The Speck

You are a tiny speck in the universe
and the universe in a tiny speck.

The Reality of Perception and Truth

What is, is not necessarily what is perceived, and what is perceived, is not necessarily what is.

Impulsive and Reactive Behaviours

Impulsive and reactive behaviors are not necessarily wrong, they just have consequences that are generally not desirable in time and space. Actions and behaviours that emanate from deep-seeded values from a place of state of ego-less stability and love are generally ones that have more positive effect in time and space.

Physiological and Psychological Resilience + Executive Function

Responding to anxiety and distress can be regulated via two levels
1) Physiological resilience - the body becomes stronger towards stress after repeated exposure (but manageable) stress
2) Psychological resilience - the mind develops resilience towards stress after repeated exposure (but manageable) stress
3) Executive Intervention (such as mindfulness, meditation, "letting go", diversion of though) - regulation via the executive part of the brain (per-frontal cortex) through cognitive functions.

The Fearless

The only thing that prevents the fearless from doing wrong is their morals and values.

Needs Underlying Controlling Behaviour

When you hear someone acting in a controlling manner, or telling people what to do or how life should be, understand they are trying to gain a sense of worthiness and competence. What they say gives them the feeling of importance and significance. Attacking them if you disagree will create defensiveness and the need persists. Acknowledging them and "hearing them out"allows them to obtain their need and then let go of their need to defend their point of view.

Time Spent Blaming vs Betterment

A second spent blaming is a second wasted that could have instead be used for on betterment.

Don't waste a second blaming others for the problems of the world but instead spend that one second on how you can make a difference to the world by your actions, by your words and by your thinking.

What You Can & Cannot Do in Life

What you can do in life is

1) Choose your values, goals and way of life
2) Choose who you want to have relationships with in life
3) Inspire and help others to live better more meaningful lives should they wish to do so

What you cannot do in life is

1) Choose other people's values, goals and way of life
2) Force people to be in or not be in certain relationships
3) Force others to live the life that you think is best for them

Evaluate Your Consumption

We tend to believe that consumption is mostly what we put in our mouths. However consumption takes a myriad of forms, mainly it is in how we spend our time. For example many people spend hours a day consuming what the TV stations decide to feed them, instead of being more selective about what they would like to consume. This ofcourse is mostly an unconscious habit one that can be broken by a new ritual.  The new ritual should be as exciting as the old habit and be in line with the values of the individual.  One must first begin to evaluate current consumption habits - how valuable and important are these actually to one's life, goals and values? Once these self-inquiries are honestly answered, the next step would be coming up with new activities and ritual to replace the old, rituals that add meaning, value and satisfaction to one's life - leading to a more rewarding and fulfilling outcome.

Subtle "Shoulds" & "Should Nots"

At any moment in time we may have in our minds subtle "shoulds" and "should nots" that are predominantly based on self preservation and fear rather than values and goals. Could you identify these?

Effective & Ineffective Approaches to Feeling Competent

Many people take an ineffective approach to feeling competent. Some of these are
1) Putting others down (focus others)
2) Trying to control people, things and situations (focus others)
3) Boasting about oneself and one's achievements  (focus self)
4) Feeling superior to others (focus self)

Others take a more effective approach of feeling competent

1) Seeking purpose and meaning in their work and in their life (focus self)
2) Giving, serving and helping others and society (focus others)

Effective approaches are more stable, promote well-being and quality of life and are generally more productive approaches to attaining life goals, and less dependent on external factors such as recognition and acceptance.