desertwind

By Guy Finley 

Allowing the rushed state of another person to push you into an anxious state of mind is like letting the horse you're about to ride convince you to wear the saddle!

A man who doesn't know his true identity does not know that he doesn't really know. The fact that he is confused, frightened and still searching for himself remains almost totally unsuspected by him because he has unknowingly assumed a false identity.

This temporary, false self feels real because it is animated and driven along by the man's reactions as he seeks himself. The fact that this lower nature is driven does not mean it is alive. A bulldozer rolls along too, but it cannot see or understand why it smashes into things. It is a machine. So, in many ways, is the false self.

The false self is fueled by negative emotional reactions which, in turn, are kept firing by habitual incorrect thinking. The very existence of the false self depends on keeping you off balance and looking in the wrong direction. Start seeing through its games by learning to let go of all the familiar but self-abandoning answers it wants you to believe in. Own your own life. Use the following special exercise for Higher Self-Recovery.

For True Self-Command Just Stop, Look, and Listen
The internal crimes of the false self routinely go on unchecked. This is why, if we ever want to arrest this inner thief of real life, we must learn to STOP, LOOK, and LISTEN. This inner-exercise for true self-command is guaranteed to shut down the covert answers and operation of the false self.

The next time that you are feeling anxious -- or afraid or worried about a problem you are facing -- before you do anything: STOP, LOOK, and LISTEN.

Remember that the false self is never far away when you are feeling bad. It knows that once it can get you running in the direction of its choice, sheer momentum will do the rest of its work. That is why you come to a STOP first. Dare to defy the inner-shouts that are trying to spur you on. Don't give them any authority. They are just noises; bad ones at that. Treat them as such.

Then LOOK. But be sure to look in the right direction. This is critical. Look at what is talking to you, not where it is pointing. This way you won't ever be fooled again and sent on another wild goose chase. So take a real good look. If it is an anxious or unhappy feeling that you are looking at, quietly determine from your own understanding that no negative state is interested in ending itself. This will help you to take the third and last step.

Now LISTEN. If you have done the first two steps correctly, you will soon witness the false self start having a fit. Let it rage. That is all it can do. It has no power. Its only strength was in your past ignorance of just how truly powerless it was. Just remain right there, inwardly alert and attentive. Your work is done. In the past you might have let these deceptive dark feelings guide you, but now you see through their tricks. In time their roar will dwindle to a whimper and then completely disappear.

You now know that for the first time in your life you have won a true victory for yourself. At last you have deposited something of true value in the most important bank of all -- the bank of your own understanding. And believe me, this account pays interest of the Highest kind.

And what about that nagging personal problem? To your great relief you will discover that it wasn't at all what the false self was trying to make you believe. The problem you are left to solve, assuming one still exists after this lying lower nature has been thrown out, doesn't even resemble the fearsome giant that had been stalking you earlier. The false self can throw terrifying shadows but now you can cast Inner Light. There is no contest.

Top Ten Tips: How to Let Go a Little" by Alexandra Watson:

1. Give yourself permission
2. Know that letting go doesn't mean losing out
3. Stop saying, "but what if"
4. Have faith that your destiny will be great
5. Focus on what you already have
6. Share the load with a willing person
7. If you cannot control or change it, forget it
8. Accept your limitations
9. Forgive and forget
10. Enjoy and cherish the moment

By Lori Radun

With each changing season, it's a time to reflect on the past and make plans for the future. The seasons of the year can be compared to various cycles of our life. When I think of spring, it reminds me of new growth, opening up, and coming out into the world. Summer is time for sunshine and playtime - many of us vacation and enjoy fun activities. Fall marks change and preparation for the colder months. As winter approaches, our focus shifts to warmth and indoor pastimes like blazing fires, board games and snuggling.

Not every corner of the world enjoys the dramatic shifts in the seasons, but we can all use the changing seasons as a way to purge the old and start fresh. Use this six step process at the end of each season and transform yourself and your life in new and exciting ways.

1. Clear Out the Old
Old what? Get rid of old clothes you and other family members no longer wear. Throw out or donate old items you do not use. Clearing out the old involves a process of decluttering every aspect of your life. Not only should you declutter your environments, but also your relationships and yourself as well. What old patterns or beliefs no longer serve you? What old behaviors or habits interfere with your goals in life? It's time to cast them out of your life. What relationships in your life are you struggling with? Maybe there are old arguments that need to be put to rest, or old feelings that need to be resolved. By purging the old, you make room for new growth to take place.

2. Take Time to Rejuvenate
End and begin each new season with a getaway that refreshes you physically, emotionally and spiritually. Take a long weekend by yourself or with a special person that fills you up. Do things you don't normally do for yourself. I recently spent a three day weekend with my mom - just the two of us. We shopped, talked over tea, and watched movies. One day we stopped for a manicure and luxurious pedicure. For me, it was like heaven to sit in a huge massage chair with my feet dipped in warm, bubbly water. Taking time to rejuvenate gives you energy and a fresh outlook on life.

3. Reorganize Your Life
Organization does wonders for your life. It simplifies, energizes and generally makes life run smoother. Take a look around your home. What needs better organization? Cabinets, drawers and closets are usually an excellent place to start. I recently reorganized my office. I rearranged the furniture, added more storage, updated my filing system and hung new pictures on the walls. For me, it helps me gear up for a busy speaking season and clears my mind to create new ideas. Reorganization can also involve creating new routines in your life. Now is the time to introduce a morning routine, chore routine, after school routine or any other new routine that would help manage your life.

4. Try on a New Focus
With a new season comes an opportunity to try new things or focus on something different. The purpose of this process is to grow and stretch you in ways that will bring about positive change in your life. Pick an area in yourself that you would like to develop. Perhaps you'd like to learn a new skill or take up a new hobby. Maybe you're tired of living in fear and you'd like to cultivate courage. Perhaps your marriage could benefit from better communication or conflict resolution skills. This season another coaching peer and I have decided to work through a book together that will help each of us examine our personal relationship with money. Whatever it is, make a commitment to educate yourself, engage in personal discovery, and mature in your new focus.

5. Renew Commitments
Do you have commitments you've made to yourself or other people that have fallen by the wayside? Commitments to be on time, exercise regularly, eat healthier, and stop procrastinating are all examples of promises that can be renewed. We don't have to wait for a new year - a new season (or any other time, for that matter) is an excellent time to start anew. What commitments did you keep last season that you want to continue? I kept a very detailed and organized work schedule that significantly helped balance my life. I am committing to continue that in the new season. Take time to think about your life and the intentions you want to set for the coming season.

6. Set Goals
How do we incorporate all these new changes into our life? We set goals that enable us to reorganize, recommit, and refocus on growth. Looking ahead to the end of this next season, what would you like to accomplish by then? Make a list of 3-5 goals to focus on for the new season. Make your goals specific. I want to organize all my closets. Your goals should be measurable. I want to lose weight vs. I want to lose 20 pounds. Set goals that are reasonable and achievable. Ask yourself if your goals are realistic. Anticipate any obstacles that may stand in the way of achieving your goals - make plans to conquer those obstacles. Lastly, make sure your goals are time-oriented. Set an exact date your goals will be attained. By setting goals and mapping out the tasks it will take to accomplish these goals, you are increasing your chances of creating what you want.

The changing season is a new beginning - an opportunity to recreate your life.