The birth of Rhonda Byrne's "The Secret" in 2006 raised such an awareness on the Law of Attraction. This led to more and more people realizing how powerful thoughts are in creating our physical reality.
Now more than ever, more and more people are putting up vision boards. Meditating few minutes a day. Saying affirmations before going to sleep. Listening to subliminal audios during sleep. Then... go about their routine and end up looking at crap for the rest of the day.
If you understand that your thoughts attract things, people and situations in your space, have you ever considered filtering your thoughts? Is that even possible? Various researches show that the average person thinks about 20,000 to 70,000 thoughts per day. PER DAY! You can't even keep up counting those thoughts, what more to filter them!
An Excerpt on my "Train of Thought"
Let me give you a glimpse of my train of thought on my bus ride on the way to work. I usually have my earphones on, listening to my favorite radio program.
"I wonder which of my clients left me a voicemail today? Oh well, I'll finish what I owe (my client) after our meeting yesterday. Is that rain? I really need to buy a new pair of sandals so that I don't wear out my shoes too quickly. But then if I wanted to take Zumba classes, I should probably buy a pair of rubber shoes first. I wonder how much Zumba classes would cost each month? If I have lots of cash, I can buy BOTH shoes and sign up for Zumba all at the same time. I wonder how other people do it? But it's okay. There's my next paycheck and the upcoming bonus... I really hope I have more money everyday and not just have enough. Ooooh.... I haven't heard this song in a long time! Reminds me of... I wonder how he is? Whatever. And no, I'm not bitter... or am I? Sigh, I haven't seen a movie in a long time. I mean, in the cinema. But then again, there's always HBO. I wonder how the traffic is in EDSA? I'm never late for work anyway. I miss going to the mall on weekday afternoons and having my ME time! It's been years since I've last done that. See that building with green lights on top? That's where I'm getting off. It would be much easier to just fly there!"
I'm pretty sure what I wrote is more linear than what usually happens in my mind. The point is, that's how random our thoughts could be. More importantly, if all those thoughts would create my reality, could you see how crazy my life would be?
Ever since I got into ThetaHealing®, I found myself starting to be more conscious of my thoughts. I started learning how to notice my thoughts and realize "mid-sentence" if it's worth putting energy on or if it should stop dead in its tracks right then and there. I haven't mastered whatever it is I'm doing, but for me, it's a big step to being able to take control of my mind... and ultimately my life.
Eventually, I learned a few techniques that help me "mind my mind".
3 Ways to Mind Your Mind
1. Gratitude Prayer
I have previously written an entire blog post regarding gratitude, and I believe this is really powerful. Before going to bed at night, I make it a point to recall all the things that have transpired in the day and say thank you for all of them. From having awaken in the morning, to the safe commute to work, to the meals I have eaten, to having made it home, to the conversations I've had and what I have learned... everything! Even if the day seemed normal and nothing special happened, I still express my gratitude for the experiences of the day. This trained my mind to be thankful for all the things I have and experience in my life. Having the energy of gratitude in life brings in more things to be thankful for.
2. Symbol of Abundance
One of the main reasons people feel unhappy, lost and desperate is due to thoughts and feelings of lack. Many of us feel there's not enough of pretty much anything -- not enough money, not enough time, not enough food, not enough love, not enough energy, not enough men, not enough faith... not enough everything! And this is exactly why we manifest lack in our lives. We simply believe there's not enough of anything, therefore making it our reality.
I was walking to the bus stop on my way home from work one windy day. I have always loved windy days even if it messes my hair up! While walking against the wind I started feeling a weird sense of energy envelope my body. The wind became a reminder of what I have in my life. It made me realize, I do have plenty EVEN IF I DON'T SEE ALL OF THEM. From that point on, the wind became what I call my "symbol of abundance".
You can do the same thing too. And I suggest you pick out your symbol of abundance from nature -- the sun, the clouds, the sky, the wind, trees, flowers -- take your pick, and let it remind you of how abundant your life and the world is.
3. "I love them anyway"
A few days ago, I was doing a self-healing about being able to see the truth. I discovered that I feared seeing and knowing the truth about some people, things and even myself. I healed through the realization that it's okay to know the truth and still love, accept and embrace people around me. The next day, I was getting off the bus and the passenger behind me was pushing me in a hurry to get off. When I got off the bus, I looked at him (looked, not glared... for previously I would have surely done the former!). Then I thought to myself, "It's okay. I love him anyway."
This became an exercise for me, especially when I get into situations that would normally annoy me or downright piss me off. I do the "I love them anyway" exercise from my loved ones to random strangers. Doing so allows me to stop myself from passing judgment and harboring resentment to people for whatever reason.
I would highly recommend you try out these techniques, or come up with your own. Soon enough you'll be able to get into the habit of minding your mind, and become great in filtering thoughts that no longer serve you.
Friday, December 20, 2013
Thursday, December 5, 2013
What Forgiveness Is... and Is Not
A friend tells things to other people behind your back. Your parents forced you to take a college course that's the polar opposite of what you really wanted. Your boss grants to another colleague the promotion that was promised to you half a year ago.
Many times in our lives, there are people who would do things or say things to us that would cause us pain, hurt and even hatred towards that person. And when that happens, we start forming this force field around us to avoid going through the same experience over again. Then we share our anguish to some friends who will listen, sympathize and in the end will say, "That sucks. Well, what can you do? Just forgive them and move on."
Seriously? REALLY???? Forgive... and move on??? Isn't that exactly how we would respond to even the very thought of forgiving someone who has done damage to us?
What Forgiveness Is
Merriam Webster defines "forgive" as "to give up resentment of or claim requital for."
To let go of completely. To abandon. This is what it means to forgive someone in the truest sense of the word. In Bob Proctor's 11 Forgotten Laws program, I love how he defines forgiveness as "getting to the place where you think about the person and are able to wish them well."
At the bare minimum, forgiving someone is choosing to let go of your desire for any revenge or ill-will towards the person who has "wronged" you.
What Forgiveness Is NOT
I am almost certain that many people reading this are starting to fume inside, just thinking about the people who have hurt them in one way or another. Forgiving is simple -- just choose to release the pride, the hurt, the resentment (more on this later). But of course, simple doesn't normally mean easy.
Where do people usually get it wrong? There are a few misconceptions about forgiveness which makes it challenging for most people to do it.
1. Reconciliation precedes forgiveness.
"That insensitive ____ (insert cuss word here) didn't even bother to apologize!" Let's get this straight once and for all. Forgiving someone is not dependent on whether or not the other party would apologize. Sure, it would be so much easier to forgive if they did. Nevertheless, forgiveness is a choice. When you forgive, you free YOURSELF from the negative feelings right here, right now. You are prolonging the agony for no one but yourself if you choose otherwise. For all you know, that person could be living by the beach sipping pinacoladas all day, while you go to bed every night nursing your bitter heart!
2. Forgiving someone means letting them off the hook
When we get hurt, the next logical step is to make sure such experience never happens to us again... EVER. This "force field" we form around us comes in the form of resentment, grudge and even hatred towards the offender. These feelings keep us safe and protected. This is why many people are reluctant to forgive, because we feel that to forgive is to give up that force field. To excuse the person and minimize the harm that was done. To allow ourselves to be hurt again. The truth is, when you forgive, you open yourself up to better ways to "protect" yourself. You allow yourself to live a happier, lighter and healthier life.
It's worth pointing out that carrying feelings of resentment, grudge and hatred have now been scientifically proven to affect our physical health - most especially the lungs, heart, kidney and liver. These negative feelings are "toxins" in our bodies, so you might as well release them!
3. Forgiving is forgetting
I never really understood where we got this idea to put the two together - to "forgive and forget". And this is another one of the misconceptions that gives forgiveness a bitter taste in people's mouths. You see, forgiveness has nothing to do with having to forget it ever happened. Forgetting is denying something exists. So when you attempt to "forget" something ever hurt you, what you could potentially be doing is suppressing your emotions about it. And THAT is not the same thing at all as forgiving. Forgiveness is supposed to make you feel free, not suppressed.
The Person You Need to Forgive Most
More often than not, we fail to realize that more than learning to forgive the person who has hurt us, we need to learn to forgive OURSELVES. Our bitterness and resentment mostly comes from being unable to fathom how in the world we could have allowed it to happen to us!
Am I that stupid? Am I that ugly? How did I get myself in that tangled up situation? Why did I even think they'd be willing to love me that way? We would question ourselves like this in an effort to understand how we allowed ourselves to get hurt. And this is more dangerous. Blaming ourselves can be a bundle of sadness, regret and a whole lot of negativity. It's time to stop punishing and blaming yourself. Learn to accept yourself and realize that at the end of the day, what you did or happened to you does not define who you are.
Many times in our lives, there are people who would do things or say things to us that would cause us pain, hurt and even hatred towards that person. And when that happens, we start forming this force field around us to avoid going through the same experience over again. Then we share our anguish to some friends who will listen, sympathize and in the end will say, "That sucks. Well, what can you do? Just forgive them and move on."
Seriously? REALLY???? Forgive... and move on??? Isn't that exactly how we would respond to even the very thought of forgiving someone who has done damage to us?
What Forgiveness Is
Merriam Webster defines "forgive" as "to give up resentment of or claim requital for."
To let go of completely. To abandon. This is what it means to forgive someone in the truest sense of the word. In Bob Proctor's 11 Forgotten Laws program, I love how he defines forgiveness as "getting to the place where you think about the person and are able to wish them well."
At the bare minimum, forgiving someone is choosing to let go of your desire for any revenge or ill-will towards the person who has "wronged" you.
What Forgiveness Is NOT
I am almost certain that many people reading this are starting to fume inside, just thinking about the people who have hurt them in one way or another. Forgiving is simple -- just choose to release the pride, the hurt, the resentment (more on this later). But of course, simple doesn't normally mean easy.
Where do people usually get it wrong? There are a few misconceptions about forgiveness which makes it challenging for most people to do it.
1. Reconciliation precedes forgiveness.
"That insensitive ____ (insert cuss word here) didn't even bother to apologize!" Let's get this straight once and for all. Forgiving someone is not dependent on whether or not the other party would apologize. Sure, it would be so much easier to forgive if they did. Nevertheless, forgiveness is a choice. When you forgive, you free YOURSELF from the negative feelings right here, right now. You are prolonging the agony for no one but yourself if you choose otherwise. For all you know, that person could be living by the beach sipping pinacoladas all day, while you go to bed every night nursing your bitter heart!
2. Forgiving someone means letting them off the hook
When we get hurt, the next logical step is to make sure such experience never happens to us again... EVER. This "force field" we form around us comes in the form of resentment, grudge and even hatred towards the offender. These feelings keep us safe and protected. This is why many people are reluctant to forgive, because we feel that to forgive is to give up that force field. To excuse the person and minimize the harm that was done. To allow ourselves to be hurt again. The truth is, when you forgive, you open yourself up to better ways to "protect" yourself. You allow yourself to live a happier, lighter and healthier life.
It's worth pointing out that carrying feelings of resentment, grudge and hatred have now been scientifically proven to affect our physical health - most especially the lungs, heart, kidney and liver. These negative feelings are "toxins" in our bodies, so you might as well release them!
3. Forgiving is forgetting
I never really understood where we got this idea to put the two together - to "forgive and forget". And this is another one of the misconceptions that gives forgiveness a bitter taste in people's mouths. You see, forgiveness has nothing to do with having to forget it ever happened. Forgetting is denying something exists. So when you attempt to "forget" something ever hurt you, what you could potentially be doing is suppressing your emotions about it. And THAT is not the same thing at all as forgiving. Forgiveness is supposed to make you feel free, not suppressed.
The Person You Need to Forgive Most
More often than not, we fail to realize that more than learning to forgive the person who has hurt us, we need to learn to forgive OURSELVES. Our bitterness and resentment mostly comes from being unable to fathom how in the world we could have allowed it to happen to us!
Am I that stupid? Am I that ugly? How did I get myself in that tangled up situation? Why did I even think they'd be willing to love me that way? We would question ourselves like this in an effort to understand how we allowed ourselves to get hurt. And this is more dangerous. Blaming ourselves can be a bundle of sadness, regret and a whole lot of negativity. It's time to stop punishing and blaming yourself. Learn to accept yourself and realize that at the end of the day, what you did or happened to you does not define who you are.
Monday, November 18, 2013
A Better Way to SEIZE THE DAY
Carpe Diem.
We've heard that before. Book after book, movie after movie, they tell us that the key to living life to the fullest is to seize every moment. And when we are told to seize the day, we then hear the infamous saying "Live each day as though it were the last."
I have not given it much thought until now, how living as though it's your last day on earth can do more harm than good. You know how in horror or suspense thriller films, we couldn't help but scream "RUN!" to the character on screen? Or during that post-movie conversations we would say things like "She should have run to the garden instead of locking herself inside the closet. Of course she was caught. Duh!"
We can easily dismiss that by saying it's all fiction anyway, and that if we were in their place we would do something a lot smarter. But did it ever occur to you that when you are faced with death, you literally FREEZE?
Here's the thing. If you knew it was your last day today, would going door to door to each of your loved ones to say "I love you" be your utmost agenda? I doubt it. But you will think of spending all the money on your savings account. Eat all the ice cream you can eat. Finally pull that prank on your boss... heck, why would you even come to work on your last day on earth?
Is THAT how you ought to live your life everyday?
The problem with this thinking is not about acting as if there's no tomorrow. The problem is you're acting as if there will be no consequences for what you do today. What's worse, you won't even seek to accomplish anything that would take more than a day to finish. You will not deal with what it takes to make your dreams come true. Who has the time? It's your last day!
Living your life as if today's your last day brings nothing but fear, sadness and regret. It takes away from us the desire to plan ahead, set goals, pursue dreams. What if your best friend invites you to his wedding. Would you make the necessary preparations or say "Sorry, dude. I'm not sure I can go. What if I die tomorrow?"
Okay, maybe those are exaggerated and silly examples. The point is, what if we consider reversing this process and be well on our way to living our life to the fullest?
First Day High
Imagine the first time you ever tasted what is now your favorite dish in the world? Now think about how you would feel having it for the last time? Do you see the difference?
When I was a kid, one of my crazy thoughts (and I had many!) is that I would wait for my life to "start over" so that I can do the things I want and fulfill my dreams. I don't even know what exactly I meant by that. Perhaps I'm thinking that if God gave me a remote control with nothing but one big REWIND button, I could go all the way back to the day I was born and would do everything differently from day one. Sadly, I never manifested the remote control.
Point is, I think we would all benefit from living our life as though it's our first day, our first time in everything.
Live your life as though it's starting today. If you do, you'll start that project of writing a book or planning for the trip to climb Mount Everest. You'll finally enroll in the dance class or start the hobby you've been putting off. You will start taking the steps to find your dream home.
When you're beginning something, it puts you in a perspective of learning, of starting anew, of looking ahead. You will be looking at things with excitement, with wonder, with amazement. You'll feel thankful for a new chapter in your life.
This is how we ought to live our day to day lives -- with something fresh to look forward to. Today can be the day you choose to quit a nasty habit. Today could be the day you decide to lose the extra weight once and for all. Today could be the day you start the project that would catapult your career. Today could be the day you face what you've always feared and finally overcome it. Today could be the day you let go of your bottled up feelings and tell someone you loved them.
Today should be lived from a place of aiming to accomplish something that impacts your life. After all, doesn't it feel amazing to say "Today is the first day of the rest of my life"?
We've heard that before. Book after book, movie after movie, they tell us that the key to living life to the fullest is to seize every moment. And when we are told to seize the day, we then hear the infamous saying "Live each day as though it were the last."
I have not given it much thought until now, how living as though it's your last day on earth can do more harm than good. You know how in horror or suspense thriller films, we couldn't help but scream "RUN!" to the character on screen? Or during that post-movie conversations we would say things like "She should have run to the garden instead of locking herself inside the closet. Of course she was caught. Duh!"
We can easily dismiss that by saying it's all fiction anyway, and that if we were in their place we would do something a lot smarter. But did it ever occur to you that when you are faced with death, you literally FREEZE?
Here's the thing. If you knew it was your last day today, would going door to door to each of your loved ones to say "I love you" be your utmost agenda? I doubt it. But you will think of spending all the money on your savings account. Eat all the ice cream you can eat. Finally pull that prank on your boss... heck, why would you even come to work on your last day on earth?
Is THAT how you ought to live your life everyday?
The problem with this thinking is not about acting as if there's no tomorrow. The problem is you're acting as if there will be no consequences for what you do today. What's worse, you won't even seek to accomplish anything that would take more than a day to finish. You will not deal with what it takes to make your dreams come true. Who has the time? It's your last day!
Living your life as if today's your last day brings nothing but fear, sadness and regret. It takes away from us the desire to plan ahead, set goals, pursue dreams. What if your best friend invites you to his wedding. Would you make the necessary preparations or say "Sorry, dude. I'm not sure I can go. What if I die tomorrow?"
Okay, maybe those are exaggerated and silly examples. The point is, what if we consider reversing this process and be well on our way to living our life to the fullest?
First Day High
Imagine the first time you ever tasted what is now your favorite dish in the world? Now think about how you would feel having it for the last time? Do you see the difference?
When I was a kid, one of my crazy thoughts (and I had many!) is that I would wait for my life to "start over" so that I can do the things I want and fulfill my dreams. I don't even know what exactly I meant by that. Perhaps I'm thinking that if God gave me a remote control with nothing but one big REWIND button, I could go all the way back to the day I was born and would do everything differently from day one. Sadly, I never manifested the remote control.
Point is, I think we would all benefit from living our life as though it's our first day, our first time in everything.
Live your life as though it's starting today. If you do, you'll start that project of writing a book or planning for the trip to climb Mount Everest. You'll finally enroll in the dance class or start the hobby you've been putting off. You will start taking the steps to find your dream home.
When you're beginning something, it puts you in a perspective of learning, of starting anew, of looking ahead. You will be looking at things with excitement, with wonder, with amazement. You'll feel thankful for a new chapter in your life.
This is how we ought to live our day to day lives -- with something fresh to look forward to. Today can be the day you choose to quit a nasty habit. Today could be the day you decide to lose the extra weight once and for all. Today could be the day you start the project that would catapult your career. Today could be the day you face what you've always feared and finally overcome it. Today could be the day you let go of your bottled up feelings and tell someone you loved them.
Today should be lived from a place of aiming to accomplish something that impacts your life. After all, doesn't it feel amazing to say "Today is the first day of the rest of my life"?
Sunday, November 17, 2013
Lessons in Giving
It's been a week since typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) has devastated the central part of the Philippines. Everyday, there's only two major things I see on the news and on my Facebook wall - the damage done by the typhoon and the aid that has been coming in to the affected areas from all over the world.
There's also a lot of mixed reactions regarding the donations and help the Philippines has been getting:
The Energy of Giving
One of the common topics on the spiritual books I have read is about giving. More specifically, the lesson that "The best way to have something you desire is to cause another to have it."
There's a reason why we grew up being taught that it is better to give than to receive. The universe is all energy. All energy flows. When you give, you become a conduit to this energy flow, which ultimately comes back to you, MAGNIFIED. When you give, you are sending a signal to the universe that you acknowledge your abundance, that you are grateful for the things you have. Keep in mind that gratitude is the most potent of all prayers, because you are expressing your knowing that before you even ask, it is already given.
What Can You Give?
Giving does not only pertain to material things. It's not just money or clothes or food. You can give your time. You can give a compliment. You can give your precious smile or hug. You can give "a hand".
Furthermore, "causing another to have it" doesn't mean you give "it" in actuality. For example, what if you desire to become a millionaire? Do you need to give away one million pesos? No. But in your quest to become one, you have gained knowledge, experience and insights that you can share and pass on to other people and help them become millionaires too! Remember that the universe us abundant and limitless. There's more than enough millions for everyone who wish to have it.
Now, just because there's a lot of different ways and forms of giving doesn't mean you would simply "take your pick." It's sad to say that many us can and will only give only when it is convenient. We give the beggar on the street change that only supermarkets would accept. We give away old clothes not because we no longer use them, but because we no longer could. We give a smile to the guy in the elevator because he looks cute, but not to the man on the bus who "looks like a snatcher".
Also, do not feel giving a smile is enough when you know in your heart that you can give more than that, and when you know the other person needs more than that. Remember the Golden Rule? "Do unto others as you would want others do unto you." When you choose to help, what kind of help would YOU appreciate if you were in their shoes?
Give From The Heart
Is there really such a thing as a selfless deed? Really, would anyone go out and help another if you're not getting anything out of it?
I personally do not believe that there's any deed that is selfless. However, I also believe there's only ONE SELF-SERVING REASON that would indicate you're giving from the heart -- that you give because of the JOY it brings to you.
It is perfectly okay to know and expect that you will be rewarded by the universe when you give. The mistake most of us make in this whole giving business is when we expect:
You see, there's no need to "keep score". The universe does this for you, and does so in a much better way. Your only job is to give from the heart. The universe will take care of your reward in the most perfect time in the most perfect way.
So how do we give from the heart? Watch and be inspired...
There's also a lot of mixed reactions regarding the donations and help the Philippines has been getting:
"On behalf of the whole country, thank you!"
"What about the people in this or that province?"
"The government is not doing enough (or moving fast enough)."
"I wonder if the donations are going directly to the typhoon victims?"I am not writing this to refute or defend any of these sentiments. To some degree, I can sympathize and understand them. What bothers me is that, in the face of this national calamity, many people are quick to criticize and complain but not do anything to help. This gets me thinking about how much value we put nowadays on the virtue of giving. At this point, let me step away from the typhoon situation so as not to fan an already big flame.
The Energy of Giving
One of the common topics on the spiritual books I have read is about giving. More specifically, the lesson that "The best way to have something you desire is to cause another to have it."
There's a reason why we grew up being taught that it is better to give than to receive. The universe is all energy. All energy flows. When you give, you become a conduit to this energy flow, which ultimately comes back to you, MAGNIFIED. When you give, you are sending a signal to the universe that you acknowledge your abundance, that you are grateful for the things you have. Keep in mind that gratitude is the most potent of all prayers, because you are expressing your knowing that before you even ask, it is already given.
What Can You Give?
Giving does not only pertain to material things. It's not just money or clothes or food. You can give your time. You can give a compliment. You can give your precious smile or hug. You can give "a hand".
Furthermore, "causing another to have it" doesn't mean you give "it" in actuality. For example, what if you desire to become a millionaire? Do you need to give away one million pesos? No. But in your quest to become one, you have gained knowledge, experience and insights that you can share and pass on to other people and help them become millionaires too! Remember that the universe us abundant and limitless. There's more than enough millions for everyone who wish to have it.
Now, just because there's a lot of different ways and forms of giving doesn't mean you would simply "take your pick." It's sad to say that many us can and will only give only when it is convenient. We give the beggar on the street change that only supermarkets would accept. We give away old clothes not because we no longer use them, but because we no longer could. We give a smile to the guy in the elevator because he looks cute, but not to the man on the bus who "looks like a snatcher".
Also, do not feel giving a smile is enough when you know in your heart that you can give more than that, and when you know the other person needs more than that. Remember the Golden Rule? "Do unto others as you would want others do unto you." When you choose to help, what kind of help would YOU appreciate if you were in their shoes?
Give From The Heart
Is there really such a thing as a selfless deed? Really, would anyone go out and help another if you're not getting anything out of it?
I personally do not believe that there's any deed that is selfless. However, I also believe there's only ONE SELF-SERVING REASON that would indicate you're giving from the heart -- that you give because of the JOY it brings to you.
It is perfectly okay to know and expect that you will be rewarded by the universe when you give. The mistake most of us make in this whole giving business is when we expect:
- The reward to come from the same person we gave to
- The reward to come in the same form that we gave away
You see, there's no need to "keep score". The universe does this for you, and does so in a much better way. Your only job is to give from the heart. The universe will take care of your reward in the most perfect time in the most perfect way.
So how do we give from the heart? Watch and be inspired...
Monday, November 11, 2013
Yo, Tell Me What You Want, What You Really Really Want
To those of you who know me, you probably guessed I am continuing that Spice Girls song in my head!
And here I am again, using the word "want" when I really aim to speak about desire. But hey, for lack of a better title, I am satisfied with that.
Your calling. Life purpose. Our heart's desire. Ambition in life. These are some of the many things we call that which we feel we were meant to do in this life and for this world. How many of us have ever given that a thought? We surely want certain things - our daily latte, a cozy Friday night, a house, a car, our soulmate. Most of the things we would like to have seem so easy to know. But do you know what it is that you really, really… really choose to have or become?
Last weekend, I volunteered for a free ThetaHealing® clinic in the center where I practice. When my first client sat down in front of me, I asked her what brought her to the clinic. The first thing she said was, "I need to find my life's purpose. Help me."
I was amazed by her statement. That was probably the first time I ever heard someone bravely pronounce that they are on a quest to find what they're meant to do in this life. She began to cry as she told me her story, and I could feel the sense of determination and certainty in her that screams "I know I am meant to do something in this world."
The Mouse Trap
Most people go through the daily grind - get up, go to work, work some more, go home, sleep. Many people would even stay for years in a job that they don't really find fulfilling, they don't feel they're good at, or they simply hate. Why do we do this?
The obvious reason for most of us is money. We work in order to provide for our families or buy the things we want. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that. But what if you can get to a point in your life where you are getting paid to do what you love to do? Isn't that an option you'd like to have?
I used to be in different jobs for the sole purpose of earning money, while at the back of my mind thinking to myself "what do I really choose to do in this life?". I later realized that I have this subconscious program that the source of my life fulfillment and my income should be two separate things! Thankfully, I have cleared that with ThetaHealing®. Moreover, I had a greater realization.
What Do You Want To Be When You Grow Up?
When we were kids, this question seems to be our parents' gauge on how smart we're going to be, or if we've "decided" on our life's path at a very young age. And as innocent, cute little children, we would answer the question:
Your World Speech
I read this exercise in an article before and I feel it's worth sharing. What if God gave you a microphone and for 1 minute you can make a speech in front of the whole world? Yes, the whole world would stop and listen. What would you say in that 60 seconds? What would your speech be about?
Your "world speech" speaks largely of what your life purpose is. Even if you just make a bullet-list outline of your speech, the list you will come up with will be coming from the heart. It will reflect what you are most passionate about. It will be a testament of the legacy you would like to be remembered for. Some examples of the main idea of your world speech (I just love calling it that!) would be:
It's All About "Being"
It would take a huge amount of effort to actually set up a world stage where you can deliver your world speech! Thankfully, you can simply just go out there and live it.
"Living it" means that everything you are, think, speak and do are aligned with your message. Doing this allows you to live in the now, while looking ahead into the future.
A career or a profession is only a means to be able to carry out your deepest desire. It's one of the many ways you can fulfill your life calling. "Being" a person of a particular profession is actually more of a doing state. Of course, you can always align your career with your life purpose so that you can make sure you're walking the path that holds truest for you.
As you work on your world speech, remember to speak your truth. After all, if it's a message you aim to bring to the world, wouldn't it be best to reflect the real you?
And here I am again, using the word "want" when I really aim to speak about desire. But hey, for lack of a better title, I am satisfied with that.
Your calling. Life purpose. Our heart's desire. Ambition in life. These are some of the many things we call that which we feel we were meant to do in this life and for this world. How many of us have ever given that a thought? We surely want certain things - our daily latte, a cozy Friday night, a house, a car, our soulmate. Most of the things we would like to have seem so easy to know. But do you know what it is that you really, really… really choose to have or become?
Last weekend, I volunteered for a free ThetaHealing® clinic in the center where I practice. When my first client sat down in front of me, I asked her what brought her to the clinic. The first thing she said was, "I need to find my life's purpose. Help me."
I was amazed by her statement. That was probably the first time I ever heard someone bravely pronounce that they are on a quest to find what they're meant to do in this life. She began to cry as she told me her story, and I could feel the sense of determination and certainty in her that screams "I know I am meant to do something in this world."
The Mouse Trap
Most people go through the daily grind - get up, go to work, work some more, go home, sleep. Many people would even stay for years in a job that they don't really find fulfilling, they don't feel they're good at, or they simply hate. Why do we do this?
The obvious reason for most of us is money. We work in order to provide for our families or buy the things we want. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that. But what if you can get to a point in your life where you are getting paid to do what you love to do? Isn't that an option you'd like to have?
I used to be in different jobs for the sole purpose of earning money, while at the back of my mind thinking to myself "what do I really choose to do in this life?". I later realized that I have this subconscious program that the source of my life fulfillment and my income should be two separate things! Thankfully, I have cleared that with ThetaHealing®. Moreover, I had a greater realization.
What Do You Want To Be When You Grow Up?
When we were kids, this question seems to be our parents' gauge on how smart we're going to be, or if we've "decided" on our life's path at a very young age. And as innocent, cute little children, we would answer the question:
"I want to be a doctor."
"When I grow up, I want to be a lawyer."
"I want to be a TV actor."Consequently, we were programmed to think that when we speak of our life purpose, it needs to equate to a certain job or profession. And while that is perfectly okay, I have learned that looking for life's fulfilment in the form of a career more often than not presents a limit when we go out there to pursue it. What do I mean by this?
Your World Speech
I read this exercise in an article before and I feel it's worth sharing. What if God gave you a microphone and for 1 minute you can make a speech in front of the whole world? Yes, the whole world would stop and listen. What would you say in that 60 seconds? What would your speech be about?
Your "world speech" speaks largely of what your life purpose is. Even if you just make a bullet-list outline of your speech, the list you will come up with will be coming from the heart. It will reflect what you are most passionate about. It will be a testament of the legacy you would like to be remembered for. Some examples of the main idea of your world speech (I just love calling it that!) would be:
Treat everyone with love and compassion
Faith can move mountains
Everything you need is within you
You are always more than enough
Everything "just is"
Anything is possibleYou can start making a list of "topics" for your speech, and identify the one that resonates with you most. Which one brought a smile to your face? Gave you goosebumps? Electrified your whole body? Which of those is a message that you are most compelled to shout at the top of your lungs?
It's All About "Being"
It would take a huge amount of effort to actually set up a world stage where you can deliver your world speech! Thankfully, you can simply just go out there and live it.
"Living it" means that everything you are, think, speak and do are aligned with your message. Doing this allows you to live in the now, while looking ahead into the future.
A career or a profession is only a means to be able to carry out your deepest desire. It's one of the many ways you can fulfill your life calling. "Being" a person of a particular profession is actually more of a doing state. Of course, you can always align your career with your life purpose so that you can make sure you're walking the path that holds truest for you.
As you work on your world speech, remember to speak your truth. After all, if it's a message you aim to bring to the world, wouldn't it be best to reflect the real you?
Saturday, November 9, 2013
Braving the Storm
This weekend is probably one of the most challenging for the Philippines and the Filipino people. One of the strongest typhoons ever recorded in world history has hit the country. What's more "amazing" is that typhoon Yolanda (internationally known as "Haiyan") made landfall on the areas of the country that were hit by a 7.2 magnitude earthquake and thousands of aftershocks less than a month before!
I don't intend to talk about the science of those natural events or why they happened to us or anything like that. I was inspired to write this after seeing a comment in CNN on their update on typhoon Yolanda.
Filipinos seem to have the innate spirit of being a hero. Many of us work in other countries, bearing the loneliness of being away from home in order to provide for the very family we're far from. A number of us work at night, giving up the luxury of the natural body clock and the chance of long weekends on Philippine holidays. In the recent typhoons that have hit the country, there are people who would swim through the flood to save someone stuck in their roof, or provide makeshift transportations (ever seen that boat made of plastic soft drink bottles?) just so people can cross the street!
In face of natural and national calamities, there's nothing else we do but FORGE ON. Most Filipinos when asked would say "Eh ganon talaga" ("It is what it is"). Some would complain about the government not doing enough. In the end, we go out and attempt to fix what has been damaged in the most creative ways.
Many people call it being stubborn. Nevertheless, we can choose to look at it from a different perspective and see it as resilience. The Filipinos are indeed tough. Sturdy. Durable. Whatever comes our way, it's our "bring it on" spirit that makes us brave the storm.
Kaya natin 'to! (We can do this!)
I don't intend to talk about the science of those natural events or why they happened to us or anything like that. I was inspired to write this after seeing a comment in CNN on their update on typhoon Yolanda.
"Time to get to know the Filipino people… unbelievably resilient, long suffering, good natured, uber friendly, loyal, ingenious, and a bunch of survivors.Resilience of the human spirit is one of the most valuable things one can ever have, and I can see how CNN managed to say that about us. Unless it's because I haven't watched much TV lately, it's only in the Philippines that I see people waving and making poses in front of the camera when covered in the news during typhoons, floods, earthquakes, and many others. It's as if the mere fact of being on national television is enough to make us "live the moment" despite of what has been happening around us!
At the end of the day, the Filipinos will just shake off the dirt from their clothes and go about their business… and SMILE. They do not complain much, they will bear as long as they can.
Maybe this is why they were given the 'privilege' of bearing the burden of the strongest typhoon ever recorded.
The indomitable human spirit at its finest."
Filipinos seem to have the innate spirit of being a hero. Many of us work in other countries, bearing the loneliness of being away from home in order to provide for the very family we're far from. A number of us work at night, giving up the luxury of the natural body clock and the chance of long weekends on Philippine holidays. In the recent typhoons that have hit the country, there are people who would swim through the flood to save someone stuck in their roof, or provide makeshift transportations (ever seen that boat made of plastic soft drink bottles?) just so people can cross the street!
In face of natural and national calamities, there's nothing else we do but FORGE ON. Most Filipinos when asked would say "Eh ganon talaga" ("It is what it is"). Some would complain about the government not doing enough. In the end, we go out and attempt to fix what has been damaged in the most creative ways.
Many people call it being stubborn. Nevertheless, we can choose to look at it from a different perspective and see it as resilience. The Filipinos are indeed tough. Sturdy. Durable. Whatever comes our way, it's our "bring it on" spirit that makes us brave the storm.
Kaya natin 'to! (We can do this!)
Monday, November 4, 2013
The Attitude of Gratitude
THANK YOU.
Two words which should be very easy to say. We say it to the guy at the cashier after getting our change. We say it to someone who picked up the pen we dropped in the hallway. We say it at the end of our emails. We say it to the friend who lent us some money, or gave us a piece of their french fries.
We say "thank you" when someone did something for us that made us feel good. Makes me wonder. How often do we say it to the people who have always been there for us?
How often do we say "thank you" to our parents, for the little and big things they have done for us? For bringing us to this life? For taking care of us in the years we can barely take care of ourselves? For sending us to school, for having wished nothing but the best for us? For working long years to be able to provide what we need, and for many of us, even when we should have been able to provide for ourselves? For reminding us to take our vitamins, to look before crossing the street? For waking us up when the alarm clock didn't?
How often do we say "thank you" to our friends, just for being there? For sharing their stories and allowing us to share ours? For laughing at the jokes that we tried so hard to conjure? For listening to our stories no matter how dramatic or cheesy they were? For helping us remember the next line of the song that kept us up last night? For keeping you company because it's lonely to sit out there alone in the coffee shop?
Most importantly, how often do we say "thank you" to God, for allowing us to experience this life? For nature, for the air we breath, the trees, the sun, the moon, the stars? For the stranger who smiled at you in the elevator? For waking up to another day? For the money you surprisingly found in your pants' back pocket? For the bright idea that impressed your boss? For the chance encounter with a long-lost friend whom you just thought about the other day? For the safe commute to and from work? For the opportunities you encounter to get you closer to your dream house/job/partner? For the "problems" you experience that makes you stop what you're doing to assess yourself and how to best handle it? For the person who made it difficult for you so you can recognize your own strength? Most importantly, how often do we say "thank you" to God for giving us free will, to be able to make choices in terms of what we feel "called" to fulfill in this life, and to focus our thoughts, words, and actions upon?
I admit I am guilty for not being able to have my gratitude moments as often as I would like to. Nevertheless, I as much as possible spend a few minutes at night before going to bed saying a gratitude prayer at least for everything I have experienced in the day. Random things, small thingss, big things.
An attitude of gratitude is one of the most powerful tools to combat negativity in your life. When you are thankful for something, you feel joy. You feel abundant. You feel humbled yet blessed that you were given the chance to experience what it is you feel thankful for. You see the goodness in life, in things and in the people you meet. It makes you feel too good that the next logical thing to do is to CAUSE others to feel good.
I would strongly recommend that you spend some time everyday to say your prayer of gratitude. Even two minutes a day is not too much to set aside. Or even say your gratitude prayer at random times in the day. Like when you're driving or on the bus or cab, or even in the bathroom! Just any moment when you have time to say a prayer in your mind.
Also, express gratitude for things that didn't make you feel good. Remember, your thoughts created those experiences for you! You will be surprised at how it changes the way you feel about that thing or person or situation simply by shifting your perspective of it.
Expressing gratitude brings you joy and inner peace, the knowing that BEFORE YOU EVEN ASK, IT IS ALREADY GIVEN (I just love saying this!).
In saying all that, allow me then to say THANK YOU -- to my parents, family, friends for everything you have been to me. And thank you, God, for this opportunity to share the lesson of gratitude to the world!
“If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, ‘thank you,’ that would suffice.”
Two words which should be very easy to say. We say it to the guy at the cashier after getting our change. We say it to someone who picked up the pen we dropped in the hallway. We say it at the end of our emails. We say it to the friend who lent us some money, or gave us a piece of their french fries.
We say "thank you" when someone did something for us that made us feel good. Makes me wonder. How often do we say it to the people who have always been there for us?
How often do we say "thank you" to our parents, for the little and big things they have done for us? For bringing us to this life? For taking care of us in the years we can barely take care of ourselves? For sending us to school, for having wished nothing but the best for us? For working long years to be able to provide what we need, and for many of us, even when we should have been able to provide for ourselves? For reminding us to take our vitamins, to look before crossing the street? For waking us up when the alarm clock didn't?
How often do we say "thank you" to our friends, just for being there? For sharing their stories and allowing us to share ours? For laughing at the jokes that we tried so hard to conjure? For listening to our stories no matter how dramatic or cheesy they were? For helping us remember the next line of the song that kept us up last night? For keeping you company because it's lonely to sit out there alone in the coffee shop?
Most importantly, how often do we say "thank you" to God, for allowing us to experience this life? For nature, for the air we breath, the trees, the sun, the moon, the stars? For the stranger who smiled at you in the elevator? For waking up to another day? For the money you surprisingly found in your pants' back pocket? For the bright idea that impressed your boss? For the chance encounter with a long-lost friend whom you just thought about the other day? For the safe commute to and from work? For the opportunities you encounter to get you closer to your dream house/job/partner? For the "problems" you experience that makes you stop what you're doing to assess yourself and how to best handle it? For the person who made it difficult for you so you can recognize your own strength? Most importantly, how often do we say "thank you" to God for giving us free will, to be able to make choices in terms of what we feel "called" to fulfill in this life, and to focus our thoughts, words, and actions upon?
I admit I am guilty for not being able to have my gratitude moments as often as I would like to. Nevertheless, I as much as possible spend a few minutes at night before going to bed saying a gratitude prayer at least for everything I have experienced in the day. Random things, small thingss, big things.
An attitude of gratitude is one of the most powerful tools to combat negativity in your life. When you are thankful for something, you feel joy. You feel abundant. You feel humbled yet blessed that you were given the chance to experience what it is you feel thankful for. You see the goodness in life, in things and in the people you meet. It makes you feel too good that the next logical thing to do is to CAUSE others to feel good.
I would strongly recommend that you spend some time everyday to say your prayer of gratitude. Even two minutes a day is not too much to set aside. Or even say your gratitude prayer at random times in the day. Like when you're driving or on the bus or cab, or even in the bathroom! Just any moment when you have time to say a prayer in your mind.
Also, express gratitude for things that didn't make you feel good. Remember, your thoughts created those experiences for you! You will be surprised at how it changes the way you feel about that thing or person or situation simply by shifting your perspective of it.
Expressing gratitude brings you joy and inner peace, the knowing that BEFORE YOU EVEN ASK, IT IS ALREADY GIVEN (I just love saying this!).
In saying all that, allow me then to say THANK YOU -- to my parents, family, friends for everything you have been to me. And thank you, God, for this opportunity to share the lesson of gratitude to the world!
“If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, ‘thank you,’ that would suffice.”
– Meister Eckhart
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)