The Three Sieves Test
In order to be more positive and thus, less negative, it’s necessary for us to let go of any toxic emotions, behaviors and habits that are holding us back. We all know that anger, jealousy and hatred are three of the big ones, but one we sometimes overlook, is gossip — and gossip is very toxic. Continue reading “The Three Sieves Test”
You’ve probably heard the expression “you are a beacon of light,” but I wonder if we give that compliment the thought it deserves. In essence, when someone tells us we’re a beacon of light, they’re telling us that we’ve done something good and often, we really are radiating a literal light.
Everyone is striving for a happy and content life, but the pull of hectic daily life can sometimes make that goal feel elusive. Living more in the moment and getting the most out of life is something we need to make a daily habit and to help us, we should commit to doing at least one positive thing each day.
Growing up I was told that having a purpose was vital. Having a reason to get out of bed in the morning, no matter how small the reason, was essential to being happy and contented. That advice was one of the most important things I could have learned.
We’ve been writing a lot about anger lately because there is so much of it in our world. People are becoming cold, vindictive and even violent because of their anger — they’re quick to let it control them, oblivious to their future. Is this what we should sow?
It’s funny, we’re eager to compliment others, but when they compliment us, sometimes we feel embarrassed and brush aside their praise, as if we’re not worthy of it. Of course, one doesn’t want to be egotistical, but why do we do this? Aren’t we all entitled to some positive self-praise now and then?
Are we born with inherent kindness, or is it something we learn from our environment? A good question and one I’m not so sure anyone can really answer definitively. Personally, I happen to believe that we are all born with an inherent kindness and that is either quashed, or nurtured.
I’ve known so many people in my life who say “I wish I had just…” or “If I had it all to do over again, I’d…” I know a lot of people who’ve said these things and I happen to be one of them. At some point in our life, we will look back over the years and we can be overcome with a sense of regret.
Wouldn’t life be grand if we could say “abracadabra,” snap our fingers and make everything right in the world? If only it were that easy. Positivity doesn’t work that way either and the same applies — to be more positive, we have to work at it to make it stick.
We’ve all heard the expression “do good for the sake of doing good.” I believe that what this adage is teaching us, is that we shouldn’t expect a reward of any kind, but should do good deeds and be kind, simply because it’s the right thing to do. So should we be kind, good and generous, just for the sake of it?