Oprah's Lifeclass: On Living Fearlessly

The Lifeclass event, a significant gathering in New York, drew a large audience and I was fortunate to be part of it through a live webcast.

I've understood that fear is a natural part of life and not something to be feared. The key is to acknowledge it but not let it dictate your actions. I've had my share of fears but also learned to push through them, refusing to let them hold me back.

In the interview, Oprah asked 10 questions about 'living on fear' based on the discussion with Tony Robbins. It was indeed a thought-provoking query that challenged me. Here's my answer to the questions:

1.    What is the story you are telling yourself right now? What self-limiting beliefs are within that story?

I've always believed in my ability to achieve my goals. I've learned that success comes to those who focus on their objectives and have the courage to see them through.

Perseverance in Times of Despair

"In moments of despair, you must never lose hope. When feeling down, there is a reason to rise up. When feeling lost, there is always a chance to win. Dare to persevere and accept everything as it happens. Dare to survive and live a better and more fulfilling life."

Winning in life is not all about achieving your highest hopes and aspirations. It is about the challenges you must go through before reaching the peak of success. Sometimes, you are at the crossroads of finding the right path and choices. However, when things go differently than expected, you may lose hope and feel uninspired to move forward.

Failure is part of winning if you view it with optimism. Persevering and learning from mistakes is a challenge that makes you a better person. Nevertheless, the absence of inspiration could lead to hopelessness, but enthusiasm drives you with the energy to keep on fighting.

Despair can happen in the absence of inspiration. In hopeless situations, you do not give a chance for the right opportunity to come, resulting in desperate actions that may turn into regrets and suffering.

TAKING THE CHALLENGE

Life may present challenges to acceptance and not taking something for granted. What you have gone through in life significantly impacts your self-esteem. All experiences teach you a particular lesson: to overcome weakness and to develop strength.

Unfortunately, despair is surprising. You must have faith that everything has a purpose and meaning. If you persist, you will reap a fulfilling reward.

Being desperate about uncertainties will only lead to pessimism. If not acted upon in the right way, it will result in another problem or failure. Thus, there may be no other way to control what happens in life, but there is a way to wholeheartedly accept it.

BECOMING A BETTER YOU

Overcoming challenges is a lifelong undertaking. It never stops and gives us the chance to become stronger and better. There is no reason to quit, but there is a chance to revive because challenges may continue to strike until lessons are learned.

You must never lose hope in moments of despair. When feeling down, there is a reason to rise; when feeling lost, there is always a chance to win. Dare to persevere and accept everything as it happens. Dare to survive and live a better and more fulfilling life.

© 2012 Del Cusay

A Sparkling Life of Generosity

"We give light to those who are in the darkness; we give a light to those who are lost... and like a   light, we can live a sparkling life of generosity."

Blessings come into our lives at any moment and circumstance. Sometimes, it comes unexpectedly when we are already in our deepest despair and lose hope in what we pray for. Occasionally, we interpret blessings as God's way of letting us know we are being heard for what we wish and aspire to.

In our lives, we have received numerous blessings that answer our prayers. We have asked for it, and now it has been granted. Whatever we enjoy is conceived in our mind and now becomes a reality. We have it because of our faith and firm belief that we will achieve our strongest desires.  Everything we enjoy now results from our 'wishful thinking' or imagination, a concept that refers to the power of positive thinking and visualization in manifesting our desires. If we think about something and put our greatest concentration, affirmation, and action into it, then chances are we will get our wishes to come true.

ON GIVING BACK...

In life, we don't only receive graces; we also have to give back in return. If we have achieved our desires, we must share the positive energy to make our lives meaningful. Generosity is not just about giving, but also about receiving. It's a two-way process where giving and receiving should be balanced and fair. When we give, we also receive the joy and fulfillment that comes from helping others, creating a harmonious cycle of generosity. 

Those who are well-off and financially capable have a social responsibility. They can give their share through philanthropy. Hence, in the corporate world, they must do their corporate duties of providing a part of what they have earned. This includes initiatives such as corporate social responsibility programs, charitable donations, and ethical business practices that contribute to the well-being of society. Less fortunate people also deserve some blessings. Some people live a life of discomfort and misery, and their hopelessness makes them feel that life is not worth living. 

Giving brings us immense joy and contentment. It's a sign that we have enough and we care. True generosity lies in giving wholeheartedly, without expecting anything in return.

Generosity is a good quality that we must practice. Even our little contribution makes us feel whole and have a sense of purpose. However, generosity comes in various ways and has its limitations; 

TO OUR FAMILY

Our family's love and support are unwavering. They stand by us in all our endeavors, providing comfort and guidance. Even when we lead separate lives, we must remember our family ties and generously give back our love, care, and time.

TO THE SOCIETY

Generosity extends beyond individual acts. By sharing our knowledge, expertise, and resources, we become part of building a better, more responsible society. Our contributions to the community come back to us, creating a safer, more active, and purposeful environment. 

TO OUR GOD

It is good to give thanks with a grateful heart. Everything we have is a blessing from the Divine and borrowed for a limited time. The generosity we do reflects an 'open and big heart,' and such is an act of being spiritually connected to our purpose.

We give light to someone and to our environment through simple means of giving; we give light to those in the darkness; we provide light to those who are lost... and like a light, we can live a sparkling life of generosity.

© 2012 Del Cusay