Have you ever been so curious about an idea, so fascinated by your thoughts that you have allowed yourself to explore them in every aspect?

Allowing yourself to follow the thread of a thought can totally change how you think, how you view the world and yourself.

For example, if you are trapped by paranoia,  fearing that others are thinking badly of you or plotting against, you decide to explore if that is truly the case.

Surely you want to know whether it is true, so you start by examining factual, real evidence.

Of course, you want to be careful that the evidence you are gather for yourself is actual and not something you manufacture in your mind.

We are captive to our thoughts, especially those that enslave us to our fears.  In our computer-like minds, it is as though we have little programs that run whenever we run into circumstances that trigger those chained thoughts.

Our programs are like an accumulation of emotions waiting for some noise to trigger an avalanche. Then when that specific something happens, down comes all those pent up emotions triggering fears in us.

We create walls from our mental fears. We stop ourselves from growing by telling ourselves that we are limited. We put words up in our mind that prevent us from taking action. We think ourselves to a stop.

Yet, none of these limitations are real. We need to examine our motives.  Do we fear what will happen?Is it that we really don't want to do the work that following an idea may require? Is it that we fear that the result will not be as expected?

We are brought up with the idea that we know what success and happiness really are. And, that is a problem.

Is success really owning the biggest car? Is happiness the end result of having a barrel full of money?

For example, let us consider people who are perceived to be successful, such as move stars. Ask yourself who is most likely to have the longest marital relationship? The successful movie star who seems to have everything and spends lavishly on themself or the subsistence farmer who lives and works for and with his family?

So much for defining success in terms of money, eh!

Our expectations can be our limitations. Life isn't a series of planned event that end when you reach the materialistic goal you've always desired. Once you have followed that rainbow you're sure to have that pot of gold.

Strangely, you still have to live with your desires, your fears, your limitations.

It's more like, "Ok, I've got the pot of gold, now how do I keep it safe." Do my friends really care for me or are they just after my pot of gold, my success, my fame? If you are paranoid to begin with, you can see that finding the end of the rainbow only makes you more fearful.

Life is not a travelogue that leads to the best of the best. Life occurs randomly. The best laid plans tend to go awry. Men make plans, and God laughs.

It is ok to plan to reach certain goals. The journey is best travelled without expecting the results to be exactly as you picture them. Enjoy the journey. Travel as though you have no destination in mind.

Where are you right now? Take it all in. This moment is Life. Take the next step. That too is life. Breath in now! Feel the goodness. This moment is Life.

Now, where was I? Oh yes! Following the thread of that thought.