Awaken the Genie Within

Living It Over and Over Again

Lately I've been hearing a similar theme with my clients. They experience something in their life one, two or maybe three times, and even though the situation is over they are still living it over and over again - often hundreds of times - and sometimes for years.

How do they do that? By visiting it again and again in their minds. By speaking about it as though it were still happening. If you went through an experience with someone or several people and it hurt you physically or emotionally, the more you relive it in your mind, the more you get to re-experience it as though it were still happening.

Maybe you were just the observer of a situation and it made you uncomfortable or angry. Once you've removed yourself from being there, it's over for you. Unless, of course, you're allowing yourself to live it over and over again in your mind.

Every time you relive upsetting past experiences, you keep yourself from moving forward and allowing for the possibility that something different can show up for you or for all the people involved. You set up an energy within that doesn't allow for any change to take place. You have created your own prison and until you choose a new thinking that serves your higher good, it's as though you've thrown away the key that unlocks the prison door.

Take an honest look at how many times you may be reliving those upsetting experiences in your life. Perhaps it never occurred to you that every time you go back to one of them in your mind, that you're the only one in the moment whose causing you pain, not the other person or people involved in the experience. The pain you're feeling is truly self-inflicted.

Personally, I believe you deserve to treat yourself better than that!

 

A Lesson From Basketball

I am a huuuuuge basketball fan and in my wildest dreams I never thought I'd hear a basketball announcer say something that is in complete alignment with my philosophy in life and something I emphasize over and over again in my coaching practice.

During a Los Angeles Lakers basketball game the announcer was talking about a particular player who always has a good time, whether he's on the bench or on the court - Ronny Turiaf. He talked about the fact that there are players in the league who only focus on what's going wrong during a game. Why things aren't working. But Ronny isn't one of them. He's the player that looks at what is working. And it's that enthusiasm and attitude that can bring out the best in his teammates and help them shift their mindset to make the changes necessary to improve their situation.

To watch Ronny on the bench is as much fun as to watch him on the court. It doesn't seem to matter how ridiculous he may look. Whatever joy he's feeling, he's going to show it. Whatever encouragement needs to be given he's giving it - including to himself! It's obvious he loves life and he's looking for what is working in the moment.

Life, like basketball, is a game to be played when you're willing to step onto the court and play full out. No, you're not always going to make all your shots. And sometimes there's going to be bumps and bruises along the way to making your shots. But the more you continue to focus on what is working instead of what's wrong, the more shots your going to make and the more fun you're going to have in the process.

Why not take a few moments right now to list everything that is working in your life. And remember, it's not just about the big 3 point shots, the easy layups are just as significant.

Arguing With Reality

I'm always tickled when I find myself doing exactly what I work on with clients. It reminds me that I've still got a lifetime of growth to do and I'm always a work in progress! Today I wasn't able to connect to the internet or check emails. When I spoke with my Internet Service Provider they determined it wasn't on their end but an issue with my router.

"That's not possible," I said. "I just went through a complete overhaul with them a month ago."
"Well, it may not be possible in your mind, but in reality, that's exactly what the problem is," he replied.

I sat in silence, taking in his comment for a second and then thought to myself, "Oh yeah! Reality. I'm arguing with reality and that's not going to get this issue resolved."
He was kind enough to get me on the line with the router company. After an hour of doing all sorts of technical stuff with them, the Internet was up and running once again.

This incident reminded me that no matter how much I argue with reality, there it is, standing firm in its position, still staring me in the face. Always waiting patiently and lovingly for me to align my Being with it. And every time I do, it's easier for me to take the necessary action to create a new reality for myself. Even if that means just shifting my emotional energy so I feel better when there's nothing I can do to change the physical reality.

I invite you to notice how often you argue with reality. The more you argue, the more stressed your life becomes. When you accept the reality you're faced with for the moment, you can allow in feelings of peace, patience or understanding. And with those feelings it's easier to move forward in your life and create a reality you prefer - emotionally and/or physically.

Hearing the Broadcast and Taking Action

While attending my spiritual church of Agape on Sunday, Reverend Michael shared a wonderful story that I'd like to share with you. He was talking about hearing the broadcasts we receive that shows up as that still, small voice within. And not just hearing it, but taking the action that it will often invite us to do.

About a week ago he was in pain due to swelling in his throat. As he lay in bed surrendering to God and asking for support to ease his pain, his phone rang - it was his 4 year old grandson. Prior to making the call, his grandson was taking a bath, and in the middle of the bath he told his mom that he needed to "call Papa right now." Mom dried him off and let him do so.

Reverend Michael picked up the phone and the next thing he heard was, "Papa, you have my heart. I just wanted to tell you, you have my heart." With tears in his eyes, he felt the love of God through his grandson and his pain eased immediately. He knew that God had reached him via his grandson and because 4 year olds are so open to hearing the messages and taking action, he was able to fulfill the need in a magnificent way.

How often do you hear that voice within and ignore it because of a multitude of reasons you tell yourself? It's too silly. I'm too embarrassed. I'm too busy right now. I'm sure he or she doesn't want to be disturbed. I'm in the middle of a bath!

Next time you hear the broadcast, think less and act more. You just might be the messenger for a higher Source in the moment.

Your Thoughts, Your Stress

I'm working on some big opportunities for my business and something became crystal clear to me the other day - depending on the thoughts whirling around in my mind, I'm either stressed or relaxed about the possibilities in front of me. Now I know this sounds obvious, but the fact is, more times than not, we believe the actual circumstance is what causes the stress - not true.

First of all, when a circumstance hasn't even happened yet, how could it be the reason for your stress? It can't. Only the way you think about it can. The same is true when you think back on situations that didn't turn out the way you had hoped. The stress is only there because of your thoughts. When you honestly release the thoughts that aren't serving you, you can't possibly still be in stress.

I played with this a lot over the last few days and saw how easy it was to feel the stress building in me when I held onto my Gremlin thoughts. Each time I brought myself back into the present moment, starting with my breathing, all the stress went away. Then I chose to take an action that I believed would support my future plans or an action that gave me the opportunity to relax for a bit.

Now, if you're thinking you're stressed because there's too much on your plate, well, the same holds true. You're not stressed because of a full plate, you're stressed because of your thoughts about that full plate. Write it all down on paper to release it from your mind/body. Then start doing one thing at a time from your list, without thinking about the next thing you have to do. I promise you, the stress won't be there. If you believe what you're doing in the moment is causing you stress, it's not. The way you're thinking about it, is!

As simple as this information is, it can lead to a very powerful awakening. And when you grasp the concept at a deep level and practice it, you get to live stress free!

Radio Show

Just wanted to put a quick post up letting you know I am a guest  on the Cassandra McShepard radio show in Milwaukee, WI on Wednesday, April 2nd to discuss my book Awaken The Genie Within and a multitude of other things to help you quiet your Gremlin and wake up your Genie! We'll be chatting for 1 1/2 hours.

If you're in the Milwaukee area you can listen on your radio - WMCS 1290 AM.
Outside of Milwaukee you can listen on the internet at http://www.1290wmcs.com/

1:30-3pm EST, 12:30-2pm CST, 11:30-1pm MST, 10:30-12pm PST

The host does take caller questions and comments so feel free to call in!
Studio call-in line - 414-799-1290