This week, I focused on not giving opinions and I found myself challenged all the time (of course!:). Suddenly, I was asked to give my opinion many times, at least it seemed to me, more then ever.
So, I remembered the first step: be the observer, realise when you are giving an opinion, it is already a good start. Second step: I noticed that opinions were flowing from my mouth, and I decided to be patient with myself and not to criticise me for that. Third step: try to stop the opinion, before it reaches my mouth. Not so easy, I can look weird, but in the end, nobody really noticed. Forth step: block the opinions going on in my mind: a constant work of awareness at a deeper level. Actually, I realised how much we are stimulated to give our opinions all the time: look at Facebook or you tube! Some people search in the internet an article in line with their own ideas and share it on FB as a confirmation of being « right »and maybe even convince others…while it is of course possible to find another article on the same subject stating the opposite, ah! So much noise, going on, so much spam in the mind, so much Ego around! Opinions are the direct manifestation of our Ego, the perception, the filter of our own reality. So, let the Ego die and the opinions with it. This is the path that leads to peace of mind. For sure, this exercise makes me a far better listener that I used to be in the past, and this is precious. It is already a major shift, but I know I still have room for improvement…step by step…
I love also part 5 in the Mastekey system of Charles Haanel. Every day, I meditate on it so much that I can feel the resonance of each word into my mind, I can almost feel the « taste »of them in my mouth (am I getting crazy?Hihi). Haanel writes: « This mind which pervades our physical body is not only the result of hereditary tendencies, but is the result of home, business and social environment,where countless thousands of impressions, ideas, prejudices and similar thoughts have been received. Much of this has been received from others, the result of opinions, suggestions or statements; much of it is the result of our own thinking, but nearly all of it has been accepted with little or no examination or consideration ».
How HUGE is that? Everybody should know it! It is such a precious knowledge that empowers us so much! I wish I had known that when I was 18, crucially deciding on my future, but listening to opinions of family members, or « experts », instead of the desire of my own heart. Ok, no regrets here. The past is gone and I am here now because of the decisions that I made, it was ment to be like that. Anyway, I teach that to my children, so they can follow their path, free from any influences (including my own, which I refrain anyway, because I do not give opinions anymore, right?).
Haanel continues: « If either of us were building a home for ourselves, how careful we would be in regard to the plans; how we should study every detail; how we should watch the material and select only the best of everything; and yet how careless we are whenit comes to building our Mental Home, which is infinitely more important than any physical home, as everything which can possibly enter into our lives depends upon the character of the material which enters into the construction of our Mental home.
The thing to do is to have a mental house cleaning, and to have this house cleaning every day, and keep the house clean. Mental, moral and physical cleanliness are absolutely indispensable if we are to make progress of any kind ». That is my committment: keep the house clean, keep that constant vigilance on my thoughts, to build a new life, my own unique way.
