(Its not the other way round)

Last week I started with a book ” The Greatest Secret” by Rhonda Byrne, I am sure most of us must have read her book or heard of the book “The Secret”. Its about 15 years that I am reading this author again, “The Secret” was focused on the Law of Attraction — how thoughts shape reality. Meanwhile, “The Greatest Secret” dives deeper into awareness, consciousness, and the realization that our true self is beyond the mind.

Why I thought of sharing this today? I have been having a lot of conversations with my friends on these aspects in the past few weeks and I really find it fascinating that what my mind starts seeing suddenly and then the talks around me also becomes similar and so does social media and my likings. Does this happen with you too? Here are some abstracts that I could gather along to give some insight.

“Your thoughts are not you. Thoughts are like clouds passing in the sky. You are the sky.” For much of my life, I believed my thoughts defined me. Whether positive or negative self-talk and overthinking dictated my emotions. Realizing that thoughts are transient visitors, not ultimate truths, was liberating. Earlier, I would spiral into anxiety, allowing harsh inner dialogues to shape my self-worth. Now, I remind myself: “I am the observer of my thoughts.” This simple shift allows me to pause and choose which thoughts deserve my attention.

“Happiness is your true nature. Nothing external can give it to you or take it away.” Throughout my life, I constantly chased external achievements — promotions, financial milestones, validation from loved ones etc. — believing these would bring lasting joy. While they offered moments of pride, none delivered deep fulfillment. Books and learnings helped me realize that true happiness isn’t found outside; it’s an innate state we can access anytime.

As I started practicing mindfulness in my daily routine, I felt deep meanings in simplest forms through meditation, deep breathing, and gratitude exercises as they help me reconnect with that inner wellspring of contentment. If I had grasped this earlier, I would have savored more moments instead of chasing fleeting goals.

“Awareness is the key. The more aware you become, the freer you are.” As , I often felt trapped by my emotional cycles — anger, frustration, loneliness and self-pity. I believed these reactions were beyond my control. Learning to practice awareness changed that.

Now, when difficult emotions arise, I step back and observe. I notice my heartbeat racing or my mind clinging to anxious thoughts. Instead of reacting impulsively, I give myself space to breathe. This simple act of observation creates a powerful shift. The emotions no longer consume me; instead, they pass like passing storms. This practice has improved my relationships, reduced conflict, and brought clarity.

The truth is simple. It has always been right in front of you. You’ve been looking for answers, but you’ve had them all along. What you are seeking is closer than your breath. The greatest discovery is realizing that what you’ve been searching for has never been missing. It’s so simple that the mind overlooks it.

“Fear is nothing but thoughts appearing real. When you see this, fear loses its power.” Fear has been a recurring companion in my life — fear of failure, rejection, and even aging. It often dictated my choices, making me play small. Realizing that fear is just a thought pattern empowered me to break free from its grip.

I started facing my fears by questioning their validity. Whenever a fearful thought appeared, I asked myself, “Is this absolutely true?” Most of the time, the answer was no. Letting go of fear allowed me to take bolder steps — reconnecting with old friends, pursuing creative passions, and speaking my mind.

Had I known this earlier, I might have taken more risks and embraced life more fully. Yet today, I’m choosing courage over comfort, one small step at a time.

“Gratitude and love are the highest vibrations. The more you feel them, the more life flows with ease.” In the rush of daily life, I often overlooked the power of gratitude. But as I started emphasizing on cultivating thankfulness transformed my outlook. I start my day with gratitude, the minute I gain consciousness out of my sleep, I start with 10 gratitude’s and thus I started appreciating each day.

It’s almost magically, my perspective shifted. Even challenging situations seemed easier to handle when I focused on what was going right. Expressing gratitude to loved ones deepened my relationships, while practicing self-love healed old wounds.

“The past is gone. The future is yet to come. All you have is this moment.”

“The greatest secret is knowing who you really are — pure awareness. When you know this, you are free.”

Life’s journey isn’t about perfect choices or avoiding mistakes; it’s about discovering the power that has been within us all along. If I could whisper advice to my younger self, it would be this:

• Don’t believe everything you think.
• Seek happiness within, not outside.
• Be aware of your emotions instead of letting them control you.
• Let go of fear; it’s just a story.
• Choose gratitude and love over resentment and regret.

It’s never too late to embrace these truths. The greatest secret is ours to discover — and the best time to start is NOW.