The War Of Words

screaming

in the house

molten lava

Words are a mighty weapon. They can inspire others and create works of literature. They can bond people together with the power of prayer. They can bring peace to troubled nations and people. Words can do all of this if used in a positive way.

But words can also hurt. Words are like a dagger thrust into your heart - the chill of the blade leaves you haunted and hopeless. It can scar you for life - a casualty in the war of words. 

As people, we must do our best to respect the dignity of others. Instead of being rude and hurling insults whenever we please, we should step back and ask ourselves: how would we feel if someone hurled lava at us? Would not the sting of it leave us battered and bruised with emotional wounds?

Kindness is not difficult. All it takes is a little sympathy and compassion. Use both of these traits whenever you deal with others. And above all, watch your words. For it is a bomb that can destroy friends and family. Use your words with care, and not only will you be loved and admired, but you will be the victor in the war of words.

Angry Ambition

summer dreams

I sit by the lake

and think

As humans, we all dream and desire recognition of some sort. After all, it is one of the driving forces in our lives - the need to excel. Ambition is a wonderful thing - if used properly it can propel us toward a distant goal. With ambition, the dreams we have can often be turned into reality.

But there is a dark side to ambition. In our struggle for recognition, some people take this to an extreme level - they try to destroy other people's careers and lives. For them, the end result is everything - burn your boats and take no prisoners kind of attitude. This is what I call "angry" ambition. It is this greed for excessive power and money that has destroyed many a person.

Understand: You can achieve your dreams with ambition. But do not hurt others in your quest for personal fulfillment. The world is a big enough place, and there would be less misery if people showed a little kindness and consideration to others. We are all in this together: one world, one life, one dream.

Are You Sour Or Sweet?

morning

overcast

sour grapes

We all have cloudy mornings. It is simply a part of life. But some people take these foul moods to an extreme. Every day, they are bitter and hostile towards themselves and others. They are indeed "sour grapes." 

But we do not have to have these kinds of moods. There is a way to brighten up your life. How you may ask? The answer is simple: we must cultivate within ourselves a feeling of happiness. It all begins in the mind. If all we do every day is think of foul and hateful things, this attitude of ours will poison our mind, leaving us bitter and angry at ourselves and the world.

If instead, we think of peaceful and happy thoughts, we can train our minds to thrive on positivity. Behind the morning overcast, the sun will shine bright and clear. Happy thoughts lead to happy lives. If you practice this daily, you will soon discover the richness of a positive attitude.

Give yourself this gift of happiness. Think positive and be positive. And you will never be a "sour grape."

Two Ways To Control Your Anger

lava

a pent up

volcano

Are you angry? Are you seething inside like a pent up volcano? Do you rage and fume at every minor problem thrown your way? You can correct this by following these two tips. They are designed to help you overcome your anger.

Do not take everything personally--learn to let things go. In life, you are beset with many problems. Some want your time, others your money. There are too many demands. For the sake of your mind and health, you must learn to turn things off. Like a dripping faucet, shut your mind off from negative and toxic people. If left unchecked, their poison will slowly seep through your veins, contaminating you with their dim and gloomy outlook on life. Do not become angry with these people; do not feed off their bitterness. Simply ignore them and do not take their words personally. It is not worth it. Just let it go.

Whatever frustrations and anger you do have in your life can be reduced and corrected. You must channel this anger that eats away your insides with creative hobbies. Pour whatever is bothering you into some fun hobby. It does not matter what it is, as long as the activity is positive. Your body acts as a battery charger--one source of energy (negative) is shifted to another source (positive). You will find yourself doing things that you like, while your anger, instead of boiling within you, is transferred to activities that are positive and productive.

So whenever you are angry, follow these two steps: do not take everything personally, and channel your frustrations into positive and productive hobbies. By doing this, you will remove much of the stress and stomach ulcers that plague people who keep their anger inside them. Do not be like them. Instead of embracing anger, embrace its sister peace--and watch yourself grow into a calmer, more confident person.

Are You Boiling Inside?

a teapot

on the stove

volcano

Do you burn inside? Do the hot waves of anger and resentment boil within you? Will you explode at any moment?

Think of yourself as a teapot. The flames of life burn the water within you, but you must take care not to reach the boiling point. Do not be an exploding volcano that lashes out against others.

Learn to control yourself in stressful situations. Emulate the feel and flow of water. Think of its calming effect--the slow, graceful waves that wash against the shores of the sea.  Be like water and watch yourself turn into a calmer person.

Why Are You Angry?

snowflakes fall outside

as I stare at the fireplace

watching the wood burn

We all feel anger. Inside is a fire that threatens to consume us. If left unchecked, it will burn away our very being, leaving us prey to our bestial instincts.

But you can control it. Whenever you feel angry, think of snowflakes falling outside. Observe their calm stately motion as they gradually drift to the ground. Become the snowflake and feel the hot waves of anger leave you.

Think calm. Be calm. And watch the wood burn to ash.

Beware the Beast!

howling

under a full moon

the beast within

Within us all lies a beast. A monster that seeks to devour us if we are not careful. But we can control it.

Everyday, promise yourself that you will not give in to your anger. Do not let the petty taunts of others boil the blood within yourself. Control your desires, your hatred, your fear, and you will find the beast securely locked in his cage.

Then it will no longer be the master. You will.