The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari

[cherie]

I'm reading this book for the second time. I have found a lot of life lessons in there. Folks, do you ever take time to be in silence (for at least ten minutes) and think about events in your day? There's a lot of power in taking time to meditate and figure out how to do things differently. Has anyone gotten a hold of this book before?

[MaryB]

I have not heard of that book, but silence is an enemy of mine.  I know it should not be but my mind worries and wont shut off!  I worry about the finances..  I worry about my lil dog nearing the end of her life..   on and on..  how do you shut it down?

[cherie]

I have not heard of that book, but silence is an enemy of mine.  I know it should not be but my mind worries and won't shut off!  I worry about the finances..  I worry about my lil dog nearing the end of her life..   on and on..  how do you shut it down?

In summary, the book is a story of one successful lawyer who once got a heart attack in the courtroom. After this life threatening episode, he abandoned his law practice, sold all his possessions (including his treasured Ferrari) and ventured to the east in a pursuit of happiness. He meets some monks who share their secrets and philosophies of happiness.

This is a hard one but however hard it may seem to be, I believe that it's possible to condition your mind to think of only the good things or be at a state that is devoid of any worries and anxieties.

[MaryB]

Yes,  I believe that too, but it is not so easy for me.  I guess it depends on how much control you"think" you have over you own life...  and really none of us are in total control are we! 

[XandO]

Yes,  I believe that too, but it is not so easy for me.  I guess it depends on how much control you"think" you have over you own life...  and really none of us are in total control are we!

No, we're not, MaryB. However, I use to fret over every bit and piece of my existence from money matters to losing loved ones and being left behind, until I realized that no matter how much I worried, it didn't change a darn thing, except to increase my anxieties. When I realized that every aspect of life has a beginning and an end, and most times, no matter how much we exert efforts to control our outcomes, the end comes soon enough without so much as being slowed down. As I age I can see what is truly important and what isn't, and then choose what I really want to concentrate on, remembering the experiences that I've learned, and then hone the situations into reasonable snippets that I can handle, with the knowledge that when things are over they're done and that I have done my best to make them right for me. With this, now, I've no regrets and am reasonably happy with things.

[MaryB]

Thanks X..  I know you are right, but sometimes I cannot sleep because I cannot shut my worry down.   It's something I need to work on. 

[cherie]

Thanks X..  I know you are right, but sometimes I cannot sleep because I cannot shut my worry down.   It's something I need to work on.

I totally agree with you MaryB, seeing that it's until you walk a mile in someone's shoe, that you beginning to understand how people have different experiences and this determines the manner in which they react to issues. For a fact, I worry a lot at times but when I do, I always ask myself if I'm a better person afterwards.

I have suffered bouts of insomnia in the past but you know what, I came back stronger. I used to worry a lot about my kids when they'd go for days without calling but when I eventually let go, they started getting in touch.

The truth is, we can't control everything that goes in our lives. The earlier we tune our mind to worry less, the better.

[MaryB]

My worry is my husband though, because he does not agree with much of anything the way I see it and he has to always have things his way, no matter if I see him taking us financially in the wrong direction or not.  That's why I will get a  job..  I have to cover what he messes up.   Makes me sick but after 40 years I'm not going anyplace, so I stay up and worry and pray..  looking for a job.. 

[haidyl]

My worry is my husband though, because he does not agree with much of anything the way I see it and he has to always have things his way, no matter if I see him taking us financially in the wrong direction or not.  That's why I will get a  job..  I have to cover what he messes up.   Makes me sick but after 40 years I'm not going anyplace, so I stay up and worry and pray..  looking for a job..

Such people are the worst to deal with, especially when they can't imagine that anything good can come out of you. Have you tried to change the approach towards such issues? I know you have done enough in the 40 years you talk about and the best we can do to such people is play our part and hope that they can change sooner or later. We have our own shortcomings as a couple, and sometimes our arguments become so heated. I've learnt to play my part and leave the rest to God.

[MaryB]

haidyl, that is exactly what I need to do, is leave him to God...  it's so hard though when you feel like you are drowning to wait for a rope to be thrown,  you naturally want to try swimming to shore yourself.. 
Thank you for the reminder..