Friday, May 1, 2009

a simple five-step strategy

Can I call this a homework for the weekend? Well, not the kind of homework we used to have back when we're still at school. This one is different. I know a lot of us have more free time in the weekend. At least in the mornings of our weekend, we still can have time to reflect what we have done on the previous days of the week. I love just doing nothing on Saturday and Sunday morning with a cup of warm coffee. Just sit quietly and think about yourself and nothing else. Don't you think it's good when we actually have time for our self? Not in egoistic kind of "me-time", but more into the time we can use to look deep inside ourselves and just ask one simple question to the soul within you: "how are you?". Trust me you'll feel the nice feeling inside you. It's like someone has been taking care of you really well and knowing that you're not alone. It's just you, your heart and your mind. A perfect combination. Here's what my homework means. I want to try doing the points below. The author said that it is possible to change your life instantly. Sometimes it's helpful to put yourself in others' shoes so that you will not have aclosed mind. You will be able to know how it feels when you're standing in their position. Wanna know what those points are? My fave is point 2 which is to get a different perspective. So, here they are, a simple five-step strategy for changing your life in an instant...

1. Still the Mind Chatter. A good way to get started stilling the chatter is to sit quietly and concentrate on your breathing. You might also want to light a candle or put on some soft, relaxing music in the background. Tune in to your body as you breathe deeply and slowly. Concentrate on how your lungs feel as they fill up with life-giving air. As you exhale, imagine all worry and tension leaving your body. Do this for several minutes.

2. Get a Different Perspective. As you continue breathing and relaxing, begin to look at the situation or upset from different points of view . Look at it from the other person's point of view. What might be going on with them? Is this typical behavior or a reoccurring situation? What in their life might be causing this kind of result?Then, look at it from a God's-Eye, bigger picture point of view. A good way to do this is to pretend you're a writer and this is part of the story you've written. What would be the purpose of putting these characters into this situation? How might going through this experience change them?

3. State Your Intention. Once you have looked at different perspectives, decide what you want instead. How do want things to be? How do you want to feel?

4. Take Inspired Action. Follow through with any inner guidance you receive. If you get a hunch or any kind of inner urging, follow its lead. That's your intuition, your Soul nudging you into action.
5. Give Thanks. Stay in gratitude that what you ask IS already done. Look for things to appreciate about where you are, yourself, and any other people involved.When you change your perception, you change your life. Making the shift from fear to love using this simple strategy paves the way for miracles.


(source from selfgrowth.com - images from justbesplendid.tumblr)

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

One of the things I learned in therapy was quiet meditation with concentration on breathing. It's a coping technique for panic attacks and high anxiety. I like the idea of putting yourself in the shoes of the writer.

boya arsila said...

I'd love to learn how to meditate..in fact since a long time ago i wanted to learn yoga but too bad I still don't have time to do it..but I'm sure someday I'm gonna do it..

Anonymous said...

I never really got into yoga. I prefer to do some stretching every day. It's kind of the same idea I guess. I was (am?) a big fitness fanatic so I know my muscles well. Meditation is whatever you make it to be honest. It's just sitting quietly and concentrating on one thing to keep your mind from racing through your stressful day. That's why people chant, it's to focus. I kind of do a walking meditation when I'm in the forest. I concentrate on the trees and wind blowing, and that clears my mind!

boya arsila said...

I always do that everytime I went on My vacation house on the mountain side..clearing up My mixed mind by just looking at the trees,feel the cool wind and just look up the sky..feels so good. It's like having nothing to be worried about and that makes Me appriciate nature more.

Anonymous said...

So you DO know how to meditate!

boya arsila said...

Really Rain..? Well, I'm gonna do that more often=)

Anonymous said...

I think we often think of meditation as monks with robes on, chanting in a circle with candles lit. At least that's the image I get. But it's really self-reflection. If you sit and look at the trees and sky, and it helps you to shake off the racing mind, to focus on life and self, then that's what you're doing. I had a hard time accepting that I didn't fall into some kind of spiritual coma while I was meditating! It's a personal thing, and it sure feels good doesn't it?