When I first started to study Buddhism, I found a passage that I will never forget about the value of being born as a human being. I forget which book I read it in but the writer (who was a monk) said that being born as a human being was a rare and special gift which should be used wisely.
It was a concept that had never crossed my mind before even though I believed in reincarnation ever since I heard about it ten years earlier. Then shortly after reading that book, I started to hear stories about people who had done something bad and later came back as dogs or some other animal. It was enough to make me realize that I really needed to be careful about how I interact with others and what I put out into the world.
With time, I came to see that being alive is really extraordinary. Life is amazing, if you choose to see it as such. Look at all the amazing things that are a part of our life. Whether it is nature or a computer, both are works of art.
We have the potential to do anything we put our minds to. That is something we do not realize because we are bombarded with limitation all the time. Tell someone your dream about being a famous writer or singer and chances are they will tell you that you have to be realistic.
That word “realistic” is the worst thing you can tell someone who is happy about pursuing a dream. You can guide someone about the road they have ahead of them but to destroy the dream is not right because truly anything is possible.
For some reason, society thinks that those who achieve their dreams are in the minority. Actually, I think that it was meant to be the opposite. We are all creators and have the power to create our reality. The problem is that we do not realize that the reality we create is often a reflection of the limitations we were taught.
The irony about life is that it is supposed to be simple but we have complicated it. So often people have dreams but are scared because they worry the dream may not happen or that it will require too much effort. So the dream is given up and the person then feels justified in thinking that dreams do not come true. The problem was not the dream, it was the person’s attitude. Think small, your world becomes small. Think big, then the world is your playground.
This leads me to a song that I think expresses this sentiment perfectly; Mariah Carey’s Make It Happen. Here is a line from the song that says it all: “If you believe in yourself enough and know what you want, you can make it happen”.
“Make It Happen”
Not more than three short years ago
I was abandoned and alone
Without a penny to my name
So very young and so afraidNo proper shoes upon my feet
Sometimes I couldn’t even eat
I often cried myself to sleep
But still I had to keep on goingNever knowing if I could take it
If I would make it through the night
I held on to my faith, I struggled and I prayed
And now I’ve found my wayIf you believe in yourself enough
And know what you want
You’re gonna make it happen
Make it happenAnd if you get down on your knees at night
And pray to the Lord
He’s gonna make it happen
Make it happen
You’re gonna make it happen, ho yeahI know life can be so tough
And you feel like giving up
But you must be strong
Baby just hold onYou’ll never find the answers
If you throw your life away
I used to feel the way you do
Still I had to keep on goingNever knowing if I could take it
If I would make it through the night
I held on to my faith, I struggled and I prayed
And now I’ve finally found my wayIf you believe in yourself enough
And know what you want
You’re gonna make it happen
Make it happen
You’re gonna make it happenAnd if you get down on your knees at night
And pray to the Lord
He’s gonna make it happen
Make it happenIf you believe in yourself enough
And know what you want
You’re gonna make it happen
Make it happen, make it happenAnd if you get down on your knees at night
And pray to the Lord
He’s gonna make it happen
Make it happen, make it happen, yesMake it
You’re gonna make it
Make it
Oh, make itOh, make it through the night
I held on to my faith
I struggled and I prayed
And finally found a wayIf you believe in yourself enough
And know what you want
You’re gonna make it happen
Make it happenAnd if you get down on your knees at night
And pray to the Lord
He’s gonna make it happen
Make it happen, yes, he isIf you believe in yourself enough
And know what you want
You’re gonna make it happen
Make it happenAnd if you get down on your knees at night
And pray to the Lord
He’s gonna make it happen
Make it happenI once was lost
But now I’m found
I got my feet
On solid ground
Thank you, LordIf you believe
Within your soul
Just hold on tight
And don’t let go
You can make it
Make it happenYeah, you can make it
Make it happen
Gonna make it, gonna make it
You’re gonna make it
Gonna make it, gonna make itIf you believe in yourself enough
And know what you want
You’re gonna make it happen
Make it happenAnd if you get down on your knees at night
And pray to the Lord
He’s gonna make it happen
Make it happenIf you believe in yourself enough
And know what you want
You’re gonna make it happen
Make it happen
Make it happen
He’s gonna make it happen
And pray to the Lord
And if you get down on your knees at night
Click here for the video for Make It Happen
{ 34 comments }
Nadia, in reading through this I really grabbed onto this statement:
“The irony about life is that it is supposed to be simple but we have complicated it.”
This is so true. I think one of the biggest problem in our daily lives is that simply overcomplicated everything. Small simple decisions become complex and stressful. Thanks for your wonder thoughts and the Sunday Song.
.-= Stephen – Rat Race Trap´s last blog ..Paying the Price to Get Out =-.
Hi Stephen,
You are welcome. I think people forget that life is supposed to be simple but because we live in a society that is so driven by fear, we lose sight of what this is all about.
Hope all is awesome!
Nadia,
“Life is amazing” –> I love that! And it’s so great to hear, because in the “normalness” of every day life, we can all too easily forget just how amazing everything thing is around us. Trees. People. Words. Compassion. Animals. And on and on. It is all so amazing. And we take it for granted way, way too much.
I certainly have taken it for granted in the past…and I know there are still days when I do. When I let ordinary seem mundane. When it’s all so amazing! So Nadia, thank you for this. You are such a wonderful person, and full of so much love…you are such a big part of what makes seeing the world as amazing so easy…
.-= Lance´s last blog ..Sunday Thought For The Day =-.
Hi Lance,
You are so welcome and thank you for always being such a supportive person. Life is amzing. Each day we are surrounded by the wonders of life. It is truly a beautiful world!
Hi Nadia,
What you have written about today..limitations and simplicity…and ofcourse Karma…cause we so have to be careful about how we deal with people….or as Jay@Porsidan put it…”I totally screwed my karma.” We wouldnt want that…
Take this life as a blessing and look for the good in it, living one day at a time…and i dont think we can go wrong. But we have to be conscious about our effort.
I love Mariahs songs..and this is really one of her earlier powerhouse perfomances. Love it.
.-= Zeenat-Positive Provocations´s last blog ..Inspirational Quote Of the Week =-.
Hi Zeenat,
You are so right…we have to be conscious when we go through our day. I am often amazed at how so many people go through their days as if they were machines and not human beings. Each second is precious and each second holds the potential for so much.
Hi Nadia .. thanks for your Sunday Song .. and your post adding your thoughts and processes to be able to get to this point, and for reminding us that life is very valuable, and we are very lucky to be born as humans .. allowed to chose, be free ..
If you believe in yourself enough
And know what you want
You’re gonna make it happen
Make it happen
So often we don’t find ‘our passion’ .. and we can flap around then – not sure where to go, or what to do .. thank goodness I now have .. and I can see ‘it happen’ ..
Lovely read – thanks very much
Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters Inspirational Stories
.-= Hilary´s last blog ..Have you seen the stones of Mars? =-.
Hi Hilary,
Good for you for knowing where and what you want to do. That is awesome and I am happy for you. Life is full of so many opportunities and potential. There is no need to waste any of it!
Oh wow, this is one of my FAVORITE songs! When I’m feeling down I just crank this up in the car and sing along. Works every time!
.-= Positively Present´s last blog ..go on, admit you’re happy =-.
Hi Dani,
It is a great song and definitely a mood lifter.
Hmmm Another post I’ve read today on the subject of determination. Methinks I’ve encountered a synchronicity that I need to pay attention to!
As I was just telling Caroline over at The Zen in You, it doesn’t matter who you know, what you know, or anything else. The only thing that matters is how determined you are. With enough determination, anything is possible. This song is a great reminder of that!
.-= Jay Schryer´s last blog ..Happy Birthday, Baby =-.
Hi Jay,
I guess determination is in the air!
I often think people do know what they want but they are afraid that they cannot have it. Determination is the key. That said, that does not mean you force your way through but rather you keep pursuing what you want surrendering the details of how it will arrive.
That’s so funny because just the other day I was remembering a teacher I had in junior high who asked each of us what we wanted to be when we grew up. I told her I planned to be a lawyer and attend Harvard when I graduated. I was 14 at the time, and I’ll never forget what she said (because honestly, her words sidelined me): “Harvard’s incredibly tough to get into… Especially Harvard Law. You’d better have a Plan B.”
It was like she popped my tires and deflated my dreams in that instant.
In your post you said “anything is possible.” Another way I like to say that is that everything is possible. Absolutely everything. If we can think it, we can have it… Simple, beautiful, dream-filled stuff!
.-= Megan “JoyGirl!” Bord´s last blog ..The Kids Who “Get It” =-.
Hi Megan,
Everything is definitely possible! The world is so full of opportunities and nothing is too big or impossible. Look at the Wright Brothers who were the ones that wanted to fly and thanks to them, we have airplanes.
As for your teacher, I have had run-ins with people like that and the sad thing is that many people would think that your teacher was right to say what she said. We live in a world where limitation seems to be confused with being logical. I never have understood why some people take pleasure in destroying a dream. Oh well…I am happy I am not like that and that you are not like that either!
Hi Nadia,
I love what you wrote here and the song you shared. Being a human is a special gift and I’m with you–reverence for life is at the top of my list! Every little thing and every little moment is a blessing—even the difficult people and difficult situations, as they teach us more about compassion!
Thanks for this! Have a wonderful week!
.-= Jodi at Joy Discovered´s last blog ..Announcements =-.
Hi Jodi,
Your comment reminded me of a quote from Marianne Williamson. In her book “A Return To Love”, she wrote that many people think a special relationship means a relationship that is full of love and joy. When in reality, a special relationship could also mean someone who acts like a thorn in your side. Many times in life, those who cause us pain, end up being our greatest teachers. Life sure is a wonderful journey!
“The reality we create is often a reflection of the limitations we were taught.” Great line, Nadia. I may have to quote you on that one. It’s so true. None of us escape being handed a set of limitations, by society or teachers or even parents. Our job is to get past limited thinking and “make it happen,” whatever it may be. Very inspiring post.
.-= Brenda´s last blog ..The Lake Eye =-.
Hi Brenda,
I am so happy that you enjoyed the post.
A couple of months ago, I was having tea with a friend that I have had for most of my life. She was telling me about someone who wants to go off and be a singer. She then went on to tell me how unrealistic that person was and how he needs to have a back up plan and so on. When she was done talking, I said to her that by telling someone to have a back-up plan, you are sort of telling them that their dream will not come true. Often, when we just give something our all, there is no need for a back-up plan. She looked at me like I had three heads and that is when I decided that I would write a post like this one.
We all have our set of limitations we need to work through. None of us is without baggage. The difference is that some of us learn to cope with the baggage and hopefully get rid of it and others end up still carrying the baggage without any reflection. Life is full of so many possibilities. There is no need to not engage in life. Each one of us has a purpose and each purpose is special. I think it is so important to realize that everything you are looking for, is already inside of you.
“Make it Happen” is such a cliché but that’s only because it just makes so much sense. It really is the perfect sentiment for achieving dreams. So simple. If you want X to happen, make X happen. What better strategy could there be?
.-= David Cain´s last blog ..Why You Should Keep Your Really Old Schoolwork =-.
Hi David,
People make life so much more complicated than it really is meant to be. Dreams do come true…I have no doubt about it. People just have to be their best so that when opportunity does arrive, everything falls into place. And everything does fall into place!
“For some reason, society thinks that those who achieve their dreams are in the minority. Actually, I think that it was meant to be the opposite. We are all creators and have the power to create our reality. The problem is that we do not realize that the reality we create is often a reflection of the limitations we were taught.”
This is very powerful! I think the spotlight only goes to the minority so we fall for it. There are millions of people who have created their dreams and are living them. We only hear about and focus on a few. Thanks for reminding everyone we’re responsible for our own reality because we so are.
I ask myself daily, “What am I creating today?” The answer varies and it gives me an opportunity to get right back on track.
.-= Tess The Bold Life´s last blog ..Do You Dare Be More Loving? =-.
Hi Tess,
You are right, the spotlight does go on only the minority and that just reinforces the illusion that only a select few achieve their dreams. We are the creators of our reality. We each choose how we want to experience the day and it is awesome that you have that awareness. It is my hope that more and more people realize how powerful they truly are.
It had been quite a while since I heard that song. And I went ahead and listened to Gloria Estefan’s “Get On Your Feet” too, that also talks about Making It Happen. Both ladies writing inspirational songs about making your own dream happen. Awesome inspiration today, Nadia!
Sometimes I feel like playing small but recently have sent my CD out to 3 radio stations and a local reviewer. We just have to keep moving forward, pushing through fear towards our dreams.
Take some action.
And yes, every day I am in awe and wonder at just how amazing life is. I try to never take this gift for granted.
.-= Jannie Funster´s last blog ..Hair Style: We Goin’ Radically Retro =-.
Hi Jannie,
Thank you for the reminder of the Estefan song. I totally forgot about it. That is another inspiring song.
Fear is just an illusion, it can be a very powerful illusion but it is still an illusion. The key is to remember that when we feel so overwhelmed.
Good for you for pushing through the fear and going for your dreams. If I can be of any help, let me know. It is so awesome that you can sing and create music. Those are two amazing gifts…you go, girl!
Thanks so much for sharing your insights with us, Nadia. I love the beauty and peace in your words and your demeanor. You ooze them. This is a great song, and it is so sad that all of us have songs but are so often discouraged by what is out there in details and in comments and reactions. None of them matter, but we’ve been taught to put them all on pedastals: details, comments, and reactions.
Thanks for reminding us that there is more, that life is better and meant to be.
tam (:
Hi Tammi,
It took me a long time to realize that the limitations that I was told existed, did not really mean anything unless I gave them power. So often we are told that the world is one way when in reality the world is our canvas. It is up to us to decide what we want our lives to be…no one can make that choice for us.
Beautiful song and beautiful words.
Strangely, Jiminy Cricket had a deeper impact on me than I thought he did. Long story short, I remember when I won $57,000 on a five cent slot, the song through my head was “when you wish upon a star.” I remember my Mom used to take me to a wishing well surrounded by Disney characters and it was all about hopes and dreams. Somehow, images like this collectively convinced me that the world conspires for me.
.-= J.D. Meier´s last blog ..How To Have a Strong Week =-.
Hi JD,
Awesome story! I never have known someone who actually won so much money at a slot machine and it is kind of funny that you won that much at a nickel machine. Pretty interesting.
It is also great that early on you were instilled with the idea that the “world conspires for you”. That is so true. What we put out into the world is definitely mirrored back to us.
Oh yes….we certainly have complicated our lives so much more than they are supposed to be. You said “Think small, your world becomes small. Think big, then the world is your playground.” I was just thinking about this over the last few days. I was offered to be part of a mega project and had fears about accepting it. I realized that I needed to pluck up courage to step up.
.-= Evelyn Lim´s last blog ..Align with Abundance =-.
Hi Evelyn,
Congratulations on being a part of a mega project! That is wonderful. Seems so many bloggers are taking part in big projects. I am too, so I totally understand how you felt. Kind of nice when things start coming together. Scary too but that is part of the process.
Hi Nadia – Such a wonderful blog! I’ve been trying to comment from my laptop in the coffee shop for days now – maybe this one will take!
One of the best things we can do for ourselves is to keep things simple. Seems the simplest things are the ones that as humans we struggle the most with – as you indicate, we tend to complicate everything! Maybe its the older I get (and realize I have LESS time and energy to waste anymore) but I am doing life in total as simply as possible. Obviously I wish I “got this” earlier – but, whatever!
.-= suzen´s last blog ..Life Without Labels =-.
Hi Suzen,
Thank you so much for not giving up on commenting! Your comments are always such a joy to read.
You are so right about how the simplest things are the ones we struggle with most. I think sometimes people think if something is simple then there is something wrong or it is not of value. As if struggle is equaled merit. As for wishing you knew this sooner, just be happy you know it. Some people never get this realization so you are on the right track…as always.
Hello Nadia!
WOW! “If you believe in yourself enough and know what you want, you can make it happen”.
This statement and the one Tess quotes above, about creating our own reality, are both extremely powerful statements. I just know you are right about this statement too “For some reason, society thinks that those who achieve their dreams are in the minority. Actually, I think that it was meant to be the opposite. We are all creators and have the power to create our reality. ”
I literally got goose bumps when I read that!
Absolutely wonderful and powerful article. I love it.
.-= Keith´s last blog ..Stay The Course! =-.
Hi Keith,
Welcome to Happy Lotus! Thank you so much for all the kind things you wrote. When I first discovered that we are the creators of our reality, I got goose bumps too! It is amazing to realize that we can have the life we want. It depends on how we choose to see life and what we put out into the world.
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