Be Grateful

There are two things that often make us not grateful in our life.

First:
We are too often focus on what we want, not on what we have.
Say you have a house, a car, a job, and the best life partner. But you still feel there is something missing. Your thoughts always filled with targets and desires.

You are so obsessed by a large and beautiful houses, luxury cars, as well as a distinguished work of bringing more money. We want this and that. If we do not get it we continue to think about it again and again. But strangely, when we finally got it, we just enjoy the fun.
We're still not satisfied, we want more and more.
So, no matter how much we have, we'll never be "RICH" in the true sense.

Let us straighten our understanding of the ''rich''.
People who are''rich''is not a person who has a lot of things, but people can enjoy whatever they have. Of course is fine we have the desire, but we need to realize that this is the root of not peaceful feelings. We can change these feelings by focusing on what we already have. Try to see things around you, think that you have, and be grateful of it. You will enjoy life.

Concentrate your attention on the good side of your boss, spouse, and the people around you. They will become more enjoyable. An author once said,''Marry a person you love, then love the person you marry.'' This is the embodiment of gratitude.

There is an interesting story about a grandfather who always complain because he can not buy shoes, but shoes have long broken. One afternoon he saw someone who did not have legs, but remained cheerful. Then the grandfather stop complaining and begin to be grateful.


The second thing that often keeps us not grateful on our life are:
The tendency to compare ourselves with other people. We feel others are more fortunate. Wherever we go, there are always people who are smarter, more handsome, more beautiful, more confident, and richer than us.

I remember the first time I worked constantly compare my income with peers in college. This feeling makes me restless and uneasy.
As a former model student on campus, I feel anxious every time i knows there is an army friend who earn more than me. In fact, there was always a friend whose income exceeds mine. I became fond of changing my job to another job, just to offset my colleagues earnings. I do not even care about the type of work, the important thing for me is the salary is greater.

Until I finally realized that this would never end. I changed and began to appreciate what I have. Now I really enjoy my job. " Neighbors grass often seem greener than ours."


There is an interesting story about two patients on a mental hospital.
The first patient was sitting lost in thought as he muttered, "Lulu, Lulu." A surprise visitor asks the problems facing these people.
The doctor replied, "This man was so mad after his love was rejected by Lulu." The visitor nodded. But when the visitor through the other cells he was surprised to see a patient constantly banged his head on the wall and shouted, ''Lulu, Lulu." "This man also had a problem with Lulu?" He asked in surprise. The doctor

then replied, "Yes, it was he who finally married to Lulu."

Life would be happier if we can enjoy what we have. Because be grateful is the the highest quality of heart.


I want to end this article with a story about a mother who was floating in the sea because the ship sank, but she still happy. When asked why so, he replied, "I have two boys. The first one is dead, and the second live on the other land. If survived, I am very happy to meet with my second child. But even if drowned, I would also be happy because I will meet with my first child in heaven."


So.. Be Grateful!

Be grateful that you're not ready to have something you want...
If so, what else to be desired?

Be grateful when you do not know anything...
Because it give you opportunities to learn...

Be grateful for hard times...
In the time that you grow...

Be grateful for limitedness ...
Because they give you opportunities to grow ...

Be grateful for each new challenge ...
Because it will build strength and character ...

Be grateful for the mistakes you made ...
That will teach valuable lessons ...

Be grateful when you're tired and weary ...
Because of that you've made a difference ...

Maybe easy for us to be grateful to the good stuff ...
Abundant life comes to those who are also thankful to the ebb ...

Gratitude can turn a negative into a positive ...

Discover how to be grateful for your problems and all it will be a blessing to you ...

- credit to agan ibent -

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Ajahn Brahm Tour d'Indonesia 2011. Very Enlightening and Entertaining Part II

"Better to Light a Candle Than Complain about the Darkness"
- Ajahn Brahm

First of all he tells how he was very experienced in dealing with Difficult people, how he taught in the prisons and how he faced the people who need help to deal with Difficult people around them. The principle is the look he held the big picture, look Them in person. They are not thief, They are not Murderer, They are not rapist. They are only people who do a bad thing! Always see the big picture, because if you only see the bad side of a person, they will show it even more. And if you see the good side of a person, they will show it even more aswell.

He tells of a woman who was doing research for a doctoral degree. Research on how to teach the dolphins to want to jump high and go through trials of a circle that hung above the pool. In her research she concluded that the technique adopted is an incremental positive reinforcement. Each time a dolphin jumping 1 inch, They get a fish. But if They do not jump, do not punish Them. If They jump 2 inches, They get another fish. Eventually the woman got an idea. Then he went to her professor and proposed replacement of objects. Her petition be accepted and eventually

he earned a doctorate.
The title of her thesis is: how to train your husband. Using the same principle in teaching dolphins earlier. Funny, entertaining, but works.

He also tell a story about how to deal with your difficult bosses.
He told his own experience when he first arrived at the monastery where Ajahn Brahm now lives in Perth, Australia. At that time, Ajahn Brahm is the second monk, there's still a monk on it, so Ajahn Brahm had a 'boss' and he is very Stubborn.
Ajahn Bram said: "He is very Stubborn, but I'am very smart": D

On one day they plan to build a hut that will be used by monks for meditation. Ajahn Brahm had the idea to build a shack on the hill a hill near their monastery. Then Ajahn Brahm told the chief: "I think we sholud build the hut over there" and the Head Monk said: "No! it's a terrible idea, no way." Then Ajahn Brahm say: "Ok boss." and that's it. He never argue about it. But he knows That the idea has planted in his boss subconcious.
A couple of weeks later, when Ajahn Brahm sure That the head monk forget about that idea before. Ajahn Brahm again tell his boss about his idea, and his boss respond: "No, that's a bad place to build a hut." And again Ajahn Brahm said: "Ok boss" and didn't argue about it.
And then few weeks later, the boss himself said: "I think We Should build the hut in that hill". The trick works! And Ajahn Brahm said: "Oh, what a very good idea of yours boss." This is also the Important Part of the trick. You shold tell a positive response about it. All he (the boss) knows that was his idea. You know That was your idea, but in dealing with Difficult people, you must let Them know that it's was Their idea. : D

So, that is the trick. When you have an idea and you know it's a good idea, just plant the idea in your head bosses. If They reject it, NEVER argue! Because if you do, They will remember the conversation. Just plant it, and reinforce it every couple of weeks. It'll work. You can apply this trick on other situation in dealing with difficult people.
For me personally, this is a trick that is very funny but interesting to try.
You can try it, hope it's useful for you. : D

Then he continued his story, this time about how his views on religious life. "The Best sound in the world"
One day there is someone from the village first came to town. On its way through the city the person hear a voice He never heard. Out of curiosity, he was scrambling around to find the source of the sound and found the source of the sound. It was a boy who are learning to play violin. But it was the most beautiful in the world for him.
The next day, when he walks around the city, he heard again a very beautiful sound, more beautiful than the previous one. He then seek source of the sound and find it. Apparently the sound is coming from a violin played by people who have mastered it. Very beautiful! Then he realized that the voices that were previously not as beautiful as he thought.
A few days later, he returned a walk in the city. Suddenly he heard a voice far more beautiful than the sounds he had ever heard before. Apparently the sound was coming from an orchestra that is being played in harmony by the people who are experts play their instruments respectively. And it is true that it is a very beautiful voice, the most beautiful voice in the world.

Then he tell us.
That's how we should view religious differences. First we must study our religion and master it well. Once we understand our religion then we can understanding the meaning of religious life, because all religions were basically very beautiful. Once we all understand our own religion and become an expert, then the religious life in the world will run it beautifully in harmony. Just like a musical instrument played with a very beautiful in an orchestra that produces the most beautiful voice in the world.

That's how he is unique in giving lectures. With funny stories and his own experience and thoughts that are actually quite simple but we often ignore.
My Experience to meet directly with him and the chance to shake hands and listen to lectures from a bestselling book directly from the author is very inspiring me and will be my unforgetable experience.

Finally, I highly recommend the books of Ajahn Brahm as reading material that you have to read. ;)
The writings and lectures he has become a valuable inspiration for me.
Hopefully with this article you also get a little inspiration and benefit of use to you.


"When the weather is hot, keep a cool mind. When the weather is cold, keep a warm heart."
— Ajahn Brahm


Thank You
einlanzer

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Ajahn Brahm Tour d'Indonesia 2011. Very Enlightening and Entertaining

Very Enlightening and Entertaining!
My precious experience on one part of Ajahn Brahm Tour d'Indonesia 2011.

Yesterday, I had just come to a seminar at a bookstore in Matraman, Jakarta, Indonesia.

The speaker was a monk named Ajahn Brahm who will conduct lectures and review his new book entitled "Si cacing dan kotoran kesayangannya 2!" as part of his tour "Ajahn Brahm Tour d'Indonesia 2011."

At first I was less interested to attend the seminar, probably because I myself have not done read his book. Even so, I still decided to come to his seminars.

As usual, at home office in Jakarta, the streets are very crowded. Although it was not made vehicles stopped completely, but enough to make me frustrated and need to be very careful because everyone wants to quickly escape from the congestion of the road.

Finally I arrived at the bookstore.
I signed in and headed straight to the 2nd floor where the event will be held. Apparently he had arrived and was traveling bookstore to browse through his writing books in the store.
As soon as I saw the figure of him, one thing that directly I think in my head is a simplicity and sincerity that is very large very light emanating from him.

As is usually seen on the cover of his books, he was only wearing monk robes and sandals flops. As I look around the bookstore, he was always a friendly smile to the visitors who follow and serve the visitors who wanted a picture together. After that Ajahn Brahm enters the room to start a lecture.

The event started

, the MC said that the first event was a book signing session. All visitors are very enthusiastic and formed a long queue. I myself took 3 pieces of the book by Ajahn Brahm, although I have not had time to read out all those books. ;)

Finally my turn came. As he was assisted by the organizing committee, he signed my books. When finished the first book signing, he gave it to me with a friendly smile. The second book, he saw me he smiled again and said, "Two", and I just smiled. The third book, he smiled again and said "Thank You". He was always smiling and very friendly to all visitors.

The event then continued with a video showing how the simplicity of life the monks who lived in the forest in northeastern Thailand. The monks should stay in the woods, but every morning they have to go to villages to receive food donations from villagers around. The editor said that this tradition is done not only to avoid the exclusive impression of the monks but also to always apply the spirit of sharing with others.

The video often appears the figure of Ajahn Chah, One of the great monks in this century and also teacher of Ajahn Brahm. His figure does not differ much by Ajahn Brahm. Ajahn Chah also very friendly, always smiling, and simple.
Then the second video aired, this time a video about how the figure of Ajahn Brahm himself, and how he is in bringing the seminars in various cities around the world. Always relaxed, as a smile, and hilarious typical Ajahn Brahm. Very enlightening and very entertaining.

Then Ajahn Brahm started his talk this time the theme "Dealing with Difficult people". How should we react to difficult people that are around us. They can be our bosses, colleagues, friends, parents, spouse, and so forth.

To be continued...

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I'm back guys!

Hi guys,

For the last 2 years, I lost this blog. :(
I keep trying to find this blog password, but I completely lost it.
And when my final test approaching, My focus is just the test and I don't have much more time for this blog.

Then I graduate and

searching for work, I'm working and forget about my blog :((

But just now, when I came from work, out of nowhere, this blog flashing in my mind. I search it on Google and I found it! Yay..

But when I open it, I remember that i lost the password. :(
But I want to try to log in. And.., I can log in with my gmail account.. LOL!
what am i thinking the day that i lost it! hahahah..

Anyway, i am finally found it my password n get my blog back.
now i'm ready to write again.

Just now, i create a mission to 'take my life back' and i call it: 'WISEA'.
its abbreviation of my 5 mission in my life that i MUST have by THIS YEAR.

So, i'll tell you everything about it.
thanks guys.

Let's share our experience!

PS:
* Sorry for my english ;D

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