It’s not too late for new year’s resolutions!

But…

Some people don’t like new year’s resolutions because they don’t think it works for them.

It’s not a reason to neglect taking a close and honest look at your life.

Socrates said many years ago “A life unexamined is not worth living”  

 

 

Well, why is it that so many people don’t take the time to quiet their minds and take a look at their lives?

Why don’t they  ask themselves some important questions like;

Who am I? 

What do I want to do with my life? 

What are my natural talents or skills?       

What makes me happy or unhappy?         

What am I afraid of and why?    

Why do I think I’m too old or too young?                 

Who do I like to spend time with?              

What can I do to improve my circumstances? 

Do I have a tendency to blame others for my own failures or limitations?

You don’t have to call it a new year’s resolution. But you can still make some changes or improvements.

The real question is:  What will I do in 2011 to make a difference in my life?

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The problem with waiting until tomorrow is that when it finally arrives, it is called today. Today is yesterday’s tomorrow. The question is what did we do with its opportunity? All too often we will waste tomorrow as we wasted yesterday, and as we are wasting today. All that could have been accomplished can easily elude us, despite our intentions, until we inevitably discover that the things that might have been have slipped from our embrace a single, unused day at a time.

Each of us must pause frequently to remind ourselves that the clock is ticking. The same clock that began to tick from the moment we drew our first breath will also someday cease.

Time is the great equalizer of all mankind. It has taken away the best and the worst of us without regard for either. Time offers opportunity but demands a sense of urgency.

When the game of life is finally over, there is no second chance to correct our errors. The clock that is ticking away the moments of our lives does not care about winners and losers. It does not care about who succeeds or who fails. It does not care about excuses, fairness or equality. The only essential issue is how we played the game.

Regardless of a person’s current age, there is a sense of urgency that should drive them into action now—this very moment. We should be constantly aware of the value of each and every moment of our lives—moments that seem so insignificant that their loss often goes unnoticed.

We still have all the time we need. We still have lots of chances, lots of opportunities, lots of years to show what we can do. For most of us, there will be a tomorrow, a next week, a next month, and a next year. But unless we develop a sense of urgency, those brief windows of time will be sadly wasted, as were the weeks and months and years before them. There isn’t an endless supply!

So, as you think of your dreams and goals of your future tomorrow, begin today to take those very important first steps to making them all come to life.

Jim Rohn

“Adventure is a state of mind – and spirit. It comes with faith, for with complete faith, there is no fear of what faces you in life or death.”

Jacqueline Cochran, aviator

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When we fly or board a plane, it is really an act of faith because if just one thing goes wrong at 10, 20 or 30 000 feet… and that’s the end of us. But what an adventure it is to take off and relinquish control over our destiny. I like every minute of this state of mind. We can experience a similar feeling on a roller coaster ride, in a hot-air balloon or with skydiving.

These are one of the ways to live life to the fullest among many more.

Do you like to give up control over your life and experience an intense feeling of adventure?

 

“You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today.”

 Abraham Lincoln

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In India, Buddhist aspirants used to visit burning grounds and watch the corpses of those whose families couldn’t afford a cremation rot away. They did this to terrify the GREED and POSSESSIVENESS out of themselves. After that, they changed their perspective about life, death and what was the most essential things in their lives.

As of 5 April 2010, the human population of the world is estimated by the United States Census Bureau to be 6,812,400,000.

It is estimated that 156 000 people on this planet are dying everyday. One day it will be our turn.

I don’t care how rich you are, I don’t care how smart you are, I don’t care how proud you are, because, ultimately, your only real earthly possession is : TODAY.

 

Can you always tell the difference between your needs and your wants?

When we become too possessive, doesn’t it remind you of little kids who refuse to share their toys?

 

“The aim of life is to live, and to live means to be aware,

 joyously, drunkenly, serenely, divinely aware.”

Henry Miller (1891-1980) US novelist

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When I am completely aware and living in the NOW, it is easier for me to accept the things as they really are and not as I want them to be. It’s when I’m preoccupied with the potential problems of the future that I lose most of my awareness. This is why it is so important for us to put things in perspective, especially a long-term perspective. If I ask myself questions like the following ones;

What will I think of this particular problem in 1, 5 or 10 years?

How will I feel about this frustration a week from now?

Why am I so annoyed with this person?

How can I keep my calm when I’m stuck in a traffic jam?

Who cares if this stranger is insulting me?

 you can continue with your own questions here.

When we think of it, it is often these petty annoyances that disturb us the most.

After we take the time to answer these questions with a long term perspective in mind, we can start to live in the NOW again, and that improves our quality of life. Awaress is in the NOW .

 

Why does it take so much time to so many of us to understand this simple reality?

Or if we understand it, why is it so difficult to practice in our own lives?