On Looking Back

If you read my blog at all, you will know that I tend to bang on about ways to achieve an inner peace. Last year, I had a relatively uneventful year. When I say uneventful, I mean everything ran smoothly. My family was healthy, I enjoyed supporting my friends through their challenges, my son's education was going great and my business was growing. I had many personal wins with making contact with a few family members who had alienated themselves and in some other areas.

This year has been completely different so far. As you may know, again if you read my blog, that my son has had an ongoing (although almost completely resolved now) health issue and I myself have also had a little health scare. I have learned heaps of life lessons so far this year. Here's just a few to mention: 1) A life long dedication to fulfilling commitments come hell or high water is of absolutely no help when you have an unwell child for more than a week. 2) Sometimes many professionals have the ability to convince you that they have the answer for you when you are 'desperate' for an answer. 3) Stress and worry aren't something that only happens later in life. It can also happen in children. 4) No matter how much you research inner peace and practice it in your everyday life under calm unchallenging circumstances, when it comes to challenging times, it's a different matter.

I have been writing my newsletter from a book I'm reading called 'The Power of Now' by Eckhart Tolle. As far as reading goes, I find it challenging to read. I've been reading the book for a couple of years now and I think I am still in the first half of the book. It has a great message, there is no doubt about that. I guess I'm looking for more. I guess I'm looking for tips on creating more inner peace in challenging times.

Now I know that what Eckhart says can be used in challenging times. It's just that it's extremely difficult in challenging times as that is when the mind is the most powerful and your ability to achieve inner peace is at it's weakest. Does that make sense?

So I picked up a book called The Happiness Trap by Dr Russ Harris (I'm not sure if you do that....read a couple of books at once. I don't do it with novels. I do tend to do it with self-help books though) and over the coming year, amongst the other things I am hoping to complete this year, I'm looking forward to reading more about The Happiness Trap. I'll keep you posted. If you would like to receive a copy of my newsletter, please email me at sjjbrown@optusnet.com.au

Curiosity

"Curiosity is a sign of mental and imaginative engagement with life." (Babara Ann Kipfer-1001 Ways to Live in the Moment) 
Some people are not curious in their life.  Some people think their life is the only way to live and want to show everyone how they live their life so those other people can live their life the same way.  They usually aren't interested about anyone else's life and what they are doing in their life.  Quite often these people judge other's success, worth and appropriateness against their own way of life which can bring about a belief that if you aren't doing things the same as them, then there is something wrong with you or your way of life.
Being curious about others keeps you learning and creative and can also decrease your judgement of others.  When was the last time you had a conversation with your friend or spouse and completely listened to what they were saying?  Instead of thinking about whether what they have done is right or wrong, focus on their words.  Be curious about what they are saying and seek to hear more of their story.  When you are curious about others, you get to find out a lot more about them and being curious and inquisitive also helps to build stronger bonds with people.