Soul

The desert monks used to say it was enough to let the angels' hand act. For this, they sometimes did absurd things - as talking to flowers or laughing without a reason. The alchemist follows the "signs of God", signs that sometimes seem completely senseless but that always lead somewhere.

The master says: "Don't be afraid to be considered insane - to do today something that contredicts the whole logic you have learned. To act is an attitude which is opposite to the usual behavior you are used with. This small thing, no matter how small, may open the gate towards a big adventure - human and spiritual."

Excerpt from "Maktub" by Paulo Coelho

You get what you see

One of my favourite stories about attitude is about an old wise doorman in the 18th century. He was in charge with welcoming the visitors of the city - a town on the Mediterranean shores, along an important commercial way.

The travellers coming into the city asked indications from the old man and asked them about the possibilities to work there. One day a traveller stopped at the town gates and asked the wise man: "Tell me what kind are people in this town?"

The old wise man scratched his head and answered: "How were people in the town you come from?"

The traveller grinned and answered shortly: "A pile of good-for-nothing. Stingy, greedy and thieves".

"Well" said the wise man. "They are the same here as well. I warned you."

One hour later another traveller came to the gates. Judging from his clothes and his face seemed to be the younger brother of the previous traveller.

The wise man spoke first: "as I see you, young man, you look like the younger brother of a man who was here before. Are you looking for him?"

The young man smiled and nodded his head, no. "No way, old man. My brother is always in a bad mood. I am sorry to say but I don't miss him at all".

The young man approached the gatekeeper and asked: "If you could answer my question I would always be indebted to you. Judging from your age, you must know people in this town very well. Tell me what kind of people are they?"

The old man scratched his head and asked: "What kind were people in the town you come from?"

The traveller smiled and answered joyfully: "You'll never find better people. All honest, hard working and extremely generous. I was very sorry to leave but the lack of possibilities made me search elsewhere."

The old man smiled: "They are just the same in our city. Welcome!"

The moral of the story is that as far as attitude is concerned, you get what you choose to see. People with a negative attitude choose to see the world through dark glasses with cynical nuances; therefore they often see doubtful people waiting in the shadows.

People with a positive attitude choose to see the light through pink glasses, with optimistic nuances. In most cases they see friendly people laughing and having fun in sunlight.

Excerpt from book "YOU, Inc. Life Development System" by Burke Hedges