Keep Your Window To Life Open

Life has so much to offer you, but you have to be ready to receive what it sends your way. You must have openings in your life for joy to enter.

I was working at my computer next to an open window when suddenly a beautiful flower landed on the keyboard. It had blown in through the window. I smiled, sat back, and looked at the unexpected gift that life had blown my way without my asking.

That got me thinking about whether I could leave other kinds of windows in my life open too, so that different types of blessings could find me.

1. Be open to people

If you have a sanguine personality and love interacting with people, this will come easily to you. More likely than not, you belong to the other three-quarters of the world who are more reserved and, given a choice, would rather keep to yourself than speak to other people.

I love to read and usually prefer to bury myself in a good book than make the effort to socialise with the people around me. Yet my life has been enriched by many chance encounters with people on planes, at cafes, and even on the internet.

There are billions of people on this planet and in your lifetime you will meet only fraction of them. Every single person who crosses your path does so for a reason. Perhaps they have a story that inspires you, or have an opportunity to offer you, or were sent just to put a smile on your face that day.

Say hello to those you meet and remain open to what happens next. Or you could be more proactive about meeting people and use some of the tips found at PassionateAmerica on making new friends.

2. Have an open schedule

For some reason, being busy has come to be regarded as a sign of success in today’s society. The more packed your schedule, the more important a person you must be.

While I’m all in favour of planning ahead and making full use of each day, there is a lot to be said for leaving space in your schedule for unplanned events. Remember that your planning strategy has got you where you are today, and if you’re blissfully happy, that’s great and do carry on. But if you feel that life has more to offer, then consider making an appointment with life in your schedule.

Try blocking off an hour a week of your own time for a ‘life event’ and refuse to fill it in until the day itself. Do anything you feel in the mood for that day. If you can’t find anything to do, that’s wonderful. Use the time to sit and do nothing, just savouring being alive.

If you need help freeing up your schedule, Zen Habits suggests 20 ways to reclaim your time.

3. Open your purse

Just like time, money never seems to be enough these days. All I can say is, if you have the means to even read this post on a computer, you can’t be very badly off.

There is something in our human nature that is wired to give. When you give, you feel a surge of well-being. It’s not the other person that needs your money. It’s you that needs to give it away, literally for your own good. Joy is found in giving, not receiving.

Nature abhors a vacuum. When you empty your purse, you create a space that will attract something into it. By giving away your money, you are also sending a very strong message to your mind that you have more than enough. This abundance mentality will do wonders for you and bring good things into your life.

4. Keep your mind open

This may be hardest of all to do, but most worthwhile. Our natural tendency is to resist new ideas because they challenge our sense of who we are, or because accepting the new way of thinking would force us to change the way we live.

Yet all growth requires a kind of dying. Old cells have to die so newer, healthier cells can take their place to rejuvenate the organism. In the same way, you have to die to some of your old ideas and habits in order for new ways of thinking to broaden your perspective and deepen your heart.

The next time you come across a new idea, suspend judgment. Just accept it as an interesting thought and promise yourself to think about it. By doing this, you open yourself not only to new ideas, but to new friendships, since people are drawn to those who are open-minded and accepting.

May the winds of life blow countless joys your way!

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2 Responses to “Keep Your Window To Life Open”

  1. Vincent
    October 24th, 2008 @ 1:27 pm

    Hi Daphne,

    I like the idea on keeping the mind open. I believe that only with keeping an open mind will attract more opportunities in life.

    Cheers
    Vincent
    Personal Development Blogger

    Vincents last blog post..Learn How To Be Happy From Andrew Matthews

  2. Daphne Lim
    October 24th, 2008 @ 1:47 pm

    Hi Vincent,

    I completely agree. And not just opportunities, but personal growth too. I liked your latest post on how to be happy, especially the cartoons – funny and to the point!

    Daphne

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