All About Prudence

It is not your passing thoughts or brilliant ideas so much as your plain everyday habits that control your life. Be directed by prudence, or wise forethought; be circumspect with all your actions; be careful, discreet, and sensible. Intelligence is a mark of God. Live simply. Don't get caught in the machine of the world --- it is too exacting. By the time you get what you are seeking your nerves are gone, the heart is damaged, and the bones are aching. Resolve to develop your spiritual powers more earnestly from now on. Learn the art of right living. If you have joy, you have everything, so learn to be glad and contented. Laugh at the world! Have happiness now. --- A Para-Gram by Paramahansa Yogananda

I have worked in the corporate world for almost a decade and as I was going up the so-called corporate ladder, that's where I saw and experienced the dog-eat-dog world that I kept seeing in novels I read before. I saw executives, people of high caliber and mega power slowly die... if not spiritually, then literally get sick and die... all because of the pressure and stress they get from their high-paying jobs, not to mention marriages and relationships being broken because of deceit, adultery and practice of bad judgment. In my experience, the more money I get, the more sick I became. Some people can survive this but at a price. I was one of them. You may be one of them too. But like me, you have a choice. You can be cunning and ruthless if you have to... if you really want to get at the top of your field. But what will that do to you? And at what price?

You can also choose to live with prudence... with joy in your heart. Through constant mediation, you can develop your spiritual powers and from there, learn the art of right living. You can do this everyday if you really want to...

Set a time during the day, even for just a few minutes, where you can be at peace. It can be after you wake up, before going to bed at night, during your lunch or snack break in the office or while you are commuting to/from work... it's up to you. Sit in a comfortable sitting position, close your eyes and breathe deeply. Think of three things that you are grateful for. It doesn't matter if it's as simple as being able to wake up that morning or as big as getting a bonus at work. Whatever it is that you declare will put your mind in an abundant state. And when your mindset is that of abundance, more blessings will come to you.

Next is to visualize and feel the things that you want in your life. Picture them vividly in your mind. What is it that you really want? You can form a mantra that you can recite either out loud or in your head. Then with every breathe, release them one by one. Then believe that all these things are in the process of coming true. Know and feel it deep down. By the time you open your eyes, you will feel more rejuvenated, you will have clarity and the rest of your day will be easier to handle.

In the long run, you may either stick with your job or the life that you are currently having, or you may pursue the things that you are really passionate about. But now that you are living with prudence in your heart, you will be able to discern which things are more important and which are superficial and be able to live your daily life with more joy and contentment in your heart.