I trekked through the jungle this past Tuesday here in Malaysia. It’s a guided monthly hike with a group of ladies. A different rainforest/jungle each month. It’s a great way to learn about one’s surroundings, make friends and enjoy outdoor activity.
Our guide, John, is Chinese Malaysian, local and knowledgeable. I really like him. He always shares jungle lore. Sometimes a combination of superstition, native intuition and plain old common sense.
He told us that the jungle people would never say the word “tiger” because if you said it three times then a tiger would eventually appear. And if they had to refer to the tiger they didn’t even use the word for tiger. They used another word which meant “striped one.”
Because you had the power to bring it to you.
My friend’s mother, Ann, was on the hike with us. She is visiting Malaysia for three months. And is eager to travel, keep active and find interesting things to do. We were about to hike up this steep area to reach a canopy walkway. She thought better of it, declined and told us to go without her. She’d be fine and wait for us at the rest spot.
Upon our return, I asked her if she saw or talked with anyone. Ann said that she met a woman. This lady, from San Francisco, was on a hike and stopped to chat with her. She was visiting her Chinese Malaysian mother in the nearby town. The woman said that she would be doing some traveling while she was here and asked Ann if she would be interested. Anyway, long story short, they exchanged emails. Who knows? Maybe they will hook up and see some sights together.
The point is this.
When Ann was recounting the story to me she said, “You just throw these things into the universe……”
Meaning that if you put a need or a thought out there, into the universe, it comes back fulfilled or recognized.
I believe that. Just like the jungle people believed it. Like Ann believes it.
If you just put it out there it will come back. You have the power to bring it to you. To make it happen.
My only advice is this. Keep it positive. No one wants a tiger at their door.
So, go on, put it out there. Into the universe.
Update: Ann and the lady she met are heading out Friday to start exploring together. Both families met each other and it’s a go!
I do not believe I’ve conjured up these tigers!
Lol…..one of my favorite phrases…conjured up…and yes, you did….if you thunk it then you did….
I maintain that I did not conjure up thouse tigers. I certainly did not ask for the suffering Janice is going through right now. Now I did anticipate Max’s struggles, based on prior experience and observations. But that’s not the same thing as wishing for it to happen. sometimes it’s just being realistic about a situation. Sometimes it’s expressing frustration about a situation you have yet to overcome. It’s not being negative. It doesn’t mean you’ve given up or don’t care. It’s being honest about the situation you’re facing so you can address it effectively. http://www.alternet.org/story/143187/barbara_ehrenreich%3A_the_relentless_promotion_of_positive_thinking_has_undermined_america
Oh, those tigers….!!!! I didn’t know the tigers you were referring to…..I agree completely…..I don’t think that you were even thinking about those things to allow invitation….and regarding kids…you have to anticipate but I don’t think anticipation makes things happen…now, how you deal with those things is a different ball of wax ….and I know you deal with those things in a positive way and I do think you will get positive responses….maybe not right away…but I do think positivity breeds positivity (my spell check is saying that is not a word but I disagree) …..the one thing I disagree with my husband on is the evil eye…that others (their envy or bad will) can effect my life in some way…..never going to buy into that but I do believe MY positive energy can effect MY life. Maybe I’m wrong….but I doubt it 🙂 ‘
I just read the link….and I also remember a link you shared with me about how someone was shot and that maybe he should have been angry that he was shot instead of grateful that he survived………..and I think whatever a person feels is what they feel…..I personally have to go the positive route…but largely because it is my personality…I can’t change it and it is not a result of my years with a corporation ….and I maintain that a positive attitude makes things loads better…I can be realistic with a positive bent…..my mom has always said that in the worst of times she can find something positive….some glimmer of good … so I take my cue from her…
I’m a little emotional on this topic, so let’s take that in to consideration. I want to be clear: we are talking about two different things. When you have a choice to be positive or negative as you approach a problem, that is you look for ways to succeed is not the same thing as accepting something bad (let’s say, poverty) as a blessing. What happens these days is that anyone who finds themselves in bad circumstances is blamed for their failure as if there are no systemic or institutional barriers to getting out of poverty; instead they weren’t positive enough, as if positive thinking will bring you out of poverty. On the other hand, if you are poor and get up everyday and do what ever you can to make the life you have work, or to do what you can to improve your circumstances, then obviously thinking positively is helpful. DId I make the distinction clear?
Crystal….I agree!