I went in search again for another line of income, another way of earning a living. The mass offerings is amazing. Have you read the fine print? You could write a few books just from the fine print. Every work at home offer provides the same message: freedom of time, six figure income, wealth freedom, more time to spend with your family, and all the material possessions one could ever dream of. All those items on your list that has mislead you to think that happiness and joy are yours.
What does this have to do with living a powerful life? Think about it. The messages we receive every day through advertising, job searches, each one seeking to offer you another way to relieve your fears. Promises of overcoming poverty. With money comes power, thus a powerful life is yours.
Well? I know you have become either so cynical that your anger flares when these types of messages appear or you keep hoping and wishing for change. Which is it? Perhaps under the anger the hope still lingers and because once you tried something similar and it did not work, so now anger covers for you.
I keep researching, reading the fine print. Each word resonates with some part of me that hopes for the truth in advertising. Hopes that if I only apply myself an extra hour each day riches will be mine. Sound like a lost cause? Nah. It is all a part of my spiritual journey.
Living a powerful life is simple, not complex at all. As humans we tend to complicate everything in our daily path. Even breathing in and out gets complicated. If I ask you right now to stop reading, close your eyes and take a breath in through your nose, then parting your lips slightly, bringing a smile to those lips, then exhaling slowly, would you? Or would these few words confuse you and feel complicated, impossible, or difficult? Listen, do nothing. Notice.
That is the biggest key to living a powerful life, listening. Stop. Do nothing. Notice. What does your mind tell you? What do your eyes tell you? Can you hear the outside world? And what about the skin? Can you feel your clothes against your skin? Notice. Do nothing.
A powerful life according to Thich Nhat Hanh is as simple as breathing and noticing the breath as it enters and exits. I spent the past month reading The Art of Power by Thich Nhat Hanh.
The art of power cultivation begins with the inward journey.
The act of living mindfully begins with the breath, then noticing each action as it is completed. This is near impossible to do with every breath and action through out your day. But one of the greatest suggestions given by Thich Nhat Hanh is to set a bell to ring at intervals through the day reminding you to breath, notice, then move on into the day. The promise is a cultivation of mindfulness that makes your day less stressful and happy.
Bless you this day. Enjoy each breath. Peace be with you.