Next evolution: back to the past

You have probably noticed that some things seem to go backwards. Not talking about fashion here, which is of course very temporary, but we are talking about habits and customs.

For instance, have you realized people prefer to write rather than talk? Come on, most sci-fi movies, books or ideas were pointing to people sitting down somewhere and starting to talk to their TV set saying open the window; and the window would open!

However, what is happening is people writing and writing... It is not only the WhatsApp wave, but the SMS and all kind of gadgets and software that allow it. If I could back in time and tell someone about twenty years that would be the future, they really wouldn't believe in me...

That is the reality of life: things don't happen because someone thinks it is cool, but because it is useful, powerful or really beautiful.

So... let's look at ourselves in relation to that: is there anything you have imagined you would be doing right now but you are not? Perhaps you imagined an incredible work, a marvelous family or strong health and that entered into the self sci-fi list...

Well, let's apply the same concept: whatever is now, it is because it was more useful, powerful or beautiful. WHAT???!!!!

Yes, part of you like what you see now, much, much more than what you have imagined it. So, if you want to change yourself, you have to go back to the past...

You have to understand what your thoughts were at that point in time when you visualized a different future... Did you? If you did, tune into it, enjoy that attitude or awareness you had at that moment.

After that, understand that perception and compare it to what you have in your mind at present. And, if you feel it is needed, just change the present...

Start with your consciousness and the way you think. Teach yourself, dialogue with yourself and experiment with another way, the way you have thought you would be living right now.

If you do that for some time every day, you will start to see some changes in yourself and then, it is possible those changes become permanent, and your self sci-fi imagination pays off.

Economics of hope

Sometime ago, during a big economical crisis, the value of TRUST was touched, and how it stimulates economy.

Same thing can be said for PEACE and HAPPINESS. It is logical, right, that if in a place people is peaceful and happy, then naturally economy blossoms and grows. After all, instead of the basic needs that moves economy in other regions, in these areas economy will be moved with that force of innovation and a natural sense of keeping things as they are; after all, they are great!

I was also thinking of the value of HOPE and its influence in economy. I come from Brazil and since I was a child, there has always been a general hope that, one day, that country would be a rich place to live. Different than other countries, most of those who are poor are taught to work hard and to look for opportunities in life. Slowly, that started to pay back and now it is a place with all the possibilities of becoming one of the next superpowers in the new emerging order.

But more than work, Brazilians have been a people with hope. I still remember my mother coming from her work, about 1 am everyday, and how she would express her desire of one day have her own place. When we were able to move out from her parents' house to a very small flat, she couldn't stop expressing her happiness. And like her, many mothers and fathers had the same dream and were able to make it true.

The system to get a house when you don't have much money and credits are not easy is a very cruel one, as the person pays much and much more for their home. But that home comes... In other countries, instead of counting with the blessing of being able to have a place, they prefer to complain and protest.

Hope makes people more open to opportunities life gives everyone. Those without hope don't take the opportunity as it is often an expensive one, even though it is affordable. Hope makes people sacrifice small or big pleasures because it gives people the big picture, and they go for it.

Very few people realize how powerful this economy engine, hope is. I do hope you can use it well.

Present, past and future

Practically speaking, we all live in the present and no matter how much we remember our past or plan and dream our future, we still live in the present moment. However, over and over we think of our past and future, and they clearly interfere in our present.

Good or bad, this creates some stress in people as they can't change their past and they can't really control their future completely. Probably, that's why in many meditation practices the person starts by focusing in the here and now.

It is healthy to learn how to deal with those subtle pressures we put on ourselves, after all we have many other real pressures to deal with...

• Your present is the key. The more satisfied, happy and peaceful you are, the less your past and future will affect your present life. So, make some effort to sort circumstances out and live a life you really want to live.
• Your past is, well, past... Anytime our past tries to creep into your life, remind yourself that is already past and it cannot change. Of course, if that past gives you some kind of positivism (as good memories do), it is OK, but don't let it unfocus of your present effort and life.
• Your future is not! It will be at some point, and nobody can really foresee that. Yes, you can plan, and it is good to have a vision, objective and aims in life, but with detachment in case they don't happen.
• Every day, live your day. At the beginning of the day and at its end, focus in the here and now. Experience the life you have, the thoughts you think and appreciate that effort.
• The present is a present for you. After all, your present contains a summary of your past and the seeds to your future. Focus on the present and you'll be honoring the past and generating a brilliant future.

Time for resting

Part of the reason people is getting stressed is that we are really not made for continuous work. Most cultures have had an old custom of napping in the middle of the day, to recharge energy and keep on working.

Very few people I know try to rest nowadays. Mostly, people just relax a bit or talk a lot with other people, and then they wonder why they are so tired...

Look at holidays: lots of stress to leave cities, to get a room, to enjoy a day on the beach...

Rest. People need to learn how to rest. Again.

Perhaps, relaxation - real relaxation, not only "relaxing" - can help with that. After all, you don't need to sleep for relaxing...

• First, check your timetable and fix sometime for your rest, or relaxation. The busier you are, more you need to FIX a time for that.
• Start relaxation in the realms of your mind. Take your mind to positive soft thoughts... Connect to your inner tranquility using words or images.
• If you feel some emotions are out there, enjoy a time connecting to better positive emotions, like tenderness or peace.
• Only then, relax your body by breathing deeply and doing some exercises with it.

If you can do at least fifteen minutes of relaxation everyday, that will help your health and performance, and you will feel rested. In this way, you can manage stress much better.