Every
one of us holds an IMAGE about ourselves in every given moment. Those
images change depending on the state of our energy, our current
circumstances, our insight and our wisdom. Sometimes, the image we hold
for ourselves is one of victimhood. (And then things naturally unfold
to prove that image to be true.). Sometimes, we beat up on ourselves as
we fiercely and unmercifully judge ourselves. (And this behavior often
represents the voices of others we have heard throughout our lives who
held these views of us...views we have unconsciously adopted.) And,
sometimes, when our energy is high and we feel inspired, we visualize
our Higher Self and we see ourselves acting in ways that are brave and
courageous and dedicated to our personal growth.
Which brings me to a concept I learned several years ago from LifeLine practitioner Georgiann Voissem.
And here it is:
When
I become upset, I choose to ONLY pay attention to the fact that I got
upset... NOT what someone said or did and NOT who said or did it. I
direct my attention ONLY to reflecting on the truth about myself that
was just revealed to me: the FACT that this comment or action upset me,
the fact that I am unable to view the words or actions of the event
dispassionately...that this event has triggered an unhealed hurt within
my heart.
I
realize this is not the way we usually react to upsetting
circumstances. Typically, we react by feeling attacked and quickly
assign blame for our feelings to the other person involved in the
interaction. Here is the interesting thing about this behavior. In the
scenario that has just been enacted, the other person is only the
messenger, and, when we ascribe blame to that other individual, we have
just SHOT THE MESSENGER. The "messenger" was there to bring something
to our attention… something we have not been noticing about
ourselves…something we need to pay attention to for our own healing.
Responding in the way that Georgiann suggests is truly CUTTING EDGE behavior. And
this is really appealing to me. And exciting. I would like to think of
myself as capable of living on the cutting edge. And when I think of
myself that way, I feel more committed to mastering this practice.
And,
truly, responding to situations in this way instead of reacting by
feeling attacked and hurt and blaming others, quickly helps us see what
needs to be healed in our own lives. And it really is a calming
influence on our interpersonal relationships. It also helps us see
ourselves in a new and inspiring reflection.
Are you ready to leap into a future, CUTTING EDGE view of the person you aspire to be?
Marie Helena
image from valiantcrossfit.com
There is ALWAYS more to the story.
No matter what we think we know about something that has happened, there is ALWAYS more to the story. Always something MORE that explains a person's motivation for what he does, has done or is considering doing. And it is ALWAYS a story of how he has been affected by what has already transpired in his life. What is happening in this moment is contingent upon what has already been.
Imagine the trillions upon trillions of events that are occurring because someone's need has gone unrecognized or unfilled. Or...perhaps the need has been generously and magnanimously met and this gift of caring has, therefore, helped shape and form an even greater effort of love
WE are all a part of this human tapestry. Everything we experience is contributing to and shaping our world view and the world view of others and, extending even further....into the formation of the universal consciousness.
Nothing is lost. Every choice - every effort, every decision not to choose to act - is playing a role and joining with other variables to produce a new occurrence.
What place do we hold in this process? What do we bring to contribute to this cosmic brocade? How well do we understand our role as co-creators? And do we acknowledge the subtle, powerful and fascinating influence we have the power to bestow upon each other?
Marie Helena
image from exalted-beauty.blogspot.com.
Dance like no one is watching.
Anonymous
There
is a quaint phrase we use when we talk about putting our best foot
forward and donning our best manners: Sunday Clothes. It's like we
scrub ourselves down, bring out our best attire and now are being very
careful about what we say and do. And this is because we feel everyone
is watching.
If you've seen the movie Stepford Wives, you know that the characters here
are
performing in a way that is "expected" of them...actually, programmed
INTO them so they will not deviate from the norm. And the result of
this oppressive exercise, watching people march through a prescribed
routine, is not inspiring. In fact, it is rather dull…even annoying.
And
that is because we all crave authenticity, we crave the "luxury" of
being completely ourselves. What a pleasure to just BE what we feel
like...to not feel compelled to impose someone else's expectations upon
ourselves! How relaxing and delightful to do and say precisely what is
going on inside us!
Imagine what the world would be like if every
person felt that freedom! Imagine what it would be like if no one felt
they had to live up to others' expectations! Things would be wild
and crazy and also vibrant and surprising and unsettling and
disconcerting. But they would be authentic expressions of who we are.
No energy would be wasted in pretending. Things would be joyful and
exciting and often topsy turvy but we would truly know what others are
feeling and we would ourselves enjoy the freedom of being transparent.
The
picture I am describing would require an HONORING on everyone's part of
the thoughts and ideas and feelings of others. It would also require
the UNDERSTANDING on everyone's part that what is said and done is
ALWAYS only about the person himself and what HE is experiencing,
remembering, processing, releasing. No offense would be taken from
anything that happens. No one would make the mistake of owning
another's reaction. We would all be firmly grounded in our own self
knowledge and assessment...not needing anyone's approval to feel OK. We
would all be flying free, enjoying the moment, expressing what is in
our hearts. And celebrating everyone's right to join in the vibrancy
and revelations of the moment.
What a grand experiment it would
be to leave our Sunday Clothes behind and breathe the beauty of having
everyone freely "dance", watch others "dance" and ENJOY the show!
Marie Helena
image from pinterest.com
We must find something wonderful in everything we do...
Uncle Bernard
An American Girl: Grace Stirs Up Success
"Find something wonderful in whatever we do!"
And what would that look like?
Polish the table with an extra flourish of wax and spinning cloth...
Walk down the block noticing flowers you've never seen before...
Savor the lemonade you made with luscious, hand squeezed lemons...
Smile at the neighborhood dog who is lounging nearby...
Stoop to spy on the ant colony carrying its supper-load with expert precision...
Recite aloud (just for you) the lines of a favorite poem....
Journal things you are so very grateful for...
Listen with loving, conscious attention to someone's memories...
Dance while you return things to their assigned place in your home...
Cheerfully give up your place in line to the person waiting behind you at the store...
Acknowledge the needs of someone in distress...
Sip a lovely cup of tea and munch on a lemon bar, enjoying every morsel...
Send an email to a friend you haven't heard from...
Appreciate YOUR loving gestures...
Assume the very best when things happen to you...
The something wonderful?
Attract vibrations that match your beautiful heart!
Marie Helena
image from stuffpoint.com
