Tonight I'm feeling like I need to empty my mind and rid myself of all the negative thoughts I have had the last few days. The brackets are my positive after thought from it.
1. A person who disregarded my feelings. (Accept and respect that this person is the way they are, and happily move on. Having someone be so blunt will help you get over it in less than a day. There are much, much more positive people in your life who love you).
2. Barely being able to breathe at night, nose is so swollen and sore, I almost can't take the pain anymore. (Pain is temporary, think about how lucky you are to be alive and be thankful for what you do have. Look forward to the operation in less than a month)
3. A ridiculous argument with sister. (Remind yourself that every tiff is momentary, and forgiveness makes people closer. Think about what a wonderful relationship you have with her already.)
Interestingly enough, I feel much better typing all this ... It's like a weight has been lifted and all my positive thoughts from it have floated back into my mind. All the frustrations I have had, seem so small and unimportant that I feel centered again in the world. I might not be invincible, but my positive energy protects me from all harmful things that come my way.
Lastly, here is an important message to myself: The gift of giving is a wondrous thing, but so is receiving- don't ever give a part of yourself away to those who only want to take from you, and not give back. Save your positive energies for those who you know have a special place in your life. They are the ones who genuinely care about you - and know YOU best.
A message to myself
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Irony
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Lately, I've been finding life is so ironic. Nearly every situation I've been in has irony. (If you're not quite sure what I mean, listen to Alanis Morisette's song "Ironic")
I honestly believe that positive attracts positive, and negative attracts negative. However, being only human, every now and again I let this personal philosophy slip away without noticing. Recently I thought that my purpose in someone's life was to try and make a positive impact upon them. I soon realized that I was so attached to the idea of making a positive impact on this person, that I'd almost given away a very precious part of me.
I imagined a rope that attached me to this person, and then slowly untying the binding knot that kept me from being happy. As soon as I imagined releasing this person from my worries, it literally took less than an hour to move on and get over it.
From this negative situation, I'd taken a positive turn and seen the light in it. The irony of trying to help someone open their eyes- some people just really don't want to. It's taken me awhile, but I've finally come to the conclusion that my genuine positive nature should be reserved for those who deserve it, or who recognize it and admire it.
I have a really good feeling that I'm going to be meeting some very positive influences in my life. I read a quote that I can't get out of my head: "Something only ever leaves your life, if something better comes along". This wonderful feeling of something great happening in the future has a far greater impact on my life than anything else. I whole heatedly believe that when you have a positive zest for life, you attract positive things.
Nothing ever good comes from a narrow perspective on life. If you believe that everything is doomed anyway, it probably will be. That's how much power you have over your own life. For instance, one of my closest friends was in (what he thought) was a crisis, a rut, and he even said he was going to move overseas to get away from everything. However, after just a few positive impacts on his life, he turned himself around in less than a week. I had an overwhelming feeling one day that I was meant to do something. Later that day I managed to find him some amazing job prospects, and a week later- he'd found his dream job- and he's happier than ever.
Sometimes the smallest positive impact can be the greatest. It's all in the mind. Closing yourself off to the world and it's incredible opportunities, is almost like taking the fast lane to misery. That's just my opinion anyway. :)
Bittersweet Symphony
Sunday, January 30, 2011
The Verve, "Bittersweet Symphony", one of my favorite songs of all time. It never had that much meaning to me until yesterday I was watching the Official video and was fascinated how Ashcroft walks down the streets of London, totally oblivious to his surroundings, absorbed in his own mind, and bumps into people without even noticing.
This idea of being totally unaware and bumping into random people had me thinking. Maybe we aren't so different from this oblivious man? Maybe some of us walk through life and crash into people without a thought of the impact. In the video, you may notice he walks into a woman and she falls over. He doesn't look back at her or help her, he just walks on, carelessly.
It makes me think that some of us aren't so different... metaphorically speaking too. We meet (and bump into) thousands of people in our life, and we don't always realize the impact that we have on these people- even if we've only met them for a second. For some people, everyone else is just another average human. They're so stuck in their own minds, self absorbed world, that there's no thought for anyone else.
The lyrics of Bittersweet Symphony ring true for some.
"'Cause it's a bittersweet symphony this life
Trying to make ends meet, you're a slave to the money then you die
I'll take you down the only road I've ever been down".
Most people on earth need money, or want money to survive. Sometimes they have to step on others to get there- and in the end, they're feeling so empty when all they have is money and no love. Everyone has a purpose in this lifetime, and maybe even the next. Money has nothing to do with it. Our impact on the people around us is what matters; and not by stepping on people, hurting them, or bringing them down. The impact should be memorable and positive, so that one day you can reflect on those who had an impact on you, and remember their names for a good reason.
"No change, I can't change, I can't change, I can't change,
but I'm here in my mold , I am here with my mold
And I'm a million different people from one day to the next
I can't change my mold, no, no, no, no, no"
I've never really liked the word change- to change means to alter yourself, and that's not healthy. However, 'to grow'- that is different. It's positive, and most certainly achievable. When you begin to grow, you lead a different journey, following your dreams and reflect your positive outlook onto everyone you meet- making a great impact on those who you encounter.
I think that's the deeper meaning behind Bittersweet Symphony- it's a beautiful song because it's lyrics are so true. We do bump into people without care, but it's our impact that matters most. How you impact upon someone is entirely up to you. I'm going to make sure that my impact matters, for all the right reasons. :)
Soul lessons...
Soul lessons, realizations, epiphanies, light bulb moments, call them what you will- they will all give you new perceptions that you never even thought, or dreamed of before.
Challenges, upsets, disappointments, losses, sickness... Everyone on earth experiences these daily, and yet we still struggle after experiencing them, instead of growing from it. We ask ourselves "Why me?", as though someone beyond the clouds pointed their finger and smited us for being too quiet or peaceful. Lately I have had so many overwhelming realizations through all of my challenges. I used to believe "Everything happens for a reason", however even this is wrong to me now- my new belief is "Everything in life is a test upon my spirit." And for some strange reason, I almost look forward to the day I will face a challenge, knowing I will be able to look for a positive opportunity in it.
Many of my own closest friends have faced very confronting challenges recently, and have told me what happened and how upset or angry they felt. Usually the "old" Sarah would give a few tips or advice, and think how sad I was for my friend. However, now, "New" Sarah sees the bigger picture, and I realize that my friend is also being tested upon; whatever advice I give will not make a difference unless they see the bigger picture too. They may not realize at the time, but the 'storm' that has overwhelmed them has occurred because they are driven by their fears, and emotions. Their own inner storm has overwhelmed them, but letting go of their fears will connect them to their harmony and eventually, feel at peace during future challenges.
During my holiday at Queensland (Surfers Paradise), with some wonderful friends and my sister, I was able to experience the first few powerful realizations... I was staying at the most beautiful place, a Penthouse overlooking Surfers Beach. Here I was thinking how perfect everything was, when in reality this was an illusion of happiness. I was only staying at a beautiful place for 6 days, therefore my happiness was circumstantial. It would only last for a few days, I thought to myself. Sitting on the rooftop of the Penthouse, I stared silently at the night sky and had my second realization- my friends, and my sister were the most important aspect of my life, and the happiness that came from them was not circumstantial, it was for life. As soon as I had these two extraordinary realizations, I was able to accept that I had to make the most of my stay for what it was- it's temporary beauty, and the love I had for my friends and sister. I stopped being in awe of the Penthouse, and focused my awe on the precious time I had with those around me.
Have you ever had soul lessons, realizations, epiphanies, light bulb moments, that threw you off balance and changed the way you think? I'd really love to know- even more so if you can tell me what realizations you had from your challenges!