ART OF POSITIVE THINKING: HOW TO OVERCOME OUR THOUGHT POLLUTIONS

Thought pollutions results from the unskillful use of emotions, the most basic element of thought energy. Often when we feel down or sick, it is because we are picking up these thought pollutions, which we can absorb very easily. But we can also learn quite simply how to remove them from our minds and bodies and to extract the positive thought energies. Learning how to overcome our thought pollutions is one of the ways towards mastering the art of positive thinking.

Art of Positive Thinking #1: Overcoming Greed

Greed is an unskillful emotion that seeks to accumulate anything in order to feel safe and secure. Greed creates ill health and problems with insecurity, money and relationships. Whenever greed creeps into you, start running the images of the wind or sea and focus on one of these sounds and direct these sounds towards eroding your greed and developing an understanding that all things come to fruition in their own time.

Art of Positive Thinking #2: Overcoming Anger

Anger comes into being when a person is overwhelmed by the world and feels powerless to change it. People influenced by anger seek perfection in all things and see themselves as leaders and inspirers of other people. To transform anger, first think of how you can be of service to your fellow human beings. Focus upon your thought energy to bring you a greater experience of love and spirituality in your daily life.

Art of Positive Thinking #3: Overcoming Arrogance

Arrogance is a lack of confidence. Arrogance is being unsure of what to do, so it creates a defense system of emotions. People influenced by arrogance believe that things don’t last and that they can rely only upon themselves. Whenever you experience an emotion of arrogance, sit quietly and ask yourself what’s the real value of your achievements. As you gain insights, cultivate them with self-love so that you will be able to recognize opportunities for positive change.

Art of Positive Thinking #4: Overcoming Selfishness

Selfishness comes about when an individual has no self-awareness, either physically or emotionally. This lack of self-awareness leads to loneliness, which in turn affects the chemistry of the brain and the body’s limbic system, both of which are intimately connected to our emotions. The next time you experience the emotion of selfishness, close your eyes and visualize what’s it is like to be free from selfishness and how others will be able to benefit from your kind generosity instead.

So now that you’ve understood the role and importance of your emotions and the thought pollutions that can impede your development of skilful thought, it is time to start mastering the art of positive thinking by overcoming your thought pollutions.

Randy died today...

I got an email today from David Perdew. He wrote about "Randy died today...". I read the email and it blessed me.

I would like to share the email for all of my readers in 'THE SUCCESS LIFE". I hope everyone who reads this will be blessed. Here is the email:

Hi there Aleksander

I got a note today from my friend Ken McArthur that was
titled "Randy died today..."

And quickly, I found myself sitting in front a 75 minute
YouTube video of Randy Pausch giving his "Last Lecture" on
Sep. 18, 2007.

You probably know the story...For some reason, I had
resisted watching the video for months. It just got lower
and lower on my list of things to do.

But there was the note from Ken. And there was Randy on my
screen.

Instantly, I loved the man and what he was saying.

But let's back up about 3 hours before I opened the video.

My wife and I had just watched the squirrels being thrown
from our Yankee Flipper bird feeder - it's great fun. (If
you want to see five minutes of squirrel hilarity, search
YouTube for Yankee Flipper bird feeders. No squirrels were
injured in the making of this video...)

We were laughing so hard, we could hardly tear ourselves
away from the window.

But she had to go to town to see her childhood neighbor
who's in a nursing home.

Standing there in the kitchen, I was overcome with gratitude
for the life I have and the wife I love. She's greatly
motivated...and a great motivation. I've written about her
before. She's a remarkable woman.

In 2002, she was diagnosed with cancer - it was the curable
kind, but would require a life-changing surgery. Terrified,
we went through the surgery and recovery together. And we
left Atlanta and moved to the woods closer to her mother for
a better way of living.

Motivated by near-death, she made a deal with God. "Get me
through this and I'll take very good care of this body as
long as I can."

She has. She's become a body-builder - not for show - but
for herself, going to the gym four times a week. She's
healthier than ever. And more spiritual. And more relaxed.
And more beautiful. And more thankful.

And she opens all of my pickle jars when I can't :)

I was thinking what an example she's become.

And then I got the note from Ken.

Randy Pausch - a brilliant professor at Carnegie Mellon
University - who was dying from pancreatic cancer had only a
few months to live. And he was having fun doing what he did
best. Teaching.

I watched the video, tears rolling down my cheeks, thankful
that he shared it. Thankful that my wife was cured. Thankful
that my life is so blessed. And thankful for the squirrels
and the birds.

And I took notes.

Seventeen post-it notes are stuck to my computer with
nuggets from Randy's "Last Lecture"...

Here's a few:

1. Never underestimate the importance of having fun.
   I'm dying and I'm having fun.
   And I'm going to keep having fun every day because
   there's no other way to play it.
   
   
2. Experience is what you get when you didn't get what you wanted.
   
   
3. No one is pure evil. Find the best in everybody.
   Wait long enough and people will surprise and impress you.
   
   
4. Brick walls are there for a reason. They are not there to keep us out.
   The brick walls are there to give us a chance to show how badly we want something. The brick walls are there to stop people who don't want it badly enough.
   
   
5. It is not about achieving your dreams but living your life.
   If you lead your life the right way, the karma will take care of itself.
   The dreams will come to you.
   
   
6. We can't change the cards we're dealt, just how we play the hand.
   If I'm not as depressed as you think I should be,
   I'm sorry to disappoint you.
   

I posted a bunch more quotes on twitter. If you'd like to see them, you can follow me at
http://www.maximizecommunications.com/twitter

Thanks for letting me share...and thanks for sharing Randy.

You can watch Randy's video here:

http://www.maximizecommunications.com/randy

Peace and Prosperity!

Thanks David for sharing to me!

"A PIECE OF BLARNEY STONE" 10 WAYS TO EMPOWER YOUR COMMUNICATION

The Blarney Stone is a historical stone, or actually part of the Blarney Castle in Ireland where it was believed that kissing the stone can grant you the gift of gab. Yeah, it seems strange in this day and age, but who are we to question tradition? It's not like I'm saying that Santa Claus doesn't exist (OOPS!).

There is so much to know about conversation that anyone, even I, could ever realize. You can go though watching talk shows; radio programs; clubs dedicated to public speaking; ordinary conversations; certain rules still apply when it comes to interaction through words. It may sound tedious, I know, but even though it's your mouth that's doing the work, your brain works twice as hard to churn out a lot of things you know. So what better way to start learning to be an effective communication is to know the very person closest to you: yourself.

1. What you know.Education is all about learning the basics, but to be an effective speaker is to practice what you've learned. My stint as guest at every Toastmasters' meeting I go to taught me that we all have our limitations, but that doesn't mean we can't learn to keep up and share what we know.

2. Listening.It's just as important as asking questions. Sometimes listening to the sound of our own voice can teach us to be a little bit confident with ourselves and to say the things we believe in with conviction.

3. HumilityWe all make mistakes, and sometimes we tend to slur our words, stutter, and probably mispronounce certain words even though we know what it means, but rarely use it only to impress listeners. So in a group, don't be afraid to ask if you're saying the right word properly and if they're unsure about it then make a joke out of it. I promise you it'll make everyone laugh and you can get away with it as well.

4. Eye ContactThere's a lot to say when it comes to directing your attention to your audience with an eye-catching gaze. It's important that you keep your focus when talking to a large group in a meeting or a gathering, even though he or she may be gorgeous.

5. Kidding aroundA little bit of humor can do wonders to lift the tension, or worse boredom when making your speech. That way, you'll get the attention of the majority of the crowd and they'll feel that you're just as approachable, and as human to those who listen.

6. Be like the rest of themInteraction is all about mingling with other people. You'll get a lot of ideas, as well as knowing what people make them as they are.

7. Me, Myself, and IAdmit it, there are times you sing to yourself in the shower. I know I do! Listening to the sound of your own voice while you practice your speech in front of a mirror can help correct the stress areas of your pitch. And while you're at it you can spruce up as well.

8. With a smileA smile says it all much like eye contact. There's no point on grimacing or frowning in a meeting or a gathering, unless it's a wake. You can better express what you're saying when you smile.

9. A Role ModelThere must be at least one or two people in your life you have listened to when they're at a public gathering or maybe at church. Sure they read their lines, but taking a mental note of how they emphasize what they say can help you once you take center stage.

10. PreparationMake the best out of preparation rather than just scribbling notes and often in a hurried panic. Some people like to write things down on index cards, while other resort to being a little more silly as they look at their notes written on the palm of their hand (not for clammy hands, please). Just be comfortable with what you know since you enjoy your work.

And that about wraps it up. These suggestions are rather amateurish in edgewise, but I've learned to empower myself when it comes to public or private speaking and it never hurts to be with people to listen how they make conversations and meetings far more enjoyable as well as educational.

God bless you with this best opportunity!

"LIFE WITH WOODY" 10 INSPIRATIONAL QUOTES THAN CAN IMPROVE YOURSELF

It might take a little coffee or probably a few rounds of beer or any other booze you could get your hands on when it comes to relaxing after a hard day's work. Well, yeah I'm guilty about that one as well, unless I'm caught dead wearing a lampshade over my head after a few rounds of vodka… half-naked! Okay, bad example and I apologize to everyone reading this after getting nightmares about me in that state of drunken stupor.

Just don't ask how it happened, please.

But what's really interesting is that how do people go through the usual part of life when faced with vein-popping stress? I mean, the new age thing like Zen or yoga is one of the good things and it actually works. Is there room for the intellectual side of people who can actually smell the roses-in-a-can while on the move? It kind of had me thinking that there really must be something in this 'mind-over-matter' thing.

Humor is indeed the best medicine there is whenever you are. I mean anyone can pay good money to listen to a comedian just to make you wet your pants after laughing so hard. Despite of what's been happening, and to those who has gone though the ordeal, it's better to just laugh while facing the troubles with a clear mind than anger with a clouded vision. One of my favorite celebrities of all time may have to be Woody Allen. Now this is one guy who gives you the in-your-face bluntness that he pulls out with gusto, even without even trying. You can talk just about anything with a man, and he's bound to mock the subject and you'll end up laughing rather than being upset about it.

Woody Allen has this to say:

1. "Money is better than poverty, if only for financial reasons." It sounds good to me, I mean the practicality of all things does involve money but it doesn't have to take an arm and a leg to get it.

2. "I believe there is something out there watching us. Unfortunately, it's the government." 'Nuff said.

3. "There are worse things in life than death. Have you ever spent an evening with an insurance salesman?" This happens to be one of the classic ones. I mean the issue about life's little problems isn't all that bad, until 'he' shows up.

Sure, relationships can get complicated, or does have its complications that probably any author about relationships is bound to discover it soon. We follow what our heart desires, unless you're talking about the heart as in the heart that pump blood throughout your body.

4. "Love is the answer, but while you're waiting for the answer, sex raises some pretty interesting questions." And if you want more, just keep on asking!

5. "A fast word about oral contraception. I asked a girl to go to bed with me, she said 'no'." It sounds, 'practical', I think.

And when it comes to everyday life, he really knows how to make the best out of every possible scenario, and it doesn't involve a lawsuit if he strikes a nerve.

6. "Basically my wife was immature. I'd be at home in the bath and she'd come in and sink my boats." I never had a boat in my bathtub before. Just staring at it while soaking in hot water makes me seasick already.

7. "I am not afraid of death, I just don't want to be there when it happens." If it rains, it pours.

8. "I am thankful for laughter, except when milk comes out of my nose." It could get worse when you're guzzling on beer… or mouthwash, and it happened to me once!

9. "If you want to make God laugh, tell him about your plans." At least he doesn't smite us with lightning, and I'm thankful for that.

And despite of what may happen to all of us in the next ten, twenty, or even thirty years, I guess we all have to see things in a different kind of light and not just perspective. I can't seem to imagine life without any piece of wisdom that could guide us. Whether we're religious or not, it takes more courage to accept your fears and learn how to deal with them is all that matters when it comes to even just getting along.

And to sum things up, here is the last nugget of wisdom to go by… however, whenever, and wherever we may be.

10. "The talent for being happy is appreciating and liking what you have, instead of what you don't have."

Ciao!

God bless you with this best opportunity!

LIFE MAPPING: A VISION OF SUCCESS

Success is not a destination but a journey! Success is more than economic gains, titles, and degrees. Planning for success is about mapping out all the aspects of your life. Similar to a map, you need to define the following details: origin, destination, vehicle, backpack, landmarks, and route.

Origin: Who you are

A map has a starting point. Your origin is who you are right now. Most people when asked to introduce themselves would say, “Hi, I’m Jean and I am a 17-year old, senior high school student.” It does not tell you about who Jean is; it only tells you her present preoccupation. To gain insights about yourself, you need to look closely at your beliefs, values, and principles aside from your economic, professional, cultural, and civil status. Moreover, you can also reflect on your experiences to give you insights on your good and not-so-good traits, skills, knowledge, strengths, and weaknesses. Upon introspection, Jean realized that she was highly motivated, generous, service-oriented, but impatient. Her inclination was in the biological-medical field. Furthermore, she believed that life must serve a purpose, and that wars were destructive to human dignity.

Destination: A vision of who you want to be

“Who do want to be?” this is your vision. Now it is important that you know yourself so that you would have a clearer idea of who you want to be; and the things you want to change whether they are attitudes, habits, or points of view. If you hardly know yourself, then your vision and targets for the future would also be unclear. Your destination should cover all the aspects of your being: the physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual. Continuing Jean’s story, after she defined her beliefs, values, and principles in life, she decided that she wanted to have a life dedicated in serving her fellowmen.

Vehicle: Your Mission

A vehicle is the means by which you can reach your destination. It can be analogized to your mission or vocation in life. To a great extent, your mission would depend on what you know about yourself. Bases on Jean’s self-assessment, she decided that she was suited to become a doctor, and that she wanted to become one. Her chosen vocation was a medical doctor. Describing her vision-mission fully: it was to live a life dedicated to serving her fellowmen as a doctor in conflict-areas.

Travel Bag: Your knowledge, skills, and attitude

Food, drinks, medicines, and other traveling necessities are contained in a bag. Applying this concept to your life map, you also bring with you certain knowledge, skills, and attitudes. These determine your competence and help you in attaining your vision. Given such, there is a need for you to assess what knowledge, skills, and attitudes you have at present and what you need to gain along the way. This two-fold assessment will give you insights on your landmarks or measures of success. Jean realized that she needed to gain professional knowledge and skills on medicine so that she could become a doctor. She knew that she was a bit impatient with people so she realized that this was something she wanted to change.

Landmarks and Route: S.M.A.R.T. objectives

Landmarks confirm if you are on the right track while the route determines the travel time. Thus, in planning out your life, you also need to have landmarks and a route. These landmarks are your measures of success. These measures must be specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and time bound. Thus you cannot set two major landmarks such as earning a master’s degree and a doctorate degree within a period of three years, since the minimum number of years to complete a master’s degree is two years. Going back to Jean as an example, she identified the following landmarks in her life map: completing a bachelor’s degree in biology by the age of 21; completing medicine by the age of 27; earning her specialization in infectious diseases by the age of 30; getting deployed in local public hospitals of their town by the age of 32; and serving as doctor in war-torn areas by the age of 35.

Anticipate Turns, Detours, and Potholes

The purpose of your life map is to minimize hasty and spur-of-the-moment decisions that can make you lose your way. But oftentimes our plans are modified along the way due to some inconveniences, delays, and other situations beyond our control. Like in any path, there are turns, detours, and potholes thus; we must anticipate them and adjust accordingly.

God bless you!!

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. (Philipians 4:8)