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I start many mornings by going to the spirit house in our backyard and thanking the spirit for all of the great things I have in my life. This daily meditation is a great way to start the day off on the right foot, and keeps me positive in times of doubt and uncertainty. It also serves as a daily reminder of all of the good things and people I have in my life. If I don’t get out to the spirit house I do my meditation on the way to where I am going (with eyes open).

On the way to school this morning I was thinking about all of the people whose advice I have been getting over the past months, and how lucky I am to have these great resources. As there is no yin without yang, my thoughts then shifted to the people I have little or no respect for. If I had let my thoughts linger there I could have gotten wrapped up in how awful these people are, how self-centered they are, yadda, yadda, yadda.

This type of thinking is extremely negative, harmful, egotistical, and a waste of time. What I did instead was think of why I don’t like these people, which of their attributes led to my dislike, and what I can learn from them. I turned it into a learning experience to help shape the way I am, and how I interact with those around me.

Learning is a continuous process, and one which we need to be open to. If we are close-minded then we cannot learn, and therefore cannot grow. Work to learn from everyone around you, especially those you dislike. They have much to teach.

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