Dr. Wayne Dyer is one of the leading international best-selling authors and lecturers in the world of self-improvement and spirituality. One of his New York Times best-selling books, ’10 Secrets for Success and Inner Peace’ has become a staple on the bookshelves of many great leaders, teachers, and seekers. Below, I break down the 10 simple principles to live by, according to the immortal “father of motivation”.
1. Have a mind that is open to everything and attached to nothing
No one knows enough to be a pessimist
Open yourself up to the possibility that anything and everything is possible. If we continue to attach ourselves to the beliefs of the past, doing things the same way we always have, we limit any possibility of progress. We are ever-evolving beings, here to create and grow – we all have limitless potential. Having an open mind is having an open heart (not to mention it gives you the best views!)
2. You can’t give away what you don’t have
YOU GET BACK FROM THE UNIVERSE WHAT YOU PUT OUT
You can’t pour from an empty cup. For example, if you want to attract love and abundance, we must first embody all that is love and abundant. That means nurturing our self-love and eliminating feelings of lack. You get what you put out, and you put out what you are. The Universe will always send a vibrational match to your energy – good or bad, no matter what.
3. Don’t die with your music still in you
THERE IS JUST ONE LIFE FOR EACH OF US – OUR OWN
Don’t allow the expectations or opinions of others to determine the direction of your life. What is your purpose? What are you passionate about? What fulfils you? This is YOUR life. Quiet the distraction, listen to your intuition – your spirit – and follow your feelings. We are here to create an extraordinary life – there is no excuse to settle for complacency.
4. Embrace silence
IT IS OUT OF THE VOID THAT EVERYTHING IS CREATED
With 60,000 separate thoughts a day, we barely allow any space to observe. Life is filled with constant noise – to the point that silence often feels uncomfortable. But what comes from silence and observation is invaluable. Practicing mindfulness and meditation brings you more peace, improves energy, removes stress, and deflects negativity.
5. Give up your personal history
DON’T BE A VICTIM OF YOUR PAST
Your past is nothing more than a trail. It does not drive your life forward – only the ‘now’ moment can do that. Assigning your past responsible for where you are now will only keep you in the victim mindset, implying that it doesn’t matter what you do now. Your past does not define you – it is meant to be a lesson, not a life sentence. Don’t give it power it does not deserve to have.
6. You can’t solve a problem with the same mind that created it
THERE IS ALWAYS A SPIRITUAL SOLUTION
In order to solve a problem, we must level-up our thinking – this means moving beyond the ego consciousness that created it. A new state of mind, one that is relaxed and in tune with our spirit, provides a different, broader perspective, which allows us to see a solution. As Wayne (so famously) said: “If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change”.
7. There are no justified resentments
Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves – CONFUCIUS
When you harbour feelings of resentment, you vibrate low, and there is no justification for choosing a low-energy feeling – EVER. Removing blame means never assigning responsibility on anyone. If you put the responsibility of your happiness on someone else, then only they are able to change it – and expectations lead to disappointment. But if you take sole responsibility, then you can change it!
8. Treat yourself as if you already are what you’d like to be
IF YOU CAN IMAGINE IT, IT’S NOT UNREALISTIC
By thinking OF a desired outcome, we acknowledge that it is not yet manifested. We often compare what-is to what we want it to be, which creates conflicting energy – one of resistance. And we then attract to us more of what-is. But when we think, feel and act FROM that desired place, we emit a different, resistance-free energy, that attracts to us more of our new reality – this is manifestation!
9. Treasure your divinity
EVERYTHING IS A MIRACLE
You are a divine creation with great power. When we disconnect from our spirit, we disconnect from our power – the solid foundation that is ultimate love and connects us all. Our ego takes over, permeating feelings of fear and distrust; that we only are what we have, lonely & individual. Instead, we must embrace our divinity, knowing that Spirit is found everywhere in everything at all times.
10. Wisdom is avoiding all thoughts that weaken you
DOES A THOUGHT STRENGTHEN OR WEAKEN YOU?
We all have a choice to wake up and choose what kind of day we want to have. We can focus into happiness, and we can focus into despair – it’s all based on where we put our attention. If you look for negative, you’ll most certainly find it, but the same goes for joy. Optimism is a conscious decision, so where your attention goes, energy flows. The choice is always (and only) yours.
Thank you Wayne, for teaching us that we all have the ability to live an extraordinary life!
