We have important issues to address as a society, questions to answer about ecology, politics, social action and human justice. We have endorsements to make and votes to cast to ensure that we participate in building a future our children will welcome.
Albert Einstein said, “The most important decision we make is whether we believe we live in a friendly or hostile universe.” He was asking us to examine ourselves. Einstein, I suspect, was speaking about our perception and attitude. Just think about it... rose-colored glasses... The cup is half empty... My way or the highway.…
Personally, I don’t think it really matters whether the universe is friendly or hostile because it’s not about the universe. It’s about us. It’s about our thoughts, our perceptions and our unique filters that process what we see, sense and experience. It’s also about how we think.
It’s summertime, the time of year to enjoy the ease of living, the extra daylight to take that sunset walk, and to keep cool in the malls and movie theaters.
I’m all about being happy and laughing, and if you want to be entertained for a couple of hours, go seeThe Secret Life of Pets, which will be released on July 8, 2016. It’s a great elixir for letting go of anything that is bugging you. A cute pet story, it has a fun plot with unexpected heroes and the forging of forever friendships.
There are the usual twists and turns, the same twists and turns we all experience in life… you know those circuitous routes that we travel as we live and learn lessons. These days, new thinking is paramount to happiness, so:
The first step of new thinking is examining our own beliefs about the relative friendliness of the universe, and being certain that we can change negative thinking to positive thinking.
Negative thinking is very common. It can perpetuate itself over a lifetime. The good news is we can change negative thinking into positive thinking by cultivating awareness and enthusiasm.
First, become aware of your thoughts. Tune in to the ongoing internal dialogue you have with yourself. Listen into you own mind. If what you hear is good, great! If not, change the messages you feed yourself. “The good news is,” Robert Schuller said, “that the bad news can be turned into good news when you change your attitude.”
As you feed yourself positive thoughts, you are enhancing your physical, emotional, mental and spiritual well-being, and increasing your enthusiasm.
As with any new task or commitment, enthusiasm is the fuel for success. Look for terms such as: “I can,” “I will,” “I know,” “I am,” “I choose.” Enrich yourself with empowering thoughts and rally for yourself.
The secret to life is to see the universe as warm and supportive because you’ll look for evidence to reinforce this viewpoint. When you anticipate that the universe is friendly, you see friendly people. You look for circumstances to work in your favor. You anticipate good fortune flowing into your life. You do fun things and attract more positivity into your life.
Of all the beliefs that each one of us own, none is more important than the ones we have about ourselves. Our beliefs about ourselves are the single most telling factors in determining our success and happiness in life.
Make intentional choices.
Practice feeling gratitude. Go to a movie or swing in a hammock, take a lazy walk on the beach and pick shells, or be spontaneous and knock something off your bucket list.
Whatever you decide to do this month, just like the animal characters in the movie, The Secret Life of Pets, have fun, lighten up, see the best in yourself and in others, enjoy your friends and make each summer day outstanding.