A Motivational story about Positive Thinking

Read this, and let it really sink in... Then, choose how you start your day tomorrow...

Subi is the kind of guy you love to hate. He is always in a good mood and always has something positive to say. When someone would ask him how he was doing, he would reply, "If I were any better, I would be twins!" He was a unique manager because he had several waiters who had followed him around from restaurant to restaurant.

The reason the waiters followed Subi was because of his attitude. He was a natural motivator. If an employee was having a bad day, Subi was there telling the employee how to look on the positive side of the situation.

Seeing this style really made me curious, so one day I went up to Subi and asked him, I don't get it! You can't be a positive person all of the time. How do you do it?" Jerry replied, "Each morning I wake up and say to myself, Subi, you have two choices today. You can choose to be in a good mood or you can choose to be in a bad mood.

I choose to be in a good mood. Each time something bad happens, I can choose to be a victim or I can choose to learn from it. I choose to learn from it. Every time someone comes to me complaining, I can choose to accept their complaining or I can point out the positive side of life. I choose the positive side of life.

"Yeah, right, it's not that easy," I protested. "Yes, it is," Subi said. "Life is all about choices. When you cut away all the junk, every situation is a choice. You choose how you react to situations. You choose how people will affect your mood. You choose to be in a good mood or bad mood. The bottom line: It's your choice how you live life."

I reflected on what Subi said. Soon thereafter, I left the restaurant industry to start my own business. We lost touch, but I often thought about him when I made a choice about life instead of reacting to it.

Several years later, I heard that Subi did something you are never supposed to do in a restaurant business: he left the back door open one morning and was held up at gun point by three armed robbers. While trying to open the safe, his hand, shaking from nervousness, slipped off the combination. The robbers panicked and shot him. Luckily, Subi was found relatively quickly and rushed to the local trauma center. After 18 hours of surgery and weeks of intensive care, Subi was released from the hospital with fragments of the bullets still in his body.

I saw Subi about six months after the accident. When I asked him how he was, he replied, "If I were any better, I'd be twins. Want to see my scars?" I declined to see his wounds, but did ask him what had gone through his mind as the robbery took place. “The first thing that went through my mind was that I should have locked the back door," Jerry replied. "Then, as I lay on the floor, I remembered that I had two choices: I could choose to live or I could choose to die. I chose to live."

"Weren't you scared? Did you lose consciousness?" I asked. Subi continued, "...the paramedics were great. They kept telling me I was going to be fine. But when they wheeled me into the ER and I saw the expressions on the faces of the doctors and nurses, I got really scared. In their eyes, I read “He's a dead man.”

I knew I needed to take action." “What did you do?" I asked. "Well, there was a big burly nurse shouting questions at me," said Subi. "She asked if I was allergic to anything. ’Yes,' I replied. The doctors and nurses stopped working as they waited for my reply. I took a deep breath and yelled, 'Bullets!' Over their laughter, I told them, 'I am choosing to live. Operate on me as if I am alive, not dead.'"

Subi lived thanks to the skill of his doctors, but also because of his amazing attitude. I learned from him that every day we have the choice to live fully. Attitude, after all, is everything.

Positive thinking the first step towards a happy life.

Attitude is everything

If everyone applies just these, the whole world will live in happiness.

Transmigration of Soul and Theory of Rebirth

The glimpses of this metaphysical concept are found in Vedas, Upanishads and even other scriptures of Hindus. The scriptures of other religions also refer to it but with minor variations.

• Holy Koran says," Allah-the merciful and compassionate God, makes you in gradual stages. He created seven heavens one above the other(Physical, Austral, Causal, Super-Causal, Cosmic, Super-Cosmic, Nameless and finally Absolute) and brings you to this earth like a plant out of a germ and to earth, He will restore you. He will again bring you back."

• In Katha Upanishad Nachi¬keta, a nine years old child on the path of knowledge (Jnan marga), tells his highly learned but selfish father," like a corn a man ripens, falls to the ground, like a corn he springs up again in his season."

• Apart from scriptures metaphysicists like Plato, Pythagoras, ethical metaphysicists like Buddha and Mahavira and many others refer to rebirth in different kinds of families.

• Garuda Purana, links the rebirth to man's own actions." A frightened mouse runs to its hole, a scared serpent to a well, a terrified elephant to its slake, but where a man can fly from his karma (good or bad ac¬tions).

Thus man creates his own fate even in his fetal life and cannot escape from its past existence."

While these scriptural and metaphysical truths do indicate that there is a transmigration of soul and rebirth not necessarily in the same religion or even country or region. Yajur Veda tells us that the purpose behind this concept- rather truth is to create love for the entire mankind and to ensure that the human beings follow righteous path. Rebirth and transmigration of soul continues till there is salvation or what Vedas describe as Moksha. It is the stage of the merging of the soul or nearness of the soul to the Supreme Soul.

Lord Buddha did not consider it necessary to include the concept of soul and God and so used the word Nirvana for salvation and liberation against Vedic Moksha. He described this as state of bliss and enlightenment. However, he agreed till Nirvana is achieved, re¬birth continues owing to one's Karma of good and bad actions, deeds and desires and also the mighty Flux in Nature.

The Holy Bible refers to this law of Nature," as you sow, so shall you reap."

If we analyze in-depth this Vedic concept of rebirth and transmigration of soul, it would mean that a person could be reborn with the same soul but different gross body in his / her next birth in any religion, region and country of the entire world. He could also be born as male or female as soul has no sex or any caste, creed or cult. It could also mean that in our earlier births and previous lives we could have been Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, Buddhists or even Brahamin, Kshatriya, Vaish or Shudras, male or female and even non divine vritras, avarnas etc. Belief in this divine concept will make a person love the entire mankind. A firm belief can lead to harmony, cooperation, love, respect and equality amongst all religions, sexes, caste, creed etc.

In view of its social, ethical and divine implications the concept of transmigration of soul and rebirth is described as multiform. It aims at universal Brotherhood and Friendship. It teaches spread love and not hatred, enlightened liberalism and not naked self¬ishness based on Idd Nan Mmam-nothing for self all for society. This rebirth is not only due to Karma, but also those individuals who owe any kind of debt to society, parents, children, friends and others are also born again and again to discharge their debts.

Holy Bible also advises do not resort to debts, temptations and evils." Pray for leading us not to temptations, evils and forgive us for all our debts. Human beings should always keep it mind that Kingdom of God is within you and also it is without you.

When human beings no longer move towards perfection degeneration starts and the process towards the death of gross body gets precipitated. When Pranas, Kundalini, Buddhi, Manas, Indriyas leave the body, only consciousness remains owing to immortal Atma.

Sankracharya says that the real self is capable of having unlimited con-sciousness and bliss in its shuniya sattava state when a person goes beyond gunas of purity, activity and passivity. In other states when gunas subtle particles get accumulated on the soul, the quantum of consciousness reduces but it still remains.

This consciousness is the real cause of transmigration of soul from one body to another. Briha¬darnyaka Upanishad explains the rebirth as a man passes from dream to wakefulness, so does from this life to next life. At old age or during the stage of degeneration even during young age, the self separates from the limbs like ripe mango, fig or Banyan fruit separates itself from the trunk. The same way the self hastens to his new abode based on past karma and begins a new life in a new body. The “Self” i.e. atma departs through eye, or gate of the skull or some other apertures of the body. The deeds of the entire life and the impressions those deeds created to the manifested soul before leaving the body follows the individual in the next birth. (The soul has the power of 16 Sun but it is covered with our Karma (Action).

As earlier brought out Yajur Veda describes in detail the journey of soul for the first 12 days after death. It goes to moon, Sun and other Prakrti devas-the beings of light particularly Indra, Mitra, Varun and Agni to acquire noble qualities, traits and being washed of impurities. But the effects of Karma remain intact. It becomes fierce, calm, terrible, fearless, ignorant, enlightened, passionate or ascetic dependent on the past deeds, desires and thoughts. In the womb it becomes lovely through various virtuous deeds, chastise able through ignoble deeds, supreme through divine knowledge, noble through spiritual force and protector of all bodily organs and the pericardium enclosing the heart. It is for this reason that most of the scriptures mention the soul dwelling in the heart of all individuals. Apart from Vedas, Bhagavad Gita, Bible, Koran, Adi Grantha and Katha Upanishad, also mention the soul residing in the heart.

Even those souls which have achieved Moksha and have become one with God also take birth after centuries to guide the harassed humanity. Some time they take birth through divine potency like Krishna or Rama or Jesus Christ, Kabir and most often as human beings with normal birth like, Buddha, Mahavira, Socrates, Sankracharya and many others. However, Vedas differ from Bhagavad Gita in one important aspect regarding incarnation of God as human beings. In Bhagavad Gita lord Krishna says, ”whenever sin spreads, there is decline of righteousness and un¬righteousness is in the ascendant, then “I” body Myself forth”.

In Bhagavad Gita this manifestation of God through divine potency is for the protection of virtuous, destruction of evil doers and for establishing Dharma on firm footing. Dharma is described differently in Hindu scriptures as spiritual science or religion like Hindu Dharma. While in the Vedas liberated souls take births from time to time to guide the harassed humanity and not God Himself, in Bhagavad Gita God Himself takes birth from age to age.

Sankracharya explained the concept of transmigration of soul as the continuous movement of the wheel. According to him actions both enjoined and prohibited by scriptures bring about one's connection with the body. Whenever the body performs any action, pleasure and pain follow resulting in attraction or repulsion, from which further action follows relating to love or hatred. The ignorant person having only material and intellec¬tual knowledge considers both the merits and demerits of such ac¬tions. This merit and demerit is followed similarly by connection with body and the "wheel of sansara" continues. The individuals trapped in this "wheel" with continuous motion do not know where to stop an action. The sense of discrimination between rights or wrong, good or bad, virtue and evil get blurred. Transmigratory existence is thus going on continuously for ever like a moving wheel and so the human Kar¬ma, thoughts and desires. Only after getting Vedic knowledge what he describes as Vidya, one can get out of this wheel.

Self Motivation

“What one can be, one must be.”

Self Motivation is the inspiration between behaviour and the actions. It is an important mechanism that will help to reach the goal, without the external influence. Self motivation improves self confidence and self esteem, as well as gives strength to achieve the goal. Self motivation is important in every aspect of life, be it career, social life, health, fitness and personality development.

Self Motivation is a non-efficient method. If you concentrate yourself, you don’t have to depend on any external method.

Dreams- Without having dreamed you cannot achieve your goal. Only when you have dream you will be determined to follow it and make it real.

Make concrete plan- (Set a Goal) it is very important to make a realistic goal. They should not be extraordinary and un-reachable.

Success- First discovers your strength, your farts and your limits, only then set your goal.

Failure- your action plan should be flexible so that it lasts longer and you will be able to achieve your goals.

Positive attitude- your attitude is your biggest assets. Positive thinking is extremely important as your thoughts and attitude will influence your plans and actions. Don’t let negative people and thoughts influence you. Do not get frustrated and depressed. You should consider on your positive aspects and achievements.

Success- Start with a small step. Always try to take a small step towards your goal. It is observed that most people have their plans ready, but they find it extremely difficult to take a small step. Once you begin, it is easier to continue, don’t fear of making mistakes because, the mistakes are the best way to learn the correct things. Remember the failure is followed by the success.

Consistencies- steadiness and regularity in your actions is very essential. Strength your interest and destine to success.

Ask yourself some question as shown below with a deep thought:

• Do you ever wish become better person, better son, better father, better mother?

• Are you tired of putting a lot of effort & getting nothing at the end?

• Are you sick of not being paid enough to fulfill your needs?

• Do you wish to work for a better tomorrow?

• Do you wish to work for better education for your children in the future?

• Do you wish to buy whatever you want whenever you want?

• Would you like to be a reason of changing others’ lives by putting a clear impact on their lives?

• Would you really like to work in an environment similar to family’s environment?

• Do you wish to live better life style?

• Do you really want to make a difference in your life & in others’ lives? If your answer to any of……

Inner Transformation

The lone seed in the ground has neither sunlight nor breeze to caress it, and yet transforms itself into a little plant that one day reaches for the sky. The caterpillar, held breathless in the suffocating bosom of a dark cocoon, emerges as a colourful butterfly, flying free and proud through the flowers. A pearl in an oyster, wine in the casket, even a song or painting is first created in a solitary moment and transformed into an eternal inspiration.

We have to make a conscious choice about how we deal with our moments of ‘aloneness’. Fear, anger and frustration will make us wither away to the dust of anonymity, while turning the dungeon into a creative ‘womb’ will breathe new life. Give things time, have faith in the perfection of the plan that is to unfold.

These are the moments when we can reach out into the magnificence of our higher Self and realise our deepest thoughts, visions and talents.

Perhaps, in the crowd, we are too focused on the speedometer and forget to watch the milestones. Being alone, we can once again “just be”. By being yourself, you put something wonderful in the world that was not there before.

Achievement and Resentment

Achievement creates, and resentment destroys. Which kind of world you prefer to live in- a world of achievement or a world of resentment?

It is easy to be resentful of someone who has accomplished more than you. But what purpose does that resentment serve?

Instead of giving in to resentment, you can transform its energy into something that will actually do you some good. You can transform it into positive inspiration, positive thoughts and driving ambition.

Begin the day with gratitude. A day that begins with gratitude is a day that you will be able to fill with positive progress. When you are sincerely appreciative of where you are and what you have, you will greatly expand your own possibilities. Begin with thankful thought.

And connect yourself with the abundance that is all around you. There is always something for which you can be sincerely thankful. And the simple act of being thankful ignites a productive momentum in your world.

By focusing your thoughts on the positive aspects of your life, you cause their influence to grow. Be grateful, and your gratitude happily creates even more things in your life for which you can be grateful.

The appreciation for what you have gives more value to all that you are. The blessings you enjoy are blessings precisely because you see them as such. Tap into the great reservoir of real value that is already available to you. Live with gratitude, and you will create even more reasons to be thankful.

A thousand days spent in resentment will just make you old and dejected. A thousand days spent on achievement will create a rich and fulfilling life.

You were born to achieve and you have a strong desire to achieve. You’re fully capable of following that desire, and of creating great and wonderful achievements for your world.

If you feel the urge to be resentful, stop. Think about it, think about your own best interest, and choose achievement instead.

Creative Energy

Worry is a misuse of your amazing creative energy. Think of What would happen if instead of wasting it on worry; you Used all that creative energy to imagine positive out comes In your life.

There is no limit to what you can imagine, and there are no Restrictions on the kinds of things you can imagine. Your Imagination is filled with precisely the things you choose to imagine.

If you have nothing better to imagine, it can be much too easy to imagine all sorts of disastrous scenarios. But it doesn’t have to be that way.

With just a little bit of initiative you can plant positive and empowering seeds in your imagination. And in the fertile Realm of your powerful imagination, those seeds will grow ever stronger in their beneficial influence.

Even a negative experience can set off a positive chain of Thoughts in your imagination, when you so choose. It's really just as easy and realistic to imagine solving a Problem as it is to worry about being overwhelmed by that Problem.

When you feel worry coming on, always remember that you have another choice. As long as you're imagining elaborate Scenarios, you might as well imagine the very best.

Present is the future of the past

Never fear for your bread and butter. The Almighty who has made you will take care of that. Never worry for your shelter. Think above the ordinary. Godly thinking comes of God's grace. Earn the grace of "God" by doing good to all. In serving others you serve him. Do not look back. "Present is the future of the past". If your past is good ... present shall be bright and so shall be your future.

Confusion is not the order of the day. God illuminates within us. Keeps the light of intelligence burning within us. The veil of ignorance will slowly melt away. However dark the future may seem. The light of truth will dispel the darkness for ever. Pray to the Almighty to be of help to those who are under privileged. Help these ignorant people for. They suffer for sins committed in the preceding Life. Do we want to laden our future with the sins we may commit today!

Innumerable living beings! Species unheard of or seen! Still we alone were given the privilege of being born a Human Being. Why? Because, we have within us, the divinity of the good deeds, done by us in the past lives. Why spoil the future then. Our Cosmic goal is to liberate the "Atman" within. The Eternal reservoir of thoughts is available to guide us in this cosmic journey. Must we not behave more intelligently than fighting amongst ourselves?

A single attack on our Mother Earth by an alien form will make all the Countries of the World unite together, barring any exception. Why not unite now! What importance is of our Ego, the "I" within. Perceive the divinity. You are an "Atman", an immortal being. The "I" as ego is a false notion. The Human cast which shall die and wither out in 70 to 80 years cannot have an ego. This is a trick played by "Maya" upon us. Try and understand. You are rich with divinity within.