There is something wrong with us.
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We are plagued by feelings of inadequateness and worthlessness, postponing1 self-acceptance and self-love until a day in the future when we're thinner, wealthier, more confident and more popular.
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You are perfect and complete exactly as you are. Even when you are striving to improve and grow, you are complete. As the Buddhist2 saying goes, "We are all perfect as we are, and we could all use a little work."8 U6 ?* S9 k( p/ |7 L' |
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It matters what other people think of us.
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- x7 h, A6 r/ U3 jWe give away so much of our energy, power and inner peace by worrying about what others think of us.
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, t, b* c3 X3 Y6 f3 [The truth is we can't ever know for certain what other people are thinking about us. So when your ego3 starts to fill you with doubt and fear, remember it's a fictional4 story.
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Holding grudges5 is a natural part of life.
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) N: Q9 n! Y! i* s3 }3 x9 q8 AWhen we feel that someone has "wronged" us, we cling to the memory and carry it around with us for weeks or sometimes years. What we fail to realize is that we are holding ourselves hostage, not just the perceived wrong-doer.
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M6 X. \$ R: \/ B$ ^( dThe Buddha6 once said, "Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned."
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Make forgiveness your new motto and see how much freer and lighter7 your soul feels.; y* V' y- ?! G+ Y: E$ H3 ^) G
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We see things how they really are., c" F% F+ c3 d" p/ p
+ j. k1 q& p9 t b4 WHow we experience the world is heavily influenced by our beliefs and past experiences.
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Our subconscious8 mind chooses pieces of information to serve to our conscious mind based on what we've programmed it to look for. Identify your dominant9 beliefs and replace the ones that aren't serving you.# t6 `& H W- h3 E
; B! @# i) \/ X& R3 vMeditation10 is something people do on a cushion at sunrise.- J" d R, i# \
# T% u# d9 R) V- _3 ]# i% Y. {You can meditate11 and be mindful all throughout the day as you go about your life.# k! C( F* m6 ^, S# X( H+ @+ n
8 _# H f7 ?7 j {( }Pause and feel the weight of your body in your seat, the feeling of the fabric12 against your skin, and the slight sensation of the air on your face.& H @; n! h: p: X9 R
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Take a few deep breaths and let your whole being relax. Scan your body up and down for sensations, simply observing, without making any judgments13.
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! i- p% r/ [; C$ tWhen we give something, we lose something.- K$ L5 W" _* P) _( w( M; `3 v
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Giving and receiving are one in truth. When you give to someone with no strings14 attached -- whether it be a physical gift, a compliment or your time -- you are nourished as well as the receiver.
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Not only do you experience sensations of satisfaction and joy, but your karma will bring more blessings15 and gifts back into your life.+ a* _, K$ Q/ @ I% M9 R$ S" ~
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We have to logically figure everything out.
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We've been taught to trust our minds but not our intuition or inner voice of guidance.
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0 [% c3 N- ^1 \ I" r) P- b: \When you're grappling with a problem or lacking clarity, learn to lean into your soul and trust the wisdom it provides to you -- often in the form of a gut16 feeling, serendipitous17 sign or a spontaneous "aha!" moment.$ \" p( V' u3 [6 }6 ~3 H
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We need to be more realistic.$ E3 I( o8 \ \# ~
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Many people think that daily happiness and joy is an unrealistic goal, and we should be more realistic.7 s( n5 O8 v+ A1 l3 V8 d
- V. R5 g+ K2 Q3 X$ ^" `3 u( THappiness is THE ultimate goal of our lives, and it is both worthwhile and attainable18.
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Understand your purpose is to blossom into the highest, happiest version of you and let go of any guilt19 you feel for making your happiness a priority. |