Thoughts

The Moment you are in Tension
You will lose your Attention
Then you are in total Confusion
And you will feel Irritation
Then you will spoil personal Relation
Ultimately, you won't get Co - Operation
Then you will make things Complication
Then your blood pressure may raise Caution
And you may have to take Medication
Instead, understand the Situation
And try to think about the Solution
Many problems will be solved by Discussion
This will work out better in your Profession
Don't think it's my free Suggestion
It's only for your Prevention
If you understand my Intention
You will never come again to Tension

- Bill Gates


I received this forward in my inbox recently which I think I should to share. Also, it so happens to be related to the topic of my post today which is the importance of your thoughts.

"Your outer circumstances are but a reflection of your inner thoughts."
Various authors

We act according to our emotions. For instance when we're happy we smile or when we're angry we clench our fists. All these actions are the results of your emotions but what causes you to feel those emotions?

It's your thoughts.

When I say thoughts it's actually your reaction to situations.

Take football fans for example. When their favourite team scores a goal, they'll jump up from their seats and throw their fists in the air or high-five their friends around them.

But when their team loses the ball to the opponent during a critical time, immediately the fans would groan and slap their foreheads, displaying their frustration over the mistake.

Whether we are football fans or not, we react pretty much the same way as they do, only in different situations.

It can happen anytime and anywhere... in your class, while you're working on your assignments, with your friends, when you're discussing with your parents, when you're at your part-time job and even when you're alone in your room.

If you can recall the last time you regretted losing your temper too quickly or for stressing too much about something that you have no control of, you'll understand what I mean.

It's not easy to control your emotions which affects your reaction but what you can control is your thoughts!

When you're angry, think of the positive side of things or whatever thoughts that can lighten your mood - there'll be less fist fights or quarrels.

When you're frustrated, stay away from the problem for awhile, take a walk and think of the good things that happened to you recently - you'll get to avoid burnouts and calm your mind.

Or when you're sad, listen to your favourite songs, think of 3 good things to be happy about yourself or the situation (every cloud has a silver lining) - things won't seem so bad after all. Who knows you'll find a solution to your problem?

So when you find yourself feeling under the blue, frustrated, extremely stressed or angry, stop and check your thoughts. Turn them around positively and look forward to a better outcome.

It's much better than resulting to medications when things go out of hand right?


Thank you for reading this article! Do share your thoughts, stories or comments. Feedback is highly valued here at The Present Gift. Feel free to drop a comment or e-mail me – just click on the Contact tab at the top of the page for my details.

Oolong tea for the soul

I received this story in my email inbox today and it got me thinking. What kind of person am I when facing adversities? Or rather...what kind of person I become during and after adversities.

It made me more aware of how I react to situations and how it has affected me all these years. After going through it in my head several time, the story has motivated me to be even more optimistic and see the brighter side of things.

Here's the story and I hope it will help you in your journey in personal growth:


A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved, a new one arose.

Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Soon the pots came to boil. In the first she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs, and in the last she placed Oolong tea.

She let them sit and boil; without saying a word. In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the Oolong out and placed it in a bowl.

Turning to her daughter, she asked, 'Tell me what you see.'

'Carrots, eggs, and Oolong tea,' she replied.

Her mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft.

The mother then asked the daughter to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard boiled egg.

Finally, the mother asked the daughter to sip the Oolong. The daughter smiled as she tasted its rich aroma The daughter then asked, 'What does it mean, mother?'

Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity: boiling water. Each reacted differently.

The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak.

The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior, but after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened.

The Oolong tea was unique, however. After they were in the boiling water , they had changed the water color and taste.

'Which are you?' she asked her daughter. 'When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg or a Oolong tea?

Think of this: Which am I?

Am I the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength?

Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat? Did I have a fluid spirit, but after a death, a breakup, a financial hardship or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff? Does my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and hardened heart?

Or am I like the Oolong tea? The tea actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain. When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor. If you are like the tea, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation around you. When the hour is the darkest and trials are their greatest, do you elevate yourself to another level?

How do you handle adversity? Are you a carrot, an egg or a Oolong tea?

The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything that comes along their way.

The brightest future will always be based on a forgotten past; you can't go forward in life until you let go of your past failures and heartaches. When you were born, you were crying and everyone around you was smiling. Live your life so at the end, you're the one who is smiling and everyone around you is crying.



Thank you for reading this article! Do share your thoughts, stories or comments. Feedback is highly valued here at The Present Gift. Feel free to drop a comment or e-mail me – just click on the Contact tab at the top of the page for my details.