"We cling to memories as if they define us, but... they really don't. What we do is what defines us." - Dr. Oulet, Ghost In The Shell
We go through lives since the day we born with so many moments and experience coming in and out of our mind. Each day passed like another page in our diary of life, capturing what is happening, what has happened and could happen. This non-stop flow of information and sensory experience could cloud our mind, impair our judgment and mostly leave some permanent mental scars without a proper of set of habits. People tend to take care of their physical routines more than their mental habits. Little did they know that a good mind leads to good body. Can we make each moment last? Can we make of the moment of our day?
Of course, we can. There is where Tabula Rasa comes in. Now, what is Tabula Rasa?
Tabula Rasa can be defined as a blank slate, referring to the state something is before being affected by outside influences. For example, a new born baby's mind is like a tabula rasa which can be then shaped into whatever you desire by training the child to be an artist, a musician and so on. A blank slate is athrperfect metaphor we all want to erase the things we hate, to be the person we always wanted to be or even to live the life we've always dreamt of. It is possible to have erase everything and start afresh? Definitely. Each day is a new day.
1. Live in the Now. Be In The Present
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Have you ever spent time with someone whose mind is always on other things when you talked to them? Have you spent time with someone who's having a hard to put away his phone and gadgets just for a second? How did you feel? Frustrated? A waste of time. You know the answer. The exact same concept can happen with your mind. When you tend to overthink about the things you missed yesterday, the problems of tomorrow, which haven't happen yet, your focus can't be directed onto the Now. You can plan and make a to-do list but until the moment come, until you can act, stop trying to control everything. Your focus should on what's in front of you.
2. Don't Live In Regret. Breathe In Choices
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Regret is one of the emotional pitfalls that could make or break our spirit. Some regret could propel you to do better and some could hold you back from doing the right thing. Why humans have regret? Because they know they could've done something right in the first place but didn't. But can you turn back time? Definitely not. Can you assess the problem and be prepared to do it again, with the right approach when the time comes? Definitely, you can. When you are in the present, you'll have a clear vision of what you can and can't control. That is why point #1 and #2 correlate with each other. In life, we always have a choice.
3. Forgive and Forget. You Have To Do Both
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It is such a misplaced concept and wrong way of thoughts when people say they could forgive but never forget. People who created this phrase didn't really get the correct way of life. You can't forget if you don't forgive. You certainly don't forgive if you don't forget. There's no other way. Forgive and forget. You'll see how big an impact it could make on your life.
4. Reward Yourself. Your Day Is Owned By You.
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No matter what we do, no matter how hard we work, we always tend to ignore the fact that as humans, we feed on rewards and pleasure. This might come of as a pursuit of vanity but I assure, it is not. There's a difference between gratification and satisfaction. When you reward yourself after doing a good work, you'll reinforce your mind that you deserve to be reward. This in turn will stimulate your mind to do better, creating a better reward for a better work. The best reward comes from within, not from the outside.
5. Make 'Thank You' As Your Daily Chant
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Why do we only have to say thank you when we received helps or rewards? Can't we thank to each day that we're still breathing, living our life in this planet earth with our family and friends around us? Can't we thank the mistakes we've made because without them we would never learn? Can't we thank each hardship we've endured because without them we wouldn't be stronger? Can't you thank yourself for each deed you did, whether it's for yourself or others? Above all, we definitely can.