What is life without knowledge? To the delight of myself, elementary teachers, and guidance counselors nationwide I’ll follow up the previous question with the classic schoolyard cliché’ “Knowledge is power.”
Somewhere a sixth grade student is rolling their eyes. Do you even lift bro?
In my short but turbulent life I have experienced three main life lessons that have affected me to my core. I now consciously live my life in alignment with these lessons and am pleased with the results. This isn’t a self-help, raspberry, bullshit article where I’ll promise you the world on an ice cream cone but rather real world truths that I have lived and all of us instinctually know. Sit back, relax, grab a coke, put on a smile and enjoy.
Life Lesson One: Whatever You Think About Intently Will Transpire.
The older I become the more I realize that life isn’t random but rather life mirrors our thoughts and feelings. It’s like some creepy guy videotaping your thoughts and selling them back to you in a $5.99 bargain box at Wal-Mart. I’m just kidding. I would never use this crude analogy in seriousness for such an important concept.
This life lesson does sound a bit new age, does sound fictionally fantastic and to my more authentic audience, does sound like bullshit. But I’m here to tell you it’s the God honest truth. How we observe and interpret life is always in direct alignment with our thoughts and feelings. It is of the utmost importance to monitor what you think, as whatever you think about intently will eventually transpire. People pursue what they want only because they think about it all the time. Thoughts create the action, the action creates your world. Sometimes great lessons are that simple. The key is to recognize opportunities you created for yourself and jump in headfirst when you discover them. This is an incredible lesson as it allows you to determine your life only after you take responsibility for yourself. Chew on these quotes taken from two different religions; Christianity and Buddhism.
“For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.” (Proverbs 23:7)
“We are what we think. All that we are arises with our thoughts. With our thoughts, we make the world.” – Buddha
This is sacred knowledge; something everyone can apply with practice. Simply put, change your thoughts, change your life.
A challenge: For the next three months hold one dominant thought and write down the occurrences that happen, you’ll be pleasantly surprised.
Life Lesson Two: The Best Gift You Can Give Anyone Is The Truth.
I’ve come to find in life that the best gift you can give anyone is the truth. The truth not only with fact, but also with personality and interaction. In other words the best gift you can give anyone is being “real.” Everyone can detect bullshit, everyone can detect ulterior motives and everyone can detect when someone isn’t genuine. This is the truth.
When you’re 100% “real”, people will respect you for having the courage to be honest and be yourself. All too often “fake” people will cater to other people’s thoughts and feelings. They subject themselves to another person’s reality and echo to them everything they want to hear. These actions will provide you with zero respect from your peers and hurt your confidence. What value does anyone have when nobody respects them? No one respects a fake; no one respects a fraud. The reason people aren’t real is because they value other people’s opinion more than their own. It’s actually very sad.
Finding people that are “real” and truthful is so rare that when you are able to give someone the gift of truth they immediately respect you and become more receptive. It quickens the rapport building process and increases your value. When you are honest and truthful, you have nothing to loose. If someone likes you for you then you know that; it feels great. If someone doesn’t like you for whom you are even better. Save your time, energy and peace of mind by not giving these people an ounce of your mental capacity. This also means loosing the “If they don’t like me for me then fuck them mentality.” Holding negative thoughts about people only hurts you. Forget them.
A challenge: Next time you are out, approach someone new and strike up an honest, truthful, conversation. You’ll be surprised at the results. [I promise they’ll go one of two ways. You can probably guess what I’m thinking.]
Life Lesson Three: Choose To Be Happy
Maybe Pharrell influenced this. I’ll ask everyone an important question: why on earth would you choose to be anything but happy? Did the rain really ruin your day? Did someone honking at you really throw you off? Did your neighbors Facebook status upset you? When you let small events throw off your day you are giving your happiness away. It is not wise to give away happiness; happiness makes life much easier.
No, you can’t control everything that happens to you. Yes, you can control how you respond to situations. No, you won’t be happy 100% of the time nor is that even possible. Yes, you can probably be happier in more moments.
Choose to be happy because it simply makes life easier. If you need something to be happy about, think about what you can give thanks for. If you can’t find anything to give thanks, the problem is you.
Challenge : Spend two hours a day being happy.
Reblogged this on 2nddaniel.
Reblogged this on 2nddaniel.
Thank you!
As a I’m new to this I’m delighted with the writing I’m coming across to in some way we all connect I love that.
Hi,
Glad you enjoyed it! It’s really cool how connected and small the world is…the possibilities are endless!
Yes your right I guess we are all so different yet so alike I’m hoping to get better with my vision for my blogg thanks for the support .
Aren’t we all! Write pieces where you can express your writing voice and overtime you’ll notice a pattern. That pattern will sharpen your vision.
Great yes something in me has been telling me don’t wait till you have something perfect to say rather to keep on going eventually I will see everything clear . I thank you for your time!
In regards to “Suck Ups”, and I knew them in my old life in Law Enforcement, these are people who have no Original Thought of their own and they fear being exposed for the Utterly Contemptuous Frauds which they are, under the pretense that they are protecting the Superior’s Reputation, by engaging in the same fraud that the Superior is engaged in and that the person who has the Original Thought of doing the task with the utmost care and professionalism, is the one who needs Psychiatric Care.
“Most men lead lives of quiet desperation and go to the grave with the song still in them.”
I think it was Mark Twain who said, “Most people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.”
Hi Ellen,
Thank you for commenting! I didn’t know that but that’s an awesome quote. The older I get the more I rely on myself for my own happiness. If you have anymore awesome quotes please share!
Not on the subject, unfortunately, but it is a good one.
Right you are. Life lesson two is really an important one!
Thank you for the comment! I’ve lived in a few cities on my life and I know that the only way I was able to connect with people was just being honest and giving them the truth. It’s really liberating when you’re always truthful, you have nothing to hide.
Exactly! I appreciate your point of view.
What an inspiring and truthful post. Well written
Thanks Lex, It makes me happy that it inspired you.
Reblogged this on princesslexblogs and commented:
I liked this blog very much, I thought it was very inspiring.
tonysbologna.com
I too believe that what we think becomes reality, within reason. Stay Happy.
That’s so true ⏫⏫if anything I think it makes use notice opportunities we would have otherwise missed
Great read man! Keep spreading the word! Nice to see someone take a serious topic, such as happiness, and have a laugh!
I loved this – great read…reblogging.
Thank you so much!
Reblogged this on taidglines. and commented:
Great great post from TonysBologna! Go read it!
Reblogged this on AquariusSpeaks and commented:
So true…what an inspirational post!
Wow that’s some great introspection! 🙂
Thanks you so much!
You are welcome!
Wow! Love the post! Reblogged!
Reblogged this on Muse for a minute! and commented:
Inspiring! Do try out the challenges!
Reblogged this on mr305silverstar and commented:
Can I ? Ask u three important things:
1.
How to behave with things u don’t know.
2.how to deal with a things.
3.in whom u can trust.
Mustafa masri
With thanks.
Awesome post! Couldn’t agree more. And I especially love your life lesson number 2. I am a believer in keeping it real, but I know I could work on being more blunt and speaking up. Definitely a work in progress.
P.S. I love your writing style!
Hey, I appreciate the compliment! So I lived in a few different spots that really pushed more comfort zone but I found the best way to meet people was just to be truthful. I hate to generalize but many people like to put on a cool persona and what’s the point of that? Thanks again for reading my content.
Yea definitely! I would never sacrifice my integrity to be “cool” or “fit in”. Plus, I’m too old for that. 😝
Thank you for reading my content as well!
Hi, and thank you for enjoying my ”What’s Your Sign?” blog. I just wish more people would follow God and not astrology. Even though it’s their choice. And you have an interesting outlook on life. Take care now.
Life lesson #1, my all time favorite, everyday!!! Living on that.
And your blog is quite something, certainly a breath of fresh air 🙂
I really appreciate the compliment! =)
Thank you again. Life lesson number one is the most important indeed. I’m glad that you included Proverbs 23:7. What’s in the mind is the beginning. Where you take it from there continues. Take care now.
Agreed!
The Best Gift You Can Give Anyone Is The Truth. Exactly.
Great minds think alike!
only the truth is something the soul can accept… now a days people suffer deep inside yet ignorant of the reason because they are forcing their spirits to follow social norms and humanly laws (that are always incomplete keeping in view the spirit) whereas they should follow their souls, it is something completely pure given to us by God Almighty and nothing can connect with it other than the laws of God, truth being on of them, the truth of consciousness….
I like that comment.. the question is how does one learn to listen to their soul?
🙂 the article i wrote today “my answers to me” is just a part of my book discussing this subject and i will prefer the same title for that, i will complete soon enough God willing… to answer your question we need to sit face to face or you have to wait
Very insightful. Thanks for this one, Tony. 🙂
My Pleasure
Feeling suitably inspired and challenged.
Thank (I think!)
That’s awesome!!
ATRW,
I found this post of yours valuable to me. You said some things I needed to hear. Keep on writing serious pieces. May God bless your future. Thanks for stopping by my blog and liking my post.
Betsy
I appreciate that! My next piece I release is going to be about addressing problems head on. I hope you enjoy it!
Reblogged this on Gentle Kindness .
I love this post…..
Wow, how do you get so many readers and commentors? Is it your truthful yet outside the box take on things that draws the comments?
I find that I am constantly compelled to think outside the box and to come up with innovative ways to do things. Often it has upset “the straight” at jobs I have worked .
I agree with you about Truth. The world needs truth revealers. Otherwise there are people who create an illusion and convince everyone to base their reality on a truth that does not exist….
I’m glad you enjoyed this!
I believe the reason I get many readers and comments is first I only write pieces that have meaning to me. Secondly I engage other people.
People value original content and unique views, hope this helped. My best advice is try to identify the people that would appreciate your writings and engage them.
You do a great job 🙂 Yes I agree about presenting a unique view. People tend to follow along and take on the views of others. It is great when someone gives a perspective that is unique and their own.
Namaste,
Annie
Reblogged this on kimmykeepreal and commented:
Beautiful life lessons post by tonysbologna – what a wonderful read! <3
Brilliant post! I love your writing.
Have you heard about a book called “The Secret”? It’s details something called the ‘Law of Attraction’, essentially proving that what you create for yourself manifests itself into reality. You think therefore you are. Would you rather be happy or depressed? Get to work on time or be stuck in traffic? Find success in your field or fall into the canyon of mediocrity? The answer is simple. Just be the person you want to become.
Great post man. People need to hear these words daily.
I have man, I love that book it started my journey down this route. Check out the book “The Alchemist”
I’ll give it a look. Everyone could use more positivity in their life.
Love it! Especially the creepy guy videotaping my thoughts and selling them back to me. I have a hunch that this happens ALL THE TIME 🙂
This is an excellent post, and something to really think about. It’s a life changer. Also may I ask, what does ATRW stand for?
Thank you, ATRW is an acronym for my name.
what an inspiring write up!
Reblogged this on Cris on a Mission and commented:
Great article, thanks for the advice.
Reblogged this on Ask Emma.
Nice Piece. It’s fresh!
This was fantastic. Amen.
Be happy, be free, and shake it off!
It’s wonderful to read others feeling and thinking in the same way.
🙂 Billie Jean @ Karmaklysm
Thanks for this post 🙂 Great read.
Life Lesson One: Whatever You Think About Intently Will Transpire. —Love this
Love this !
Spot on…. I once told someone a very personal thing, knowing it could go either way. They said they were disappointed and thought I was stronger than that and what I had done, showed weakness. The only weakness was in allowing you to continue to be in my life.
Such a great article! Hey there, Tony. I loved all your life lessons. You recently liked a couple of my blogs too. Thanks for the support. I really appreciate it. Take care.
I want my $200 back on self-help books. Great list! I am gonna share with my alternative high school students!
I’m glad you enjoyed it! You please do share.
Awesome list right here. Simple yet spot on. I tend to over-complicate life so getting back to simplicity by focusing my thoughts on the things I really want, being myself and just not letting dumb shit that happens bother me are legit pieces of advice.
Reblogged this on Astrid's Words and commented:
Wonderful life lessons to keep with us for every day living =)
Thank you for liking my blog and introducing me to your wise and very valuable words. I have shared your words on my site =)
Awesome awesome!!! I’m glad you found it useful!
Reblogged this on LARRA_ and commented:
Not your typical raspberry bullshit
What a lovely post indeed!