You're HIRED

A second grade teacher once asked me, “How do I apply the information and techniques you’ve given me to my second graders? I can already see patterns of behavior developing in some of my students that may lead to an imbalance overtime or worse, cause serious problems.” I loved that question because as the Dalai Lama states in the book, The Art of Happiness, “The most important use of education is (*should be) to help us understand the importance of engaging in more wholesome actions and bringing about discipline within our minds. The proper utilization of our intelligence and knowledge is (*should be) to effect changes from within to develop a good heart.” (*Unfortunately our society does not emphasize this.)

Because of the structure and functioning of our brains we CAN make a complete transformation of our mental state by mobilizing our thoughts and practicing new ways of thinking; deliberately selecting and focusing on being positive. The scientific name for this “learning and training” or the brains inherent capacity to change is called, “plasticity.” We’re lucky! We already have the equipment we need to achieve happiness; our “mind” and our “heart.” When it comes right down to it, happiness has very little to do with our conditions or how we perceive “the reasons” yet it has everything to do with how we perceive our situation. Below are various techniques we can teach our students, our children and ourselves, to help transform our outlook and the way we think.

First of all, build up determination and then begin each morning by thinking about positive things. Tell yourself “this day is a gift” and then utilize it in a more positive way. Replace previous negative conditioning with new positive conditioning. Repeating this process, day after day, will strengthen the positive aspects of the mind.

Second, make a special effort to be aware and reflect on your mental states. Address the negative mental traits so you can counter act each one as well as the positive traits so you can seek causes that create them.

Third, focus on remaining calm when disturbing events happen. When even the smallest amounts of anger are harbored other people will also appear hostile and then a chain reaction will occur. We’ll experience fear, a greater inhibition and sense of insecurity. Give up on the things that you recognize are harmful to you. Self-worth stems from developing the VALUE of human warmth and affection. When we maintain a feeling of compassion, loving kindness and appreciation of what we have our inner door will open and automatically create an inner calmness. Fear, self doubt and insecurity will go away.

Your awesome future is in your hands. Hire yourself to pave the way! Through training and constant familiarity of living positively, moment by moment, we can transform ourselves, which is the REAL “secret to happiness.”

Stay tuned,

The Midnight Motivator