Secrets to Life
Secrets to Life articles by Chris Emmanuel.
Train of Thoughts
“Watch your thoughts, for they become words. Watch your words, for they become actions. Watch your actions, for they become habits. Watch your habits, for they become character. Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.” Thoughts are like virus floating through the air. One must be careful what you pick up and take into the mind.
Waking Up
There are no conclusions, just constant continuation Last week I wrote about remembering what has value. Thinking about it all we all fall asleep to our personal truth at times. This column is called secrets to life, but as I have said before, most of what I write is no secret instead it is an internal scrutiny of the world around us. Looking into ourselves we are able to see truth. The kingdom is within.
Alex: A Little Reminder
“It’s never about what happens to you, but what you become through it.” - Emmanuel As we sat watching the whirling vortex called “Alex” on CNN approach Belize’s shoreline, I thought to myself how little we are compared to the vastness of the earth. We are so dependant to the very thing we often mistreat. The earth provides all the elements we need every day. The basic four: fire, water, air, earth, is the backbone of all life. We take for granted that they will always be there.
A Mustard Seed
“All I have seen teaches me to trust the Creator for all I have not seen.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson
Practice Deep Listening
“I discovered that when I believed my thoughts, I suffered, but that when I didn't believe them, I didn't suffer, and that this is true for every human being. Freedom is as simple as that. I found that suffering is optional. I found a joy within me that has never disappeared, not for a single moment. That joy is in everyone, always.” - Byron Katie
Ruffling Your Feathers
"We all should know that diversity makes for a rich tapestry, and we must understand that all the threads of the tapestry are equal in value not matter what their color.” - Maya Angelou
The Good Life Question
“The secret of a good cake, is not the icing.” - Emmanuel For most people there is a continual search in their lives for the right connection, or balance. They’re looking for the “Good life,” that brings harmony to the big six; Relationships, Financial, Career, Personal, Enjoyment, Freedom. In essence we all want our cake and want to eat it too.
When You Can't Get Forgiveness
“The secret of forgiving everything is to understand nothing.” - George Bernard Shaw It has been raining a lot lately in Belize. We are in rainy season and that’s what happens. Some things in life just are. No matter what happens. There is nothing to do about it. No matter what we think about it we can’t change it. As humans we get the false idea that we can control life and forget there is a higher order of things we don’t understand.
Dealing With Your Anger
“Anger always comes from frustrated expectations” - Elliott Larson
Wanting What You Get?
“Success is getting what you want; happiness is wanting what you get” - Ingrid Bergman
Your Shadow
Thank your teachers! Any situation or person that causes you discomfort, pushes your buttons, or requires you to stretch, is a teacher, because it is showing you where spiritual work is needed. Take each opportunity to ask: who do I want to be in this situation? How can I respond from Love, Blessings, and Wholeness? This changes everything! - Petra Weldes
Have an Attitude of Gratitude
“Gratitude is the first step to true happiness; Your goodness increases when you spread goodness to others."
Being Authentic
“We create our world with the ingredients we put into it, so take care with your recipe. - Greg Phillips"
What is Common Sense?
“Knowledge & common sense brings wisdom; Knowledge without common sense is nonsense." Just the other day on Front Street near the airstrip, I witnessed road rage in San Pedro. A driver in a Taxi had stopped in middle of traffic, blocking the way. The driver of a small truck behind was quite upset and started to beep his horn. The taxi driver stepped out of his van just as the small truck eased by on the side waving his fist and yelling insults at the taxi driver as he sped away.
Possessiveness
“Experience all things with the enthusiasm of a child, and like a child own nothing but the joy." - Zen What or who are you possessing today? Is there an idea you are stuck on? Do you have certain expectations from someone or something? When they are not fulfilled, are you disturbed? Do you possess your spouse, your friends, your home, your way of thinking?
Flowers & Garbage
“Bless those who curse you.” John is a good man. He works hard all day cleaning septic, and soak-aways not afraid of getting his hands dirty and smelling fecal waste. “It’s not an easy job,” he says. But it’s important for people. Many people don’t like to see the dirty parts of themselves: they don’t really love themselves wholly.
Internal View
“Only you are looking out from your eyes. Only what is inside, you recognize” - Emmanuel I once worked at the beach and had a great view of the Caribbean Sea, but I moved my office to the street side and all I could see out my window was traffic and people walking by. At first I thought I would not be able to enjoy it but as time wore on I realized that my internal view of things are the most important aspect of my life. The exterior world is in constant flux but how we view it on the inside is what keeps our peace of mind. We are in motion even in stillness.
Finding Balance
“Life is like riding a bike, to keep balance you Must keep moving” -Albert Einstein Years ago when my partner and I came to live in San Pedro, we were downsizing and getting away from excess along with the new worlds’ demands- seeking simplicity and solitude away from the wheel of technology. For many people we met on the Island back then it was the same. It wasn’t about money-living here was about dropping out, living a fantasy, communing with nature, fishing, swimming and laying out. These and simple balance was the claim.
Personal Contracts
“There is nothing more likely to start disagreement among people or countries than an agreement” -E.B. White
The Love We Leave Behind
“We go through life, touching everything and taking nothing.” - Mitch Albom Everything returns to source. Material things become easier to let go especially when health is a concern. Letting go of loved ones is never simple when they die. Our family, friends and loved ones, are woven through us from birth to death. They educate us, showing us parts of ourselves. They leave behind human love, broken hearts, and unfinished forgiveness. Our mind’s eye keeps a picture, frozen in time. Where are they now?