Building The Life You Want

[Kharkoo4Life]

Life's up and downs provide windows of opportunity to determine your values and goals. Think of using all obstacles as stepping stones to build the life you want.

-- Marsha Sinetar

Too often we get caught up in past events, both good and bad. When something 'good' happens we become elated, pushing our mind's ego higher and higher on top a pedestal. We feel everythign is perfect, unbreakable, unchangeable that nothing can go wrong. Then when something suddenly happens not according to how we planned our fragile ego comes crashing down.

SImilarly, when something 'bad' happens we get engrossed in sadness, doubt and hopelessness. The same fragile ego which was once hovering at lofty heights is now being pushed deeper and deeper into the ground.

In either case, regardless of up or down our minds remain firmly chained down by the ego. Unable to enjoy the freedom of life. We keep going over past events (good and bad) over and over. Trying to convince ourselves if i hadnt done this then this could have happened. OR if someone hadnt said or did this to me then i could have been enjoying a different life. But this approach is entirely wrong!!

The contentment (or lack thereof) we enjoy in life is not contingent on a 2nd party. It is dependent only on ourselves. How we perceive events will determine how we feel. ANd how we feel will determine how we act. And this in turn will determine the course of new events. THus u can see that the whole cycle repeats itself endlessly and the only way to infuse change is to change our perception of events.

We should view each event not as a failure or triumph, for both feed our ego in their own way. We should see them as opportunities to learn about ourself. IF u continually 'failing' at something and feeling depressed, angry, or disappointed by it then perhaps it is not cuz u are incapable or lacking but rather what u are hoping to achieve is not in tune with ur real being. COmpromising ones true inner values for sake of superficial success (be it at school, work or in a relationship) is fatal. While such success can bring about ecstacy and happiness it is only transient. SOon with time it will fade. But the black marks such a "short-cut" approach leaves on ones spirit can be eternal. Day by day our spirit continues to be suffocated by our rush for this superficial success. Until it becomes so weak and weary that its revival becomes near impossible.

Do not let ur spirit become weak. DO not let it slowly die away for sake of transient worldly successes or pleasures. Feed it with love. Nurture it wth humility. And water it with kindess. FOr developing these virtues in our life are the True Goals which we should all be striving to have success in. These are what will make happiness possible and everlasting. ANd ultimately, these will form the foundation of the life "we have always dreamed of living."

ਮਨਿ ਤਨਿ ਹਰਿ ਗਾਵਹਿ ਪਰਮ ਸੁਖੁ ਪਾਵਹਿ ਹਰਿ ਹਿਰਦੈ ਹਰਿ ਗੁਣ ਗਿਆਨੁ ਜੀਉ ॥

With mind and body, they sang of the Lord, and attained supreme peace. In their hearts was the spiritual wisdom of the Lord's Glorious Virtues.

ਗੁਣ ਗਿਆਨੁ ਪਦਾਰਥੁ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਕਿਰਤਾਰਥੁ ਸੋਭਾ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਹੋਈ ॥

Their wealth was the spiritual wisdom of the Lord's Glorious Virtues; the Lord was their success, and to live as Gurmukh was their glory.

Enshrining the virtues of God in ones heart is the true sign of success. And this is made possible by...

ਸਚੁ ਸੰਜਮੋ ਸਾਰਿ ਗੁਣਾ ਗੁਰ ਸਬਦੁ ਕਮਾਈਐ ਰਾਮ ॥

By practicing truthfulness and self-restraint, by contemplating His Glorious Virtues, and living the Word of the Guru's Shabad.

ਸਚੁ ਸਬਦੁ ਕਮਾਈਐ ਨਿਜ ਘਰਿ ਜਾਈਐ ਪਾਈਐ ਗੁਣੀ ਨਿਧਾਨਾ ॥

Practicing the True Word of the Shabad, one comes to the home of his own inner being, and obtains the treasure of virtue.

Rab Rakha

[king singh]

This is brilliant.. thanks so much!

really learnt a lot from this :lol:

[Revolutionary]

when something 'bad' happens we get engrossed in sadness, doubt and hopelessness. The same fragile ego which was once hovering at lofty heights is now being pushed deeper and deeper into the ground.

ਚਿੰਤਾ ਤਾ ਕੀ ਕੀਜੀਐ ਜੋ ਅਨਹੋਨੀ ਹੋਇ ॥

People become anxious, when something unexpected happens.

ਇਹੁ ਮਾਰਗੁ ਸੰਸਾਰ ਕੋ ਨਾਨਕ ਥਿਰੁ ਨਹੀ ਕੋਇ ॥51॥

This is the way of the world, O Nanak; nothing is stable or permanent. ||51||

We keep going over past events (good and bad) over and over. Trying to convince ourselves if i hadnt done this then this could have happened. OR if someone hadnt said or did this to me then i could have been enjoying a different life. But this approach is entirely wrong!!

:'( SO TRUE! WAHEGURU

Do not let ur spirit become weak. DO not let it slowly die away for sake of transient worldly successes or pleasures.

ਜਗ ਰਚਨਾ ਸਭ ਝੂਠ ਹੈ ਜਾਨਿ ਲੇਹੁ ਰੇ ਮੀਤ ॥

The world and its affairs are totally false; know this well, my friend.

ਕਹਿ ਨਾਨਕ ਥਿਰੁ ਨਾ ਰਹੈ ਜਿਉ ਬਾਲੂ ਕੀ ਭੀਤਿ ॥49॥

Says Nanak, it is like a wall of sand; it shall not endure. ||49||

To enforce the amazing post Veerji has posted.. Try reading Salok Mahala 9 on the last angs of Guru Granth Sahib Ji..

Dhan Dhan Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji.

Waheguru