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Today’s featured affirmation is:
“A new day dawns…I am a new person today; a better person, a healthier person, a happier person.”
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Today’s thought comes from the ancient Chinese Book of Wisdom, The Tao Te Ching (pron. Dao De Jing) “The Book of the Way”. Little is known about its author, Lao-tzu, other than he was probably an older contemporary of Confucius.
“Tao” has many possible English translations among them would be “The Way”, “Ultimate Truth”, and “That which underlies all that is.”
“Fame or integrity: which is more important?
Money or happiness: which is more valuable?
Success or failure: which is more destructive?
If you look to others for fulfillment,
you will never truly be fulfilled.
If your happiness depends on money,
you will never be happy with yourself.
Be content with what you have;
rejoice in the way things are.
When you realize there is nothing lacking,
the WHOLE WORLD belongs to you.
True perfection seems imperfect,
yet it is perfectly itself.
True fullness seems empty,
yet it is fully present.
True straightness seems crooked,
True wisdom seems foolish.
True art seems artless.
The Master allows things to happen.
She shapes events as they come.
She steps out of the way
and lets the Tao speak for itself.
Tao Te Ching Verses 44 & 45
The passage encourages us be authentically ourselves and truly follow the impulses of our hearts rather than the dictates of the herd. The problem is that after many years of living “by the appearances” we find ourselves unable to tell the difference.
How do you get back in touch with your authentic self? In my experience, I’ve found the following 6 steps effective.
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Quiet – quiet time is the first prerequisite to self-understanding. You need a space to be, to listen, and to ask. It is no accident that every spiritual traditon suggests quiet prayer or meditation.
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Question – once you establish a quiet space begin to question yourself. Think of yourself as a friend you are trying to help. Ask questions that prompt thought and help you assess your true needs and feelings.
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Listen – asking questions is not enough. You need to listen, really hear, the answers coming from within.
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Understand – follow up on your initial answers by probing deeper. Really seek to understand your needs and feelings.
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Act – when you truly understand your needs and your feelings and successfully block out the voices from the herd, you can take action. When that action is aligned with your underlying needs and feelings you are on your way to being authentically you.
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Allow - the passage also points out that there is wisdom in letting things happen as they do and accepting them as they are. This does not mean you give up on your dreams and goals or stop trying. The acceptance mindset is simply one that removes the pressure to be perfect.
Outside influences will always be there, but you need not sacrifice your sense of self for them. Things beyond our control are always going to happen. No amount of worry, no pill or technology science will ever invent can alter the circumstances of the human condition.
Nonetheless, being authentically yourself, accepting what is, and being at peace with all things helps you to weather life’s storms. It also helps you grow and flourish when the storm passes. You are back in the drivers seat in your life. The concern for appearances and the controls of the herd melt away. You are authentically you just as creation intended you to be all along.
Try, just today, to truly be YOU in every way and get out of the way so the universe can work its perfection.
Be peaceful Be positive!
Ray
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March 12, 2008 at 5:00 pm
This is what makes me unique, but you should see some of the looks I get for being me! It does bring a smile to my face thinking about the more memorable moments in my life. I have never followed the herd and I think that’s what truly shocks people when they get to know me, because I look like just one of the mild mannered herd! Always be true to yourself, by following the golden rules when appropriate, and especially during times of conflict( this does not mean give up on making your point heard), it just means try to keep it civilized. It does help keep you focused on the issue’s you are facing during those troubling moments that crop up in our lives.
God Bless!
March 12, 2008 at 5:24 pm
Teresa,
You’re not alone. I have the same “mix in with the herd” ability. For goodness sakes, I’ve been told I look like Kelsey Grammar and Richie Cunningham!
I know the looks. A couple of years ago during a business lunch, my boss’s boss (who was from out of town) turned to me when politics came up and said, “I’ve heard about you.” I realized I had a rep.
It is my firm conviction that you can live by the golden rule and still make your points heard loud and clear. In fact, we need leaders to who do it.
Be true to yourself should be everyone’s mantra. We’re simply not here just to be consumers, employees, or all the other roles given to us or accepted by us.
There is nothing about it that conflicts with any true belief system someone might adhere to. God granted us intelligence, abilities, and power. Who are we not to use them?
Stay true to you!
Ray
P.S. – Did you see that some new organizations are now projecting the Obama actually won the Texas delegate count. Thought you might be interested, if you hadn’t seen it yet.