[W]e are changed by what we read. Close that book, and you are not the same person anymore. Because of what you just read, your worldview–your understanding, your compassion for others, your ability to engage intelligently with others–has expanded a little. Books help us grow…. – Pat Williams

Reading is a great way to instigate change within you. As you read, new ideas are presented which can give you new perspectives on old topics.

The simple act of reading can ignite the imagination and take you to places you’ve never been before. I’m talking about places within you. New ideas, opinions, concepts, beliefs and actions can flood your mind. Some of them may upset old habits of thought or introduce completely new twists.

Whether you accept or reject the new ideas isn’t important. What’s important is that your mind is being exposed to the new items. Neurons in your brain are making new connections expanding your ability to think overall. Creative urges will surface seemingly from nowhere. Some you will act on and others you’ll only think about.

Go read. It doesn’t really matter what you choose but be open to new experiences and trains of thought.

Have a great day!

Michael

Happiness is not a matter of events‚ it depends upon the tides of the mind. – Alice Meynell

Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be. – Abraham Lincoln

Today has been a fantastic day, but I can’t tell you why. Nothing happened that special or particular.

It’s just that every moment seemed to get better and better as the day wore on.

I think it’s because I choose to feel good today. It didn’t mean that everything was perfect. It just meant that nothing really bothered me for that long.

I’m ending the day on a really high note and plan on starting off exactly this way in the morning.

It’s all about choice. I choose to be happier right now. Simple as that.

What about you?

Michael

Nine requisites for contented living:
Health enough to make work a pleasure.
Wealth enough to support your needs.
Strength to battle with difficulties and overcome them.
Grace enough to confess your sins and forsake them.
Patience enough to toil until some good is accomplished.
Charity enough to see some good in your neighbor.
Love enough to move you to be useful and helpful to others.
Faith enough to make real the things of God.
Hope enough to remove all anxious fears concerning the future. – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Wow! Brilliant advice. I think reading these lines would be a great way to start everyday.

In fact, I’m going to start in the morning. I like the positive perspective I get thinking about these simple but powerful concepts.

Have a great day!

Michael

All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us. – Gandalf in J.R.R. Tolkien’s Fellowship of the Ring (The Lord of the Rings)

Gandalf’s quote in The Fellowship of the Ring is one of my all time favorites. He (Tolkien) succinctly summarizes what our one decision is at all times. Oh, but what a complex and rich decision that can be.

Many of us have trouble making decisions. I once dealt with that struggle also. What’s funny to me is that by not making a decision, it always defaults to something and probably not anything you will really like. For me, not making decisions was a self-esteem problem. I was more concerned with what others would think of me based on the decision I may or may not make. It was easier to hide behind not making a decision than to face confrontation.

But, now the majority of my decisions are based on what will make me happy. I’ve decided now to spend my time doing things I enjoy and can have fun with. That thought process goes all the way down to mundane things like cleaning the dishes and etc. There are many times I’m happier doing the dishes in the morning instead of the evening. I just go with whatever I’m feeling at the time.

So, when you make the decision on what to do with the time you are given, make sure it is meaningful for you.

Michael

In the second chapter (p. 26) called The Loss of Innocence, Don Ruiz talks about how we as children do not have any definition of love as an abstract concept. He states, “We just live love. It’s the way we are.” But soon, we begin to play the game of adults. We learn fear. We accept injustice. We learn to accept a loss of freedom as normal.

Chapter 4 is titled The Track of Love, The Track of Fear. Some snippets from this chapter:

Love has no obligations, Fear is full of obligations.

Love has no expectations. Fear is full of expectations.

Love is based on respect. Fear doesn’t respect anything, including itself.

Love is ruthless; it doesn’t feel sorry for anyone, but it does have compassion. Fear is full of pity, it feels sorry for everyone.

Love is completely responsible. Fear avoids responsibility.

Love is always kind. Fear is always unkind.

Love is unconditional. Fear is full of conditions.

Other key points Don Miguel discusses are The Dream, The Perfect Relationship and Healing the Emotional Body.

Some of the concepts you have probably read or heard based on other traditions, but I liked the fresh simple approach that is taken with this most important subject. I don’t think we can hear these concepts too many times.

I’ll leave you with a quote from the book jacket summary.

When we master Love, we align with the Spirit of Life passing through us. We are no longer the body, or the mind, or the soul; we are Love. Then every action we take is an expression of Love, and Love in action can only produce happiness.

His basic premise is that we can be happy now before we solve or fix our problems. In other words, true happiness doesn’t come from external sources. He divides the book in two parts. Part 1 discusses the five principles:

1. The principle of thought.
2. The principle of moods.
3. The principle of separate realities.
4. The principle of feelings.
5. The principle of the present moment.

Part 2 deals with applying the principles in areas of our life; i.e. relationships, stress, solving problems, habits and addictions, and etc.

I recommend this book if you desire to be happier and would like some practical concepts that you can apply to reach that goal.

I’ll leave you with two excellent quotes from the book.

People are just about as happy as they make up their minds to be. – Abraham Lincoln

All that you achieve and all that you fail to achieve is the direct result of your own thoughts. – James Allen

I wish you a most excellent day.

Michael