Doing the right thing

"How do you know if you're doing the right thing? I come to you for answers."

"Why do you ask that?"

The anxious woman waited in earnest for an answer.

Initially, the calm woman was silent.

"Okay, my instinct tells me I acted with good intentions. I didn’t think I knew what I was doing and then the answers came. I gained confidence as I made choices and proved I could do things."  Her heart was pulsating. 

"If this is so, why do you doubt yourself and why come to me?"

"I didn’t get results I wanted. People didn’t react as I imagined. They didn’t praise and openly admire my efforts."

"So, your view of success is based not on cause or motivation, but on the nature of your effect? Consider the hidden reasons for your discontent. Seek to understand yourself."

"I'd say I’m completely unsatisfied with what I’ve done, with what I’ve received, with what I know, and with what I have."

"Precisely. What do you sense beyond this superficial dissatisfaction?"

"It's as if there’s part of me I ignore, though I have no idea why.  This part of me craves attention, and deserves respect, but just doesn’t get it."

"Curious. Doesn’t get respect from whom?"

"Why, I suppose, from myself as well as from anyone who knew about it, if anyone did." 

"See my point. Don’t let yourself be too influenced by what other people think as a measurement or evaluation of your efforts. Seek instead the recognize what the behavior of others mirrors about your hidden self."

"What do I want then?"

"You tell me.  It appears you have all the answers.  To be happy itself may be too simple. I sense you desire to live life as intensely as possible, to be aware of danger, to live life on the edge, to recognize the woman on the other side of the mirror, without needing other people to help."

"Is all that possible? "

"Anything is possible if you choose to take the risk. You’ve already chosen to go further than most people. Look how far you've come."

"But I’m not most people!"

"No, that's true.  But the fact that you make your life more difficult than it has to be makes the experiences more thrilling somehow.  Doing the right thing for you requires unconditional love, self-acceptance and self-respect."

"Is that all?  Well, I've been known to fit in 6 impossible things before breakfast." 

"If its a challenge, then believe its an invisible fire in your soul.  Defend those inner passions."   

Advice from the Dalai Lama

I felt fortunate to attend a presentation by His Holiness the Dalai Lama during his Australian tour. For a considerable time, I suppose I’ve admired the man from a distance. In person, his humbleness is evident in his gestures and how he shares his observations.  He offered points worthy of reflection which can be references for personal growth initiatives.

Tolerance. All religious traditions have the same potential and all carry the same message, of love and compassion. He invites every person to look inside to develop an attitude and values that promote self-acceptance.  We can also learn open-mindedness concerning other people and their ways of perceiving. He encourages you not to impose yourself or beliefs on others.

Harmony. Aspects of your conditions are like fire under water. Realize that fire evaporates water, and water puts out fire. Change often causes conflict and conflict invites change. This image describes what happens in life when things need stirring up because you seek a new kind of balance. Dramatic change can lead to harmony.  Inner peace is a mental state you can develop.

Chaos vs order. Revolutionary change points to a time when chaos arises from order. Realize that not all order is good, and not all chaos bad. Chaos can be an integral part of the way of things. Have courage to radically change and renew the way you see and portray yourself. In this way, you can create chaos as a means to disrupt what isn’t working in your life, and you will unleash a new power and energy. If engaging in a negotiation, change the rules where it suits. If composing a piece of music, add the unexpected. If courting a lover, dare to be unconventional.

Love & Compassion. As you reach out to all living beings, including our so-called enemies, those people who upset or hurt us. Irrespective of what they do to you, if you remind yourself all beings are like you are simply trying to be happy, you will find it much easier to develop compassion towards them. Usually your sense of compassion is limited and biased. We extend such feelings only towards our family and friends or those help us. People we perceive as enemies and others to whom we are indifferent are excluded from our concern. That is not genuine compassion. True compassion is universal, unconditional and comes with a sense of responsibility. To act altruistically, is to be concerned for the welfare of others, with no selfish or ulterior motives.

Controversy, PR stunt or more?

Controversy stimulates our minds and causes us to question our choices.  Many fiction authors are seen to write as a means of catharsis, as a means of easing emotions of loneliness, fear, grief and isolation for their readers.  Provoking controversy is also an outlet for authors to explore themselves.  Even fantasy may contain elements of reality. How can we verify?

The idea of dreaming up controversies can also sell books.  Some of your favorite books may not get nearly as much attention as you think they deserve.  Little do we realize how much and what kind of attention authors will receive. Would all notoriety be good for authors and  books? 

Many viewpoints have been expressed about books which raise controversy and question the limits of censorship and freedom of speech.  Consider the reasons for public outcries about books you would or would not choose to read. The following are samples of books which repeatedly raise eybrows. What are your own views? 

1) Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling

2) 1984 by George Orwell

3) Of Mice & Men by John Steinbeck

4) Satanic Verses by Salman Rushdie

5) Forever by Judy Blume 

6) Brave New World  by Aldous Huxley

7) The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger

8) I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou

9) Fallen Angels by Walter Dean Myers

10) The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier

11) The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough

12) The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown

13) The Bible by ~40 authors over a period of about 1500 years

What's all the hullabaloo?

When we reflect on the top 15 best-selling books of all time, this makes a statement about the kinds of timeless topics that inspire dreams of people of different cultures. Some of these works are shrouded in mystery which itself may appeal. Others are meant to shatter mystery and shed light on particular issues. Its all in how you look at it. Consider whether any of the books are familiar. How do they impact your life and dreams?

1) The Bible –many languages (sold 5-6 billion copies)
2) Quotations of Chairman Mao-Chinese (900 million)
3) The Qu’ran –Arabic (800 million)
4) Xinhua Xidian-Chinese (400 million)
5) Book of Common Prayer -English
6) Pilgram’s Progress by John Bunyan -English
7) Foxe’s Book of Martyrs by John Foxe -English
8) Book of Morman –English (120 million) -English
9) Harry Potter & the Philosopher’s Stone by J.K. Rowling -English (107 million)
10) And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie- English (100 million)
10) Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkein-English ( usually in 3 book set-100 million)
11) Harry Potter & the Half Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling- English (65 million)
12) The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown -English (60 million)
12) Harry Potter & the Chamber of Secrets -by J.K. Rowling English (60 million)
13) The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger-English (55 million)
13) Harry Potter & the Order of the Phoenix by J.k. Rowling -English(55 million)
13) Harry Potter & the Prisoner of Azkaban by Jk.K. Rowling -English (55 million)
13) Harry Potter & the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rolwing -English (55 million)
14) Watership Down by Richard Adams -English (50 million)
14) Ben Hur: A Tale of the Christ by Lew Wallace -English (50 million)
14) The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho -Portugese (50 million)
14) Heidi by Johanna Spyri -German (50 million)
14) The Mark of Zorro (Curse of Capistrano) by Johnston Mculley -English (50 million)
14) The Little Prince by Antoine de St. Exupéry -French (50 million)
14)Common Sense Baby & Childcare by Dr. Benjamin Spock- English (50 million)
15) Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White -English (45 million)
15) The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter -English (45 million)

*statistics taken from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_best-selling_books

Richard Bach & 5 Ways to fly like a seagull

Richard Bach did a wonderful thing when he created Jonathan Livingston Seagull. Bach's experience as a pilot and insight into human nature compelled him to invite us to reflect on what makes us who we are.

We learn that all humans can learn to fly just like Jonathan, and each in our own way. As an inspiration, Bach's writing enables readers to step back and see what they desire to see, based on personality and mindset. In addition to your views, Bach invites us to :

1) Nurture humility.  Rather than spiral downward into the abyss of self-importance, we're reminded of power and wisdom to be found through learning and sharing the value of modesty.  Great mentors talk little and listen much.

2) Listen to your passion.  To feel truly alive, at different times in your life, you may feel compelled to rebel against the status quo. In the process, even if you become an outcast, you can learn a great deal about yourself. People may criticize your courage and choices, while you discover new level of existence.

3) Live in the present.  Learning precision flying symbolizes a step toward understanding what you can learn and perfect in the ‘here and now.’ Accept and express your true nature to live to the fullest. Rise above your perceived limits. Nothing you do is ever a waste of time.

4) Never underestimate your potential.  Believe that you have the power to do things beyond your obvious or previously discovered abilities. People will tell you what they assume you can or can’t do. Why would you choose to believe them?

5) Ignoring your intuition is unwise.  Identify new sources of freedom. We all have capacity to experience happiness from doing things that enable us to feel good about ourselves and life. You make your own rules and also sense when they feel right.