Ever dreamed of turning your wildest dreams into reality? Roxie Nafousi’s Manifest – Seven Steps to Living Your Best Life is a must-read for anyone who want to learn the secrets of manifestation and transform their lives with the power of positive thinking. Nafousi, a self-development guru and Instagram influencer, breaks down the concept of manifestation into practical steps that anyone can follow.

One of the most interesting parts of the book is the emphasis on vision boards. Nafousi explains how creating a visual representation of your goals can keep you focused and motivated. Imagine having a board filled with images and words that inspire you every day, and remind you of what you’re working towards. It’s like having a personalized roadmap to your dreams!

Nafousi provides powerful affirmations that you can repeat daily to build confidence and maintain a positive mindset. Her personal stories and practical exercises make the book feel like a conversation with a trusted mentor. She encourages you to believe in yourself and take actionable steps towards your goals. The book is filled with tips on setting clear intentions, visualizing success, and staying resilient in the face of challenges.

Manifest is perfect for teens who want to take control of their lives and achieve their dreams.

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Motivational speaker Jim Rohn famously said that we are the average of the five people we spend the most time with. While it may sound like an exaggerated quote and lacks scientific validity, it helps to convey a very powerful idea that the people we surround ourselves with greatly influence our thoughts, behaviours, and ultimately shape who we become. Look at your closest friends and family who have made substantial contributions in shaping you. In some cases, you accomplished much more than you thought you were capable of because of their timely intervention. With a genuine desire that you shouldn’t fail in life, your closest friends and family didn’t allow you to follow your dream and they coerced you to follow easier goals. They do it out of love and concern for you and your dreams, aspirations and ambitions would never be accomplished because you were not allowed to pursue it for fear of failure.

As you begin this wonderful academic year, you may want to do some introspection and identify those people who have influence on you. Do they uplift and inspire you or do they bring you down? Have they limited you in some way? Or have they kept you in your comfort zone? When you look back you will know how strong was their influence on you and how your life has been shaped by their influence. Maybe it is a good time to make a resolution to associate more with people who will uplift and help you reach your fullest potential and make you the best version of you. And when you give more time to such people in your life, you’ll find that the negative people will have no more influence on you. Your decisions to say ‘No’ to gossiping, bunking classes, getting into infatuations, fights, quarrels, drugs and overuse of social media will distance you from such negative people. If you associate yourself with such friends, it’s likely that you will inherit such habits.

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Chetan Bhagat’s 11 Rules For Life is a compelling guide that offers practical advice on how to navigate life’s challenges and achieve personal growth.

Through a blend of personal anecdotes, insightful observations, and actionable tips, Bhagat presents a roadmap for readers to level up in various aspects of their lives. Whether it’s setting goals, cultivating positive habits, or fostering meaningful relationships, this book provides valuable insights that can help readers lead a more fulfilling life.

Bhagat’s conversational writing style makes the book easy to read and relatable, making it a must-read for teenagers looking to make positive changes in their life.

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Author: Prof. Dr John M. Mathews
Publisher: Better Yourself Books Pvt. Ltd.
Publication year: 2019
Pages: 359; Price: Rs 350

“Betwixt the optimist and the pessimist, the difference is droll, the optimist sees the doughnut, but the pessimist sees the hole.”
— Mc Landburgh Wilson

Your living is determined not so much by what life brings you as by the attitude you bring to life, not so much by what happens to you as by the way your mind looks at what happens. The Wisdom and Power of Positive Living by gold medallist English literature professor, Dr John M. Mathews, is a book that will teach you all this and more regarding positive thinking, positive attitudes, and the sweet fruits of positive thinking and attitudes put together to make a successful and happier life.

This book is meant for students in schools and colleges, teachers, young professors, budding business executives, aspiring entrepreneurs, and other young professionals. The book is replete with exquisite quotations like the one above that the author has incorporated to reinforce the idea that only the power of positivity can nullify the power of negativity. Millions of people today are wasting their money, time and energy in defending their points of view or vindicating their perspectives. Instead of following the crowd, stand apart and lead through positivity, believing that life is worth living, and your belief will help you create that fact.

Learn from the examples and quotations of William James, Socrates, John Milton, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Michelangelo, and the like to script your mission statement and then sculpt your destiny. Learn the difference between a realistic optimist and a frivolous Pollyannish optimist, and then succeed in everything you do. Learn how to soar with eagles rather than hop with the sparrows — learn the ingredients to turn every fall into a stepping stone towards success by reading this timely and very useful book.

Penned in a detailed textbook format, the book delves deeply and professionally into its material. It is interesting, scholarly and a must-have for every young professional. Remember, God gives every bird its food, but he does not put it into the bird’s nest! Also, behind every spark of heroism, adventure and achievement, there smouldered the embers of intense optimistic aspirations. You can pick up these and other evergreen and smart nuggets in The Wisdom and Power of Positive Living.

Available at Better Yourself Books and all St Paul Book Centres in India

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“No, because I’m not crazy!”

Of course I didn’t mean it in the being crazy way! But the social animals we are, we talk to people around us every day, every hour, and some of us every minute. Based on what work we do, we could be talking incessantly all day too even if we didn’t want to. While a large chunk of our conversations are transactional, i.e., they are a method of communicating our needs and wants to the world, and seeking ways to get them fulfilled; a lot of our talks shape our reality and influence our view of the world. And ourselves. 

Talking to yourself really means reflecting on your life, people within it and events that transpire inside of it. Self-talk is like a reappraisal that is so personal and unique to each one of us. Nobody can talk to us the way we can. And occasionally do. 

Think about it. Do you ever feel as if:

• You’re different from others?
• Nobody understands you? 
• You aren’t accepted for who you are?
• You can’t express what you feel? 
• You’re punished for how you think?

You’ll be surprised to know how many teenagers think like you. And ponder over why nobody gets them. And why they just don’t fit. 

We’re each unique. 

And that’s what make us all the same!

It’s the sense of belongingness that connects us to the rest of the world. We feel comfortable when we belong. And when we’re certain that we’re cared for, loved, accepted and wanted. But who today can love unconditionally like that? Be it friends, classmates, teachers or even family, they all have opinions. We worry so much about what they think and whether they accept us enough, that in the bargain we lose focus of what we’re doing to gain that love and trust from them in the first place. 

And then our self-esteem? If we call it self-esteem how can we base it on how much regard outsiders gives us?

Self-talk is the answer. 

But it helps only when you ask yourself the right questions. And then of course give yourself appropriate answers. 

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One thing that sets apart many successful individuals is their ability to think big and aim high. Michael Phelps, the greatest swimmer of all time with 28 medals in the Olympics alone (23 Gold, 3 Silver, 2 Bronze) said in an interview, “If you dream as big as you can dream, anything is possible.” Imagine, someone diagnosed with ADHD at the age of seven and suffered the divorce of his parents when he was nine years old was able to achieve what he achieved because he thought big and aimed high.

If you want to achieve extraordinary results you need to think extraordinary thoughts and take extraordinary steps to achieve them. The problem is that our natural environment mostly conditions us to be “realistic” or to “play it safe” by thinking small. This leads to so many people living small lives, way below their potential. In order to move beyond the mundane and press into our God-given destinies, we must recondition ourselves to think bigger and aim higher.

The way you think not only affects your own life, but that of others around you — it affects your world. You have the power to change the world you live in. If you concentrate on the positive, you re-affirm that reality in your personal life and throughout the universe. According to Emerson, “Great men are those who see that thoughts rule the world.” The question to ask is, “How do you think?” Have you ever asked yourself this question? Do you think positively or do you think negatively?

It is our inner world that produces our outer expression of who we are. If we think ourselves as incompetent then we become what we think. It is important to realize this connection and to begin a healing process to see your world as a garden of possibilities instead of a den of fools.

It is the direction in which you place your attention of thought that will determine the direction of your life. By giving the world your positive thoughts you will begin to see a world of possibilities unfold before your eyes. It is only by thinking that we can change our world.

If you listen to the words of Harriet Martineau, it will do you a lot of good: “You better live your best and act your best and think your best today, for today is the sure preparation for tomorrow and all the other tomorrows that follow.”

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Negativities are part of the valency of life. When terror struck Mumbai at The Taj Mahal Palace Hotel in November 2008, for a long time there was fear about visiting hotels. We knew that safety measures were in place and we were aware that authorities were at the forefront of security. Yet we retained the memory of the pain and the loss. And that made us cautious, alert and often restrained.

This is an example of a typical reaction to life’s negative events. And, of course, in this case is warranted and rational. Just like worrying about tigers when you’re camping in the jungle, or fearing landslides during Himalayan mountain hikes. In these situations you run for your life because right then, nothing else matters. The adrenaline is rushing and your body is on high alert. You are anticipating the absolute worst. And you are determined to escape it.

But what do you think about these everyday pessimisms?

• My friends will not like me.
• My examiner will be mean.
• My teacher will punish me.
• My mom will not believe me.
• I will not make it in time.
• I will stay this fat forever.
• I will fumble in my speech.
• I won’t be able to perform.
• Nothing ever works my way.
• There is no point in trying.

We programme our brains to respond to every situation like it is a catastrophe. And hence we become so cautious and weary that we omit attempting the task completely. We become distrustful of the world and its intentions, narrow our minds and limit our own options and opportunities. Because we start to think negative. And this negativity consumes us.

Think about this.

• When you are sad, you fail to acknowledge how much your friends care.
• When you are nervous, you don’t realise that the examiner will be fair.
• When you are unprepared, you think the teacher will pick just on you.
• When you are upset, you forget how much your parents love and trust you.
• When you are panicky, you overlook the shortcut on the side of the road.
• When you are guilty of not exercising, you lower your motivation further.
• When you’re anxious you make yourself flounder in the speech you knew.
• When overcome with worry, you tremble and worsen your performance.
• If you believe you’ll fail, you make an unreasonable choice to ‘not try’.

In all of these situations, the underlying denominator is a negative thought. A confirmed belief that things will not work out the way we would like them to, and the resultant lack of will-power and motivation to even make an attempt. A narrowed vision limited choices and preparation for failure.

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“Believe you can and you’re halfway there.” This quote of Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th President of the United States, aptly exhorts you, dear students, to believe in yourself right from the beginning of this new academic year and move ahead with a positive approach and you will certainly achieve great things. We are sure that you are refreshed and revitalized after the summer break and are now geared up for the new academic year ahead. We believe that the start of a new academic year is always special and amazing as there are great expectations, so many new friends to make and lots of opportunities in store to learn and excel. Here are a few tips that you can keep in mind while you plunge into this academic session and we are certain that you will actually enjoy studying and make your new academic year productive and fruitful.

Set targets and plan

You need to set your targets and plan your approach in the very beginning.  When you set a goal you can accomplish and achieve much during the year by prioritizing things as they come.

Be open to learning new things

It is said that, “A mind is like a parachute. It doesn’t work if it is not open.” During the year ahead you will have myriads of different opportunities to learn. Grabbing every opportunity as per your interests will help you fulfil your own aspirations and increase in knowledge tremendously. Remember, you are more than capable of emerging as a competent, successful and happy individual only if you are open to learning.

Make good friends

Take up the challenge to make good friends. If you want to make good friends then remember what Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “The only way to have a friend is to be one.” Being a good friend to someone and having good friends is always healthy and helps you grow as a holistic, responsible individual and in achieving your goals.

Be positive

In order to achieve your goal in the educational pursuit you are embarking upon, you need to develop the right attitude to learning. It is advisable to take time and find out your strengths, skills and God-given talents so that accordingly you can work on them. A positive attitude to learning is not something we are born with, it needs time and effort to be developed and nurtured. But “attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference,” said Winston Churchill.  Continuously motivate yourself to develop a positive attitude which will help you achieve your goals in a positive and constructive manner.

Focus on your hobbies

During the year you will have ample amount of leisure time. In order to make the most of it you can take up a hobby such as learning an instrument (Indian or Western), dancing, cooking, jogging, robotics, painting, photography or even join some sports coaching sessions.

Take guidance from experienced people

If you are truly open for guidance from experienced people around you then you will be able to grow and take up mature decisions. Guidance and suggestions will enhance your thinking power and you will be an empowered individual. Ensure that you are surrounded with people who want to support you emotionally and intellectually and want to see you successful in life.

Keep moving towards your goal with determination and renewed commitment. The more you are open to learn, the more confident and skilled you will become. Always be grateful to God for your parents and teachers; love and respect them. Do not forget to be courteous, kind and good while relating with others and we are sure that you will succeed in your endeavours and enjoy the journey.  Wish you a fruitful and exciting year ahead!

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The youth today at times find themselves in a “Catch 22” situation at home with their parents, in the schools/colleges with teachers and peer groups. In such a situation the end result could be finding themselves: 1) Successful, 2) Failure or 3) Insignificant.

1) Successful — intelligent and sportive people take every difficulty as a challenge with courage and hope coupled with creativity and dynamism,  thus making it an opportunity to grow and become strong.
2) Failure — some people tend to react negatively to unpleasant and unexpected circumstances in life. There are some who resort to aggressive and violent behaviour which result in damage done to oneself and others.
3) Insignificant — here one may give in to discouragement and despair only to find oneself lost to the point of being insignificant.

How and where do they find their way out? Certainly it is in creative and dynamic “thinking out of the box” that will show the way. Each one needs to define and visualize his/her future. Expectations from the parents and pressure from the peer group are inevitable. But the choice is yours. Wisdom tells us “as you make your bed so you must lie on it”. Be daring, spontaneous, natural, passionate and hardworking.

Our positive thinking with dynamism and creativity coupled with dreaming big will steer us to success and happiness. Thus we contribute to the growth of society and ourselves. Let us cherish our dreams and roll up our sleeves.

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