3. “All the powers in the universe are already ours. It is we who have put our hands before our eyes and cry that it is dark.”
The oldest cliche in the book that a new window opens whenever a door closes might not be complete hearsay.
So often, we focus only on the negatives. We cry. We lament for so long over lost opportunities that we miss the greatest positivity right in front of our eyes.
Sometimes, all it takes to turn your perspective around is a mindset shift. And as Vivekananda says, maybe stop crying that it’s dark and clear up space in your heart for all the light of the universe to come in and change your life.
4. “Condemn none: if you can stretch out a helping hand, do so. If you cannot, fold your hands, bless your brothers, and let them go their own way.”
There’s no benefit in judging others, in resenting them for the choices they make, especially when it doesn’t affect you in any way.
If you see someone struggling and you can help them in whatever small way possible, go ahead and do it. Spread some sunshine into the lives of those who can’t afford it, and watch it bring dividends your way.
If you can’t help them, then offer them your good wishes, maybe even whisper a prayer, and move on. There’s nothing to be gained from forcing them to make a show of their misery and deriving perverse pleasure out of it.
5. “In a day, when you don’t come across any problems — you can be sure that you are traveling on the wrong path.”
So often, we get demotivated by small failures. We believe that our only purpose in life is to succeed in whatever endeavor we start. This mindset stops us from deriving lessons from our failures.
Setbacks are proof that you’re making progress. That you’re learning and growing. The end goal doesn’t matter as much as the lessons you pick up along the way do.
When you follow your heart, you might not always be safe or failure-proof. But at least you’ll be on this journey of being the best version of yourself.
At least you’ll be happy.
Final Words
There’s great wisdom to be found in Vivekananda’s teachings. I’m grateful to the universe for sending his words my way when I needed them the most.
In case you’re wondering what was that one affirmation that inspired me enough to muster the guts to quit my job, it was this-
“Take up one idea. Make that one idea your life; dream of it; think of it; live on that idea. Let the brain, the body, muscles, nerves, every part of your body be full of that idea, and just leave every other idea alone. This is the way to success, and this is the way great spiritual giants are produced.” — Swami Vivekananda
Maybe that’s all we need.
One idea. One dream. And determination enough to convert that dream to reality.
Maybe that’s all there is to life.
Maybe we just complicate life and then enjoy complaining about it. For the next few days, just try to reframe your thought process and look at the positive rather than the negative. Instead of listing ways why your life sucks at the present moment, think of affirmations and watch how they turn your life around. If you have already worked on yourself with affirmations, I'd love to hear your stories. Feel free to discuss them with me and the rest of our readers in the comments,
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