day- breakfast, lunch and dinner; so should the mind be nourished. Just taking a few minutes to meditate (or pray) a few times each day will keep the mind balanced. It takes practice, but its worth the effort. The reward is a mind that functions better, clearer thought process; kind of like a well-maintained machine absent clutter and debris. It’s a matter of making the conscious choice to shift my thoughts via a negative-gear to a positive-gear.
Change your thoughts, and in the twinkling of an eye, all your conditions change. Your world is a world of crystallized ideas, crystallized words. Sooner or later, you reap the fruits of your words and thoughts. ~Florence Scovel Shinn
**********
The beautiful artwork contained in this article is courtesy of Carmelina Mosher, MA, Expressive Arts Therapist Educator ~ Visionary Artist.
Favorite Sites
