Good times to you, fellow Peeker (Positivity Seeker).
Have you noticed how so many volumes of Positivity Weekly follow a beautiful theme? We don’t plan for this to happen. It just does. Almost as if the
world is saying, “Let’s see… what should you learn this week?”
This week’s stories are all about attitude. It’s a
reiteration of the idea that there really is no solid reality external to us.
We chisel our own realities with our thoughts. And our attitude determines our
thoughts.
So sit back, relax, and be prepared to feel gratitude for the positive attitudes you will now be exposed to.
News from the public domain
Iranian mother spares son’s killer
Letting go doesn’t come easy to
many. And resentment is the ultimate refuge of the weak. Blaming others for one’s
unhappiness, cursing them, spreading malice about them… these are kneejerk acts
of people who believe that, when they have been wronged, others must suffer.
Contrast that with this Iranian
mother who pardoned her son’s s killer and herself untied the noose around
his neck. Of course, it wasn’t easy. Her subconscious had to intervene and
imagine her son being in a better place. Even then, she had to release her
hatred. So before forgiving the killer, she slapped him. “Slap was the space between revenge and
forgiveness.” What a profound thought! She is probably telling us that in order
to let go, one must first express oneself fully. And it is this mother’s
greatness that she required only a slap to bridge the gap between revenge and
forgiveness.
A few memorable Rags-to-riches stories
In the 14th volume of
this upbeat newsletter, we showcased 13 famous Americans who once relied on
food stamps to survive.
This time, we branch out and
profile people who have overcome incredible odds to reach impossible heights.
Here, we are not commenting on other aspects of their growth story. We are just
saying that they grew. Please have a
look.
Stress isn’t the killer
No, it isn’t. But if you believe
in its killer properties, well… not-so-funny things happen.
In this enlightening
TED talk on stress, you will also learn:
- About what I’d like to call the hug hormone called oxytocin.
- That people who help others do not succumb to stress. Empathy and reaching out apparently enhances our biochemistry.
- How you perceive stress is how stress treats you.
- And when you stay true to your own vision for life, the stress that emerges is easily handled.
There. Four solid reasons why you
should watch this video. And de-stress. J.
Age is a state of mind
Remember Susan Boyle’s dramatic
debut in Britain’s Got Talent? Susan
was 47 when she blew Simon away with her fantastic singing. Now, get ready to
watch a performance that is equally good if not better.
Paddy is a mere 80 years old and she
will dance with her partner Nico like you’ve never seen anybody dance
before. Paddy remembers dancing since she was just two and a half years old.
She gave up her passion to marry a wonderful man and raise a family. Upon his
death, she returned to dancing – perhaps to find new meaning in her life.
Whether she found that meaning or not is for you to decide. I vote an
overwhelming Yes.
Invoking Gandhi and King for good
In this fine
essay, Daisaku Ikeda invokes the spirit of Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther
King Jr to make a telling point:
[The 21st century] will be a struggle between the human
impulse towards destruction and hatred and our capacity for constructive action
and love.
Let’s for a moment forget the
implication of this on the whole of humankind. How about accepting this idea in
our own lives as individuals? That’s what the Mahatma did when ejected from the
train at Pietermaritzburg that fateful night. By citing
such perspectives, Ikeda reminds us through this essay that all change begins
within. Fantastic writing. Do have a look.
In conclusion
That’s all for now, Peeker. Fare thee well, until next time.
To read the previous volume of Positivity Weekly, please click
here.
To read the next volume of Positivity Weekly, please click here.
To read the next volume of Positivity Weekly, please click here.
And as always, do write in with story ideas and personal
contributions. You can reach us at positivityweekly@gmail.com
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