William Michael Forbes
The true measure of a human soul can also come through during the times when things are their most difficult. wmf
A Well Known Fact:
Western civilization stands not because of its military or economic might, as some would have you believe, but because of the creative tenacity of its people...which is still a little unfettered by greed, control and power. However if it is fully enslaved to taxation and bad governing principles...it is only through this impediment of spontaneous creativity (or massive geophysical changes) that western society...and the global economy will fall again.
The bathroom sinks aren’t hooked up, the kitchen sink can only be used in a limited way, floors are being partly refinished, all food has to be prepared in a one foot by one foot space on the kitchen table...all the proper places for things has changed repeatedly...the stove in unplugged and as we finish one job everything moves to another cluttered space. We chose to work with materials that require up to seventy two hours to dry, cure and otherwise be ready for normal use again. It’s a renovation which includes sanding, cutting, painting, sealing, washing, washing and more washing, Vacuuming and vacuuming, sweeping and sweeping...sleeping on the couch...sleeping in the bedroom...back on the couch...trying to remember where the keys got moved to...oh and where did I put my USB phone charger? (again) and dear...”where did the clean laundry get put?” I have remember the stories my sister told me, my wonderful sister Michelle who fully renovated everyone of the six homes she’s owned and lived in, yep the stories of rocky turmoil...and I decided after the stories from her fourth home, that it would be different for me...and I can assure you it is.
Like choosing a positive thought as the starting point for my day, even though some areas of my life could be easily perceived as nightmarish...even nervous breakdown material, each moment is a choice in where and how I keep my attention and awareness. The madness and mayhem that can infiltrate our lives, whether we consciously choose it or not, can be an opportunity to grow stronger or weaker in character, yet it requires that we be willing to look at things in a good and positive way...that we remember that all things are in a constant state of change and are temporary at best...unless we decide to focus on the worst instead. As long as you have an idea about where it is you are heading in life, are taking daily actions to get there, all the gobbledygook will pass like bad waves on a stormy sea...I know because I’ve been through some pretty bad storms as a child, as a teen and as an adult.
Just like the weather changes we experience outside, good and bad are going to come into our lives and we can be strengthened by those through a good attitude or blown away every time something changes...I admit it is easier to say this in the western world than it is if I lived in a war torn country, or if I lived in a famine region or under the ignorance and brutality of any dictatorship...yes we have it easier here and while we do...let’s learn to be our best and then reach out to those other places with what we have learned and create a better planet, which brings us to today’s lesson on how to be happy in fifteen minutes or less.
Do this activity for at least two minutes; Pick one area of your life where you are presently having difficulty...maybe its money, maybe it’s a relationship issue, maybe it’s the work your doing or not doing that is a source of discomfort or outright pain...it could even be an emotional turmoil in your mind...pick only one for now. Now visualize, sense or feel that area of your life as best as you can at this moment. Now take three slow, deep breaths and as you exhale notice how the tension in your body automatically relaxes...and notice how, to whatever degree, your feelings around what it was you had in your mind as your problems begin to change...no matter how small a change you feel...just notice the change in your feelings. Now recall the problem area again and once more, take another three slow deep breath like before and feel the tension leave your body as you exhale and notice again how the feelings around your area of focus changes. Now recall the problem area one more time and hold it in your mind and this time say the following statement directly to it, in a sincere tone of voice;
“I know you are changing, I’m grateful for this...thank you... I know you are changing, I’m grateful for this...thank you... I know you are changing, I’m grateful for this...thank you.” And observe how what you visualize, sense or feel, changes then recall the problem area and once more and repeat the above statement, sincerely, one more time. The goal here is to notice the quality of the changes in both your mind, your body and in your feelings, as these give you direct evidence that change is occurring within you, which then begins to show up around you in your environment and...
Have a great day!
William
Copyright © 2010 by William Michael Forbes. All rights reserved.
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