Understanding ourselves: The utility of categorization, the necessity of self-observation
We all occasionally act in ways that surprise us, either positively or negatively. At times, we exceed our expectations by doing things we didn’t think [...]
Planning: how to be firm yet flexible
Whenever we make plans, it’s essential to approach them in a balanced way. Plans can be compared to routes for our life journey. If we [...]
Why aligning aspiration with determination is vital
We all have various aspirations, and we often try to increase our determination to pursue our aspirations. However, when our aspiration is misguided, determination alone [...]
Our inner war against temptation is far bigger than we think
Whenever we strive for self-improvement, particularly in resisting self-sabotaging indulgences, we may perceive this battle as a personal affair with minimal consequences. This mindset can [...]
When living in the present is taken to an extreme
Let the present moment be the focus of our attention, not the substance of our aspiration Distraction often pulls us away from the present moment, [...]
Two things that we should never underestimate
Never underestimate two things: God's power to make things better and our power to make things worse. During our life, we may sometimes find ourselves [...]
Four ways to make the New Year’s positivity LAST
Wish you a very happy New Year! Normally, at such times, we make resolutions, and that’s very important. At the same time, today, I’d like [...]
How to ensure that the right answer has the right effect
Just because we know the right answers doesn't mean we know the right time and tone to convey those answers. The Bhagavad Gita 17.15 states [...]
How to help others use their freedom wisely
How to help others use their freedom wisely When we guide someone, such as a trainee or a child, it's essential to respect their need [...]
By stating that everyone has problems, are we conveying empathy or apathy?
Everyone has problems. This statement can be an expression of empathy, but it can also be an expression of apathy. What it conveys depends on [...]
How not to deal with a person whom we consider a necessary evil
Calling someone we dislike but need a "necessary evil" is often an unnecessary evil in itself. In our social circles, there are often people we [...]
Whether a message is short is not as important as whether it is sufficient
The length of a talk is not as crucial as its completeness. A short talk can be insufficient, a long talk can be sufficient, and [...]
A Christmas Reflection: The Many Faces of a Religious Celebration
1. Individual Perspective I have witnessed the celebration of Christmas in multiple settings—at my convent school, during my speaking tours in North America's Bible Belt, [...]
How to avoid becoming discouraged due to our mistakes?
Just because we have slipped and fallen doesn’t mean we have to keep slipping and keep falling. And it certainly doesn’t mean that we have [...]
Why we devalue our life and how we can stop doing so
The value of our life is determined not by how much the world recognizes what we are doing, but by how much we recognize what [...]
How to use the mind’s weapons against the mind
Deal with the mind using the same three weapons that it uses to deal with us: diversion, delay, and disregard. Managing our mind is one [...]
The pains of life don’t sentence us to a life of pain
The pain of life may be unavoidable, but the life of pain is definitely avoidable. Pain is one of the greatest realities of life. Our [...]
How to be a leader even if we don’t have any position
The essence of leadership lies not in how much value people give to us but in how much value we can bring to their lives. [...]
The balance of predictability and unpredictability that makes relationships fulfilling
Healthy relationships strike a balance between predictability and unpredictability. When we are in a long-term relationship, this balance is essential for keeping the relationship dynamic, [...]
How our speech can enhance our relationships?
Balancing sensitivity in speech The oversensitive consider even a mild observation to be a condemnation, while the insensitive treat even harsh condemnation as a mere [...]
Three attributes to persist in self-improvement
Three tips to persist in the journey of self-improvement Self-improvement is not an easy path, particularly because the tools and strategies that worked initially may [...]