Look for the extraordinary in the ordinary !

Two workers were approached by a reporter. The reporter asked the first worker, “What are you doing?” His response was to complain that he was virtually a slave, an underpaid bricklayer who spent his days wasting his time, placing bricks on top of one another.

The reporter asked the second worker the same question. His response, however, was quite different. “I’m the luckiest person in the world,” he said. “I get to be a part of important and beautiful pieces of architecture. I help turn simple pieces of brick into exquisite masterpieces.”

They were both right.

The truth is, we see in life what we want to see. If you search for ugliness you’ll find plenty of it. If you want to find fault with other people, your service, or the world in general, you’ll certainly be able to do so. But the opposite is also true. If you look for the extraordinary in the ordinary, you can train yourself to see it. This bricklayer sees cathedrals within pieces of brick. The question is, can you?

Source : K.N.RAJAN

Let Love Flow Around You !!

The one who loves is the one who gives. 

True love is free from expectations. When you discover the love within you, you can continue to give. Whether the other person gives or not, true love enables you to give unselfishly. Let today be for discovering and giving others the love within you. Make sure you do at least one act that shows your love towards anyone around you. Feel the love flowing from within to the ones around you. 

~ Brahma Kumaris, Mt Abu.

Stop And Listen To The Silence Within You !

In the midst of a conversation, have you mentally switched off, shut down and gone home? Or are you busy competing for the other person's attention by going on and on and on.

Many of our conversations are not so much a dialogue, but two monologues happening at the same time.In fact, it's far more fulfilling to listen. To listen, we have to be available, not caught up in our own head or be sidetracked by our emotions.

Try not to interrupt. When someone says something, wait 3 seconds before replying to make sure that they have finished.

Make time to hear what another person has to say, to really listen and venture into a genuine conversation.

~ Brahma Kumaris, Mt Abu.

Create Love For A Task To Carry It Out Successfully !

Where there is love, the hardest task becomes easy to perform. 

If something is difficult, it means there is no love. Where there is love, even a task as difficult and big as a mountain becomes as easy and light as cotton. Love makes work easier and lighter. Today is the day to love your work. Whatever you are doing, remember that you love your work. Experiment with one thing that you have been finding it difficult to do with a reminder to yourself that you love it.

~ Brahma Kumaris, Mt Abu.

Keep Your Mind Stable And Experience Worthy Thoughts !

You will continue to progress when you finish carelessness. 

Check if you are satisfied with the progress you are making and see if you could do anything to improve it. Also check if your own carelessness is preventing you from moving forward quickly. Take a thought of an aim that you have to fulfill within a certain period of time. Each day strengthen remind yourself of it and tell yourself that you only have to work towards this aim, whether others are doing it or not. When you look at others you tend to become slack too. So finish carelessness and continue to move forward.

~ Brahma Kumaris, Mt Abu.

Be Positive To Handle Situations & Take Right Decisions !

Be seated on the seat of an observer and you'll be able to enjoy the games of the situations that come your way. 

When something goes wrong, check if you are able to discriminate and take the right decisions. The more you are caught up in the situation, the more difficult it gets to take the right decision. Each day practice looking at and appreciating the variety that life brings. Remind yourself that life would not be so interesting without this variety. Practice looking at all the situations in this way and you'll find yourself stable. 

~ Brahma Kumaris, Mt Abu.

Bring Positive Awareness In Your Thoughts !

Become free from obstacles by finishing wasteful questions. 

When something negative happens, check what your thoughts are. Are you searching for the reason for the negative situation to occur in order to learn from it or are you just asking questions and complaining about your situation? Each day think of anything that has not happened right and make the practice of seeing what good could have come out of such a situation. In this way you'll not waste your own time or that of others since you don't ask why. You'll thereby free from obstacles.

~ Brahma Kumaris, Mt Abu.

Steve Jobs Positive Quotes & Rules of Life !!

Your time is limited,
so don't waste it living someone else's life.

~   Steve Jobs


Don't be trapped by dogma -
which is living with the results of other people's thinking.
Don't let the noise of other's opinions
drown out your own inner voice.

~   Steve Jobs


Be a yardstick of quality.
Some people aren't used to an environment
where excellence is expected.

~   Steve Jobs


Have the courage to follow your heart and intuition -
they somehow already know what you truly want to become.

~   Steve Jobs




Steve Jobs' Three Rules of Life ...

1. Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life.


2. Don't be trapped by dogma - 
which is living with the results of other people's thinking. 
Don't let the noise of others' opinions drown out your own inner voice.


3. Have the courage to follow your heart and intuition - 
they somehow already know what you truly want to become.

Be Happy & Enjoy The Magic of Life !!

Happiness is the art of living, the purpose of our existence. 

Happiness is the true index of quality of life. Without happiness, life is dry and meaningless. With happiness, life immediately becomes fulfilling and wonderful. Happiness is an infectious feeling that immediately lifts the sagging spirits of people. Happy people keep themselves happy because they know the little ways to appreciate themselves and to see the humour and magic in each moment. 

~ Brahma Kumaris, Mt Abu.

Give Away Kindness & Have First Positive Thoughts in the Day !!

You have so much to give. Be a benefactor. Be selfless. Open your heart and let kindness motivate you. Today, show kindness to others without expecting thanks.

Whatever you are experiencing in your mind now, is what you put in there earlier on. 

Let your first thoughts of the day simply be peaceful. Fill your mind with peace & your mind will give you an experience of peace in return.

Through the day, remind yourself of your morning thoughts of peace, & move on in the same direction till the end of the day.

If obstacles come your way, don't let it block your peace.

~ Brahma Kumaris, Mt Abu.

Enjoy the journey of your Life !!

Journeying through life is like driving a car. 




Here are the 4 most important rules :


1) have self-confidence & self-control to be in the driving seat of life


2) select the route to your goal, your destination


3) negotiate the road works, potholes, & the other drivers by staying true to your own 'rules 
     of the road'


4) check the rear view mirror (the past), pay attention to what's around you (the present) & 
     what's ahead (your future)

And then, enjoy every moment of the drive! 

~ Brahma Kumaris, Mt Abu.

Highly Motivational Thoughts !!

When you have a strong aim you automatically receive the cooperation from others. 

When you take up a task, check if you are able to receive the cooperation from others. If not, check the strength of your own aim. The stronger your aim, you will find others coming forward to help you fulfill your aim. Each morning remind yourself of the aim that you have to achieve. List out mentally why fulfilling that aim is important for you. This will further help in strengthening the aim.

~ Brahma Kumaris, Mt Abu.

Learn to enjoy every minute of your life. Be happy now. 

Don't wait for something outside of yourself to make you happy in the future.   

Think how really precious is the time you have to spend, 

whether it's at work or with your family. 

Every minute should be enjoyed and savored.

~   Earl Nightingale

Have The Determination To Bring Our Thoughts Into Practice !

Determination is a combination of single-mindedness and flexibility. 

When you are determined, you're sure of what you have to achieve and you're able to move in the right direction. And when an obstacle comes your way, you're able to take it in your stride; like a river you can forge your route towards the destination.

If we are stuck or trapped in our own thoughts we will not have control over them. When we observe them, we separate ourselves from them and we provide a space, and this is how we can control them and channel them in the direction we wish. In order to have control over something we must look at it from a certain distance, like an impartial observer. This practice helps us to realise the influences, both positive and negative, that there are in our life. 

Observing our thoughts (which we do in the process of meditation) is the first step in understanding and, in the last analysis, taking full responsibility for them. 

~ Brahma Kumaris, Mt Abu.

Lovely Positive Statements !

Today is the first day of the rest of your life.

~   Anonymous

Don't Wait!

Start on your dreams, your impulses,

your longings, your special occasions today.

Because this is your moment.

~   Mary Anne Radmacher

"In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of

principle, stand like a rock."

~   Thomas Jefferson

The higher type of man clings to virtue, 

the lower type of man clings to material comfort.  

The higher type of man cherishes justice, 

the lower type of man cherishes the hope of favors to  be received.

~   Confucius

"Each of us has been put on earth with the ability to do

something well. We cheat ourselves and the world if we don't

use that ability as best we can."

~   Gracie Allen

"Friendship is always a sweet responsibility; never an opportunity."

~   Kahlil Gibran

Be Courageous And Bring About A Change !

Sometimes no matter how hard and fast you work, you still miss a deadline. Is it the end of the world if a deadline is missed, especially if the deadline is self-imposed? 

Maybe, the next time there's little chance in meeting a deadline, ask for an extension and re-schedule the deadline. Give yourself permission to relax and lower your stress levels. Then you'll have more energy to get back to working harder and faster. 

~ Brahma Kumaris, Mt Abu.

Think Positively To Experience Progress In Life !

At the end of the day, on the wings of your thoughts, go beyond the cares and troubles of the world. Remove your mind from everything and everyone, and become blissfully detached, like a star.

Like a star, be free to radiate light, for your essence is light and peace. Enjoy the simplicity of the night sky, the peace. And then, when you want to, you can shoot down to earth. 

~ Brahma Kumaris, Mt Abu.

Keep Positive Approach & Things Will Happen For The Best !

When the oyster found that sand had got under his shell, just one little grain, he said to himself, "If I cannot remove it, I'll try to improve it." 

And as time passed by, this small grain of sand had become a beautiful pearl.

When things go wrong and get under your skin, instead of asking who is to blame, start asking, "What can I do to improve the situation?" 

Develop the oyster approach and transform the situation into something beautiful.

~ Brahma Kumaris, Mt Abu.

Find Positiveness In Other’s Acts !

You can have good wishes for everyone when you consider the ones who put obstacles in your way as your teachers. 

When someone puts any obstacle in your way, check what feelings you are having towards that person. Check if you are able to have good wishes for them or if your attitude is becoming negative towards them. Even when someone does something wrong towards you, have the awareness that they are the ones who enabled you to learn something new and contributed for your progress. When you do this, your negative feelings will also change to positive and you will begin to have good wishes for them.

~ Brahma Kumaris, Mt Abu.

Take Up Responsibility And Experience Constant Progress !

Trying to do too much at one time will only leave you exhausted and unable to give your best. 

Like a marathon runner who knows how to complete the race, pick the right pace for yourself and preserve your energy, so that you complete the task.

So, the next time, you're expecting too much from yourself, remind yourself, "If I want to see things through to completion, I have to pace myself properly." 

~ Brahma Kumaris, Mt Abu.

Use A Positive Approach To Solve Problems !

By removing the curtain of negative thoughts from your mind you can see the best that is hidden behind in every scene.

Throughout the day when thing s go wrong, check if you are able to remain unaffected. Also check how far you are able to see beyond each situation and see the positive aspect that is hidden within. Each day take the thought that whatever happens is for the best. Even when things go wrong make the practice of seeing the good aspect in the situation and if you are unable to do so, remain with the faith that everything happens for the best.

~ Brahma Kumaris, Mt Abu.

Recognizing Own Values Will Bring Success & Satisfaction !

To use one value with commitment is to guarantee the use of all values.

Values are related to each other as if they were members of a great family. For the one who is committed to one value is the one who is able to emerge the other connected values. Such a person is able to add quality to everything he does and speaks. When I am able to recognise my own special value and use it with commitment in my daily life, I am able to experience success in all I do. This is because I have the satisfaction of giving my best and of having added quality to everything I do.

 

~ Brahma Kumaris, Mt Abu.

Get Rid of Selfishness & Move Towards Success !

You can always be successful when there is a desire to serve others.

At the end of each day, check if you have done anything for others. Also check if there is any consciousness of 'I' in all the things that you do for others. When there is even the slightest trace of a desire for benefit for yourself you cannot experience either contentment or success. Each day take up at least one thing that would bring benefit to others, irrespective of whether it will get you anything or not. When you serve with no selfishness you will find yourself succeeding in all you do.

 

~ Brahma Kumaris, Mt Abu.

Stop complaining about your circumstances !

It’s extremely rare to find a successful person who whines, complains, and frets about his circumstances. This is despite the fact that he may have overcome great obstacles to achieve his level of success. On the other hand, it’s extremely common for struggling individuals to continually blame their circumstances for their lack of joy and happiness.

The real question is: what came first – the attitude or the success? The answer, in virtually all cases, is that the winning, positive attitude came first, followed by a lifetime of success.

All it takes is a simple decision; the decision to stop yourself from falling into the habit of complaining about your circumstances. At first it may be difficult – even funny – to observe how often you complain.

Habits can be hard to break. But in this case, it’s well worth the effort. As an excuse of complaint comes to mind, gently shoo it away. Don’t worry about it too much. You’ll quickly get used to the nicer feelings that come from a life without complaints.

Source : K N Rajan

 

 

Feel The Qualities Of Our Soul !

Our original resources are very simply - peace, love, purity, knowledge and happiness. In Raja Yoga meditation these are called the five original qualities of the soul. When we return our consciousness to these five qualities and remember them, then the following feelings arise in us, which finally get reflected in our actions:

• Love: I care and I share.

• Peace: I harmonize and reconcile (adjust).

• Purity: I respect and I honour.

• Knowledge: I am and I exist.

• Happiness: I express and I enjoy.

To understand and remember these qualities, we need to recognize the heavy deep shadows or personality traits (“sanskars”) which have blotted them out, or polluted them. Sometimes we don't recognize the pollutants because they have ingrained themselves so deeply into the personality that we say ‘I am this’. True, complete spiritual knowledge, makes us aware of these pollutants and the practice of meditation empowers us to dilute them and get them out of our consciousness.

~ Brahma Kumaris, Mt Abu.

Look At Your Dependencies & Learn From Them !

Watch how many things you do during the day are dependent on how you imagine the other sees you: your husband, your friend, your child, your cousin, your aunt, your boss, the secretary or whoever. You imagine how they are going to look at you and, as a result, you mould yourself accordingly. If you depend on the look of the other, inwardly you will always feel fear. You want to please the other so that they continue to see you as you want. Because of the dependence that we have on the other to appreciate us, value us and not to reject us, we want to please them. If, in spite of doing everything possible, they do not appreciate us or are not happy, how do we feel? Cheated. After having done everything out of wanting to please them! Inside, you want to please them because you want them to keep on loving you, or you don't want them to sack you from your job, or you are afraid of being different or not being accepted. That kind of dependency takes us away from our true authenticity. If you look at yourself well, in the end, others will look at you well and the one who does not look at you well will perhaps teach you something, but your value and self-esteem do not depend on the look of the other. In this state, you are open because you trust yourself and you have personal security. 

Get Out Of Your Bad Habits !

Bad habits are like a comfortable bed, easy to get into, but hard to get out of. 

How to break bad habits :

  - focus on changing just one habit at a time

 - acknowledge how the habit dis-empowers you

 - realize how you alone can break the habit, no-one else can do it for you

 - separate yourself from your habit and understand that you aren't your habit

 - visualize yourself without the habit

 - replace the bad habit with something positive

 - don't focus on the "not doing", but instead, focus on " doing" the positive action

- don't beat yourself up when you slip up, just break the habit as many times as it takes

Face The Situation Positively !!

Instead of thinking of the situation, think of your own stage.

 

When you find yourself questioning the things that are happening in your life, ask yourself if your own stage is good. The situation might be bad, but check if your own stage is good and if you have the power to face the situation. The reason for losing the stage in a negative situation is because of negative thoughts. In order to finish such negative thoughts, remind yourself that you are learning from the things that are happening so that you can improve your own stage.

 

 

~ Brahma Kumaris, Mt Abu.

Cute Positive One-Liners !!

"Life is too short. Grudges are a waste of perfect happiness.

Laugh when you can, apologize when you should and let go of what you can't change.

Love deeply and forgive quickly.

Take chances. Give everything and have no regrets.

Life is too short to be unhappy.

You have to take the good with the bad.

Smile when you're sad, love what you got, and always remember what you had.

Always forgive, but never forget.

Learn from your mistakes but never regret.

People change, and things go wrong but always remember... life goes on!"

~   Author unknown

 

Take Out Time To Relax Yourself !!

When you are full with the nourishment of happiness you will remain healthy. 

Just as the body needs food each day, check if you are giving the nourishment of happiness for the well being of the mind. When the mind is healthy with this regular diet, the body will remain healthy too. In the busy schedule of the day, make sure you make time for yourself. For at least a few minutes, do something that you enjoy and which relaxes your mind. It is essential that the mind is given the food it requires everyday to keep it healthy. 

~ Brahma Kumaris, Mt Abu.