I believe insight is getting in touch with oneself. The many variables associated with insight which can be a valuable tool in assessing and dealing with all that life throws our way.
You must have insight as to your personal ambitions, limitations and enhancements. You achieve this by getting to know yourself. I have found dedicating and allowing myself "quiet time" or "my own time" daily, or weekly was instrumental in my overcoming many obstacles. It could be a few minutes or an hour. Perhaps, "your own time" could take place in your garden, relaxing in your favorite chair, by the pool, ocean or your room, taking a drive, or relaxing in a hot bath.
The venue doesn't matter. The importance lies that you want, need and take this time for yourself. You will find this time will be relaxing to the body, mind and spirit.
It can also allow you to put things in perspective, thus, making decisions without the burden of a clouded mind. Once you have attained this, insight with those you work and live with will be second nature.
Listen to your inner voice - it's your soul speaking.
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Attitude is your state of mental and emotional being. We are what we think and act accordingly. Your attitude dictates the course of your daily routines, your life and your destiny.
Do - take charge of your life.
Don't - let a trivial incident in the morning set the stage for a miserable day.
Don't - allow others to encumber you with their negativity.
Do - Deal with it, put it behind you and move on.
You only get one life - make the most of it!
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Be totally honest with yourself and define what is missing in your life or what you want. Set goals for yourself. Your goals can be of any magnitude that is suitable for you and your lifestyle.
Do research to see what steps must be accomplished to achieve your goals.
If, for example, you want a career or a career in a different field, find out the criteria for the career, the education or work experience required. If you wanted take a course in something of interest to you, find out where you can sign up as a student and enroll.
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Perseverance is the power, will and drive to carry on - no matter what. I don't believe in adages such as, "I can't", "my family needs me", "there's no time", "this will never work for me", etc.
These are merely excuses. You can make time if you really want to. Get out of the rut, stop deceiving yourself, and get on the road to helping yourself. If you take the time to help yourself, you'll have more strength, energy and clear thinking to help yourself and your loved ones who depend on you for their very existence. Additionally, you'll feel better you'll feel more in control with a special aire of self-esteem and confidence.
Further, there are two theories that I feel are of paramount importance:
1. You will set a fabulous example for your children. Not only will they see that nothing is handed to us and we have to work for it, but also, they can achieve anything - if - they really want it.
2. I firmly believe there is no failure in going after one's goals or dreams and not succeeding. The failure is in not trying. I would rather go to my grave knowing I tried and failed, than wonder what would have happened if I only had tried.
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Shake It Off ~ And Step Up
This story is of a farmer who owned an old mule, who fell, for some strange reason, into the farmer's well.
Fortunately, the water wasn't very deep, so the mule was able to stand on the bottom. The farmer heard the mule moaning for attention.
After carefully assessing the situation, the farmer felt bad for the old mule, and, decided neither the mule nor the well was worth the trouble it'd take to save them.
So the farmer called his neighbors together. He told them what had happened, and got them to help him haul dirt to bury the old mule in the well and put him out of his misery.
As the dirt began falling, the old mule got hysterical. But as the farmer and his neighbors kept shoveling, and the dirt kept falling.
Suddenly, the mule got a strange idea --- why not just shake off the dirt every time a shovel load hit him...and step up.
And that's what he did as blow after blow of dirt hit him on the back.
"Shake it off and step up...Shake it off and step up...Shake it off and step up", over and the mule kept telling himself - to encourage himself. No matter how painful the blows, or how distressing the situation seemed, the old mule fought off the panic and just kept right on...shaking it off and stepping up.
It wasn't long before the old mule, battered and exhausted, stepped up triumphantly over the wall of the well to freedom.
What looked like it was going to bury him had actually helped him...all because of how he *chose* to handle the dirt, the adversity, that others kept shoveling into his life.
Ever feel like you've got people standing in line to shovel "dirt" on you? Don't panic, or get bitter, or waste your time and energy feeling sorry for yourself. Just think about the old mule and remember: all that "dirt" they're giving you ... that's supposed to bury you ... ALWAYS contains the opportunity you've been waiting for...if you're willing to think different...and step up to more freedom.
(c) Pat Lynch, 2001.
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I have found this basic form of mediation helped me more often than I can remember. Over the years, I have done this exercise in bed, on the beach, at poolside and in my bathtub.
I am not in the medical field, nor am I making any medical claims here. I am merely sharing a technique that has helped me to clear my mind, find my center and move on with my life in the best possible way.
Set The Stage:
~ At home, I like the use of candles and CD's of relaxing ocean sounds; You can use anything that is soft and soothing
~ Outside the home, make use of the sounds of nature.
Prepare For Mediation:
~ Lay on your back with a pillow to support your head. Make sure you are comfortable.
~ Try not to cross your arms or legs; allow all limbs to rest in a comfortable position.
~ Close your eyes.
~ Say a silent prayer to the Lord for guidance and protection.
~ In your mind, slowly count to 10.
Breathing Is Key:
~ Slowly, take a deep cleansing breath. Feel good, clean air entering your lungs. When this is done properly,
as you breathe in, your stomach extends outward (as opposed to sucking it in).
~ Slowly, release the cleansing breath slowly. Your stomach deflates. Feel all toxins leaving your body with this release.
Take 2 more deep cleansing breaths exactly in the same manner.
Try to make and keep your mind blank. Think of the sun; see the sun in your mind and
concentrate on it or a portion of it. You may feel your mind wandering, or a series of images may come
into your head. This is normal, and, in time, you will be able to overcome it and dismiss them at will.
For now, simply concentrate on the sun image or portion. Listen to the soothing background CD or nature.
As you become more accustomed to this, you will find you are more in tuned with the visions or sounds
you choose to be.
Ready For Mediation:
~ Take another deep cleansing breath, this time, feel the pure air enter your lungs as you inhale.
Feel the warmth of the sun surrounding you keeping you safe
~ As you exhale, mentally tell your feet to relax. Feel your feet becoming totally weightless.
~ From this point on, every cleansing breath you take, feel the pure air enter your lungs as you inhale.
~ As you exhale, mentally work your way up your body, telling each section (calf, knees, thighs, hips, torso,
arms, hands, chest, neck, face and head) to relax on the exhale.
Relaxation:
~ Now, you should feel totally weightless and relaxed almost as if you are floating. It's a beautiful feeling
because you are free and in total touch with your inner spirit - your soul.
~ Try and maintain this state for as long as possible. Keep breathing.
In the beginning, a sudden noise or thought may jolt you back to reality, freeing you of this meditative state.
That's all right. It's best to work up to it slowly, in short time increments.
Don't fight yourself and don't get discouraged. If you do this on a regular basis,
you will be able to relax and mediate rather quickly and sustain the state of spiritual freedom.
Be patient because this takes a while to master; very few of us really know how to relax - it's a trained art.
After you have mastered the relaxation and mediation, then you can concentrate on your problems, pray and
ask for guidance. When you come out of this state, which is usually an involuntary action (your body knows
when it's had enough), you will feel so refreshed, calm, awake and energetic. Not only will you feel like you
can tackle the world, but you most likely will look forward to your next mediation session.
Recommended Reading:
John Edward's "One Last Time", Berkley Publishing, NY NY
This book has a nice meditation section at the end.
Stay Well And God Bless!
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