Month: January 2016

Why Might We Like to Perceive in this New Way?

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I have been aware of and studying the principles of Thought, Consciousness and Mind for years.* And, I am just beginning to understand the transformative power of not taking regurgitated thought seriously.

When I remember regurgitated thinking is not reality, but rather just regurgitated thinking, then I’ve allowed an opening in my world for fresh, new thinking. With fresh, new thinking comes opportunities I have only dreamed of. With fresh new thinking comes opportunities I have never dreamed of!

When I remember regurgitated thinking is not reality, I don’t take it seriously and my whole world lightens up. Maybe things aren’t as bad as I think. Maybe I don’t need to worry so much. I might notice that things do truly always work out.

When I remember regurgitated thinking is not reality, it gives me the opportunity to remember that my entire experience of life comes from my thinking and feeling, not from ANY external circumstances.

The landscape of my wonderful life. Focusing on this beauty rather than getting bogged down in the mud - the literal mud and the mud in my mind!

The landscape of my wonderful life. Focusing on this beauty
rather than getting bogged down in the mud – the literal mud
and the mud in my mind!

It frees me up to experience my wonderful life even if I don’t have as much money in the bank as I would like. Or, if I’m tired. Even if I’m cranky. How great is that – to experience my wonderful life even if I’m cranky?!?

Why might we like to perceive in this new way? Maybe because we can stop chasing and immediately access our wonderful life that is always right here. Well, that’s a bit of a new thought . . .

* If you’d like to dive deeper into these principles, I highly recommend Michal Neill’s book, The Inside Out Revolution or Ken Manning, Robin Charbit and Sandra Krot’s book for business, Invisible Power. Better yet, give yourself the gift of reading both.

(Excerpted from my forthcoming book, “Strong from Within: Simple perceptions and practices for returning to the joy of you”)

What If You Didn’t Believe Everything You Heard (in Your Head)?

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Last week we looked at two types of thought: regurgitated thought and inspired thought.

When we don’t distinguish between the two, we tend to give all of our thinking the same weight. When we name regurgitated thought for what it is, we give ourselves the opportunity to take ourselves far less seriously, to quiet our minds and live our lives with far greater contentment and ease.

What if you noticed regurgitated thinking and named it? What if you didn’t engage with it? What if you didn’t heap regurgitated thought about your regurgitated thinking on top of your regurgitated thought? Think about that!

What if you then smiled, took a deep breath and went on with your day? What if your mind then became far quieter? What if you then could more clearly notice and distinguish inspired thought?

What If You Didn’t Believe Everything You Heard (in Your Head)?

The more we become aware of these two types of thought, the less sense regurgitated thought makes. With awareness and without effort on our part, we then tend to have far less regurgitated thought.

What might your life be like if you didn’t believe everything you heard in your head?

(Excerpted from my forthcoming book, “Strong from Within: Simple perceptions and practices for returning to the joy of you”)

How to Elevate Your Thoughts for a Happier Life

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As human beings we have thinking as a distinction from other animals. Most of us clearly understand that our thinking sets us apart. And yet, few of us seem to understand that we have the ability to “think” in two radically different ways.

Most of our thinking is repetitive, regurgitated and anxiety-provoking. Did I lock the house? Why can’t I seem to I get to work on time? My hair looks like hell. What did he mean when he said . . . ? I don’t ever seem to be able to keep track of the money in the account. I don’t want to deal with my mother. I’m sick of . . . When will I get a handle on . . . ? Why can’t I . . . ? How am I doing? There I go again, me with my big mouth. I hate . . . I wish she would . . . Isn’t it ever going to be my turn?
Regurgitated thought.

And then, we have these wonderful, perhaps far too rare, moments of quiet mind. Without the clutter of regurgitated thinking, we suddenly have a brilliant idea. Maybe while taking a shower, hiking through the woods, watching the ocean or playing with the kids or grandkids. Handed to us straight from the Divine. Often eliciting excitement and peace at the same time.
Inspired thought.

My mind tends to settle down and become more spacious when I hang out with the clouds.
My mind tends to settle down and become more spacious when
I hang out with the clouds.

Lest you start to notice regurgitated thinking and start judging yourself for it, simply notice that the judgment is also regurgitated thinking. And smile. Ah, to be human.

Awareness shifts everything. As we become aware of regurgitated thought, it tends to loosen its grip. Awareness helps us refrain from decision-making until our mind quiets. We also naturally tend to move toward more activities that create space for inspired thought.

More spaciousness in our head for inspired thought and less attention on regurgitated thought naturally conspire for a happier life . . .

(Excerpted from my forthcoming book, “Strong from Within: Simple perceptions and practices for returning to the joy of you”)

What Good Life Is Just Beyond Acceptance?

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Earlier this week, I drove to Denver to facilitate a StrengthsFinder team development for one of my coaching clients. As is want to do this time of year, it was snowing and the roads were icy for about the first 45 minutes of my drive.

I could hear the typical conversation in my head about how it would be fine for me to drive in the snow if it weren’t for all the other pesky drivers. And, perhaps because I had only myself to talk to, I reminded myself that the experience of my life is created from within me, not by external circumstances outside of me (those pesky drivers).

So, I decided to accept the other drivers and drove for a few minutes without saying much to myself. And, then I had an insight.

What if I put my focus on my relationship with the road? What if I noticed that I am One with the whole experience – the road, the snow, the other drivers? What if I allowed myself to receive the beauty of the experience?

Instantly my experience shifted from one of stress and tolerating to feeling relaxed and knowing I am always supported. I had a palpable experience of the state of grace in which I live – if I only but notice.

On my drive back from Denver, I was present to the glory of this moment with the majesty of the Spanish Peaks near Walsenburg, Colorado.
On my drive back from Denver, I was present to the glory of this moment with the majesty of the Spanish Peaks near Walsenburg, Colorado.

Maybe 15 minutes later, the traffic thinned and there was no longer snow and ice on the road. And, my awareness of receiving WHAT IS stayed with me throughout the rest of the trip.

(Excerpted from my forthcoming book, “Strong from Within: Simple perceptions and practices for returning to the joy of you”)