It's funny the way life works, in that, issues that require our attention are sometimes brought about by an event in our lives, or something we read, or something we hear. The topic hits a nerve and suddenly we recognize (not always) its effect on us. We notice that it bothers us. Many times we ignore it. It's when we look at it and evaluate it that we can initiate change and promote growth.
Recently, two events have given me the capacity to try and be aware of those moments and to act upon them. I attended a Science of Mind group yesterday that allowed me some insight as to how to use those moments to heal and grow. The facilitator of the group spoke about one form of meditation called Shambala. Shambala is a liberal form of meditation, in that, there are not rigid rules to adhere to. The focus is on your breathing. Any time a thought distracts you from focusing on your breathing, you immediately forget the thought and return your focus to your breathing. What this accomplishes is, a place away from your thoughts back to your breathing. You come to a state of quiet. The resultant awareness is that your thought or thoughts have no power over you. Thus, if you have a thought that continuously hounds you, if you will, you can just stop and concentrate on your breathing to dispel the annoying thought. You can do it with any thought that is habitual or disconcerting.
My second awareness came from a book I am reading. The author speaks about our "sick side and our healthy side." It his his premise that "there is a part of us, however small, that wants us to grow." Likewise, there is a part of us, however small, that does not want us to exert ourselves, that clings to the old and familiar, fearful of any change or effort, desiring comfort at any cost and absence of pain at any price, even if the penalty be ineffectiveness, stagnation, or regression." Knowing this, we are faced with this question, which side will we nurture?
Ultimately, each one of us decides because we are all always growing. Understanding our choices is empowering. Since my transplant, and after seriously looking at my life for answers to many questions, I learned the necessity for changing habits. And, I have learned to be grateful for the ability to change. So, with that I leave you with a quote I recently read:
"First we form habits, then they form us. Conquer your bad habits or they will conquer you!"
Have an empowered week...