Tuesday, January 15, 2008

What Level Is Your Thinking At?

A happy 2008 to you.I had other posts to write about,but this thing came to my mind on the 3rd day of 2008.I think it is more appropiate for me to share my thoughts about a new perspective that I came to realize.

Probably by the end of this post,you will be able to know what level is your thinking at.It is very true that as you grow older,you become wiser and calmer.When you are younger,you tend to be more rash and hot-headed.You tend to rush into things which may not be for your highest good,and regret later.

I am speaking from my own experience.I used to be very hot-headed and rash.I tend to do things or say things at the spur of the moment.Just because my emotions had the better of me.I wasn't able to control my temper.

But as time went by,I learnt that you can't "expose" yourself too much,if not,your enemies will be able to know your weak points and exploit them.So don't fall into this trap.If you want to get angry,make sure it is for a good reason.In certain cases,you have to blow your top to get your point across to some idiots.

Alright,enough of introduction.Let me move on to today's main topic,and what inspired me to share these thoughts...

On the 3rd day of 2008,my brother and I were walking home from Mustafa Center.I had to go there to buy something.On the way home,he asked me for my opinion...

His girlfriend's dad's birthday celebration was coming up soon.His girlfriend's family asked him to join them.He agreed,but was wondering should be foot the bill for the food.

My answer was that if he felt good giving them a treat,he should by all means do it.I always believe that you should do it if you feel good about it.However,my brother disagreed.He said that his girlfriend's family might feel that he was trying to show off that he was rich.

I disagreed.My point was that if he wanted to give them a treat,he should do it without bothering about how they think about him.As long as you want to bless someone,then just do it,why bother thinking about what they think about you?If they want to think bad,it is their problem,you have already done your part.

He disagreed with my point.He reminded me about a visitor we had last year.This guy was my uncle's friend from Australia.This guy bought some crystals as gifts for us.However,we didn't have any use and didn't know how to appreciate the crystals.

They weren't cheap too.

One of my aunts tried to tell him that he shouldn't waste money buying us something that we have no use for.Instead,he should just buy us something useful and cheaper.We knew that he wasn't that well off and we didn't want him to spend too much on us.

He seemed offended by my aunt's statement.He replied,"Don't tell me what to buy.I just want to buy something for you people.Just accept it!".

He didn't get my aunt's point.He just literally "forced" his gifts down us.My aunt was trying to tell him to buy something more practical,something which we would appreciate more.Maybe food.

So my brother's point was that I sounded like this Aussie visitor.I disagreed.I feel that it was a different scenario.

But after some discussion,we both reached the same conclusion.

There are people in this world who can't accept gifts from others.They are poor receivers.And at the same time,they feel that it is spiritual to be poor.They detest rich and abundant people.I felt that probably his girlfriend's family fell into this category.

I can honestly say that one of my ex-girlfriend's family was like that.They seem to detest rich folks.I have nothing against poor people.But they are indeed poor.From the response of my ex-girlfriend,I knew that they commented behind my back that I was some spoiled rich brat.

Well,I admit that I am rich and abundant.But I am not spolied as they put it.But poor people always try to view rich people negatively.That's why they are poor forever,until they change their mindset.They can't attract prosperity until they change their mindset.

But it is not wrong to want to be poor.Neither is it wrong to want to be rich and abundant.

Now,I'm coming to my main topic...

What level is your thinking at?I realised that people who think maturedly are able to accept other peoples' differences.While those who are less matured can't accept others.They always feel that they are right.Anything different from them are all aliens.

Ever came across people like this?

It doesn't matter what age they are.Old people can think like this,young people can think like this.

I classify people into different categories based on their thinking...

The lowest class are those who cannot accept others' differences.They tend to gossip and talk behind people who are different from them.They like to force everyone to think their way or do things their way.These people are also easily affected by what people think of them.

They have very low self-esteem.These are the Level 1s.

The next class will not talk about others if they are not affected.They don't care what the world thinks about them.They just do what they believe to be right.But if they are crossed,they lash out mercilessly.

They don't like it when people comment about them negatively.They always lash back when someone says something about them.In a way,they have low self-esteem because they are very defensive.They want to prove themselves and they care very much if others comment about them.

These are the Level 2s.

Now,the Level 3s are those who are not affected even if others talk about them.If others comment about them negatively,they just ignore the comments.Basically they don't care much about what others say because they are very confident of themselves.

These people have a healthy ego.They are not easily affected by what others say.When asked about why they don't respond to the negative comments,they will tell you that people at their level don't bother with the low levels.

These folks do their own things and mind their own businesses.They will not mix around with people who they think are lower than them.Some people will have the impression that they are arrogant.

Quite a number of successful individuals belong to this level.

Let's look at the highest level...

Those that belong to this highest level are able to accept everyone for who they are.These people really practice walking in love towards everyone.They are very willing to accept and forgive those who have done wrong to them.

They are very patient people and seldom blow their tops.They are willing to accept others' faults and will not criticize behind people's backs.These folks are also very quiet.They tend to listen more than they talk.

Most of them gives the impression that they are very cool and calm,in which they are.You will never see them throwing tempers or holding grudges.

Basing on my observation,those who belong to this level are usually monks,or people who have reached a very high spiritual level.Some priests or pastors are like that.These people are also deep thinkers and very wise.

But the main characteristic is that they are willing to accept everyone for who they are.

Which level are you at?Which level do you want to be at?

It is your call.I wish you all the best in 2008.You might want to move yourself up to the next level.I wish you success.