Blog by: Lata Advani Viseu

“If you could read my mind, love
What a tale my thoughts could tell
Just like an old time movie
‘Bout a ghost from a wishing well
In a castle dark or a fortress strong
With chains upon my feet
You know that ghost is me
And I will never be set free
As long as I am a ghost, you can’t see”
If You Could Read My Mind – Gordon Lightfoot

If you could read my mind, you would see that we have a lot in common. You, like me, undoubtedly have made many mistakes and learnt valuable lessons along your journey in life.

Some of us make the same mistake more than once until we learn the lesson we were meant to learn. We all have had regrets, have failed, have judged others, acted on impulse, been hurt or hurt others, have been jealous and envious. We have let Ego get in the way of relationships, tried to control situations and a whole lot more.

Even those that seem so evolved have moments of fear, insecurity and negative reactions. The only difference is that they recognize their shortcomings and can change their mindset and behaviour quickly so as not to go too far down that path of negativity.

What I know for sure is that we only have this moment. There is nothing you can do to change the past but what you do Now is what will create your future. What you think, feel, say and do will attract what you get. You can decide at any moment to change your future by changing your Now.

I also know that you cannot make a person understand a message they are not ready to receive. I am sure if as a 15- or 20-year-old, someone had told me the exact steps to take to move in the direction of living a happy and peaceful life, I would not have heard or made an effort to understand and act on the message.

There are 60 and 70 years old who still have not understood the message, but it is there for everyone who wants to learn. For me, the number one thing that has made a difference is writing every night things that I am grateful for in my life.

By writing what I am grateful for every day, I get even more things to be thankful for in my life. If you only do this one thing to begin with, you will see your mind shift and every area in your life will change for the better.

There are a few other things that I do daily that have helped me start my day right. I meditate or listen to guided meditations first thing in the morning.

When you are in that half-awake state just as you are about to fall asleep or when you are waking up it is a hypnotic state where your subconscious mind can absorb and make profound changes.

The other thing that I do is journal, where I can dump all that I am feeling or thinking and let go of things that are bothering me. Some other things that have helped me are, working out during the week, listening to inspiring podcasts and audiobooks and reading.

Life is a journey and there will be many challenges and lessons to learn along the way. I have found the best way to respond to whatever may come is to prepare myself by grounding myself through my morning routine.

Meditation does not have to be sitting in a quiet place trying to get rid of your thoughts. Meditation can be walking in nature, noticing the flowers, the trees, the birds, the sky or gardening or cooking. Doing what you love, when you are in the zone that is a form of meditation.

What morning routines do you have?

“Happiness depends on your mindset and attitude.” ― Roy T. Bennett

“Reality exists in the human mind, and nowhere else.” ― George Orwell

“It’s all in the mind.” ― George Harrison

“A man is but the product of his thoughts what he thinks, he becomes”. – Mahatma Gandhi

“Human beings can alter their lives by altering their attitudes of mind”. – William James

“We are shaped by our thoughts; we become what we think. When the mind is pure, joy follows like a shadow that never leaves”. – Gautama Buddha