Thursday, July 31, 2008
Fear:Facing the Demon Head on
Most of us face fear from time to time…if not most of the time. It can paralyze us and prevent us from reaching our goals and objectives. The worst thing about fear is that when we focus on it, we create more obstacles in our path.
Most of the time I can fight the demon myself…but every now and then I have to remind myself how to do so. In a book called Dune there is the following passage: ““Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it is gone past me I will turn to see fear’s path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain.”
For months I had these words taped to my bathroom mirror where I could read it every day. Ultimately reading it every day isn’t a great solution, but it did lead to a couple of practices that minimize fear and set me on the path to freedom of fear and better yet attracting what I really want in my life.
Practice number 1: Gratitude. Every night, instead of counting sheep or something equally unattractive, I review the experiences of my day for which I am grateful. These can be anything from a terrific conversation to an incredible bowl of ice cream. The list calms me, and puts me in a good frame of mine for sleep. In fact, I usually fall asleep before I finish – way more effective than sheep counting.
Practice number 2: A rampage of appreciation. I’d like to tell you that I thought up this term myself, but I didn’t – I learned it from the work of Esther Hicks and her practices discussed in her book Ask and It Is Given. As soon as I open my eyes in the morning, I begin listing everything I appreciate. This is a little different than gratitude. For example… I usually awake to a paw on my face. One or other of my gorgeous Maine Coon cats decides that it’s time for me to get going. So my first appreciation is for the furry face that wakes me up. Next I usually appreciate my room and the green trees outside my window. As my day starts and the list evolves, my mindset is a positive one and there is no time for fear.
We each have a choice – live with fear or try new things to set it on its way!
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Moving the Peanut Forward
Why is it that some people succeed in overcoming some impossible obstacles while others get side tracked and distracted?
My theory is that in order to meet your goals and the expectations you set for yourself, you need to maintain momentum. The key is to ask yourself every day “What do I need to do today, to push that peanut forward.”
When you read my peanut theory, do you imagine an executive in a suit on their hands and knees pushing a peanut with their nose?
It doesn’t matter who you are. Everyone gets overwhelmed from time to time. Being in a state of overwhelm can lead to fear and then a feeling of helplessness and lack of control over our lives. In order to emerge from this cloud of doom, just think of one thing for today that will move you (and the peanut) ahead. After only a few days you will begin to emerge from overwhelm and be back in control.
A good friend recently called to ask for advice. She was totally paralyzed by the idea of moving out of her home of 37 years. She has an amazing view and that is certainly hard to leave behind, but 37 years of living also has a way of filling every nook and cranny and the idea of moving anywhere becomes an oppressive task. With the peanut theory in mind, my friend reported a few weeks later that she was able to move into action and sustain the momentum. Every morning as she got up to face the possible projects of the day she asked herself “What do I need to do move the peanut forward”. She was the inspiration for writing this “ism” – she insisted that I share this bit of wisdom
