Sunday, 28 August 2016

Lesson 80

Lesson 80 continues from yesterday. It states that once you have identified your problems, your problems will be resolved.

Whilst I agree looking at your problems in a different way and seeing them not as problems but as something else will help, I'm not sure all problems can just magically disappear overnight!

I understand looking at any aspect of your life with different eyes and a fresh perspective will help and will make a lot of problems seem nowhere near as bad as they were before I don't believe that all problems can be solved in that way.

Some extreme circumstances can not be sorted out overnight. For example many years ago when I owed a significant amount of money on a credit card and I was worrying about it none stop I turned it into a game rather than a problem. I played a game with myself on how little I could live on each month so that I could pay more and more off my credit card bill. The problem wasn't a problem whilst I was playing the game but I was contemplating if someone was in so much financial debt and they had court letters issued or the threat of losing their house then playing 'a game' like I did potentially wouldn't make their troubles disappear especially overnight!

Many argue that over spending isn't a case of someone mismanaging money or someone being greedy, it's deeper than that. It's the use of money to forget the real pain in their life. Some people use drugs, some use alcohol, many use food but many use money to forget what's really going on. That's the problem that needs to be identified. Sometimes it is not that easy to search deep inside to find out why our problems really exist.

I am now entering a 10 day period of review.

Saturday, 27 August 2016

Lesson 79

Lesson 79 is about recognising your problems so they can be solved.

Often we are carrying around feelings or do stuff which aren't causing us happiness. I know lots of people who detest their jobs and it makes them miserable Monday to Friday and live for the weekend only. The solutions are either change your job (not always that simple) or change your view of the job. If you have a terrible manager who treats you badly, change your view. Know the reason they are treating you like they are is their issue and not really a reflection on you but a reflection on them. Once you really believe that honestly it does get better.

I was listening again to Mike Dooley on Hay House Radio today and he was talking about carrying out actions for the right reasons and not purley for the selfish reasons which only serve the ego. For example if you are invited to a party you know there are going to be lots of people whom could help you with your business or career, why are you saying yes? Is it purley for the reason you can charm the one person who can elevate your status or are you going to see what happens, but ultimately because you know you will have a good time and be happy.

Friday, 26 August 2016

Lesson 78

Today the reason revolves around grievances and miracles. It attempts to teach that there is always a choice between a grievance or a miracle.

When something challenging rears its ugly head my tendancy is to panic and let my mind go into overdrive about all the disasterous things that could happen as a result. For example about six months ago my working hours changed. I had to start just half an hour earlier which to most people wouldn't be a big deal but for me it was. It involved more childcare costs, logistics about getting to work and also psychologically my alarm going off at 2.45am rather than 3.15am was difficult. I spent weeks getting upset, angry and frustrated but the changes happened regardless of all my wasted energy. In that situation I chose grievance. In reality yes financially I am worse off and yes I am even more tired in the week than I was before but it hasn't ruined me. What it has done is force me to see things differently and accept that changes will happen and I must deal with them differently.

It's also made me appreciated my time more, be more organised in the evening so I go to bed earlier enough to deal with the ridiculously early alarm clock and overall look after my health.

Change often presents itself as a scary and ugly situation but usually in change there is an underlying message and one we must trust will lead us to a better path if we could just see it as a good thing rather than a grievance.

Thursday, 25 August 2016

Lesson 77

Lesson 77 is all about miracles. I told myself all day, as the lesson demanded, that I am entitled to miracles.

What is a miracle? I guess that depends on your definition. Some people would see a miracle as simple things, like having the sun on their back or having the laughter of loved ones around them. Others may only see a miracle as a load of money suddenly appearing in front of them. I guess you have to decide what sort of person you are or who you want to be.

I had an ordinary day, I went to work, came home, took the dog for a walk and went to bed. So where were the miracles that I am expecting? They are really easy to identify really and it's a bit like be grateful. I had the most beautiful evening walk, lots of sunshine and gorgeous scenery and I met a new neighbour. She is a similar age to me and we had a lovely chat. Were these simple things miracles? By some peoples definition, no way! But now I see simplicity is the key to being happy then yes they were.


Wednesday, 24 August 2016

Lesson 76

Today's lesson concentrates on letting life unfold naturally. Letting be what is meant to be.

Accepting that worrying about a situation will never change the outcome is something I have started to do recently. In fact I think that worry is one of the most pointless emotions but one that nearly everyone does frequently. Worry won't change anything, the outcome will always be the same. I am so guilty of spending hours worrying about something. Which is an absolute waste of time.

Can you imagine spending weeks or even months worrying about something when the outcome won't change, what an absolute waste of time! If anything, I believe that consent worry about something could actually make the situation worse. If you are worrying about losing a job for example then it more than likely will make you under perform at work and you are therefore likely to lose it than someone who stays focused and positive.

I look back at so many situations both professionally and personally and now realise that my worry has made the situation so much worse and caused long term damage. I reflect with sadness, but these mistakes won't be made again my myself.

Tomorrows lesson is entitled 'I am entitled to miracles' I am intrigued and excited about it!

Tuesday, 23 August 2016

Lesson 75

I like Lesson 75, it encourages to let go of the past and any ill feelings and concentrate on happiness. There is also a strong focus on forgiveness.

The more I take these lessons, the more I understand that simplicity is everything. Not dwelling on the past, or having constant thoughts and worry's about the future is the way forward. I go out for walks more, but I no longer go out for walks to clear my mind, as when I walk I already have a clear mind and I look around and appreciate my surroundings. Yes that sounds cliched, but honestly try it, go for a walk, in a city, town, countryside or wherever you like and just look around you. Don't think about anything other than appreciating your surroundings. If you don't feel good afterwards let me know!

Of course I still get annoyed, only yesterday I saw something online, on someone's social media page which really made me mad....but I absorbed it for far less time than I would have done before and now, only a day later, I am actually laughing at the irony of the post. Other peoples issues are just that, theirs and from now on-wards other peoples inability to see me for who I am is no longer my concern, my only concern is my success and happiness.



Monday, 22 August 2016

Lessson 74

Lesson 74 is all about letting everything happen, letting life flow and accepting that every experience happens for a reason, good or bad. The bad stuff is there for clarity of what you really want and keeping you away from negativity.

The key really is to keep yourself happy. When the hurtful times hit you and we all know every single person goes through sad times the challenge is to accept it and trust it's happened for a reason. What the reason is will come clear eventually but at the time don't get bogged down in the misery but embrace the change as it will force you into the right direction.

It's so easy to say this from an outsiders view, but I have myself said and heard other people say so many times 'I have no idea why I was so upset' or variations along that theme. With respect to every 'bad' situation that has happened to me, every single time it has eventually lead to a better situation.

I have never been very patient and I do believe that's one of my down falls, I like to move quickly and I can appear not to be satisfied and always looking for more. But since slowing down and living in every moment more, I am finding that I am appreciating more simplicity.

I am sure that by emptying the mind of all the crazy day to day noise, there is space for the simple things in life to be appreciated and gratitude equals contentment.