Emotional Guidance System

Recently I have pondered the role of deep sadness, grief and anger, as it relates to our emotional guidance system.

The "negative" emotions are not to be ignored, nor are they to be wallowed in. So what does one do when feeling such intense feelings that indicate we are not going in the right direction, or that we are resisting our connection to Source?

I realized today that those feelings are a perfect way to demonstrate contrast. They are also a tool to assist us in our growth, our movement to the things we actually want to occur in our lives.

Trying to shove down or ignore those feelings is not the way to move towards what we want. It is important to distinguish between feeling good or joyful and avoiding feeling bad.

It is okay to feel bad. That is human. Be open to why you are feeling bad and allow that to direct you to the feeling good place. And be gentle with yourself while you are doing this.

Sometimes we have things from our past, including our childhood, that we are still working on. If we didn't resolve them then, they will keep coming up. So listen, discern, and discover the reason behind the feelings. This will allow you to keep growing in a positive way and finally break the circle of negativity in your life.

Esther and Jerry Hicks, the Teachings of Abraham

If you've seen the original version of The Secret then you are familiar with Esther Hicks. The 2nd release does not have Esther and the Teachings of Abraham in it, so if you are not familiar with them, be sure to seek these works out.

The Teachings of Abraham are a great supplement to The Secret and the SGR program. They reinforce the Law of Attraction and that it is possible to have whatever you truly want in this world.

Personally I like to rotate through my teachers. I read (or listen to) each one several times. Each time I read it, I get something additional from the experience. Then, after a few readings, if I notice my attention wandering because I think I "know" the material, I change to a different teacher. They all complement each other well and it keeps my brain from getting too complacent!

Most of these materials are available both in book and audio formats, so choose the one that works best for you. I have both because I find I get the most out of it when I listen and read at the same time. My current reading/listening material is Ask and It is Given. Very powerful. I highly recommend it.

Do What Brings You Joy

I noticed this week is that by changing my routines slightly, so that I really enjoy them, the activity seems to take less time and effort--and yet yields even greater results.

My short workouts were seeming to take a very long time and I was enduring them. My mind was wandering everywhere but on what my body was doing. Intellectually I knew that with focused attention anything we do is more productive. So how could I achieve focused attention, without it being forced?

I shifted the timing of my workout. I started watching The Secret again, a couple chapters every day. This gets me into a positive space and energy. Then I work out. What seemed like a drag last week has this week given me an even greater rush! The time flies by, I actually am having FUN doing it and I feel the results in my body!

Following the guidance to do things that bring me joy (in this case watching The Secret) has helped my pool of joy overflow to other areas, coloring those pools joyful as well.

Changing My Attitude to Success

I weighed myself today and at first got caught up in the "I only lost" trap. I quickly was able to stop that thought and remembered that I'm not dieting, I am changing my way of life and gaining health, and to top that off, I dropped pounds of fat! With that new thought I was excited to continue on my new health path.

This is just one example of how changing my attitude to seeing the success in the situation improves my life.

Choosing Where We Dwell

I want to share something from a woman I've never met--Joy Harjo*. I got this from a friend and it is so wonderful I want to share it.

"In my mind are many dwellings. Each of the dwellings we create ourselves - the house of anger, the house of despair, the house of self pity, the house of indifference, the house of negative, the house of positive, the house of hope, the house of joy, the house of peace, the house of enthusiasm, the house of cooperation, the house of giving. Each of theses houses we visit each day. We can stay in any house for as long as we want. We can leave these mental houses any time we wish. We create the dwelling, we stay in the dwelling, we leave the dwelling whenever we wish. We can create new rooms, new houses. Whenever we enter these dwellings, this becomes our world until we leave for another. What world will we live in today?"

This really got me thinking. Interesting that we speak of "dwelling on something" as well as being in and living in a dwelling. Let us choose to be in the mental houses of joy, positivity and promise. When we find ourselves dwelling on negativity or anger, let us quickly realize that we do have the power to quit that place and move into a positive space. Thank you Joy.

*Source: www.whitebison.org, Elder's Meditation of the Day, Sept. 18

Little Steps

Some days we're not up to moving mountains.

Yet we still want them moved.

So we take little steps. One shovel at a time and the mountain will move.

Be patient with yourself.

Set your course. Be determined. Be consistent. And you can move mountains.

Exercising My Demons

Demons. We all have them. My personal demons tend to be about self-worth and body image. You know what I mean. The little (sometimes BIG) voice that says "you are not talented, who do you think you are kidding?", or "your nose isn't too big, it goes perfectly with your fat body", those sorts of things. Now, your demons may differ from mine, but you know what I mean.

Today I was busy exercising my demons. Instead of stopping them, I let them continue. And boy, did they. And like muscles, with exercise, they get stronger and stronger. And louder.

The good news is that I was able to recognize that I was exercising them before I went into a total depression! As soon as I recognized them I was able to turn the tables and start exorcising!

Having literally and metaphysically cleansed myself, I am back to my healthy self! Far from perfect, but getting better every day. And who wants to be "perfect" anyway?

Treat Them Like Dogs

One of the best lessons I have learned is about appreciation. And it is best demonstrated by the family dog!

It isn't always easy to remember to let the people closest to us know how much we love and appreciate them. I have been working on changing that habit, still it is sometimes a challenge.

"Gosh, doesn't he/she know how much I care?", "I take out the trash", "I do the dishes", "I make my bed"...what I noticed is that we tend to assume (there's that word again!) that because we do tasks that the other person expects us to do, we think they should know that we love them. Heck, just because we are there we think they should know! Hello! What do you mean, you can't read my mind? I have to actually tell you that I love you?

We come home from work, the gym, school, wherever and sometimes they are lucky to get a "hi honey, I'm home". And we're lucky to get a "hello" back.

Now picture the family dog. You come home from wherever. You may have been gone 10 hours or 10 minutes, it doesn't matter. The dog is at the door, wagging his tail, joyful to see you! "Oh I love you, I'm so glad you are home, you make my day bright, thank you for being part of my life, you are a wonderful human, I sure love you". Doesn't that feel fantastic?! Of course it does!

So, treat your family like dogs...you be the dog, so happy to see them. If they come home after you, greet them at the door if possible, give them a smile and a hug (that's the human version the tail wag) and tell them you love them. If you come home after them, go find them and then give them the smile, hug and love.

At first they might think you have lost it! But they will love it...and so will you!

Gifts from the Universe

I set the intention that I am open to receiving from the universe--and I got a call out of the blue from someone wanting to repay an old debt!

The lesson to me is never shut off the universe from providing bounty.

As T. Harv Eker reminds us, "I am a money magnet, thank you, thank you, thank you!"

Enjoying the Moment

I came home today from an appointment that temporarily affected my eyesight. I couldn't read. I couldn't work on the computer. I couldn't work in the studio. I got myself home, but I really knew I shouldn't drive around much either--I could see generalities, but my detail vision was not good.

Instead of feeling sadness or boredom, I knew exactly what I wanted to do. The weather was crisp and clear. I wanted a ride in the convertible!

I came home to a willing accomplice and we went for a mid-week, mid-day spin. How wonderful! We even stopped after a bit and took a gentle stroll at one of our favorite trails.

What a great day. I am so fortunate to be able to take advantage of the beautiful weather and environment we have here. I am grateful to have an "accomplice".

Fall is definitely in the air, and it is grand to just enjoy life, and perfect convertible weather!

Even if you don't have a convertible or you just can't get away during the week for a "Sunday drive", be sure to get out for even just a few minutes when the weather is this good. It really helps to remind us that there is something more out there. Life is not just about making a living--it is about making a Life--enjoy it!