As I’ve grown older, and hopefully wiser, I’ve come to realize how important it is for me to change those perceptions that do not serve my happiness, abundance and creativity.
I say perceptions because it’s the way I see things, not what happens that really determines my mental and emotional state. Many of us tend to be particularly hard on ourselves for not meeting some unconscious standard we’ve set for ourselves. Self-forgiveness and self-compassion were not really taught where I grew up so I’ve had to learn the hard way and I happen to know I’m not alone here.
I never questioned the patterns of thought that I lived with all my life until after a life changing loss that devastated me emotionally. It wasn’t until everything fell apart that I even began opening to the very concept of questioning my beliefs about myself, my world view and what’s even possible for me.
Most of us are eventually brought to our knees by life events and even though we tend to see them as disastrous in the moment, those are the times that make it possible for us to make real change in our minds and hearts. Even so, it isn’t easy.
I’ve been consciously working on changing my mind in some way or another for almost 30 years and I’m still at it. It’s a lifelong process and it has become my passion as well. I know how easy it is to slip back into old thought patterns if I’m not vigilant about paying attention to what I’m feeling and thinking every day. That may sound hard but the truth is it’s a whole bunch more rewarding than the alternative.
Learning to kindly and compassionately attend to the pain I experience on a day to day basis is what makes it possible for me to bring true understanding and compassion to others as well. We’re all hurting in some ways and the more we can embrace our pain, be kind to ourselves and become aware of the thoughts and beliefs that are causing the pain the more we can shift our perceptions. Then we are free to see what’s really going on and allow love to flow as well as finding creative ways to deal with any problems or challenges that may arise.
A good way to get started is dealing with unresolved grief. The next group program is starting October 3rd in St. Albert. Check it out, you can’t lose.
It’s a job, but it’s the very best job I’ve ever had!
Namaste
