Thank you Leo

[exhale]

I'm sure this is not the first, or last time someone has taken the time to thank you for what you do.  Please let me take the opportunity, thank you so very much!

In the past 3 years (since I started listening to your podcasts), my life has been enriched in so many ways: 

- I have improved my emotional control and intelligence; I now recognize that there is a moment between stimulus and response.  And with time (and meditation), that moment is becoming longer.  

- I have improved my physical and mental health significantly.  

- I have become much more open-minded and curious about things that are 'different'.

- I have become aware of my ego (unaware 2 years ago that this was even a 'thing'), and the challenge that it presents.

- I have become a more effective and confident communicator.

- I have become more compassionate and considerate; for both myself and others.  

I have grown (and matured) more in the few years since I have started integrating your lessons, stories, teachings, ideas, than I had in the previous decade.  

Wonderful job, thank you so much.  What a valuable service you are offering!  I am forever grateful that I stumbled across your content as it has fundamentally enhanced my life.  

I just want to remind you that you are absolutely changing lives, not to mention the lives of the family members, friends and coworkers of those you have touched.  

 

[SoonHei]

@exhale that's nice to hear!

 

what practices if any have you been doing since stumbling upon Leo? or is it just listening to what he's been teaching and applying that at intellectual level only? 

 

any meditation?

[exhale]

My initial introduction to Leo was with the topics of "how to master your emotions".  Although in hindsight this seems obvious, but at that time it was truly a revolutionary way of conducting myself on a day-to-day basis; empowering me to take control about how I feel and how I respond to challenges and adversity.  This has resulted in a more level-headed approach to my career, spouse, children, friends, etc.  

I admit that at that time I was 'a victim'; I felt that things were happening to me, and I tended to catastrophize trivial daily challenges.  I become aware that I was creating the majority (or all) of the suffering.  

As far as practices, I have integrated a regular meditation practice.  Through meditation, my reactivity is a 1/10 of what it historically had been.  It also gave me space and time to truly evaluate myself.  Beforehand, I was just living life on a daily basis, moving from one challenge to another, without reflecting and contemplating.  Without belaboring the details, I was overweight, consuming a standard american diet, and was on track for many lifestyle diseases.  This awareness of my condition prompted my to implement a regular exercise program (running, which I consider as a form of moving meditation).  As well, meditation has increased my compassion for myself and others.  This has led me to really evaluate my dietary choices, and made the decision to go vegan (whole-food plant-based) for both compassion, and health justifications.  In tandem, my health has drastically improved (lost 60 lbs.), I am close to a healthy body condition, and have never been healthier. 

At the recommendation of Leo, I took up Toastmasters, and this has greatly improved my self-esteem and competency in my professional life.  

As a previously labelled atheist, I now recognize how limiting and dogmatic this mindset is.  Becoming more open-minded regarding this concept has allowed my to identify ideology tribalism and attempt to abstain from reactive involvement.  It has also allowed me to be more understanding and refrain from judgement when I met/talk about people of various faiths, ideologies, political partisan, etc.  

If I had to summarize how actualized.org has influenced my life is that, I have become aware that I have the opportunity to take control of my life.  And I continue to progress with that mindset.  

 

 

 

[SoonHei]

wow that's great! good to hear. god bless you!

the new path of life you have found sounds very fruitful and a lot better than the old version of you as you describe

can't wait to stand at the place you're at now someday

[Zweistein]

@Leo Gura

I also want to thank you, Leo, from the bottom of my heart! 

When I stumbled on actualized.org about a year ago, I was still very much stuck in people pleasing and moralizing mode, while not taking enough care of myself. With your teachings I now realize relatively quickly, when I start to fall back into old patterns and I started to understand why I was always so close to burning out. I also realize much better what I still need to work on!  

When I first joined the forum, I underestimated you and projected quite a bit - I want to apologize for that! Nowadays, I realize the potential of being here. So many people want to grow and wake up! I sense infinite potential... 
 

[ChimpBrain]

One of my biggest fears is that I won't take full advantage of teachers like Leo in this lifetime, and in my next life I'll reincarnate into some Syrian-like hellscape where there are no worthwhile teachings to be had.  There's no one out there covering such a wide range of important topics in the kind of depth that Leo does.  Many thanks from me too!

[zoey101]

@Leo Gura

 

so nice