“I have a stressful and demanding career and yet it’s one I wouldn’t change for the world My HIV in no way hinders my ability to work hard or enjoy every moment of the day. I don’t view myself as being any different to any of my colleagues and have, thankfully, not encountered any prejudice or indifference from them or from my employers. If anything I am cared for, and given lots of time to attend my blood tests and checkups.

Perhaps I am one of the lucky ones. I recognise that my story is not repeated across the country and yet I believe that with a positive frame of mind, a determined effort to live a full and active life and a responsible attitude to medication and regular check ups, most of us living with HIV can have a ‘normal’, happy and fulfilling life. I have always felt that HIV is simply a tiny part of the person I am – it does not define me, nor will I allow it to determine my future.”
~ Michael, from the UK, www.nat.org.uk

Michael’s positive attitude seems to me like the right approach for people living with HIV/AIDS. I think one of the main factors that must contribute to his outlook is acceptance. He has accepted his health condition and is living the best life he can. His employers, coworkers, and the other people around him have also accepted Michael for who he is. Without acceptance, it would be difficult for Michael to move forward with his life.

Acceptance is the natural result of love, for love embraces everything and does not desert anything because of hatred or fear. It doesn’t try to change someone but helps them go their own way in the best way possible. Our true nature is love and acceptance flows naturally from us when we are being true to ourselves.

That’s why even when we feel threatened or frightened, as from a serious illness, it is vital that we accept and help ourselves and others. It may cost us something—a blow to the ego, an expression of courage, a monetary donation—but we’ll be remaining true to human nature. In acting upon human nature, we find pure joy—not from just loving and helping your family and friends, but by expanding our circle of love. We are all connected, and what affects one of us affects us all. If we want a happy, healthy, and peaceful world, we need to create it in ourselves and help others to do the same.

That’s why I agree with the World AIDS Campaign’s theme for this year’s World AIDS Day: “Universal Access and Human Rights.” Everyone person born on this planet has a right to life and to health. We as a society need to create the conditions for everyone to receive those rights. We must first accept everything about ourselves, individually and collectively, and then we will begin to effect change.

In a traditional Native American story, an elderly chief tells a child about two wolves—
a good wolf and an evil wolf. He asks, “If these two wolves went into battle, which do you think will win?” Watch this short animation to learn the answer. Please share your thoughts in the comments.

Take a close look at this picture. What do you see?

Some people immediately see an elderly woman wearing a scarf, others may see a young lady in a fancy hat. Is one view more correct than the other? If you look again, can you see the other point of view?

When we stick stubbornly to one point of view, insisting we are right and others are wrong, we leave no room for communication. We block the flow of energy between us. In my opinion, many of the problems of the world are the result of miscommunication. No matter how important our beliefs, if we do not approach others with compassion or empathy, we cannot build relationships, cannot have true peace.

Instead of putting blinders on, and not considering another person’s perspective, we would be wise to remember that our senses are not always accurate. We only partially see what is around us; our viewpoint is limited by our experiences. Thus we can be can tricked by illusions, as in the picture above. The nature of illusion is that the observer only recognizes part of the information available. Instead of saying, “I’m right and you’re wrong,” why not say, “I accept that we may see things differently.” Rather than creating walls between us, we can open the lines of communication and allow creativity to flow. Instead of competing with one another, we can engage in cooperation.

The phenomena that constitute our identity—our preconceptions, our emotions, our ego, even our divine, essential nature—are created within our brain. However, I believe every brain wants to be, and deserves to be, healthy, happy, and peaceful. This is the core, the essence, of who we are. If we approach communication from our core, rather from our ego, or arbitrary social custom, together we can naturally have health, happiness, and peace in our lives.

To tap into this essence, the optimal purpose of our brains, we need to change our habits. Our differences and miscommunications spring from habitually viewing the world through our ego. One way we can begin to change this habit is by doing things that can create happiness in ourselves and others. Even just doing three things a day such as smiling/laughing, giving compliments, offering help, or giving massage can make a difference. Be creative; try things you’ve never done before. If you do this consistently for 21 days, you will notice your thoughts, emotions, and communication with others will change.

Why do some people succeed while others fail? This short animation highlights how people we accept as great successes faced failure time and again before they finally achieved their dream. What’s your dream? Do you believe in it enough that you will keep trying to achieve it no matter what?