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Self-Awareness: A Pathway to Personal and Professional Growth

Self-Awareness: A Pathway to Personal and Professional Growth

Self-Awareness

In the pursuit of personal and professional development, belief in the truth of self-awareness stands as an indispensable cornerstone. It is within the depths of self-reflection that we can discover the nuanced layers of our being, leading to an elevation of consciousness and deeper awareness of oneself and the world. At its essence, self-awareness serves as a compass, guiding us towards a profound understanding of our strengths and areas for improvement. Having an increased level of awareness empowers us to leverage our strengths effectively while actively addressing and refining areas in need of growth.

The cultivation of self-awareness also nurtures the development of empathy and understanding towards others. As we delve into the depths of our inner self, we gain a profound appreciation for the diversity of human experiences. This newfound empathy fosters deeper connections with others, fostering a culture of inclusivity and compassion. By recognising and acknowledging the complexities of human emotions and perspectives, we are able to cultivate richer and more meaningful relationships, both personally and professionally.

Furthermore, self-awareness serves as a catalyst for honing problem-solving skills and enhancing decision-making capabilities. Through reflective analysis of past actions and experiences, we gather invaluable insights into our thought processes, behaviours, and decision-making patterns. By discerning how situations could have been handled differently, we are able to equip ourselves with the wisdom and foresight necessary to navigate future challenges more adeptly. Thus, self-reflection becomes the pillar of continuous improvement, enabling us to evolve into more effective problem solvers and decision makers.

Increase Your Self-Awareness Through Self-Reflection

Daily self-reflection transcends simple introspection; it becomes a transformative journey towards self-discovery, empathy, and growth. As we embrace self-reflection, we become more aware of our inner self and our environment that put us on a path of profound personal and professional development.  By harnessing the power of self-awareness, we illuminate the path towards a more enlightened and fulfilling existence, one characterised by authenticity, empathy, and resilience.

The Wisdom of Compromise

The Wisdom of Compromise

One of the most important things to learn in life is the wisdom of compromise. Many people find it hard to compromise because they believe that when they give in, they will end up as the loser who does not get what they want. However, compromise is not about losing. It is about having the understanding and deciding that others have just about as much right as you, to have a happy ending.

Why Do We Need To Compromise?

Compromise is needed when two or more parties have to resolve conflict peacefully. When we compromise, we are thinking and doing for the good of many, and the happiness of many. It helps us to cultivate awareness not only in our self but of others and teaches us to be humble in self-importance.

  1. Compromise makes conflicts much easier to resolve.
  2. It is a form of co-operation that fosters amicable ending to conflicts.
  3. It provides a mutual win-win solution where everyone gets some of what they want.
  4. It sustains long-lasting harmonious relationships.

The Wisdom of Compromise?

However, in deciding to give in or not, we need to recognise the difference between healthy and unhealthy comprises. 

A healthy compromise benefits all parties involved and does not contest your safety and core values. On the other hand, an unhealthy compromise happens when it is one-sided (one completely giving in and the other taking all), and involves giving up your integrity and/or changing core values. Unhealthy compromise often results in resentment and loss of your authentic best self

As Mahatma Gandhi said

“All compromise is based on give and take, but there can be no give and take on fundamentals. Any compromise on mere fundamentals is a surrender. For it is all give and no take”

The Art Of Healthy Compromise!

The art of healthy compromise is in giving and taking with a dash of love, peace and empathy. It means that even though everyone loses a little something, at the same time, everyone also gains a little something where everyone benefits and can be happy with the final outcome.

So here goes 6 steps to cultivating the art of healthy compromise:

  1. Identify the root cause of the conflict.
  2. Understand where each other is coming from. Listen to each other’s points and see the view from each other’s perspectives.
  3. Workaround the differences with the common goal in mind to come up with an agreeable outcome/result for all concerned.
  4. Be willing to bend a little. Try to look at the conflict impartially and see which ideas, needs, and values are important and which you feel are more flexible to relent.
  5. Be willing to give up something to gain something greater for everyone. 
  6. Value your relationship more than your ego. Let go of the self-importance and pride that hinder a good outcome.

Having to compromise is sometimes one of the toughest tasks in our lives. However, when we allow ourselves to compromise, it is a virtue that brings out our compassion, negotiation skills, and opens our mind to different perspectives around us. Being able to compromise healthily and positively bridges the gap between what we want and what others want. Practising the wisdom of compromise will boost harmony and happiness with the people around us, including ourselves.

Namaste.

Celebrating The Joy of Life

Celebrating The Joy of Life

Celebrating The Joy Of Life

Another year has flown by so quickly, and much has happened this past year. With the pandemic onset of COVID-19 in Jan 2020, we had to change our lifestyle and continue to do so while trying to win this battle against sickness, uncertainty and losses.

As we move through the motion of this change, in quiet reflection on my birthday this year, I recall to mind, the little things that have not only brought joy to my life but have also made my life more meaningful and worthy.

Very often we forget to enjoy the little things in life as we go about living big things. In our quest to go after the bigger picture, the smaller “insignificant” matters go unnoticed and unappreciated. We fail to recognize the small stuff that gives meaning and significance to life.

What are the small things? Well, for example, I used to think that owning a big house will make me happy. Frankly, this is so far from the truth. Having a big house is wonderful, but what matters more are the little touches we place and do around the house that change the house into a home. For me, they are filling my home with personal mementos that bring me and my family joy, ensuring the house in order with everything in its place, giving it a spring-clean, brushing on that much-needed new coat of paint, the gathering of family at the dinner table, etc.

There are plenty of other little things that we take for granted. Some of the general little things in my life that I enjoy and appreciate most are the hugs I give and receive, the smiles I get from others, and the warm greetings amongst family and friends.  What I  like about them is that they cost nothing, take minimal effort, and they generate the best energy around. Who says the best things in life are not free?

So, how can we be more aware of the little things in life that we may enjoy them? How do we embrace  and celebrate the joy in life with little things?

Here Are 5 Simple Ways:

1. GRATITUDE

We incline to take little things for granted because they are just too small to make a big impact in our life, or we don’t think it matters enough. Being grateful for the people and things around us can bring us to the present moment of appreciating all that we have around us, especially the little things that we tend to overlook.

Gratitude shifts our awareness to all things big and small. It also brings forth the peace, contentment, and happiness that is within us.

Daily Gratitude Reflections:

  • When you wake up in the morning, what do you look forward to that can make your day cheerful?
  • When you go to bed at night, what moments of the day brought a smile to your face?
  • Who are the people you surround yourself with?
  • Do you see the beauty and love in your thoughts, words, and actions, in your surroundings and surrounding people? If not, learn to slow down, and try to take a step back to notice how you feel as you go about the day.

Have a gratitude journal to reflect and record the things you are grateful for every day. While you appreciate everything and every experience you have, be grateful too, for the people who help to improve your life and make your day a better day.

2. GIVE

Sometimes, the little things we do for others occupy the biggest part of their hearts. Do you remember the time you helped someone to cross the road? Or perhaps, you recall the time when you gave a caring hug to someone who needed it or offered your friend a shoulder to cry on when her boyfriend left her? Having a big heart to do random little acts of kindness that help others without the need for appreciation or recognition generally bring much inner joy and peace to ourselves.

The simple act of paying a compliment, giving a smile, a hug and a kind word are some of the beauty and joy of small giving.

3. LOVE

Care enough to love everything around you. When we practice love, we are kinder, gentler, and more loving. We take care to look after the person or thing more diligently. It’s these little acts that will be remembered as meaningful as time passes.

Love yourself too. Give yourself some “ME” time and remember to enjoy all the little pleasures that you may experience as you go about your daily chores and tasks.

4. CURIOSITY

Be as curious as a cat. See the world with new eyes every day. Pay attention to things that normally disinterest you, and start to notice the wonders surrounding you. Feel the sand under your feet as you walk on the beach. Take time to stop and smell the roses. Check out the petals to see if you notice the delicate, beautiful image it forms. See how the morning dew shines as you breathe in the fresh morning air. You may be surprised by what joy you can discover.

5. MINDFULNESS

It goes without saying that when we are mindful, we will be more aware of what is happening around us and within us. When we are aware of what and how we think, say and do, we will be able to see all matters , big and small more clearly.

Can you name some of the little blessings to celebrate the great joy in your life?

It Begins With The Mindset

It Begins With The Mindset

Why does it all begins with the right mindset? Is the mindset really important to help us achieve what we desire? Let’s explore this.

What is a Mindset?

A mindset is a way of thinking. It is a collection of thought habits of how we make sense of what is happening around us. These thought habits are our mental inclination towards what we believe and how we see things, and often affects how we think, feel and act.

Conditioning Your Mind

The natural conditioning of our brain is formed through the repetition of thoughts, feelings and actions. How we were raised, our experiences and beliefs strengthen the neural pathways in our brain that form the brain’s pattern of thinking, feeling and acting. 

Habits, beliefs and perceptions are the result of the natural conditioning of our brain. The beliefs we hold in our mind forms our attitude which shapes our mindset, and our attitude in turns strengthen the habits we have which reinforces our mindset. Your mindset is what leads you to your destination of the life you create for yourself. 

Two Types of Mindsets

The growth mindset

When challenged or faced with something difficult, you believe you can do it. You learn and develop the skills to solve the matter at hand.

The static mindset

When challenged or faced with difficulties, you believe you are hopeless and provide all sorts of excuses why it is undoable or unreachable.

Why Growth Mindset Is Important?

As Carol S Dweck explains:

Growth Mindset (Intelligence can be developed)
  • embraces challenges
  • persists in the face of setback
  • uses effort as the path to mastery
  • learn from critics
  • finds lessons and inspiration in the success of others

As a result, they reach even higher levels of achievement.

Fixed Mindset (Intelligence is static)
  • avoids challenges
  • gives up easily
  • sees effort as fruitless or worse
  • ignores useful negative feedback
  • feel threatened by the success of others

As a result, they may plateau early and achieve less than their full potential.

Why It Begins with the Mindset?

Significance of Powerful Positive Thoughts and Actions

As pointed above, when we have a healthy and growing mindset, we can accomplish great achievements.

AS WE THINK WE ACT,

AS WE ACT, WE ARE

AS WE ARE, WE THINK.

I find this to be very true based on my own experiences with my life challenges. There was a time years ago, when I was going through one of my darkest period in life, it was a growing mindset filled with gratitude and positivity that drove me to become alive again. 

Mind you, it wasn’t easy when all I wanted to do was to lie on my bed and wished my sorrow away. Everything that was the essence of me, all vanished into thin air. On many days, I was aware of my zombie state. I was also very aware that it all begins with my mindset, but my mind refused to do anything. Until one fine day, my inner strength finally broke through my weaknesses and called out to me. Enough was enough! I awoken with the tenacity to dig myself out of the mud hole I buried myself in. 

Initially, the journey of returning to my true nature was arduous. Every single day, I had to consciously push myself to look inwards to find the true essence of me again and in what I believe in – growth, positiveness, gratitude, and love. I strived to be mindful in my thoughts and actions. Every morning, I gave thanks daily for another day to work on my shortcomings. I remember to be grateful for everything around me, even on days when I did not feel grateful at all. When negative thoughts arised abruptly, I purposefully rewired my mindset to change them into powerful positive thoughts, and focus on the moment of where I was and what I was doing. There are still days when unwanted negative thoughts appear. I just observe them, accept that yeah, I’m human and move on from that thought. It is what it is as part of my growing and learning journey where I work on improving my mind power. As I think, I am. 

Which Mindset Do You Have?

It is our present mindset that determines the life we create. How we think and what we decide to do today leads to a future of what we did in the past. 

The problem though, is that most of us are not mentally strong enough and we have yet to master the growth mindset. Without a growth and positive mindset, it is always easier to look at the external factors for blame in our current life. It is always easier to give up than to struggle. A person with a fixed mindset has limited beliefs that often leads to self fulfilling  prophecies which prevents him or her from being their personal best. 

Mental Conditioning

Train your mind to rid the default negative beliefs and impressions planted in your brain  Modify your thoughts, attitudes, and beliefs to accept reformed positive thinking patterns that will ultimately optimise your performances. 

Observe your thoughts 
  • Keep a log of your thoughts.
  • Are your thoughts more positive or negative?
  • Why do you think the way you do?
  • Understand the mechanisms in your thought patterns so that you can address them.
Be aware of your thoughts. 
  • Realise that your subconscious mind cannot distinguish between truth and false.
  • Whatever you feed your mind constantly and repeatedly will be accepted as its truth. 
Build good thoughts habits.
  • Be in control of your thoughts.
  • Do not give power to negative thoughts.
  • Whenever a thought that does not suit your purpose pops up, tell yourself it is ok but it is not you.
  • Discard it and consciously bring a good thought to counter that negative thought. Tune in to positive thinking Remember, what you repeatedly tell yourself is what your mind perceive as the truth. 
Build Mental Toughness Of Positive Thinking
  • Focus on gratitude. Be grateful for the good things in your life. Write 5 things you are grateful for.
  • Believe in who you are. Write 5 positive affirmations about yourself and read them out when you awake and before you go to bed. A trick here is to look at your eyes in the mirror as you make the affirmations, totally believing in yourself. 
  • Train your brain to speak in positive ways. Have positive responses to everything that happens to you. Do not allow external factors to control your emotions. 
  • Whenever a negative thought or feeling arises:
    • STOP.
    • FOCUS ON BREATHING.
    • COUNT to TEN before you respond.
    • Tell yourself you are no longer that person and return to the present moment with a good thought. 

Positive Thinking, Mental Toughness, Focus and Concentration

You can increase self awareness of your mental and physical states by

  • having a clear positive vision of what you want to change
  • understanding why you want the change
  • develop the positivity, mindset and focus to achieve the change

It all begins with the mindset. So, plant good thought seeds to sow great intentions and form robust habits to gift yourself a growth mindset that endures and overcomes all your challenges. Namaste.

5 Powerful Steps To Reduce Worrying

5 Powerful Steps To Reduce Worrying

Why We Worry?

Worrying is when you allow anxiety and fear to pop into your head. It is an invisible activity we all do one time or another. It usually has no limits. So why do some of us spend so much time worrying?  Well, sometimes worry could be a good thing to help us get on top of matters by allowing us to play out different scenarios and create various plans to overcome uncertainties. We need the inbuilt ability for anxiety to deal with danger and fundamental threats to our basic survival. But more often than not, it is like a broken record that keeps coming back to us and is exhausting. When this happens, we need some positive actions to reduce worrying and anxiety.

What is Worry

Worry is the act of feeling unsettled and being troubled over a particular problem or situation. It is a self-talk activity that originates from anxiety and fear for the unknown, where we are bothered by a problem and project possible negative scenarios that may happen now or in the future in which we are afraid, or feel we are unable to handle.

A little bit of worrying from time to time is a normal part of life as we face life’s daily trials and tribulations. However, when you experience constant worry and negative thinking repeatedly, and if you cannot disengage, it can take its toll on your health and interfere with your daily life. Being stuck at pondering your worries

  1. does not help you, and
  2. makes it impossible for you to focus in the present moment.

Cause of Worrying

Worry may be triggered by stressful events that occur in your life, especially major changes, such as:

  • Work problem
  • Health problem
  • Personal problem
  • Relationship problem
  • Loss of job
  • Financial difficulty

With the world locking down and everyone having to stay home, many individuals are released by their employers to cut cost, as establishments and businesses close temporary. Many have lost their source of income. On top of this, some may be fighting illnesses, including the latest most rampant infection COVID-19. The healthcare system is strained and many of us are bored from staying home, angry and/or depressed that this is ongoing and worry sets in.

Working through Worries

Worry is a type of thought-pattern where our mind repetitively focus on the problem and the consequences that may arise from the problem. To work through this, we need to understand:

  1. Our negative thoughts that derive from worrying are not the problem. It is how we respond to our thoughts that creates the problem of worrying too much. 
  2. The mind does not differentiate between imaginary and reality.
  3. Thoughts are just our ideas, impressions, and beliefs we have about ourselves, others and the world around us. They are mental cognisance that creates the perception of our views on any given situation, experience or person (for better, worse, or neutral). Thoughts are often shaped by life experiences, upbringing, genetics, and education. If you are conscious of your thoughts and attitudes, you can choose to change them. 

We can’t prevent worrying but we can learn to balance this negative act with positive actions.

Here are 5 Powerful Steps to Reduce Worrying and Anxiety

  1. Observe your thoughts and feelings. When you worry, admit you are vulnerable and that a bad scenario might happen.
  2. Separate your thoughts from reality. The goal is to pay attention to your worry thought instead of looking through it. View your worry thoughts as separate from you, and remind yourself that your thoughts are not reality, they are not actual events and they may or may not happen.
  3. Label your worry, accept it is there and let it go. When a worry pops up, label it as “a worrying thought.” It is not you. Do not identify with it nor let it overtake you. Think realistically of the “what if” worst scenarios. Write them down and put them as your thoughts. Pay attention to your emotions as you are thinking those thoughts. How do you feel? Write them down too.  Learn to observe your thoughts and emotions as you are doing this. Reflect on how you can take charge of them.
  4. Control where your thoughts lead you. Actively shift your mind to focus on more positive aspects of the situation. Is there anything you can do? What steps can you take if it happens? Take your time in mindfully looking at the scenario and come up with a positive realistic plan based on your values. The more clarity you have (about your values and direction), the more willing you are to do the work. Trust your plan will succeed to overcome the situation of worry you have.
  5. Practice mindfulness to feed your mind with the right food. Channel your thought energy into gratitude, improvement, and positivity. Learning to control and direct your thoughts to the present moment and gratitude will greatly help you to reduce anxiety and depression.

Your attitude towards coping with worry and anxiety is important. 

Remember, your thoughts and worry are not you.

Learn to Observe them, Control them and Rule over them.

Whoever is stronger wins.

8 Universal Moral Principles That Can Improve Our Way Of Life Now

8 Universal Moral Principles That Can Improve Our Way Of Life Now

What are moral principles?

The Free Dictionary defines moral principle as “the principles of right and wrong that are accepted by an individual or a social group”. It is also defined as “the principle that conduct should be moral”.

Why we need moral principles?

Who we become and who we are boiled down to the moral principles we uphold. I believe that no matter how successful we are in terms of fame and money, we are nothing if we do not abide by moral principles and have moral values.

Filial piety

What is filial piety?

Filial piety originated from Confucius. The character 孝 “xiao” consists of an upper component representing “age” and a lower component representing “child”. It signifies the relationship between parent-child where the parent leads the child and the child supports the parent. This means that the parents must rear and educate their young ones, and children who are of age must support and assist their parents. Filial piety is the most important virtue in Chinese culture, for without our parents, we would not exist.  

Practicing filial piety in times of COVID-19

Now is a good time to repay your parents’ kindness. At times when we are forced to stay home due to the danger of COVID-19, where old aged people are high risk to this infection, it is only right for us to do our filial duties. If your parents are old and senile, If you are away from home during this time of duress, be mindful to check up on the well-being of your mum and dad. Skype, FaceTime or Whats App Video call them to ensure they are ok and also to let them know you are ok, wherever you are. If they are fortunate enough to live with you, respect and be kind to them. A parent’s love and worry never end no matter how old their child may be. Wherever you are, ensure your parents are getting the assistance they may need to stay safe. Our parents are the utmost important people for us to be of service to when we are grown and capable. Love, honour and respect them always. When we were young and helpless, they provided and took care of us and it is only right we look after our elders when they become old and helpless. Do this not just for this COVID-19 period but for the rest of the days of your parents.

Mindfulness

Be aware of your present moment and focus on your thoughts, words, and actions that they may be wise and filled with common sense and truth. COVID-19 has taken away our norm and there are still many who are not mindful of the safety of others and themselves. Fear, anxiety, and panic may have taken over our lives. Wake up and breathe for a moment. Put some thoughts into the current situation of COVID-19 and use your wisdom. Be mindful to fact checks what you can do. Accept the reality of what is happening now and why we need to stay home. Discard our ignorance by learning from trusted sources and experts, transform our fear and worry into courage and resilience to face this adversity and reduce sufferings together.

Attitude

Be responsive to situations. Have a caring attitude and act in the best interest of mankind. Care about the people around you and care about the environment. Only when we care with love, kindness, and compassion, we are motivated to do our best for a better result. Humanity is the first principle to ensure the survival of all humans and matters. Instead of pointing fingers at each other, or harping about what happened, focus on what we can do conscientiously and collectively to bring this epidemic to an end.

Service To Others

Find ways to be helpful to others. What goes around comes around and what comes around goes around. Serving others with humility teaches us to let go of our ego. It enables us to learn and grow to be better as we listen and put others first before us, creating a harmonious affinity and environment with people. It shows our willingness to be open-minded, to practice patience and understanding the perspective of another. 

Character Building

Now more than ever is your chance to build your character. Be mindful of who you are becoming as our character is what makes us authentic. Look in the mirror of your mind and check to see if you like the person that you are now. Are you being authentic and real, not just to others but to yourself? Are you the same person behind closed doors when others cannot see you or are you always the same person you are, no matter where you are? Character is built from our experiences and what we choose to learn from them. Be mindful of your daily thoughts, decisions, and actions as they turn into habits that will define your character.

Gratitude

Be grateful for what is already in your life. Look not at what is not with you but open your eyes to the treasures that are in your possession now. Be thankful for each day and accept all experiences that happen as an opportunity to learn and grow from them. Everything happens for a reason and if we can take the positive out of every experience and situation, our lives can only improve for the greater good.

Acceptance and detachment

Understand the cause and effect. Know that every thought, every word and every action we take have consequences. Learn to accept matters as they are and let go of what we cannot control or change. Good thing or bad thing, who knows? Things eventually always even out.

Truth

When we practice truth, we deal in honesty and transparency. It means we are reliable, and it builds a good reputation of trustworthiness and respect. So always speak the truth and keep your promises. 

Conclusion

These universal moral principles have always been within us. We know the principles and the virtue of practicing them but only a few will follow as ego, greed, and desires overcome our true nature. However, as the world goes into lockdown, this is a great time to dwell deep within oneself to reflect. You have the power to bring these moral principles alive in your day to day life.

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