Emotional—Spiritual Tune-up
Be the change in yourself that you want to see in the world! Gandhi
Here are my thoughts that I wrote in my journal last summer when I noticed that I was very cranky, reactive, and miserable and wondered what choices that I had recently made that led to it. I contemplated how I could change my perspectives and choices so I could feel happier and restore balance to my life. How about for you. Could you use a tune up?
I asked myself, how can I create my life more skillfully? I want to become a doctor to my own mind, emotions, and life.
ü Notice--be aware of--that my present emotional/mental/physical state is the result of the recent choices in my life.
ü When life gets challenging (with lots of busyness, suffering, difficult experiences) then I really need extra meditation, contemplation, and time spent on managing my stress (not less!).
ü Set my daily intention: this is the way I’m going to do it. I’m not creating more separation from myself and others by my choices. ASK: Does this act of body, speech, and mind serve my highest aspirations for my heart and life? It is my intention that you are not going to be harmed by me in any way. It is safe to be with me.
ü Practice stress management techniques. Slow down. Release speed. Allow extra time. Release the need to rush to the next thing. Own my place on the earth. Move slowly throughout the day. Contemplate and celebrate my journey of life!
ü Relax. Observe and allow. Be aware of and stay connected with each of the experiences that I encounter. Pay attention to my reactions to life’s events.
ü Know what enough is. Watch greed (and compulsion) for accomplishment (e-mails, computers, house chores, social activities, etc.). Notice the heaviness of obligation.
ü Ask where’s my heart? I shut off my heart when I live in my head (constant thinking—remembering, planning, and judging).
ü Remember all of stories and identities I have about me and others are not true! Everyone, everything, and myself are in a constant state of change all of the time. There is no solid and unchangeable core in anything. Everything is in flux.
ü Don’t buy into the idea that I need a long retreat or a special environment to get happy (have emotional and mental balance and peace). It can happen in my daily life—IF—I set up the daily patterns and choices for it to manifest!
ü Out of stillness comes awareness, and out of awareness can come right planning that leads to a life that is well lived.
ü Stand up to all circumstances: Retrain the perspective from which anger, despair, frustration, and self-hatred speaks. Change my mind!
ü Let go of the insistence of being “in control.” Allow timing of enfoldment of life’s events.
ü Practice feeling completely contented and peaceful. Ah... ☺
ü ASK: Would I rather be right or happy? Remember, my serenity is inversely proportional to my expectations!
o ASK: Am I happy, peaceful, and contented? Yes/No? If not, what habits or patterns or mind am I cultivating? Notice that attachment to what I want à anger and unhappiness are the result.
o High and unmet expectations lead to impatience and frustrations. When I have lots of desires, wanting to be right or acknowledged, and have attachment to my views and my desired outcomes (“I want or must have…”) I notice that I’m miserable!
o Do I have strong attachment to my projects, views, and perspectives? If I do, what happens to my peace of mind?
ü I’m in charge of making choices, trying things out—making the effort. I’m not in charge of the results or outcomes. When I’m attached to the results, I suffer and am unhappy.
ü Watch caring more for people’s health and well-being than they do! Who is doing the work of making changes? Me or them?
o For perspective, consider the metaphor of looking at a forest floor. You will see trees fallen everywhere, branches, old flowers, shrubs, and leaves all over. They are all in various forms of decay and regeneration to new life forms. So like all of life (humans too) on earth—some falling down, crashing and burning (falling into relapse around harmful behaviors)—going through apparently difficult and chaotic circumstances, there is dying of old ways and regeneration of new forms of life. They are evolving in ways that are right for them!
Perhaps consider too:
Kiss The Earth and Walk as You Touch Peace in Every Moment!
Make Your Mind an Ocean: Become Your Own Therapist!
Out of Hell, Into Freedom Thoughts
Thoughts On Healing and Helping Yourself and Others
What Is Life About? Heart Advice
Turning On The Television: Where Is Your Mind?
On The Spot Stress Managers (new audio relaxation tape)
Overcoming Your Obstacles to Healthful Eating
How to Develop a Loving, Self-Nurturing, Inner Voice For You!