IN today’s busy world of self-indulgence and self-importance, we have to sometimes take a step backwards and try and remember that the world doesn’t always
revolve around us.
In fact, we are here only for a short time and all the negative thoughts we have like hate, envy and greed are self-destructing, and could be described as: “Drinking poison and hoping the other person dies.”
Today let me introduce you to two individuals that I enjoy listening to on a daily basis and have helped me in defusing negative thoughts and have brought a lot of
clarity, joy and solace into my life.
This is in no way an endorsement of them as I am a firm believer that we should all chart our own journeys and find our own influencers who can improve us as individuals.
As some of you may be aware, my father is a devout Hindu, and my mother has leanings towards Christianity which gives me the chance to enjoy scriptures from both faiths and also understand that ultimately the teachings are based on love.
Joyce Meyer
Born Pauline Joyce Hutchinson on June 04th 1943 in St Louis Missouri USA, life was indeed a struggle for this young girl growing up.
Her father was a soldier in the army and upon returning from active duty set upon Joyce and started sexually abusing her.
This continued for some time until she managed to finish high school and quickly got married to a part time car salesman.
Maybe it was the need to get away from her abusive father that ultimately led Joyce to getting married in such a hurry.
The marriage was a disaster and after five years of being cheated on and abused she left him to start a new life.
Once she was divorced loneliness set in and frequent trips to bars and drinking followed, finally good fortune would shine when Joyce met her true love Dave Meyer.
The two were inseparable and on January 7 1967 they were legally married and 54 years later are still together having raised four children during this time.
Almost ten years after marriage in 1976, Joyce Meyer finally felt the spirit of god and was so overwhelmed by this it changed her life forever.
She began Bible studies, then taught Bible study finally becoming an associate pastor.
Eventually after finding her gift for inspiring people she decided to form Joyce Meyer ministries.
The struggle was real and especially being a woman with an abused past was difficult to begin with, but today she has become an author, preacher, speaker and
influencer of many millions of people in fact she has more than 12 million followers just on her Facebook page alone.
There are always certain controversies with any public figure, but I try and only take the powerful and enriching words that are spoken and use them in my daily
life.
What is truly special about this individual is her ability to connect with the masses with her no nonsense and simple appeal which in turn inspires others to
lead the best lives they can.
Sadh Guru
Sadh Guru was born on September 3 1957 in Mysore, India.
He was brought up in a loving middle-class family, being the youngest of four children.
He was educated at the University of Mysore with a bachelors degree in English, after this he pursued a career in business which he found thoroughly unfulfilling.
At the age of 25 Sadh Guru found spiritual awakening when he meditated on a rock in the Chamundi Hills, after this there was no turning back and he gave his business away to a friend to pursue meditation and spiritual realisation.
He travelled on a motor bike throughout parts of India surviving on very little income, but parting with his knowledge and wisdom as he went.
Today, Sadh Guru has a host of yoga centers and is involved with education, spirituality, environment and well-being.
He has become an author, television personality and hosts many famous personalities globally as they ask and seek guidance from him.
Just recently he was placed in the top 50 of the most powerful Indians globally.
Just like Joyce Meyers, I found this individual Sadh Guru to have a grass roots approach to delivering beautiful and inspiring words of wisdom on how to live your life and how to help others in need.
My humble advice to anyone is try and be the best version of yourself and follow anyone who has a good heart and is always helping and never hurting.
Finally, I have contacted both Sadh Guru and Joyce Meyers organisations and hope to meet both individuals personally to explore their inner thoughts on life, love and the universe.
My thinking is what better qualified people to as, than these two as they appear to bring joy and happiness to millions of people in a world that has so much sorrow at the moment.
- Ajay Bhai Amrit is a freelance writer. The views expressed in this article are not necessarily shared by this newspaper.
