This was for Liberalynn, But Figured I'd Post It For Anyone Else Too

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

I just posted this in Liberalynn's need to see the brighter side of life thread. It isn't often anymore that I have a chance to relay things from my depth of my soul, though in essence that is at the core what I enjoy doing most. So for any that can take something from this, if anything at all, this is for you...

posted in full----

I'm tired and sick as a dog but I'll do my best...


There are many components to being able to consistenly see the ligher and brighter side of life. The first is self awareness. One must understand that they, like all, are flawed and that it's ok. Then one must come to grips with those flaws and realize that the beauty dwelling within all of us far outreaches the minor flaws we all have.

We must learn to give up judgement on ourselves. One of the worst things a mind can do is obsessively critique itself and its actions for sake of negativity. No good can ever come of this. Instead, one must look inward with confidence in knowing we are always doing the best we can. We must identify those things that we don't like about ourselves and look at them positively. We must look to them to learn, to seek wisdom. To ask "why is it I do these things?" is ok when done for positive learning experience. It is detrimental when done to attack oneself.

We must learn to give up judgement on others. We too often expect others to think, act, feel and respond as we ourselves do, and often put our expectations far too high. Don't have expectations of anyone. We are all unique and doing the best we can, each in our own way. We must remember that while we have such a long path to walk to wisdom, that everyone else has their own path to deal with. Each of us have our roadblocks, our potholes, our milestones. But each persons path is uniquely theirs. Some can proceed faster than others, while others may take exponentially more time to learn the same lessons or place the same stone in their path. That is ok, for one of the most valuable things to ever remember is that Every persons path is uniquely theirs, to forge on their own, in their own time and in their own way. We should not ever judge others for their progress down the path nor rush them down it, but should always be willing to assist their placement of a stone on the path if asked.

We most importantly must remember the beauty in everything around us. I have often said that sitting atop a mountain staring at a sunset with no buildings or sign of life below, all alone, could teach someone more about life than living it in full. There is beauty all around you, always. Don't forget to see it. When you drive, search for the sunray coming through the clouds that inspires you. When you listen to the radio don't forget to sing loudly from your soul when a favorite song comes on.

Life is much like a movie. You are not to be judged for feeling the need to hit pause every now and then. In fact, it is a necessity. Don't get so caught up in the daily obsessions of typicality that you forget to pause, if even for a moment. Pause to reflect. Pause to just smile, if for no reason at all. Press pause to just drink a cup of coffee, without any other thought entering your mind. Just press pause. Whatever was whirling around your mind previously can always wait. Almost nothing is ever truly urgent, and most things that consume our minds are almost always insignificant.

It is ok to be obsessive at times. We all do it. But we must know when to move on, or we risk self destruction. It is ok to have moments of negativity, moments of self doubt, moments of self pity or moments of anger and frustration. We will all have these moments, as they define who we are. But we must not let those moments rule us. We must always be able to hit pause and know that we are still ok, beautiful and have control over our path. Sometimes all it takes is a moment. If one catches themselves caught in a mental rut of negativity, monumental strength can be gained by pressing pause, smiling and thinking "I know I'm ok" followed by a chuckle, even while immediately going back to the whirlwind of thought. Just that one moment is enough of clarity to remind oneself that they are in control.

Remember to think about nothing at all. Behind your closed eyes is a world all your own, of which you rule and command at a whim. Close your eyes, picture in the darkness before you trees, that you are flying through them. Just telling yourself to picture that you can picture it. If I say picture a castle in the clouds you can envision that too. The mind is very powerful. You can close your eyes and visualize in that darkness anything you want. From flying, to soaring, to resting, to playing. Use that power. Use that darkness behind your eyes. In it is much magic, as you can explore anything you desire at any moment.

Lastly, remember life within itself is simple. Life is merely breathing in and breathing out. Each day we all wake, each night we sleep. Breath in, breath out. The rest is circumstantial. Don't take life so seriously. You have all the capabilities you will ever need to have inner peace. Just remember: If you take the richest man in the world with the best luck, and the poorest man in the world with the worst luck, and put them in the same bed with the same clothes and watch them as they sleep, you shall not find a difference between them. Remember, all that you are is your thought. You can control your thought at any given time by just saying so. Always remember to be self aware. In the midst of a negative spell or painful mental experience don't forget to stop and ask "is anything hurting me right now? Can anything change right now?" "If I close my eyes right now and visualize a purple elephant, am I in any worse shape than the person having the best day closing his eyes visualizing a purple elephant?". Most often in our worst moments, it is our own minds creating those moments. In reality at that moment we are still no different from anyone else except for the thoughts we put through our heads. Remember, your mind is a factory. Fire the worker that is always negative and only serving to bring all the other workers down with him. Hire the worker who motivates and is positive about the future of the factory. When you catch a new negative worker in your factory, say to yourself "your fired, get the hell out of here".

The most important thing to remember is that negative thoughts are never productive, ever. No good can come of them, ever. If you are feeling negative, sometimes a simple walk outside and a quick glance at the sky is all that is needed to be self aware.

Remember, you are beautiful, you are capable, you have unlimited power and potential to see whatever you want to see, and perceive whatever you want to perceive. You have your path. It is yours for you to travel down in your own way, for your own reasons, in your own time. It is not up to anyone else to decide that for you, or rush you down it or judge you on it. It is yours alone, as is everyone elses.

And lastly, proclaim loud to yourself right now that you are ok, that you will always be ok, and then smile knowingly. Be empowered.