Category: Uncategorized

Gratitude

by Karen Lang, posted in Uncategorized

“There is no one as strong as a person whose heart is always filled with gratitude.”– Daiksu Ikeda

Have you ever noticed, that when a room full of people are whingeing and complaining about life and someone says something positive, how that suddenly changes the entire mood of the room and makes everyone consider their next words.

Gratefulness is a gift.  It can shift the most difficult moment or help overwhelming sadness come to a lighter place.  Overtime, if you practice gratitude, you will find it is easy to see the good in every situation.  Gratitude shifts your focus from what your life lacks to the abundance that is already present.

In addition, behavioral and psychological research has shown the surprising life improvements that can stem from the practice of gratitude. Giving thanks makes people happier and more resilient, it strengthens relationships, it improves health, and it reduces stress.

“Sometimes we complain without thinking much of it, but the frightening thing about complaining is that every time we do, a cloud descends over our heart, and our hope, appreciation and joy gradually wane”.

Why is it that we wait until we have lost before we are grateful for what we had?  In the face of adversity ask yourself: “What’s good about this situation I am in?”, “What can I learn from this?”, and “How can I benefit from this?”  These are difficult questions to ask when you feel let down in life and yet, in becoming conscious of these questions we can shift our negative belief into a positive.

The first step is to become aware of how much you complain.   Just for three days, make a conscious effort to see how many times you are not happy during the day.  If you find it is more often than you were aware of, make a conscious effort to change your negative thoughts into grateful thoughts.

Have some perspective as well.  Ask yourself, “Are you dying?”  “Are your children dying?” and then reconsider how bad life is?  We can learn a lot from the poorer countries, who always seem content even amongst the chaos of their environment.  They grow up with so little and yet, are appreciative of the smallest blessing.

“Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for.”  – Epicurus

Life is a gift.  The fact that people lose their loved ones everyday should awaken you to the fragility and preciousness of life.  Every morning try letting the first words you say be”thankyou” and the last words you say before bed be “thankyou.”

Turn every situation into a gift of gratefulness and realise that even though some days are harder than others, everyday is another opportunity to start again.

“It is this sense of appreciation that elevates, enriches and expands the human spirit. A lack of gratitude is actually a sign of arrogance.” – Daiksu Ikeda

 

 

 

 

Unknown

by Karen Lang, posted in Uncategorized

“Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.” – Corrie ten Boom

Whenever I have a change in life circumstances or take on a new project, I find it hard to trust in a process that is higher than my control.

Someone once compared trusting to breathing, you need to know and trust that it will happen automatically without our intervention.

“None of us knows what might happen even the next minute, yet still we go forward. Because we trust. Because we have Faith.” – Paul Coelho

“Have enough courage to trust love one more time and always one more time.” – Maya Angelou

In order for you to trust, you must understand you have the wisdom and intuition already within you and this will guide you to know what is best for you in every situation.

 

Be Patient for change

by Karen Lang, posted in Uncategorized

“What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

The Chinese Bamboo plant has a very unique growing pattern and I think we can learn a lot from how it develops.

It starts from a tiny seed.  You plant the seed in the dirt, and you need to water the seed everyday and yet, very little seems to happen the first year.  Despite your efforts, only a tiny shoot pokes out of the ground.

In the second year you continue to water everyday and fertilize and protect the seed…..Nothing happens.

In the third year you continue to water everyday and fertilize and protect the seed…..Nothing happens.

In the fourth year you continue to water everyday and fertilize and protect the seed…..Nothing happens.

In the fifth year you continue to water and fertilize and protect the seed.….Finally, during the fifth year, the Chinese Bamboo plant begins to grow.

In fact, it grows 90 feet tall in just 6 weeks!

The question is, did it grow 90 feet in six weeks or in five years? The answer, of course, is that it grew 90 feet in five years.

It took five years to grow the root system that would one day support a 90-foot plant.

A wonderful story and metaphor about our journey in growth.  When we first decide to make changes in our life, we are often excited and enthusiastic in our approach towards change.

As time goes on, we don’t always see the growth and changes we expect, even though we are committed to practicing a new routine.  This can be disappointing for us at times and although it’s good to set big goals for ourselves,  the journey towards them is just as important.

To see the amazing growth changes like the Chinese bamboo, we need to plant a solid foundation long-term.

I promise that when you do, you will feel 90ft tall, because you will begin to see how limitless the universe is and you will be rewarded for paving a strong foundation towards your dreams.

“Life is a journey, not a destination.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Extend yourself

by Karen Lang, posted in Uncategorized

“The only difference between a rut and a grave are the dimensions” – Ellen Glasgow

Do you feel like you are stuck in a rut?  Are you caught up in the same old routine day after day and feel like you are going nowhere?  At times do you wish you could be more or have a different job?

All of us at sometime have felt this “rut” and although all the motivational speakers make it sound easy to move out of, I have found it takes a great deal more than a change of heart.

So here is what I have learned.

It is easy to wish things were different, even dreaming them is easy.  Working towards these new goals and a change of belief, day in and day out and fighting against what feels comfortable is why people give up so quickly.

The first step is to recognise you are in a rut.  You will know this instinctively, but maybe you have not been able to put a name to it.  It’s that feeling you get when you think you  can’t be bothered doing the same thing or that you don’t want to be treated badly or disrespectfully anymore.

Once you have established that you want to make changes, seek out a recommended Counsellor or a motivational book that can give you some direction in changing your old habits and beliefs.

“Success is a lousy teacher. It seduces smart people into thinking they can’t lose.” – Bill Gates

One thing for sure is that you cannot do the same things that you have always done!  You must step out of your comfort zone and try new adventures in life.  Perhaps start a course on a topic that you are interested in,  join an activity that will connect you to people who will encourage you and extend you.

Look at your diet and exercise programme and see how this is limiting you in becoming a healthier you.  If you have always run or walked, perhaps try yoga or Pilates or join a meditation group to still your busy mind.

“It is common sense to take a method and try it. If it fails, admit it frankly and try another. But, above all, try something.” – Franklin D Roosevelt.

It will not happen overnight, and there are no quick fixes!  (I wish) So once you are committed to making those changes, you must realise it is a choice for life and not a casual change in your attitude.

Success often comes to those who want it the most and who focus their energy on getting there.

It takes patience, perseverance and sometimes a little helping hand to get you through and if you are hungry enough to make these changes, you will find there is an unlimited source of help and energy out there for you to connect to.

Most importantly, don’t let those harmful thoughts of not being good enough or fear of failing ever stop you from moving forward.

Letting Go

by Karen Lang, posted in Uncategorized, Understanding Forgiveness

“The truth is, unless you let go, unless you forgive yourself, unless you forgive the situation, unless you realize that the situation is over, you cannot move forward.”  – Steve Marboli

The story below reflects how at times, we all hold onto unnecessary stress and pain in our lives.

I have found that when I am holding onto unforgiveness for anyone or any situation in my life, I feel heavy and burdened.  Forgiveness is the simplest act and yet we hold onto this pain out of an illusion of justice and for the need to protect our ego.

When we decide that living freely and more compassionately is more important that holding on, we can learn to move forward into our true self and true potential.  The lightness you will feel after forgiving and letting go will convince you it’s worth it.

“You will find that it is necessary to let things go; simply for the reason that they are heavy. So let them go, let go of them. I tie no weights to my ankles.” – C JoyBell

A psychologist walked around a room while teaching stress management to an audience. As she raised a glass of water, everyone expected they’d be asked the “half empty or half full” question. Instead, with a smile on her face, she inquired: “How heavy is this glass of water?”
Answers called out ranged from 8 oz. to 20 oz.
She replied, “The absolute weight doesn’t matter. It depends on how long I hold it. If I hold it for a minute, it’s not a problem. If I hold it for an hour, I’ll have an ache in my arm. If I hold it for a day, my arm will feel numb and paralyzed. In each case, the weight of the glass doesn’t change, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it becomes.” She continued, “The stresses and worries in life are like that glass of water. Think about them for a while and nothing happens. Think about them a bit longer and they begin to hurt. And if you think about them all day long, you will feel paralyzed – incapable of doing anything.”

“Letting go with forgiveness, gives us freedom, and freedom is the only condition for happiness. If, in our heart, we still cling to anything – anger, anxiety, or possessions – we cannot be free.”