Obama is not the answer - you are

Hello again gentle readers

Lately it's become trendy to revile Barack Obama in the blogosphere. When he was elected there was general public euphoria ~ now it seems the honeymoon is over, and because instant Utopia has seemingly not emerged, the public are gradually turning on the man.

Can I urge a little balance here people. Frankly I too was glad to see him elected ~ not because he was any kind of saviour, but he was at least a well-spoken, articulate man of apparently, at least, some sensitivity. Surely it's better we have someone in office who is interested in the future as opposed to simply maintaining a worn-out status quo.

My view is simply this ~ you wanted him to solve all your problems, now you are blaming him for what is still not fixed. Can I suggest that as the man himself said in his inaugural speech, it really is up to each one of us ~ yep, that's right - you! ~ to address our personal and collective problems. I am not advocating the radical individualism of the past. I am reminding us all that we have the power in our own hands to improve our personal reality.

The way to do this, in my humble opinion, is to realise that much of what we do is dysfunctional. This is not to condemn anyone, but rather to help. We need to stop trying to solve our problems at the level of the mind ~ because it's our overactive, self-deceptive, monkey-chattering minds that ARE the problem.

More and more, I find I am craving a better way of living ~ not, in the first instance, a "better life", which is the well-worn egoic mind's perpetual external-seeking of something "better". I crave for myself more objectivity, more inner stability both of my mind and persona. I really feel I need to get out of the way; to be the observer rather than the reactor. As I cultivate this inner observer more, I can see that others sense the change in me. I cease to have any particular agenda, therefore I get back from the universe a positive reaction, smiles from strangers, and a greater sense of inner peace.

All this can be done while being active in the world. We just need to come back to square one ~ which is our very self. Let's tear down the idea of "my-self"; this entity that needs constant fulfillment and distraction. Let's try to return to the sacred inner source where all our needs are already met.

I am constantly reminded of the words of Eckhart Tolle ~ such simple, nourishing words that being me back to first principles every time. That's what I believe we need right now ~ in a world that wants to take us away from our inner self, let's remember that without our inner self we can never have the truly better quality of life we all crave. Blessings and peace to all

Anthony

The Power of Thought

I discovered today a website with very interesting articles on a variety of spiritual topics. It's called A Rosicrucian Speaks.

A man by the name Joseph Weed gave a series of lectures to students across North America. The one I've just read is entitled The Power of Thought and it's a wonderful and timely reminder about how we can all use our inborn and inbuilt ability of thought ~ for ill or for good.

I highly recommend everyone go check out this site. Recently I went through a period where I temporarily forgot the power of my own thought and the strong effects that can be generated when, due to unconsciousness, I forget to reign in my mind and my actions. Read it! I guarantee you'll be pleased you did.

Note: I just wanted to add that I am in no way affilliated with Rosicrucianism. As a student of matters spiritual I am however fascinated by what this group in it's many forms has to say.

New Year's thought

I got another great quote from Inner Self today; this one is to kick off the new year on the right note.

Enjoy

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InnerSelf.com - Focus of the Day:

I change my mind and change my life.






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InnerSelf.com - Daily Inspiration:



As we enter this New Year, we all want to change our lives for the better. The question is, how?


There are two ways you can change your life: (1) Change your conditions; and (2) Change your mind. Sometimes you can change your conditions. Always you can change your mind. Ultimately, mastering your mind yields far more success and reward than rearranging conditions.





Find a way to look at every experience so it empowers you. I wish you a new year of news that is good because you choose to find it.
 
From Innerself.ca

Inspirational thought for NYE

Hey there. I get emails daily from a site called Inner Self, which contain brief inspirational messages that I've found to be really uplifting as I read each one every day. The website http://www.innerself.ca has some great articles about personal growth and spirituality.

I've copied the latest email below, I just thought it would make a great way to end up the year and ponder the new beginning ahead.

Hope you enjoy

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InnerSelf.com - Focus of the Day:

I choose to be the best person I can be.

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InnerSelf.com - Daily Inspiration:

A successful person isn’t one who has the best job or nicest home. Success comes from the inside. It comes from living. To be successful means to live in a world where both good and bad exist, and still strive to become the best we can, despite what is happening all around us.

Winners don’t give up ever. They may try different strategies, but they always try. It involves a lot of faith. It involves a lot of compassion. It involves thinking with our own minds, and not simply going along with the majority way of thinking out of fear of ridicule. Fear holds us back; truth sets us free. It takes maturity.

And, finally, as we enter a new year, what are you going to do to make this world a better place? The world has been changed by "small" people with big hearts, big dreams. Never underestimate the power you have to make a difference.

EXCERPTED FROM the InnerSelf.com article:
Fighting the Madness... with a dose of kindness
by Beth V.

From www.innerself.ca