Meeting Conflict With An Open Heart
Conflict is part of our lives because our beliefs and modes of being often differ powerfully with those of our loved ones, acquaintances, and associates. For all the grief these disagreements can cause, we can learn much from them. How we handle ourselves when confronted with anger or argument demonstrates our patience and the quality of our energy status. To resolve conflict we need to approach our adversary with an open heart filled with compassion. Judgments and blame must be replaced with mutual respect. Conflict is frequently motivated by unspoken needs masked by confrontational attitudes or aggressive behavior. When we greet conflict with love and acceptance in our hearts, we empower ourselves to discover a means to attaining collective resolution. The key to finding the wisdom in conflict ask yourself why you clash with a particular person or situation. Your inner self may be trying to point you to a specific life lesson, so try to keep your eyes and ears open. Once you have explored the internal and external roots of your disagreement, make the conscious effort to release any anger or resentment you feel. As you do so, the energy between you and your adversary with change perceptibly, even if they are still operating from a more limited energy state. Consider that each of you has compelling reasons for thinking and feeling as you do. Accept that you have no power to change your adversary's mind. This can help you approach your disagreement rationally, with a steady voice and a willingness to compromise. If you listen thoughtfully and with an empathetic ear during conflict, you can transform conflict into compromise. Examine your thoughts and feelings carefully and you may discover stubbornness within yourself that is causing resistance or that you are unwittingly feeding yourself negative messages about your adversary. As your part in a disagreement becomes more clear, new conflicts become another chance to further your learning in empathy, compassion, and tolerance.
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Friday, October 20, 2006
Decisions of Life
Decisions of Life
The decisions we make each day shapes who we are and what we are composed of. When we choose one option over another, we shape our lives. The decision making process allows us to enjoy the benefits of self-determination. It can also be a source of anxiety. Decision making forces us to face the possibility of dissatisfaction. As a result, many of us choose to avoid making decisions and allow others to make them for us. We turn our power over to others; spouses, relatives, friends, and colleagues, granting them the power to shape our lives that is ours by right. Though the decisions we make are often difficult, we grow more self-sufficient and secure each time we trust ourselves enough to choose. Ultimately, only we can know how the options before us will impact our daily life and our long-term well-being. Within us lies the power to competently weigh the advantages and disadvantages of each decision. Even if we feel incapable of making a decision, our inner wisdom and our intuitive mind will give us sound counsel if we have faith in ourselves. Try to come to our own conclusions before seeking the guidance of others, and even then, treat their suggestions as suggestions rather than votes pro or con to our own conclusions. Before making our choice, release the fear of wrong decisions. Perceived mistakes can lead us down wonderful and unexpected paths that expose us to life-changing insights. If we can let go of the notion that choices are utterly right or entirely wrong, we will be less tempted to invite others to take the reigns of our destiny. When our choices are our own, we will be more likely to accept and be satisfied with the outcome of those choices. Our decisions will be a pure reflection of our desires, our creativity, our awareness, and our power. Since we understand that we must live with and take responsibility for our own decisions, we will likely exercise greater care when coming to conclusions. As we learn to make autonomous choices, secure in the knowledge that it is our information and not others opinions guiding us, we will gain the freedom to consciously direct the flow of your life without interference.
The decisions we make each day shapes who we are and what we are composed of. When we choose one option over another, we shape our lives. The decision making process allows us to enjoy the benefits of self-determination. It can also be a source of anxiety. Decision making forces us to face the possibility of dissatisfaction. As a result, many of us choose to avoid making decisions and allow others to make them for us. We turn our power over to others; spouses, relatives, friends, and colleagues, granting them the power to shape our lives that is ours by right. Though the decisions we make are often difficult, we grow more self-sufficient and secure each time we trust ourselves enough to choose. Ultimately, only we can know how the options before us will impact our daily life and our long-term well-being. Within us lies the power to competently weigh the advantages and disadvantages of each decision. Even if we feel incapable of making a decision, our inner wisdom and our intuitive mind will give us sound counsel if we have faith in ourselves. Try to come to our own conclusions before seeking the guidance of others, and even then, treat their suggestions as suggestions rather than votes pro or con to our own conclusions. Before making our choice, release the fear of wrong decisions. Perceived mistakes can lead us down wonderful and unexpected paths that expose us to life-changing insights. If we can let go of the notion that choices are utterly right or entirely wrong, we will be less tempted to invite others to take the reigns of our destiny. When our choices are our own, we will be more likely to accept and be satisfied with the outcome of those choices. Our decisions will be a pure reflection of our desires, our creativity, our awareness, and our power. Since we understand that we must live with and take responsibility for our own decisions, we will likely exercise greater care when coming to conclusions. As we learn to make autonomous choices, secure in the knowledge that it is our information and not others opinions guiding us, we will gain the freedom to consciously direct the flow of your life without interference.
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
Season's Change
Season’s Change
Today's marketplace has made it possible to provide for ourselves and our families irregardless of nature's season’s. While most of us no longer depend directly on the seasons for our livelihood, our internal clocks still know deep down that a change of season means a change in us too. We may feel out of sync, if we don't acknowledge this, as though we have lost our natural rhythm. Autumn brings thoughts of harvesting by going back to school to collect knowledge or crop preserving… in both cases, the chill in the air tells us it's time to move inside and prepare for the future. We can consciously celebrate the change of season and shift our energy to setting some time aside to make the same changes we see in nature. We can change colors by putting away our bright summer colors and filling our wardrobes and living areas with the warm hues of yellows, reds, and browns. Plants concentrate their energy deep in their roots and seeds, we can retreat to the more quiet pursuits, nurturing the seeds of new endeavors, which need quiet concentration to grow. We can stoke our fires of life with our favorite coffees, teas, ciders, or cocoa while savoring the rich, comfort foods that the season brings with an array of fall colors: potatoes, apple pies, pumpkin, squash, and corn. As animals begin growing their winter coats and preparing their dens for hibernation, we can air out our favorite sweaters and jackets and bring blankets out of storage, creating a coziness with throw rugs or pillow covers. We can also light candles , lanterns or fireplaces to bring a remnant of summer's warmth and glow indoors. The muted light sends a hint of a softness and the promised quiet of winter to come.By being a conscious celebrator of the change, we usher in the new season in a way that allows us to transform our lives with the warm glow of the promised season. We set ourselves up to the rhythm of nature and carry ourselves forward, being nurtured, as we prepare for our future.
Today's marketplace has made it possible to provide for ourselves and our families irregardless of nature's season’s. While most of us no longer depend directly on the seasons for our livelihood, our internal clocks still know deep down that a change of season means a change in us too. We may feel out of sync, if we don't acknowledge this, as though we have lost our natural rhythm. Autumn brings thoughts of harvesting by going back to school to collect knowledge or crop preserving… in both cases, the chill in the air tells us it's time to move inside and prepare for the future. We can consciously celebrate the change of season and shift our energy to setting some time aside to make the same changes we see in nature. We can change colors by putting away our bright summer colors and filling our wardrobes and living areas with the warm hues of yellows, reds, and browns. Plants concentrate their energy deep in their roots and seeds, we can retreat to the more quiet pursuits, nurturing the seeds of new endeavors, which need quiet concentration to grow. We can stoke our fires of life with our favorite coffees, teas, ciders, or cocoa while savoring the rich, comfort foods that the season brings with an array of fall colors: potatoes, apple pies, pumpkin, squash, and corn. As animals begin growing their winter coats and preparing their dens for hibernation, we can air out our favorite sweaters and jackets and bring blankets out of storage, creating a coziness with throw rugs or pillow covers. We can also light candles , lanterns or fireplaces to bring a remnant of summer's warmth and glow indoors. The muted light sends a hint of a softness and the promised quiet of winter to come.By being a conscious celebrator of the change, we usher in the new season in a way that allows us to transform our lives with the warm glow of the promised season. We set ourselves up to the rhythm of nature and carry ourselves forward, being nurtured, as we prepare for our future.
Monday, October 16, 2006
Living with pain
I have been struggling with some issues of medications and pain. I have become ever so much tired of taking the amount of pain and other medications to keep my in a reasonable state of mind and body. With the changing weather and the aging process, I am looking for a way to be a bit more comfortable and yet decrease needing to take the 13+ medications and 7+ supplements in ingest daily. I have the desire to take less and yet function. There are times when I look at he meds and my wonderful wife has to make up the weeks pill box.
What a way to live... What a way to see the future...
I know all the reasons for taking my meds as prescribed and in a timely manner. The daily routine has been going on now for some 25+ years. As my body fails to respond to my wishes, I find there are new pains and restrictions to what I can do. I also see there are more "wish-list goals" I am forced to relinquish. At the age of 68+, I feel as though I must find a way to do the traveling and the renewal of friends I have lost track of. I have tried to see what may be instore for me as I age more.
I am blessed with several friends that want me to visit with them. The problem for me, as is the usual case of many the elderly, is funding. I have been graced by a generous gift to travel by train to the east coast to visit an old friend. My Wife says I can stay as long as I wish. I have chosen to travel the last of October and return the last of November. There is a series of trains to transport me to my destinations. It has been more years than I care to remember since he and I had a good chat and some general loosening of our cares. While there, we may be able to travel to Canada for a visit with other friends we both share. If not, then maybe a short trip to Williamsburg for a short sojourn to the past. Then again, we may be just content enough to sit on the porch and listen to the loving sounds of nature.
This Blog is a way for me to vent my feelings on the many topics I am confronted with. Today I am bit scattered in my thoughts and it seems to show here.
I have a question to ask of anyone who wishes to answer. What do I do when it is painful to sit, stand or lay down. What will I do about the many little things I enjoyed yesterday that are being dimmed by my slowly loss of sight. How can I really be at least content what my hearing is dimmed and my mind has lost a bit of its concentration. Then there is the big question... At what point is it ok to be done with living and what could be done to find peace.
I work with several people to find the ways and answers I am asking about and to share my experiences with them to help them cope. All too often what they are going through I have or am doing the same. If I listen to what I am suggesting, I can hear the answer I most need to hear. I've been told that is the case all too often.
I suggest they dwell on the little positive things in their lives and slowly let those thoughts overtake the negative thoughts they are experiencing. Well, just a thought and a few things to put down for now.
Peace and Harmony.
What a way to live... What a way to see the future...
I know all the reasons for taking my meds as prescribed and in a timely manner. The daily routine has been going on now for some 25+ years. As my body fails to respond to my wishes, I find there are new pains and restrictions to what I can do. I also see there are more "wish-list goals" I am forced to relinquish. At the age of 68+, I feel as though I must find a way to do the traveling and the renewal of friends I have lost track of. I have tried to see what may be instore for me as I age more.
I am blessed with several friends that want me to visit with them. The problem for me, as is the usual case of many the elderly, is funding. I have been graced by a generous gift to travel by train to the east coast to visit an old friend. My Wife says I can stay as long as I wish. I have chosen to travel the last of October and return the last of November. There is a series of trains to transport me to my destinations. It has been more years than I care to remember since he and I had a good chat and some general loosening of our cares. While there, we may be able to travel to Canada for a visit with other friends we both share. If not, then maybe a short trip to Williamsburg for a short sojourn to the past. Then again, we may be just content enough to sit on the porch and listen to the loving sounds of nature.
This Blog is a way for me to vent my feelings on the many topics I am confronted with. Today I am bit scattered in my thoughts and it seems to show here.
I have a question to ask of anyone who wishes to answer. What do I do when it is painful to sit, stand or lay down. What will I do about the many little things I enjoyed yesterday that are being dimmed by my slowly loss of sight. How can I really be at least content what my hearing is dimmed and my mind has lost a bit of its concentration. Then there is the big question... At what point is it ok to be done with living and what could be done to find peace.
I work with several people to find the ways and answers I am asking about and to share my experiences with them to help them cope. All too often what they are going through I have or am doing the same. If I listen to what I am suggesting, I can hear the answer I most need to hear. I've been told that is the case all too often.
I suggest they dwell on the little positive things in their lives and slowly let those thoughts overtake the negative thoughts they are experiencing. Well, just a thought and a few things to put down for now.
Peace and Harmony.
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