We all know how unhealthy anxiety, worry, and fear can be. They are all stress related problems and stress can eat you alive. It's hard for us to relax and to move beyond all the fears, anxiety, and worry and just enjoy life. What makes matters even worse is that they can become a habit as well. Yes, a habit!
Have you ever heard someone say that "If you want to break a habit, make a new habit to replace it"? They may have a good point. Old habits die hard, but we can break away from them. Replacing one habit for another can be a good thing if the habit you are replacing the old habit with is for your own good.
I've been trying a new technique. It's working so far and so I wanted to pass it along to all of you. I read in one of the Dalai Lama's books of mine (I am not a Buddhist) that we should view the world, and everything in it, through the eyes of love and compassion. He said that if we choose to do this we cannot only see the world differently, but also see ourselves differently. How can he be wrong? Think about that for a while.
His words touched me so much that I thought about what he'd said, for a very long time. I realized that I was seeing the world as a scary, threatening place. No wonder I have such anxiety! My panic attacks can be handled, but what lies beneath this surface is a concern; and rightfully so. I've tamed much of my anxieties, but there's still room for improvement.
I, myself, do not believe in organized religion, but I am a very spiritual person. What the Dalai Lama said was so true. After much thought I felt a real enlightenment. It was like I was living my life through jaded glasses and never really knew it. Now that's something, eh? It's as though a lightbulb turned on in my head.
I realized that when I feel love, compassion, and forgiveness I feel so good inside. It just brightens everything. Life is illuminated as opposed to being so dark. We can only feel one emotion at a time so why not choose love as opposed to fear or worry? Since we all have the freedom of choice who would not choose love over all those negative, unhealthy feelings?
Suddenly things were much clearer. In my mind and in my emotions. WOW!! I feel more peace than I have ever had, and I've had much inner peace. Just not like this.
Let's replace fear with love; hatred with compassion; and criticism with forgiveness. OK? Let's just keep giving this concept a real try for a few months and just see what happens. It sure can't hurt and it's much healthier. Let's let go of all negativity. Each time a negative thought runs through your mind replace it with love. It may sound a bit corny to some of you ney sayers, but it's not at all corny. It's how we are supposed to live.
Don't just do this for a short time and then give up. Oh no! Give it a good hard try for at least 4-6 months and see what happens. Did you know that if we do one certain thing for about 21 days it will then become a habit? Tis true. Let's make this a habit. Deal? Deal.
GOALS FOR THE WEEK
Replace all negative thoughts and feelings with love, compassion, and forgiveness.
Pay close attention to ALL negative thoughts and feelings.
INSPIRATION
"You must be the change you wish to see in the world."
~~Mahatma Gandhi~~
"Doubt is a pain too lonely to know that faith is his twin brother."
~~Kalil Gibran~~
"Real power is the soft glow of love inside you working in Synchronicity with everything else."
~~ Scott Pelikan~~
AFFIRMATIONS
I now feel love.
I now feel compassion.
I now feel forgiveness, for myself and for others.
I no longer feel fear.
I see the world through eyes of love.
I deserve all good things.
I am a worthwhile person.
TIPS FOR THE WEEK
Rest your mind and quiet all the mind chatter, this week.
Enjoy some quiet peaceful time by yourself.
Think about the topic of this week's newsletter.
Until next week I wish for you quiet moments and less mind chatter.
Sue
