Reven Concepts is a coaching company that emphasizes mindset. We have led the effort to bridge the gaps between limits and possibilities in people.
Rumi was a Persian poet who spoke of many truths in life. His words have touched and awakened many hearts toward prosperity and wealth. How could one man be so profound to see the world like so? How can we also attain this stage of enlightenment? Well, in this month’s T-U-S, I will be doing my first-ever breakdown of a person I admire to create a guide you can follow to replicate his thinking, mindset, and actions. The goal is not to change who you are as a person because only you can change yourself. The goal of this week’s blog is to show you what type of man Rumi was through various quotes from some of his works. The following quotes by Rumi have the power/influence to develop deep thinking, self-reflection, and desired change.
“When you let go of who you are, you become who you might be.”
The choice of change is reflected in this quote. Oftentimes people want to change, but they do not want to let go of who they are accustomed to. Over time we develop into a person we are comfortable being. We attain things that make us comfortable and complacent, and when the things we are accustomed to beginning to change, so does our world. At first, many people will reject the change and go back to old habits. However, the few people who go through the pain of change will see that they came out better in some way. Doing the same things you have been doing will only get you the same results you have been having. Sometimes you have to let go of what you do and know and try a new approach to enact the change you desire.
I remember in the movie Peaceful Warrior when Dan Millman started to work with his new mysterious mentor on how he struggled with the person he was becoming. His old self seemed to reject the new ways, and after some time, his mind came to the conclusion that his old self was much better. However, in Dan’s case, his old self was solid, but it was filled with many weaknesses that finally gave way to his demise. At that point, he had no choice but to seek the proper change he should have from the start and let go of who he was to be the person he could become.
The effects of his change were similar to the ones I went through in college. I had built a life that was comfortable and exactly what I wanted/needed. However, the life I was going after was one I built in my mind without learning what I wanted out of life. I had to let go of that person I was building and start from scratch. I understood that I had to let go of my old self to make room for my new self. Many people are stuck on the old version of themselves when they have an upgrade to a newer and better version of themselves. You have first to understand that what you are doing a year in and year out is not working for you. If you are there, then you have to change it before time runs out. I recommend working with a mentor or coach to help you evolve through that change if you are unable to do it yourself.
“It’s your road and yours alone, others may walk it with you, but no one can walk it for you.”
The world we are living in is for us to traverse. That means that all the challenges we face each day are our problems to face and address. What I see many people do is blame the world or others for the problems that are in their life. The outcomes of what happens in your life are up to you. If you have a toxic friend or workplace, then you can do something about it. You cannot go through life thinking problems will just go away because you did your best. The life you have is yours for better or for worst. You cannot expect your mom/dad or your partner to take control of the wheel because you are afraid to drive.
The people that decide to stay in your life are there to be your supporters. These people can be removed or replaced at any time, but they serve a purpose in this quote. You can tell who has continued to walk with you through the years, and if you look back, you can see all the people who no longer walk your road. Regardless if they stayed or left, you are the determining factor in reaching your most desired destination. You were always and still are the key factor in reaching your ideal success.
The road you travel might not be a fit for others, so they leave, but the ones that stay are there to share your journey with. They are not meant to carry your load because they have their own luggage to carry. You must use your own strength and determination to reach your goals in life. You do that by owning all you do and all you don’t do. You are the reason you have and don’t have the things you do. To change that, you must start to take full responsibility for your journey.
“Excuses are fabricated illusions we create to rationalize our behaviors when we’re too afraid to go after what we want.”
I find this to be a common truth in many young minds in our current society. Especially since the pandemic, people have given themselves the excuses that they are afraid or that they are waiting for it to be safe again. I will say this, you cannot wait for life to be perfect. There is no perfect time to live your life, travel, love, etc. I understand that many people have been affected in some way by Covid, but it CAN NOT be an excuse for giving up your dreams. Pay attention to all these small businesses that lost it all because they were not able to stay afloat when the economy was shut down. Their reality was bigger than any excuse because they fought tooth and nail to stay open and adjust to the new laws and regulations they were pinned with.
Often people say that they don’t have the time, money, skills, or motivation to go after the things in life they want. I know firsthand that making a consistent effort is not a simple task. Giving maximum effort each day and making sure to follow the proper steps can be challenging. You have to own what you say and do each day. You have to be bigger than your excuses and stronger than your securities. At some point, you have to ask yourself if you want it or if you just kind of want it. Most people just kind of want to be a millionaire or be financially fit. If you are afraid to go after what you want, then what you want will not be in your grasp. The fears you have in your mind were developed and created by you. To get past those fears, you must acknowledge that they hold no power over you. I then want you to start to do what you are afraid of and notice how that fear dissipates.
“The garden of the world has no limits except in your mind.”
As a mindset coach, I tell people constantly that everything you do begins with your mind. If you are a person who remains pessimistic and thinks things are impossible, then that will only hinder you in life. Just like the people who thought the Wright Brothers were wasting their time because humans were not meant to fly. Those non-believers were grounded in their reality of limitations until it became a reality for someone else. You have to keep a mind full of possibilities and avoid limiting yourself and others. I see all the good that can come from my life. I do not let people or the world limit what I can accomplish.
The limits you create in your life are in your mind, and you are the reason why they are there. When someone thinks something is impossible or things won’t get any better is a wall you are building in your mind. What tends to happen once a wall is formed in our mind is that we consistently reinforce that limit until we believe it is impossible. Working with a coach or therapist can help you knock down that wall in your mind if it is there. The funny thing is that the walls in our minds come up so naturally that we may have no idea that they have formed. The only way I have found to discover those walls (limits) was to read books or have a mentor/coach point them out.
“You were born with wings; why prefer to crawl through life?”
This is one of my favorite quotes. I cannot tell you how many times I have had to reverse the thinking of failure with my clients. They are petrified of failing (falling) so they choose to walk the world safely. Well, a little bit of spice and danger is what you need to get out of your comfort zone and experience some of the most amazing things in life. I know that failing does not feel good. Fear should be a feeling that pushes you towards success, not away from it. If you are worried about constantly failing or all the bad that can happen in your life, then you will miss an opportunity to fly among the clouds.
We’re creatures of habits and prefer what is familiar to us. That is why creating routines and having goals that challenge you each day is necessary for growth. You were born into this world with a purpose that only you can fulfill. Most people give up on finding the reason for their life and just crawl through life until death. If you are reading this, then I know that you are someone who does not accept the leftovers of life. You want to savor the main dishes of life and soar high in the light. The darkness is no place to spend your life. You will reach your goals more quickly when you are in flight than on the ground, so make your life purposeful.
“The art of knowing is knowing what to ignore… Ignore those that make you fearful and sad, that degrade you back towards disease and death.”
We live in a technological world. Technology is the thread that keeps us connected, but it also serves as a choke chain. You cannot walk into a restaurant, movie theater, or store without seeing someone playing on their phone. The internet has made it easy for news and rumors to spread. You know about your friend’s divorce from Facebook, and you know about the food shortage from the news. Both of the examples I gave were negative and served no purpose. You do not need to think about anyone else’s relationship besides yours. If you are watching media that makes you scared to do anything, then you need to switch what you are letting in.
The media used to be the main source of the truth. Somewhere along the way, the monetary gain has taken the reins as what they strive for. Yes, the media still gives you the news, but it is laced with fear-mongering and trans-formative gossip. They want to confirm you think the way they want you to. Whether they have an ulterior motive or not, I am not sure. I do not need the media outlets for anything past what the weather is. Not everything you hear or see in life will be good for you. You have to pick what you want to lead your life and ignore the rest. Lies and stretching the truth might be enough to hook most viewers, but not you! The people who understand what they want in their life will not be influenced by any outside source that limits their true potential
“The quieter you become, the more you are able to hear.”
This quote is about the about of input/output you allow in your life. If you walk around the world with your ears open to all the news and gossip, then your life will be filled with that. If you are continually speaking and fail to listen to others, then you miss out on what is going on. Just like how you have needs and desires, so does the next person. Whether you choose to listen to others intently or remain in silence is up to you. If you listen inward to yourself, you will discover things that you have not known before. I believe we all have a truth within us that we must discover before greatness will make its way into our life. That inner self that has tucked away in our mind must be found and given a voice. The best way I have been able to hear that voice is by meditation.
Taking a step away from the hustle and bustle of life and diving into meditation will teach you new things about yourself. Simply taking time to be in silence and have an introspective look at yourself will help you discover your successes and shortcomings in life. There you can define what you need for growth and where your mental state is. You will learn what you need to do to fortify your mind for the next steps in life. There is a voice in your head that starts as a whisper that wants to tell you the truth about yourself. That voice wants to tell you so much, but to be able to hear it, you must quiet your mind and life. Learn to find that silence so you can discover what you are truly capable of attaining in life.
“As you start to walk on the way, the way appears.”
We end this month’s T-U-S with an understanding of the unknown. No one knows what tomorrow holds, but we can plan that day out before it arrives. Of course, I want you to be optimistic and hopeful for all the things to come in your life, but sometimes the next step is unknown. For example, a loved one is diagnosed with a disease with a high mortality rate. The doctors do not put the odds in your favor, so you create a blind sense of hope that will cover up the sadness. That is the uncertainty of life at work, but there is a certainty that comes with each new day. When you rise in the morning, you are faced with two choices. Those choices are to either give it your best or give it you’re all.
Those steps you start to take will lead you to where you chose to go that morning. If you gave this day your all, then your way will reflect that. However, many people wake up and just go through the motions of the day. They do what is normal and routine and miss out on the magic that was able to take place within the day. That magic is to discover a way of living that is different from what you are used to. I believe Rumi is speaking about the inability to move because of fear. Often, fear of failure or loss stops us from moving forward. Rumi is implying that you must keep moving forward even if you cannot see the way yet. The way will show itself to you in time.
In conclusion, we can learn the lesson from Rumi that will help to create a mindset focused on development and progress. Sometimes the first steps you take will not be as sturdy as you would like, but the progress you have made is undeniable. We have all tripped and fallen in our life, but that is not enough reason to give up on all the possibilities in life. You were meant to do so much more than you are doing now. I am sure you have accomplished wonderful things thus far, and I am sure you have many more to accomplish as well. Take as many steps as you need before your leap of faith in believing in yourself. Shed the weights the world has placed on your shoulders and soar through life with your purpose in tow.
Until then,
Michael Rearden
CEO of Reven LLC.
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1 thought on “T-U-S Part 18: How to “Rumi””
One must cut the cords of fear and negativity.God and the universe have bigger plans for us.What a great feeling when we can find our true life purpose for exsistng.It takes work.Your words are very enlightening..
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