Life is What You Make It

According to Wu Wei in his book, The I Ching Handbook, what we call a coincidence is really the Universe using events to communicate a message to us. He also suggests that we communicate to the Universe through our thoughts, actions and words. The way you think has a lot to do with how you live your life. The old saying “Life Is What You Make It” takes on greater meaning when you accept the concept of thought manifestation.

If you don’t like the way your life is going - change the way you think. Many of us spend our time thinking about the problem and then wondering why it’s so difficult to find the solution. It’s because we attract what we think. Our internal and external environment develops around what and how we think. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if everything was perfect? What would your day be like if every event you experienced benefited you? It is possible to connect to the mind of the Universe if you allow yourself to believe that the mind of the Universe is perfect - and that every event you encounter is perfect and beneficial. To you!

Wu Wei addresses this concept when he writes, “If you feel that you are a victim or have had bad luck, made a mistake, or been ill-used, you may become angry, curse your luck or feel frustrated.” The events that caused your feelings are beyond your power to alter. What can be changed are your feelings. Each time an event occurs you channel the activity into a negative or positive track. The way you channel your thoughts and feelings will determine its future outcome. Have you ever had something happen to you that you thought was a misfortune and in time realize that what you thought was a misfortune was really a blessing?

It may not be easy to accept every event that you experience as a benefit but, when you think about it, you only have two ways to react. To think in a way that will bring out the potential good of the situation. Or curse your luck and bring out the negative side of the experience. Life is what you make it. I challenge you to join me in exploring the philosophy of viewing all events as being beneficial. I assure you that if you try this way of thinking the quality of your life will improve.

Wu Wei writes that, “Most of the time when a difficult situation arises we see it only for what it appears to be, and fail to see it for what it really is: an opportunity for benefits of self awareness and personal growth.” In other words: Life Is What You Make It.

I will discuss this concept in more detail during my Introduction To The I Ching workshop this October at the City College Fall Adult and Continuing Education Program. If you’re interested, call 212 650-7312, or go online at www.ccny.cuny.edu/ace to the personal development section.