Daily Gratitude: “The ability to observe without evaluating is the highest form of intelligence.”

Take a minute to see if you can visualize what the world would be like today if everyone could do this. It would be amazing, wouldn’t it?

But, of course that would require everyone to have a high degree of intelligence.

Why can’t each of us try this, though, and see if we can make some sort of difference in our own lives.

This will take effort but I think it will be worth it. The quote is essentially saying “look, don’t judge”. Because evaluating is judging.

What if, for instance, when you see someone doing something that bugs you, you start looking at the person, not the action. Even try to describe what you see of their facial expressions or their clothes or their mannerisms. Anything other than the action that annoyed you. If you work hard enough at it, then your brain will move away from the irritation.

Maybe even try to see the other side from what you think. Can you do that? I have done that a few times and I find myself chuckling- not at the other person but at me when I realize that my assessment probably was NOT the correct one. Gasp. Ha ha.

Make a game of it until it becomes second nature!

Daily Gratitude: Have you ever experienced this? It’s amazing but if you can calm your thoughts down and stay relaxed, it’s easier to hear what is really going on all around you.

Often we chatter (calling it “talk”) when we’re nervous or anxious. We just want to fill the space around us. God forbid people pay attention to us. Talking can distract them we think. Otherwise they may judge us or not like us and reject us.

Once you learn to be quiet with yourself though, you can be with others without all those worries and concerns. Learning what you’re made of helps you accept yourself and helps you understand why you do certain things. It’s just a matter of becoming familiar with what’s inside of you. Just like everything else, familiarity helps us accept it.

Once we accept ourselves and all our flaws, it’s no longer frightening that others might find out. We can be more calm – and quiet.

Find a way to see inside and be quiet. Meditation helps. Just sitting with yourself is just as good too. Nothing fancy is needed.

Try to see if you can sit in total quiet without distraction for 1-2 minutes. Then build up to 5 minutes and so on. You’re probably laughing but it’s not that easy when you’re not used to it.

You’ll end up feeling really good once you’ve achieved your first 2 minutes of quiet.