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A good pair of shoes is what we need
by Motivational Speaker Yossi Ghinsberg
As we walk upon the roads of life, one may try to avoid sharp thorns and stones by maintaining vigilance and cautiousness. Another may attempt to carpet the entire world so the surface is smooth and soft. The wise or the simple man will make use of a good pair of shoes.
This parable is old but the message is clear: adversity is part of life, being a victim a matter of choice. It’s not about what happens, it is about the way you perceive it.
Generally, most of us believe the source of any problem is found outside of oneself. This attitude inevitably results in grief. If the source of a problem is perceived as external then one immediately employs blame which generates hostility, aggression, fear, envy and other such negative emotions.
The self-help industry is growing for the need is compuding and the industry doesn't help. The search is almost counter effective for it is in the cessation of search that the path is reviled; this is the loop in the trap.
What’s true for individuals is also true for peoples and nations; a look at this era of the early third millennium clearly shows an age of growing separation and alienation amongst us living on Earth. It is a sad illustration of where this approach of seeing problems as external leads to.
When we eventually become tired of blaming external sources for our troubles often the blame is directed inward, causing sensations of guilt, remorse, desperation, alieganton and finally great confusion. It is the other side of the same coin.
In this age of mass-anxiety and mass-neurosis we have developed most efficient and profitable therapies as millions of us use either prescription drugs or the so-called illicit ones.
Somehow contemporary societies tend to reinforce this notion that something is wrong with us, that we need to be repaired, altered, reinvented or ultimately, reborn. Some how we are trained to try to control, manage and manipulate ourselves and our environments. Are terms of success is to compite and win - we idolize those who achived that. We are the only specie on the planet that worlds increasily harder to satisfy its needs and stresses itself to death in the process. In fact all other species are ahving fun in their natural enviroment who privdes for them all they need. Yet we are calling ourselves the most inteligent sepcie. We dominate all other species for we apply force; but we give all our power away.
There is no lack in the universe and there is no lack on this planet, there is no need for competition but rather for cooperation. The concept of lack and limited resources is an illusion that breeds greed, and greed yields aggression. There is an inner and outter state of unrest.
Since we so often don't find peace within ourselves how can we possibly aspire to make peace with our neighbors? We often feel a need to escape from this unrest; many of us flee to addictions to drugs or compulsive work while others become hooked on religions or ideologies, anything that can help us escape from ourselves.
An awakening is possible. The truth doesn’t need to be searched for, it is already within you but veiled by a judgmental mind.
How precious have tranquility and peace of mind become?
Who is truly successful in this life?
Isn't it those who exemplify these rare and precious commodities? When these qualities are present, they are generously shared with others without effort.
You can give only what you have.
To give means to have.
Just as one candle-flame lights another candle, the light of the first ignites the other without diminishing that of the first.
By sharing and giving peace of mind and harmonious energy, one does not lose anything; one simply lives in a brighter and better world. Yet we are trained by our societies not to trust true generosity, we're taught that 'there are no free rides nor free lunches', and there one shouold always evaluate a 'what's in it for me?' point of view.
I have enjoyed so many free rides in my life and have been nourished by so many free lunches; in fact I wouldn't be alive if not for other people's generosity for some were willing to give their own lives in order to spare mine.
Receive and train yourself to give.
We all depend on each other.
The world is what one perceives it to be – for that preception lives inside of you, realizing that one becomes responsible and there is no place for blame or guilt. A space of clarity opens, a realization that responsibility yields power. Harnessing that power is a matter of practice, once a path of awakeining is discovered the rest is just walking with a good per of shoes...
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