Life is a Voyage of Discovery

"The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes." - Marcel Proust.

Infinity is something we cannot understand, as we tend to shelve everything into neat categories: people, events, landscapes. But there is more than one way to look at things. The possibilities are endless. 

Perception is a subjective experience, and our senses interpret reality in a unique ways. It's not the same from one person to the next. It's not the same from one day to the next. It's not the same, whether we're working or on a holiday. It's not the same depending on our mood, our frame of mind. 

With awareness comes a new appreciation of the world around us. Every flower, every blade of grass, every insect, every little animal can be overlooked as mundane and unimportant, or admired like a masterpiece, a miracle.  The world around us is full of mysteries and surprises. It is there for us to enjoy: awe-inspiring, ever-changing reality. The best things in life are free of charge: sunshine, rain, fresh air, and nature in all its magnificence and diversity.

We can experience infinite pleasure in becoming aware of the beauty around us. By cultivating a spirit of wonder and appreciation, we extend the boundaries of our world, and it becomes infinite. We don't need to travel to distant destinations to stimulate our senses and discover new landscapes. 

Today, imagine that you're someone from another country, visiting your place for the first time. What would you see? What would you think? What would you feel? Enjoy this day as though it were your first one on this wonderful planet.

With love,

Bella

Painting: 'Back yard discovery' by Donald Zolan

An Attitude of Gratitude

The easiest way to develop an attitude of gratitude is to keep a Gratitude Journal. Write down all the things that you can be grateful for. You don't have to write an essay about it, just a few words are enough to get you started. What is there to be thankful for? Sometimes the simplest thing, like being alive and breathing...

Gratitude is a powerful force, because the more grateful you are for what you already have, the more you are likely to attract similar positive aspects into your life. You become tuned to the good in what is, instead of putting off your joy by wanting something different all the time. The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence, but it's always out of reach too. Right now, you only have the grass on your side and even though it may seem less green, it can be just as tasty. Begin to live a truthful and fearless life, by opening yourself to the now, which is a gift and that is why we call it the "present".

To comfort someone who has problems, people sometimes say that every cloud has a sliver lining. It is always possible to extract something positive from a situation, now matter how unpleasant, difficult or painful it may seem. Grief is a natural process. Allow yourself to feel the pain, anger and disbelief until you are ready to move through to a point where you can accept new hopes and dreams.

Don't take things for granted. Even the smallest detail is worth that you take the time to notice it, to be aware of it and say "thank you". Go to your diary at the beginning and at the end of each day, and write gratitude lists. The act of being thankful is a small daily miracle that you can allow yourself to experience, and that will lead to more and more miracles. It makes you feel good It will grow into something substantial and meaningful to you. Eventually, with a tiny bit of patience, you will reap the bountiful rewards for this wonderful practice.

Painting: Mandala Colour Tree (unknown artist)