Are You your thoughts...?
Have you ever considered that perhaps, once our brain has been programmed with what and who we think we are... dating back to messages and impressions received in childhood and the teen years, that becomes the theme music over which all the lyrics of our life are written?
Unless we start to consciously erase and re-record our theme music, writing new movements to create the person we want to be, we're stuck.
We get so caught up in the constant and unrelenting work of our minds (sane and less than sane thoughts) that we identify those ramblings with who we are!
IF you meditate, then you've observed the absurd goings-on in our attic! My goodness, how busy!
Deepak Chopraadvises us to attempt to live in those moments of silence between thoughts. A challenging and wonderful practice.
During a normal day many of our thoughts are logical and grounded so they aren't huge offenders... it's the thoughts that judge...telling us we aren't smart enough, or kind enough, or beautiful enough, or tough enough that we love to identify with and that can drag us down. It's the instantaneous reactions, void of purposeful control or scrutiny, that get us in trouble.
You are... or become... what you identify with. Release your identification with your thoughts and choose who you are by they way you act and react to life.
One of the laws of the cosmos is: Like attracts like. If you send out negative, self-defeating thoughts, more of that will come your way. On the other-hand, if you insist on finding the good, the positive, or the opportunity for a change, in whatever you face or in yourself, the universe will amplify this aspect.
We all have weaknesses. Focusing on them makes them bigger.
We all have strengths. Focusing on them makes them bigger.
Another Deepak Chopra insight: "Be conscious of your decisions and make the best choices you can at the time and in the circumstances, and you will be making the forward ... progress."
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When I was a girl, one of my mother's close friends and distant relative was a darling woman named Shareefi. She was one of the two daughters of a religious elder in our community. She was short and little on the round side, with a matching face...like the moon.
I don't think I can recall one time that she wasn't smiling...her eyes twinkling with deep creases at the ends.
It didn't matter what the conversation was about, Shareefi smiled through every word. If it was what one may consider sad news, she let her smile drop of 2 seconds, but it's as if her face couldn't relax into anything but cheerfulness.
That was 36 years ago... she obviously made a lasting impression on me. What a wonderful example of how to radiate our inner beauty into the world!
Own who you are. Recognize your beautiful self. Accept yourself for your strengths and weaknesses, because that's how we're all created...with aspects we have conquered and others to work on. That's the point of life. So why not accomplish our growth with a resolve to do it cheerfully, like Shareefi?
While you can't control most situations life will offer you, you can definitely control how you choose to reactto them. It may take a little practice, but soon you'll re-program your brain not to automatically kick into upsetness, anger, self-defense, or alarm when things go differently than you expected.
How great to be able to handle every 'crisis' or 'disappointment' with calm and grace?
For an inspiring talk byHazrat Inayat Khan on Self Control, click here.
What is your ideal? Hold that up before your mind's eye daily, it's your goal. Be relentless in your pursuit.
The next time you find yourself feeling low because of a some situation, or because someone is judging you, say to yourself, “I am not defined by situations or opinions, I know who I am.”
Inayat Khan said, "The greatness of man lies in the greatness of his ideal."
Become your ideal, but even as you strive to do so Love this beautiful creation that you are now.
We are all flowers growing together in the Universal Garden, whether temporarily in the shade, or struggling to bloom, each one worthy of shining in the sun.
~ Namaste. ♥