You don’t have to be old to be wise. Wisdom can happen suddenly at any age and anyone you meet at any moment could make you wise! Some of us acquire wisdom through life experiences and natural maturation – we are the processors. Reflecting on past experiences, like pieces in a puzzle, helps us to learn the lessons of the past. And some of us are simply born older with a feel for things, looking at the world with wise, eager eyes. We respond to breakthrough moments.
Signs that you are self-confident:
How do you know that you have reached the age of wisdom? You feel happy and at ease with who you are - natural, open and direct. If you don’t feel happy, or you feel anxious, you change what isn’t working for you because you are flexible and confident that you will figure it out.
You live in good alignment which releases self-confidence from head to toe. Your posture is good; this opens up a direct communication between the mind and the heart. Sitting or standing up straight with shoulders back and down helps oxygen reach the brain and releases pressure off the back while you open up to others.
Regularly, you balance the heart with internal and external compassion to release the hurt, loss and anger that you store inside. Learning to let go of the anger you aim at others and then most importantly, to forgive yourself, you restore your natural heart rhythm feeling calm and content. Ultimately, you balance your two brains, the primal limbic brain and the cognitive brain, letting your feelings make peace with your rationalizations, to see more clearly down the road and get inspired.
How to access the confidence factor - Create your world with words. Use words that expand who you are, not shrink who you are. Self-suppression does not equal humility like, “I was just lucky; I’m really not that good;” don’t give yourself a way out.
- Ask for what you want.
- Become passionate about what you want (not ought) to do, which means you lose track of time like a painter who must channel his creativity on the canvass. There is no stopping you when you accomplish for yourself.
- Don’t be smaller than you are and settle for less.
- Tune out distractions and be in the moment – alive and alert to possibilities.
- Make it a priority to connect with some aspect of nature daily. Take a few moments to really look at a neighborhood tree, listen to a bird, or feel the sun on your skin. Reset your natural rhythm to align with nature. Zen masters have said that enlightenment is contained in a single flower. Become enlightened by choosing your own flower to appreciate. What flower did you select? What colors? What stage of its blossoming? What does that say about you?
- Be joyous. Look for opportunities to spot comedy potential. Laugh with others. There is great spirituality in laughter.
- Begin everyday with a clean slate – don’t wait for New Year’s. How would it feel to wake up clean and fresh with happiness in your heart?
Try this simple visualization every morning to get yourself into good balance. Imagine your abdomen the color of golden energy. Your heart center is white and pure. Your forehead, the center of inspiration, is indigo blue. Now line up the three colors, gold, white and blue. You will feel aligned, ready to start your day in a calmly active way.
Debbie Mandel, MA is the author of
Addicted to Stress: A Woman's 7 Step Program to Reclaim Joy and Spontaneity in Life,
Changing Habits: The Caregivers' Total Workout and
Turn On Your Inner Light: Fitness for Body, Mind and Soul, a stress-reduction specialist, motivational speaker, a personal trainer and mind/body lecturer. She is the host of the weekly Turn On Your Inner Light Show on WGBB AM1240 in New York City , produces a weekly wellness newsletter, and has been featured on radio/ TV and print media. To learn more visit:
www.turnonyourinnerlight.com
