Lao Tzu

I have long been an admirer of Lao Tzu. This morning I came across an old favorite quote.

Watch your thoughts for they become words. Watch your words for they become actions. Watch your actions for they become habits. Watch your habits for they become character. Watch your character for it becomes your destiny.

Of the many people with whom I've had the honor to counsel and lead through various mental and spiritual exercises, I'd say most had little understanding of the immense power of thought and where it leads.

Thoughts are nowadays often referred to as self -talk. Most people say things to themselves they would not say to a friend. Many self-denegrating words are spoken silently in the privacy of our minds. Many judgmental silent comments are hurled as bolts of unspoken daggers toward others. There are many discouraging words rolling around in minds of men and women.

But the energies are felt by others. They are not so silent afterall. Our frequencies are picked up. And then, the negativities often move to action.

Let's look at just one example. internal anger toward self and others festers. Tempers flare, often way out of proportion to the situation. Habits form. We think we can get our way by being angry. We become a person others tip toe around, and we become known as an angry person. We all know people like this I imagine. I know and have known some angry people.

To start in another, positive, loving, spiritual direction, go back to the beginning of the chain to thought. "Change your thinking, change your life" is a proven principle.

I encourage you to print out Lao Tzu 's quote and ponder it daily. It can change your life.