The ability to accept things as they are and be the change you want to be in the world, as Mahatma Gandhi said, provides our soul the freedom to express itself like kids. This also includes the power of utilising our new-found wisdom to dealing with life's innumerable challenges
We should not - in a few things - outgrow the 'child' residing in us when we grow up. Kids, for instance, have an unfettered gift to expressing their emotions. Psychologists say they possess a distinctive ability to react to actors' emotions on television. They also seem to instinctively recognise facial expressions and negative emotions. It is, however, a paradox that most of us, as adults, invariably develop a cultivated response to ignoring our own emotions, hampering our feelings, or hindering our inner sensibilities.
When we snub our emotions consistently, we wobble our self-esteem, and also misplace our 'touch' with our inner self, or soul, which makes us what we are - human. Our sense of being human relates primarily to a connect with our soul. When we don't connect, for whatever reason, we will not live a vibrant, conscious life with our mind, body and soul.
Our soul is not a 'hooked' entity. It signifies a feature, a facet of living a full life and accepting ourselves without qualms. Our soul expresses our values, beliefs and our own 'hub' of being. When we care and respond to the call of our soul, we express oneself. What's more, we would consciously experience life and watch, or monitor, our reactions that take place in the deep recesses of our inner being. We will glow with harmony. This represents our soul's code.
Life is often viewed as positive, or negative, depending upon how you look at, or sense the essence of living - not mere existence. Most of us frantically try to avoid negative feelings in life. This leads us to overlook meaningful lessons that we ought to learn and understand. You'd do well to listen to the gentle, mild-mannered call of your soul, especially in times of difficulty - from which no one is exempt.
Most of us dread problems - of what we must do to free ourselves from trepidation, pain and grief. The best thing you'd do is to recognise and 'bond' with them - in the best manner possible. This brings awareness. It helps us to find answers to our difficulties. It galvanises our inner strength - also, purpose. When you and I learn to regard the soul with an open mind, we'd be able to figure out what has gone wrong with us. In so doing, we can turn around failures, disappointments, illnesses and other agonising feelings - aside from despair, apprehension, misery, stress and anxiety.
Life is tough, stressful and complex. No one other than highly evolved beings can effectively control their thoughts and feelings. Yet, when you and I learn to 'tutor' our minds, howsoever imperfectly, and respond calmly to situations, we will be much better human beings. This is not 'self-control' through rocket science. It's simple; also profound. It is meditation. It's not an appliance that helps us 'manage' our life somehow - it's a tool that 'initiates' learned, also acceptable, behaviour.
The ability to accept things as they are and be the change you want to be in the world, as Mahatma Gandhi said, provides our soul the freedom to express itself like kids. This also includes the power of utilising our new-found wisdom to dealing with life's innumerable challenges.
Our realities are, likewise, simple and complex. Just thinking, or believing, that things will work out in a manner that you visualise may not always help, all right. The best thing you'd do is aim at and also focus upon understanding your viewpoint that is 'rooted' in the logical, not emotional, context. This simply means that you should identify your internal variance, or expectation, that caused you disquiet - while not taking your own old 'promise' as gospel.
Every expectation is a product of two incomplete, opposite pieces of belief that focuses on our experiences in the present-moment, our relationships, or social and environmental contexts. When you are keyed to taking a practical view that you are open to looking at issues that are disturbing you, you will allow realities to be felt, or recognised. This expands your 'hold' to overcoming stressful experiences - when anticipation, or expectation, goes askew.
When you equip yourself with such a thoroughly accepting outlook, it brings new hope. It helps you to become as much of a spectator as witness. It will not allow 'past' issues to raise their unpleasant heads; it will, on the contrary, bring about a healing experience. When you also entrust yourself to be your own observer, you will become more responsive to the precise nature of all past disappointments - provided you do not allow yourself to be impressed by someone who promises the moon.
You will now re-examine and place the framework, or structure, of your beliefs with the right intent and in the precise slot. This occurs because you have taken your mental and emotional resolve to come to terms with your own prescience, or dream. As you guide and extol your mind, you jazz-up every cell in your body with conscious awareness. This works like a tonic - it 'ups' your focus, decision making and communication skills. It balances your mind, leading to better productivity; also, creativity.
All of us endeavour and reach a certain level, if not the highest level. To be your own self, one should accept the fact that life is not always realistic, yet beautiful. All of us would also be better off, if only we elevate our maturity level and use it as a lifelong objective while taking responsibility for our actions and consequences. Existing is just not enough; you should 'live' your life, while aiming to leading a 'happening' life. Being focused, likewise, brings the best out of us - it teaches and permits us to see things, in a new light, as they are, and not what they could be. This enables us to experience a natural sense of connectedness with ourselves and others and surmount difficulties, too.
Nidamboor is a wellness physician, independent researcher and author
