Nice thoughts

In this post I just want to give you some nice thoughts, which may bless you today. I am not sure if you will be motivated much by them, but I hope they will amuse you and reveal ordinary truths of life. Like always, I expect to expand the post in the nearest future. 

“Yeah, I read history. But it doesn't make you nice. Hitler read history, too” by Joan Rivers.

It is not only what we read but what conclusions and decisions we make based on what we have read that really matters. Knowledge is wasted and is futile if you do not properly apply it. 

“At home I am a nice guy: but I don't want the world to know. Humble people, I've found, don't get very far” by Muhammad Ali.

You can be nice and that is really cool. However, I have some bad news for you. It is not enough to be nice. You also have to know what you want in life and go after it. 

“The nice thing about being a celebrity is that, if you bore people, they think it's their fault” by Henry A. Kissinger.

That is the power that famous people have. They can talk nonsense and people still believe them. So powerful is the status of a celebrity. Unfortunately, the stupidity of a human being is also pretty amazing. You have to grow up and not to believe everything somebody famous says. 

“There was a time in my life when I thought I had everything - millions of dollars, mansions, cars, nice clothes, beautiful women, and every other materialistic thing you can imagine. Now I struggle for peace” by Richard Pryor.

That is another proof that material things, human glory and vanity cannot satisfy your heart. Spiritual qualities, such as peace, love, joy, fidelity and etc. should be present for you to be a happy person. 

“We try to be real nice and friendly to people, but sometimes they take advantage of that” by Layne Staley.

Of course they do. Not everyone lives thinking how to do good for others. Most people live thinking how to take advantage of other people goodness. That’s terrible. I hope we will grow up and stop doing that. 

“Be nice to people on your way up because you meet them on your way down” by Jimmy Durante.

Going over other people heads is the worst way to go up. Why? Because you shall reap as you have sown and when your pride is finally crushed you will have to face people whom you have gone over. That will be a very humiliating experience. 

“When one burns one's bridges, what a very nice fire it makes” by Dylan Thomas.

Not only the fire is nice, but also the fact that you finally did it. Of course, much depends on what kind of bridges you have burnt. Some bridges should not be burnt, but supported.

Hope you enjoyed the nice thoughts. 

See also:

Good thoughts

Quotes on thoughts

Quotes on thoughts

Quotes on thoughts is the topic of the post on the blog ‘Thought for the day’ today. The entire website deals with importance of your thoughts. I constantly try to cover the topic from every possible aspect. Let us look at what famous people said about thoughts. I believe you will look more carefully at the subject one day than you look at it now. So, let us go to the quotes. 

“We are what we think. All that we are arises with our thoughts. With our thoughts, we make the world” by Buddha. 

I love the quote. It is so good to know how we can shape and change our worlds. We need to change the cause. That cause is our thoughts. They are like embryos that one day are born and become grownups. Be sure that the things you have inside won’t be seeds that will grow to be monsters that will turn against you after they grow up. 

“All intelligent thoughts have already been thought; what is necessary is only to try to think them again” Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. 

That is one of the best things that we have. You don’t have to invent anything in terms of controlling your thoughts. Everything has already been described and written somewhere. You simply have to search a little and meditate on what you find. Then practice it daily until it becomes your second nature.  

“I have always thought the actions of men the best interpreters of their thoughts” by John Locke.

It is sometimes difficult to understand what this or that person is like for you can often say one thing and think absolutely in a different way. Hypocrisy help people to hide who they really are. However, if you want to really see what the person is like and what he really thinks, you should look at his actions. He will not be able to lead a double life all the time. His true self will be expressed by what he does. When you see that you will know what the person really thinks. 

“You are today where your thoughts have brought you; you will be tomorrow where your thoughts take you” by James Allen. 

This is another way to understand a person and yourself better. You are where you are today, not because somebody else made a decision without you knowing that, but because your thoughts have been drawing you after the nature and direction of those very thoughts. If the destination you have arrived at is not satisfactory, sit down and try to understand what thoughts you have been keeping in your mind. Then change them. 

“Our life always expresses the result of our dominant thoughts” by Soren Kierkegaard. 

Don’t be afraid if you notice that various unpleasant thoughts try to creep into your mind. Sometimes those aggressive thoughts attack us, but it is usually for a season. You don’t have to try to get rid of them. There is another very useful and easy way to cast them aside. You simply concentrate on something else and put your interest in the opposite direction. It is important that your dominant thoughts would be in harmony with eternal universal laws and your conscience. Then an occasional thought here and there won’t harm you.

I hope you enjoyed these quotes on thoughts. 

See also:

Negative thinking

Attitude

Purpose

“A ship is safe in harbor, but that's not what ships are for” by William Shedd. 

Purpose in life is the topic of the post on the blog ‘Thought for the day’ today. Whether we admit it or not, we all need a purpose for our lives. There might be even more than one. However, you will never be able to get anywhere without having some goal in your mind. A target in life helps you to see what you want in life and possibly decide what steps you should take in order to achieve it. Let us try to look at the spheres of life where you definitely need a purpose and how to achieve that. 

Being in unity with God is the essence of human existence and purpose in life

Maybe you do not see that it is important, but I do. There is a call for eternity and Somebody greater in every human spirit. This tells me that we subconsciously feel that there is a God. That’s why so many religions of the world were born. People feel and believe that there is a Creator. If you asked two people what they think on the question you would probably get three answers. With proper respect to all religions I say that I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God that redeemed us from our sins and brings us into unity and harmony with God. If you want to have peace with God you have to believe in Jesus redemption. When you find this kind of peace all other purposes in life start falling into their proper places. 

Happiness is another purpose in life

It is natural for human beings to pursue happiness. God created us that way. Although it is a state that is mostly connected with our emotional states and a very temporary state, however we need those kinds of states each day. We are emotional beings and feelings are very important for us. We need to feel joy, love, peace and other positive emotions every day. You experience those things more often when you harbor thoughts of joy, love, peace and etc. for thoughts brings emotions after their kind. 

Going after your calling in life should be your life purpose

Whatever you think about your talents, capabilities and possibilities, you do have a vocation in life. I do not believe you will ever be satisfied without knowing what your calling is and without trying to fulfill that call in your life. Some people never find who they really are. I think they do not seriously search for it. There cannot be a greater sense of satisfaction when you know what to do and actually do it. Being yourself in the place that is meant for you is the purpose you should strive for. Don’t look at others. They have their own callings. Go after yours. 

Let helping others be one of your purposes in life

Egoism perverts life. Life is supposed to be flowing from us towards others, not only from others towards us. We do need attention, love and care from others, but if you get it and you never give it back for those you are around you and those who are desperate for it you are missing the mark. You are going against universal principles of life. In nature, where things are distorted by sin, you see the strong killing the weak and the weak serving the strong. It has never been meant to be that way. We are supposed to share the good that we have with those who lack it. Harmony in relationship will be a consequence of this kind of behavior. I do not want to be a utopian, but I believe all society could be different if everyone tried to follow the principle. God help us to do it.

How to find purpose in life?

I think this question has been answered in part, for I have talked about unity with God, seeking for happiness and helping other. A few ideas can be given in terms of searching for your vocation. A lot of people hate their jobs. On Sunday they shiver from the thought that they will have to go back to work on Monday. Statistics show that most people would not come back to their jobs if they won a lottery. Most people limit themselves by their very own thinking. They believe that they do not have other choice but to work for others and do what they actually hate. 

Nothing can be further from the truth. You can do what you want and make money doing that. Firstly you have to decide on what you would want to do. Think about it. Spend a lot of time dreaming about it and imagining yourself in that position, whether it is a job or your own business or working for nonprofit organization, or being on a mission. Then you can start thinking about the ‘how’. After spending a lot of times thinking about the thing will prepare you psychologically and help you to believe that it is possible. You might get ideas on the ‘how’ in the process too. 

I would also encourage you to read about people who have achieved their dreams. This will give you a lot of inspiration and motivate you to do the same. It can also give you additional ideas on the ‘how’ to do it. This will help you see yourself in a position of a winner and forget your past mistakes and failures. Read something along the lines every week. Make it a habit. I believe one day I will be reading your success story. 

I hope the post was helpful and useful for you and you have a better understanding about purpose in life. I do not want to expand on the topic for you will have to find your unique way how to do that. I will surely add more to the post when I get more ideas which I believe will be beneficial for you.

Read my previous post:

Leaving friends

Today's post:

Thought for the day 19th of June 2011

Thought for the day 24th of May 2011

“Anywhere is paradise; it’s up to you” author unknown.

I do not think that any place can be a paradise out of itself, but it becomes such when a person who comes to the place brings the attitude that makes the place a paradise. No place can be a paradise or a hell on its own. People make it a wonderful paradise or a living hell. Hell comes to a place where people entertain hellish attitudes and values and vice versa, paradise comes to a place where people have adopted heavenly attitudes and values. 

I know it might be problematic for us if we cherish heavenly attitude and come to a place where most people have adopted a hellish attitude. You should share your views and beliefs with them in a firm but polite way. However, as any person has a free will you may never know whether those people accept your ideas or not. You will see both situations. In some cases, people who are tired of their way of living will be willing to adopt different values. In other cases, people would just be willing to stay where they are and continue their destructive way of life that is engendered by their way of thinking. However, you can make any place a paradise. Carry this attitude with you. 

Read my previous post:

Attitude of loving-kindness

Thought for the day 5th of May 2011

“When you feel dog tired at night, it maybe because you’ve growled all day long” by unknown author. 

It is very easy to find rest from physical tiredness. You sleep longer during a weekend, go outdoors, and maybe have a little bit of entertainment by playing some game. And you are strong and rested again. It is a little bit more complicated when your soul gets tired. Most people don’t know what to do then. There are very many reasons why soul can get tired in the first place. And there are also a lot of ways how it can find rest. 

If you are always unhappy, complain and are irritated your soul will always be tired. Negative emotions weary your soul. Attitude of complaining and finding faults weary your soul too. How do you get rid of those and find rest? First, you need to go somewhere where you can be alone and calm down. Then, you have to meditate on the bright side of life and thank God for all good that He has done to you. Focus on the good. Evil will always weary you and you will always be tired if you look at it and concentrate on it. Shift your focus. There is a lot of good in this life. Dwell on it, meditate on it, experience it, speak about it and… you will find rest for your soul.

Read my previous post:

You don’t have to be in chains because you have a key to your freedom

Thought for the day

I want to start my first post of the blog “Thought for the day” with a quote of Buddha:” We are what we think. All that we are arises with our thoughts. With our thoughts, we make the world.” Although I am not a follower of Buddha and consider myself a Christian, I quite agree with the thought that is expressed in the quote. 

Everything starts with thoughts

Everything starts with thoughts! We really are what we think. The thoughts that come to our minds are very important. The thoughts that stay in our minds are even more important. You should see the procedure how a personality is formed. It all starts from a simple thought. This thought has a power to form a person according to information that the thought carries in it. We seldom see thoughts as power bringing vessels, but they are that way. Bad thoughts will make you a bad person. Good thoughts that stay in your mind on a daily basis will finally make you a good person. 

Thoughts lead to speaking of words

Thoughts lead to speaking of words. Although we have been born in sin, the level and condition of our lives depends a lot on the quality of thoughts that stay in our minds. If certain thought stays in our minds long enough we start speaking it. That is the second stage: thoughts form our way of speaking. It is carried out by means of words. Words carry release the power of the thought that has been in our minds and strengthens the power of the thought inside us. 

Thoughts create certain thinking patterns

Thoughts create certain thinking patterns. If we go on with the thoughts long enough certain thinking patterns develop which become parts of our personalities and we start reacting based on those patterns. People very often do not understand why they behave the way they behave or why this or that person has a bad habit which is destroying his life, but the person is still not able to get rid of the habit, but sinks even deeper into it. It does not matter how complicated the situation might look to you; the answer to the question is very simple. The person has developed certain thinking patterns and now those patterns control his life and force him to behave in one way or another. 

Thoughts and words lead to actions

Thoughts and words lead to actions. Behavior is the final result of your thoughts and words. You behave the way you behave because you have thought that way. You sometimes might think that some of your actions are spontaneous and have no connection with your personality and thinking patterns. However, nothing can be further from the truth. Everything is stored in your mind by means of your previous thoughts, thinking patterns, beliefs, images and experience. So, you simply react in the way that your previous experience dictates you. It can happen very fast, but it does happen. 

How can you change?

So, how can you change? Change your thoughts and your personality will change. Your words will change and consequently your behavior will change. True changes start from inside and the inside that has to change is your thought life. When that changes you change. I hope you can see now that you are what you think. I also hope that the post will help you to experience more significant changes in the future if you apply the knowledge that you have received. Thanks for reading my thought for the day.  

Some more academic reading about thought can be done by following the link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thought