REVIEW - What are Character and Qualities?

To overcome obstacles and challenges, one must develop specific characteristics and qualities. These traits or attributes define an individual's personality, behavior, and outlook on life. Everyone possesses unique characteristics shaped by their life experiences, environment, and culture. Recognizing and cultivating positive characteristics and qualities in oneself can lead to personal growth and success in various aspects of life. The first five characteristics are to stay calm, self-disciplined, withdraw and reflect, be tranquil and observe, and have a sincere and intellectual appreciation for life. To have a sincere and intellectual appreciation for life, one must develop understanding and respect for the natural world, human relationships, and oneself. Appreciation means recognizing the interconnectedness of all things and understanding that what happens to one of us happens to all of us. Today, let's find calmness, self-discipline, reflection, observation, and appreciation. END: To bring harmony into your life, align yourself with and focus on developing honesty, generosity, kindness, and humility. Remember: what you think, say, and do reflect the characteristics and qualities you have created. You have the power to change 84 percent of who you are: your looks, your name, your career, and where you live, but you cannot change your individuality or your family of origin. However, you can change your beliefs and attitudes, especially if they do not align with what brings health, happiness, and peace to your life. EGO: Flip your palms up and stick out your index finger, the symbol of the ego. According to karma, our characteristics and qualities are not our true nature but rather a set of patterns and tendencies we have developed throughout our lives. These are attached to the ego. The ego gives us a sense of individuality and separates us from others. Still, it can also lead to attachment and suffering, preventing us from achieving self-realization and soulful growth. The ego is the false sense of self that identifies with righteousness, importance, and attachment. Pull your finger in and place your thumb on top. Take a breath, surrender to your soul. Karma teaches us how to detach from the ego (if only for a moment) by recognizing that our characteristics and qualities are not who we truly are. They are byproducts of our experiences. How we develop and use these characteristics determines the outcome of our lives. We are here on Earth as curious souls to learn and understand life, and with that comes characteristics. If the need to be right or self-importance should arise, take a breath, step away from the ego, and connect with your soul. It will encourage you to control the four great passions of deceit, greed, anger, and pride and replace them with honesty, generosity, kindness, and humility. These characteristics will make your life harmonious and peaceful. Who wouldn't want that? Namaste~ may you walk the path of life with health, happiness, and peace. Doctor Lynn For books, classes, consults, and more http://www.doctorlynn.com

The Sixth Characteristic… karma yoga Suffering and Hardship

The sixth characteristic is to be able to endure suffering and hardships. Life is filled with suffering but is also full of wonder, offering us numerous opportunities to endure and rise above it. There will always be suffering, hardships, losses, pain, anguish, and fear. To endure suffering and hardships means to persist through challenging circumstances without giving up. It involves facing and overcoming adversity, even when it is painful or uncomfortable. This requires mental and emotional strength, resilience, and perseverance. It involves recognizing that challenges and struggles are a natural part of accepting life and may be necessary for personal growth and development. For example, karma teaches us that if someone hurts us, causing suffering and hardship, we should accept this as an opportunity to find inner peace and liberation within ourselves. By emotionally detaching from the pain of insults, abuse, and suffering, we have the opportunity to cultivate compassion and understanding within ourselves. In this, we learn to work our karma. Once, a man sought to anger a saint by insulting him and using abusive language. The saint sat quietly and still. The man screamed, “Don’t you understand what I am saying about you?” The saint answered, “Yes.” And then the man yelled, “How can you sit there so quietly and still?” The saint answered, “Suppose you brought me some fruit, and I refused it. What would you do?” “I would take it back,” said the man. “In the same way, I refuse to accept the things you have called me so that you may take them back,” he replied. END: Karma yoga is a holistic approach to addressing suffering and hardships by integrating physical, mental, and soulful energy. This approach requires finding balance, strength, flexibility, and peace in a chaotic and sometimes challenging world. Even though life can be complex and full of suffering and hardships, we must focus on the good, the lessons, and the growth. To endure suffering and hardships, you must develop great courage, patience, and determination. Draw on your inner resources, such as faith, hope, and a sense of purpose, to help you through difficult times. Life is chaotic. Sufferings and hardships are part of human life. They will not disappear. Like the saint, practice liberation; refuse to let them destroy your inner sense of peace. In this, you will know what it means to work your karma. EGO: Flip your palms up and extend out the index fingers, the ego symbol. The ego is our psyche. It is our sense of self and identity and can play a significant role in dealing with suffering and hardships. The ego sometimes identifies with suffering, a fundamental aspect of our identity. This can lead to victimization or self-pity, and this may intensify suffering. The ego may compare suffering to others, either to minimize our pain or to magnify it. Victimization creates a feeling of superiority or inferiority. The ego seeks to control difficult experiences by attempting to fix or resolve them. While taking action may be helpful, the ego can get overly attached to control and may struggle to accept a situation that cannot be changed, intensifying the suffering and hardship. Pull your index fingers in and place your thumbs on top, the symbol of the soul. Take a breath and surrender to the soul. The soul is the deepest aspect of our being. It is the source of meaning, purpose, and connection to something greater than our ego self. The soul responds to suffering with compassion and understanding by recognizing that all of life is interconnected and that we all share the joys and sorrows of life. Rather than being a victim, the soul finds meaning in suffering and hardships, using them for personal growth, learning, and transformation. The soul draws upon a deep sense of faith to endure suffering and hardship and find peace. This characteristic will help you emulate the saint and refuse to accept anything that disturbs your inner peace. Namaste~ may you walk the path of life with health, happiness, and peace. Doctor Lynn For books, classes consultations, and more http://www.doctorlynn.com

The Fifth Characteristic for a Successful Life is…

The fifth quality or characteristic is a sincere and intellectual appreciation for life. Intellect and appreciation are integral to karma yoga, as they help cultivate gratitude, selfless actions, and detachment from outcomes. We do something because it is suitable for all, not just for us as individuals. To have a sincere and intellectual appreciation for life, one must develop understanding and respect for the natural world, human relationships, and oneself. Understanding and respect mean recognizing the interconnectedness of all things, understanding the impact or effect of one's actions, and striving to contribute positively to the world. A sincere and intellectual appreciation for life means thoughtfully and authentically recognizing and valuing the significance of one's existence and the world. It involves being aware of and grateful for life's opportunities and experiences, and acknowledging the difficulties and challenges that come with them. To practice karma yoga means to take actions motivated by a desire to serve others and contribute to the greater good of humanity. It all begins with your ability to find balance, strength, flexibility, and peace in a chaotic world. Let's get started. END A sincere and intellectual appreciation for life means approaching life with an open mind, seeking to learn and grow from our experiences, and embracing the uncertainty and impermanence of existence. Ultimately, having a sincere and intellectual appreciation for life is about finding meaning and purpose in one's life and contributing meaningfully to humanity. Intellect and appreciation for life are essential to karma yoga, a soulful practice emphasizing calmness, soulful reflection, discipline, and tranquility. Appreciation means recognizing the value and significance of every moment and every being and cultivating a deep sense of gratitude for life's opportunities and experiences. By appreciating our experiences, we gain a sense of purpose and joy, which leads to a prosperous life. EGO: Flip your palms up and extend out the index fingers, the ego symbol. The ego plays a crucial role in how we perceive things, including our attachment to people, objects, and ideas. Attachment can influence how we conduct our lives, such as identifying with our emotional attachments even when they are unhealthy. Fear of losing our attachments can cause us to over-identify with our emotions. For example, when we feel jealousy or rejection in response to a friend or relative spending time with someone else. We overly invest in these emotions, which causes us to cling to them and have difficulty letting go. Pull your index fingers in and place your thumbs on top, the symbol of the soul. Take a breath and surrender to the soul. Appreciation cultivates wisdom, and wisdom teaches us that the true nature of reality is that everything, even our emotions, is impermanent and constantly changing. When we sincerely and intellectually appreciate life, we cultivate selfless action, gratitude, and detachment from outcomes. Sincerely and intellectually appreciate all of life. It is here for your evolution. Namaste~ may you walk the path of life with health, happiness, and peace. Doctor Lynn For books, classes, consultation, and more, http://www.doctorlynn.com