DEFINING MOMENTS

         DEFINING MOMENTS

The caterpillar goes about its business, and lives the life that it knows, the life of the caterpillar. At some point in its life, it begins to build a cocoon around itself. It closes itself off from the outside world for a little while... closes itself off from outside influences and opinions. And while it is inside the darkness, it becomes acquainted with its true self, and out of this true self, without anything being added from the outside, without any special education from the external, comes the butterfly!

We each have within us the potential of greatness! To be someone totally unique with amazing and specific talents. There comes a time in our lives when we must choose. Whether to be what circumstances, opportunities or the lack thereof, and those around us say we should be, or... we can become still, and listen. Seek within ourselves and discover the unequaled person we are meant to be. It's a DEFINING MOMENT in our life!

SLEEPING OR AWAKE?

  SLEEPING OR AWAKE?

A Native American elder said recently,"Everybody's hurrying but nobody's going anywhere. People aren't living they're only existing. They're growing away from spiritual realities. These days people seek knowledge, not wisdom. Knowledge is of the past; wisdom is of the future. We're in an age now where people are slumbering. They think they're awake, yet they're really sleeping. But this is a dangerous age, the most dangerous in human history. People need to wake up."

We have become a people who let the media, politicians and celebrities tell us not only what we should think but also how we should feel about any given issue. We are discouraged to think for ourselves. We are told to be politically correct. If we think for ourselves we may have a different opinion and that may make others feel uncomfortable. 

I believe that out of discomfort comes growth, strength and greater understanding. Think your own thoughts. Begin by stepping away of the hurried rush of life. Slow down, practice gentleness and through simply being, you experience your own thoughts, gain balance and become whole. 

WHY ARE YOU DOING THAT?

WHY ARE YOU DOING THAT?

In learning to control our own brain, it's important to understand why we do what we do. A significant aspect of that is what motivates you. What is it that gets us to do the things we want to do and the things we must do but maybe don't really want to do? That would be motivation. 

As human beings, the way our brain works is, we are motivated in one of two ways. We are either motivated by moving 'toward' something we desire / want or we are motivated by moving 'away' from something we don't want / desire and are seeking to avoid. Some people are motivated to get up out of bed and get to work to 'avoid' being fired from their job. Other individuals are motivated to get up and get going because they look forward to the work they do. Some people buy flowers for a significant other on their birthday to 'avoid' an argument for having forgotten or disappointing them. Others buy flowers for their significant other because they love to see the surprise in their face or enjoy the feeling of making them happy.

Take control of your brain by becoming aware of how you are motivated. Then start choosing how you will be motivated. Assess the different areas of your life. How are you currently being motivated? Are you moving 'toward' something desired or 'away' from something feared or undesirable? Negative motivation robs our creativity and reduces our quality of life. We can change the nature of motivation by changing our thinking. Maybe you don't like your job, but you enjoy the freedom the paycheck gives you. Explore that area as a beginning to a shift in motivation. The moving 'toward' motivation is most powerful and continually opens new vistas in life. It gives you greater flexibility and control in your life. 

So, WHY ARE YOU DOING THAT?