Kathmandu 21 July 2008: The Ugly Blinkers

I have copied this from 'The Hill That Breathes' newsletter. I was at The Hill in August last year and it was the beginning of my yoga life. Enjoy!
__________________________________________________

Thought: Ugly Blinkers

In any scene that unravels in the drama of your day, you have a choice, though you normally wouldn’t be aware of that.
You can look at the things that are working, the beautiful things (and people), the joy of ordinary moments.
Or you can look at what’s not working, at the things you regard as ugly and unpleasant (including people), the struggle of each moment of existence.
You can look at what you have, now, just as it is – your life situation, as it is; your body and face, just as they are; your relationships, just as they are – and you can give thanks for all that is wonderful.
Or you can look at the whole mushy lot and bemoan how unlucky you are in your life, and then dream about how things could, one day, be.

But here’s how beauty and good fortune work: the more you see them in what you already have, the more you attract them into your life. This is how manifestation works. You create reality based on your own perception of reality.

So get out the ugly blinkers. Whenever you start to react to what you don’t like, what pisses you off, what pushes your buttons, pull forward those blinkers and see if you can find some beauty and joy instead.
And don’t get me wrong, this is not denial. If done consciously, any process like this will purify and enrich your life experience. It’s not easy, of course. But try it. The main thing is to remember that you do have a choice. In any situation, in any scene, you have the choice of response.

And as I try it now, all I can see are the beautiful faces out there, in offices, at home, all over the world, lighting up in recognition at this thought.