BE the change!
First written in Nov 5, 2010
When I watch TV, especially the news, I oftentimes feel so overwhelmed and sad because there is so much fear being projected. The results of this fear are seen in our wars, our economies, our schools, our banks, and our relationships with one another. I wonder how much longer we can go on like this. I know things must change. I think we all feel ready for a change. So here’s what I’m thinking. If we created all this, and we most certainly did, then why not create something else? I mean, if everyone believed that they were truly creators and realized that they (we) have created this world exactly like it is, then why not simply create something better? I think a lot of people feel this way but believe that they are too insignificant to be able to change world events. The fact is, they are dead wrong.
Through our thoughts, we are constantly creating and contributing to the collective reality of our world every moment of every day. Our thoughts precipitate and direct our actions. Nothing happens without a thought before it. Our very identity is tied up with our thoughts, so what are we thinking? Is our thinking or self talk full of judgment? Are we worrying about things that happened in the past or might happen in the future? Are we busy finding ways to limit our possibilities? In addition to this self-talk, it is a fact that most of our beliefs are not our own and nearly all are based on false assumptions (covered in my next blog – The Quantum Leap).
Perhaps it’s time for a belief makeover. Perhaps it’s time to think some original thoughts and to change the ones that no longer serve us. The only thing that limits us is our mind, the incessant self-talk, and these false beliefs. Our preferences and expectations, our ego, cause us to be myopic. The ego is so busy holding a false construct together, ie. I am a ____ (fill in the blank with mother, daughter, therapist, American, etc.) that it blocks the flow of universal possibilities and restricts you to only those possibilities you think are best for you. When you suspend your judgment and become an observer, you begin to notice the flow of energy. You start to notice patterns in yourself and others.
We cannot control the stimuli in our lives that comes from outside ourselves, such as our children, our parents, our friends, our co-workers, or the news; but we can control how we respond to that stimuli. That response is an action precipitated by your belief system. If you would like to respond differently to something, you must first change your mind about it. The only thing necessary for you to change your mind is for you to acknowledge your power to choose. Imagine a world in which each individual chooses to change his/her thoughts from fear to love, from anger to forgiveness, from greed to grace. We can only change ourselves which is why Mahatma Gandhi famously said: We must be the change we want to see in the world. Only then will the world systems, governments, and countries be able to change from fear-based perceptions to love based realities.
So here’s the challenge: What fear-based thoughts can you change in your mind? If you harbor anger, resentment or jealousy, how can you expect to see that disappear in the world around you? Pick a situation that has been frustrating you and decide, in your mind and in your heart, to choose to respond differently the next time it arises. Choose to respond from a place of love and understanding. Try to look at the situation as an outsider and understand that you cannot control the stimulus but you can control your response. Do not be attached to the outcome, consider only how your response makes you feel. Choose one that makes you feel good and that puts goodness out into your world. Start small. Here’s one of mine: Every time I have critical thoughts, I will stop myself and flip the switch to become a passive observer without judgment. I vow to change my mind and step out of criticism.
How will you change your mind?
Namaste,
Heather aka Indigo Girl