Should Have or Could Have?

Should Have or Could Have?

I've been playing around with words lately, and two words that make a huge difference in our language are should and could. Just listen to these two statements:

I should clean the house.

I could clean the house.

Say them out loud so you can really hear the difference. The difference being that one is an expectation and the other is an opportunity. When we couch statements as opportunities, we open up possibilities - we allow for choice - we create a positive outlook. When we have expectation, we make ourselves vulnerable to disappointment - we narrow our thinking - we create a judging outlook.

So, I've been playing around with these words. When I catch myself saying should, I replace it with could, I let it sink in, I celebrate the transformation that takes place.

For a long time, I've been saying that I should get back into blogging, and understandably feeling quite heavy about it. I now say, I could get back into blogging, and I feel so light about it, it comes easily.

Thank you all who have encouraged me to write again. I feel like I'm back on track.

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What Newness Will You Create?

What Newness Will You Create in the New Year?

I love this question. As I sit waiting to hear the New Year's message that every Brahma Kumar and Kumari will hear, I consider this question. Past is past. 2010 is now old news - ancient history, even. Lets look forwards to 2011 with zeal and enthusiasm.

Do I resurrect old failed resolutions? No, lets put those to rest and create something completely new. I'd rather celebrate renewed spirit rather than mourn my unfulfilled expectations.

With that in mind I thought I'd try these on for size.

1. Have a clear out - go clutter free. I'm not talking about my living environment or my desk space - already tried that. No, this time I mean to clear out the clutter in the head - the waste thoughts like rehashing the past, or endlessly going through my inventory of to-do lists. I don't need it.

2. Practice the art of giving. Research shows the happiest people are the givers. Why? To give, you have to first know what you already have. When you're in the attitude of giving, you have the awareness that 'I already have more than enough, I have enough to share.' It's an attitude that leaves you feeling full and rich.

3. Celebrate daily. Akin to 'count your blessings' - if I won the lottery, I would celebrate. A lot. But when I count my blessings, my fortune, it's as if I've already won the lottery. It's worth celebrating. To have such fortune and not to celebrate, well, that's akin to being Scrooge. Better to enjoy the fortune through celebration.

Ok, that's enough for now. May 2011 bring you multi-million blessings! And if you've not already found true happiness, may this be your year!

Om shanti.

Thank you for reading. For more information on Raja Yoga philosophy see www.bkwsu.org.