Symptoms Of Inner Peace

  1. A tendency to think and act spontaneously, rather than from fears based on past experiences.

  2. An unmistakable ability to enjoy each moment.

  3. A loss of interest in judging others.

  4. A loss of interest in judging self.

  5. A loss of interest in conflict.

  6. A loss of interest in interpreting the actions of others.

  7. A loss of ability to worry.

  8. Frequent overwhelming episodes of appreciation.

  9. Contented feelings of connectedness with others and with nature.

  10. Frequent attacks of smiling through the heart.

  11. Increasing susceptibility of love extended by others, as well as the uncontrollable urge to extend it.

  12. An increasing tendency to let things happen, rather than to manipulate them and make them happen.

Contributed by Saskia Davis as shared by Center for Attitudinal Healing

Clearing Out Your Mental Attic

While many people have been busy creating their New Years resolutions, this year I find myself doing exactly the opposite. For the past few months I have been clearing out the physical stuff and clutter I've accumulated in my life and my home. I've taken books to the used bookstore, clothing and bedding to the local shelter, given my daughter all those things I've saved for her over the years, and thrown out things I just never got around to fixing or repairing.

Along the way, something interesting happened. As I began to get more room in my own life, I discovered a freshness to my thinking. And as I thought about this more, I began to wonder how much mental clutter I was carrying around.

Just as carrying around a backpack full of books takes a certain amount of energy, the same is true when we carry around old thoughts, beliefs, and ideas. Scientists have found that ideas have a kind of weight or pressure. And all thoughts require energy to maintain.

We are most creative, loving and responsive when we're in the moment. If we're thinking about what we should have said, what we haven't finished, or worrying about what we're supposed to do tomorrow, it's almost impossible to be available for what's happening in our lives right now. When we're worrying or upset about something that happened at work, we're too distracted to really be with our family or friends.

What was that dream or idea you had when you were in high school or college that you now realize you're never going to accomplish? How about that promise you've been making for the last five years that you never get around to starting? Or that great idea you started working on a few years ago that got stuck so you put it away "temporarily"? Or that belief you adopted as you looked at the world from 5 or 12 or 17 year-old eyes? Every one of these requires attention on some level of consciousness. And that means energy that's being taken away from the present. Maybe it's time to give ourselves a break and let go of some of those old ideas that we've been dragging around.

When I was a child I wanted to be a school teacher. Due to circumstances, I was unable to complete college, even though I kept at it for several years. At some point I realized I was probably not going to finish college, and therefore, would probably never be a school teacher, so I reluctantly decided to let that dream go. Imagine my surprise a couple of years later when I realized I had actually fulfilled my original intent: I had become a trainer for the State of California, and although I wasn't teaching children, I was actually getting paid a lot more to teach adults. Letting go of the original dream allowed me to follow the opportunities present in my life, and my love of sharing ideas resurfaced in a different (and much more satisfying) way.

Now I've never been one to write New Year's resolutions. I think it's valuable to review periodically where I am and what I'm up to, but for me that's an ongoing process. I especially like to do this around my birthday, when my personal "New Year" starts.

So this year, instead of adding more obligations to my life, I decided to purposely examine and let go of the "unfinished projects" and outdated beliefs cluttering up my mental attic. Just like a too-small sweater, some I can simply look at and know they no longer fit (like I'm never going to be a professional dancer). Some I need to examine a little more closely to see if they fit my current lifestyle, direction, needs and wants. And the ones in the trunk by the window? Who knows, they could be full of moth holes, or end up being the perfect compliment to what I'm doing right now. But first I need to examine them to find out.

What about the ones that we feel obligated to hold on to? Well, dust them off and take a good look. If they still "fit", then bring them back out into the light of day and use them. If they don't, and you're uncomfortable simply tossing them, ask yourself, what do I need to change about them, or what do they need in order to be complete? Even a commitment you made can be renegotiated, so ask yourself honestly what's the cost to continue dragging around something that's lost its usefulness? If it's a weight and an obligation, take care of it and free up that energy!!

The quickest way to energize yourself is by first giving away or releasing the old ideas that no longer serve you. This creates the room for you to expore new ideas and opportunities through classes, books, and people. Ask yourself if the thoughts, feelings, beliefs, and ideas you are carrying around energize you or feel like a burden. If they're a burden, get rid of them!! Don't even worry about changing them – toss them out and you'll have room for ones that support you better.

Remember, as one door closes, another opens. And in our busy lives, even the busiest of us only has room for a certain number of open doors at any one time.

© 1999 Katie Darden

Developing the Inner Environment for Success

Empowering Vision

What makes success? Intelligent self-management. We are ongoing creation, and as we think, we make our lives. Out of our thoughts we make our lives. Out of our thoughts we unfold our lives, know it or not, like it or not, with success the reward of intelligent self-management.

How do you intelligently manage yourself? Know yourself. If you don't really know yourself-what you want, what matters, your limits and boundaries, choose to do so now. Knowing ourselves is challenging.

We haven't been supported to do so. Rather, we've been taught what to think, what not to think, and especially not how to think for ourselves.

Therefore, we are dysfunctional. We don't respect. We destroy and pretend we aren't, think we're getting away with something, and wonder why we're anxious. Together we create this bizarre even scary world that we must understand and accept as it is to live in it successfully.

The key is to manage yourself. In your relationships, you are ongoing creation. Therefore, understand and manage the creative power of your mind-perception thought and feeling-with the content and quality of your life. Listen to yourself thinking. Hear the quality of your thoughts and the works you use. Feel what these do to you and see how you create your life. This isn't "airy-fairy." It's not woo-woo. It's true.

Understand the power of thought and you're free to create the life you want. Accept what you can't change, and change what you can't accept, as Alcoholics Anonymous, teaches, and be empowered. It's that simple. Be clear, steadfast and patient. This isn't especially spiritual, It's simply good sense for everyone who wants a more fulfilling life.

Self-management is key

Know how to organize and plan. Manage the flow of your intention into activities that make sense and unfold a rewarding and fun life. If you don't know how, learn and do it; or you'll never feel the fulfillment you want.

Go within yourself to determine what is true for you. Think only what is true. Speak only what is true. Back up what you say. Do only what is true. If you resist or feel afraid, get quiet and go within, get right with yourself, and make the appropriate adjustments. You'll know what to do. The answers are within you, and only you know what is right for you. Your are constantly choosing your life, know it or not, like it or not. So it makes good sense to choose only what you feel secure with.

Manage your mind. Understand the creative power of beliefs and thoughts, especially limited ones charged with emotion. Be certain that what guides you also upholds you.

Manage your thoughts. Think only what is true and choose accordingly. Don't indulge in futile, limited, fearful or blaming thoughts. Manage your life by managing your mind. Think only about what you want. Figure out how to get it and think, choose and feel your way to success.

Monitor your thoughts, allowing only accurate, supportive ones. Reject all limiting thoughts. Respect yourself in all you do. Guide your life with clarity and wisdom, understand the basics of success, and vitalize your life with power.

Every system must be carefully organized to provide a strong, reliable base for expansion. Therefore, sequence all your activities wisely, and process details efficiently and on time. Understand how to gain the most, utilizing the least amount of precious time, energy and money. I'm not advocating getting something for nothing, but intelligent self-management. Maintain accurate records, manage your finances, and pay all taxes on time.

In one simple question, define success, then get quiet, close your eyes; visualize how you really want to live, and what you want to change. Be clear and respect yourself in all you do.

Envision what you want. Be specific, set realistic goals, devise a plan, and stay with it until you succeed. Olympic winners do.

Focus on success. Go for what you want. Get support, go for it and give it all you have. Give yourself success. Give yourself nothing less.

Our human population has reached the size, at which the sum of individual dysfunction is powerful enough to create an unprecedented imbalance, imposing consequences we don't like. We can't stop change, nor does it make sense to even try. But we can change the future we're heading for now by changing ourselves and what does not serve, everyday.

Manage your life. Assume that everything has happened to develop you and build your strength. Understand your world.

Assume life is intelligent, and see the value in everything.

How you live is your choice. Whenever you are unhappy with something, change it. Change what doesn't work.

Don't demand others to change, and resist changing yourself. If you expect me to change, without changing, and I am doing the same, no one changes. We're both unhappy and life is bleak. But as more of us consciously create our lives the world will become a better place. A safer place.

To assure change, align with others and exchange support. Create a core team of mutually caring and respectful people who gladly communicate through confusion to clarity. Meet, get real, share your dreams, listen to each other and help each other succeed. Get good at being open with others, and at giving and receiving support to each other and help each other succeed.

Develop a larger community for exchanging support. There is strength in numbers. Share your visions and goals, determine how to support each other, and how to hold each other accountable. Enjoy. Live the life you feel in your heart. Focus on what you want, allow no negative voice to reign, and give yourself ultimate security for a fulfilled life.

Do you have anything better to do?

© 1997, Marianne Weildlein

Reclaiming Our Health

Exploding the Medical Myth and Embracing the Source of True Healing

Book Summary

You may remember John Robbins from his previous book, Diet for a New America. If not, give yourself a real treat and read both books plus if you have some time try and read the venus factor diet reviews. John Robbins is a scion of the Baskin-Robbins ice cream empire who gave it all up to follow his own beliefs. He is the founder and guiding force of Earthsave.

 

Reclaiming Our Health was a real eye opener for me. I have realized for some time that MDs are good at dealing with emergency and trauma, but not so good at handling a lot of chronic conditions. This book explores the reasons for this phenomenon.


The author starts with issues of women's health, focusing on midwifery and its appalling persecution by the AMA and other medical groups, as well as the patriarchal attitudes women encounter in the areas of menstruation, pregnancy and childbirth, hysterectomies, menopause and other aspects of their physical and emotional well-being.


Moving right along, John Robbins deals with the medical monopoly jealously guarded by the AMA, and explores the alternatives offered by other types of health practitioners. He offers some appalling stories, as well as some inspiring ones, regarding the treatment of cancer.

 

In summing up, he shows the possibilities of partnership between MDs and the tao of badass other types of practitioners. He encourages us to take responsibility for our well-being and to help create a world in which people get the kind of care they need from a variety of sources.

© 1997 Mary Stanleigh

This book is available through Amazon.com. To find out more, click below:

Reclaiming our Health: Exploding the Medical Myth and Embracing the Sources of true Health
John Robbins and Marianne Williamson