So I am very new to meditating...in the official and positive way, I should state. I can be a worrier. A really good one. I can work up all sorts of scenarios and what if's and work myself up into an extraordinary and powerful tizzy that not only impacts me but those around me. It has taken me awhile to realize that worry is actually a form of meditation. And if I am FOCUSING all my energy thinking negative thoughts that make me feel anxious or angry or fearful, I have the power to change what I think about and what I FOCUS on.
As part of my intenSati training, creator Patricia Moreno asked us to spend 30 days meditating, using Wayne Dyer's Meditations for Manifesting as a model. I dutifully set my alarm to make sure I could do at least 10 minutes every morning. With a houseful of kids and family, it is not always easy to find time or space to quiet my FOCUS. Some mornings, my meditation would take place in my walk-in closet with my iPhone! But I kept at it because it did not take long for me to realize what an incredible tool Patricia had recommended. Breathing and saying the sacred "Aaaahhhh" sound for even just ten minutes every morning has done a lot for my mind and me.
The practice of intenSati and meditation has help me to dramatically change my FOCUS. As the current intenSati series says, "Today, I choose, what I want to see. I FOCUS on the best and leave the rest." By choosing to FOCUS on the best in any given moment, my life is filled with more peace and joy than I thought possible, especially while I am going through a divorce. I choose not to dwell on sadness or anger or blame, but rather on gratitude, love and the strong belief that I am right where I need to be and I am responsible for every moment leading up to this place and time in my life. I need not worry about the future. Instead, I choose to FOCUS on today, this very moment.
I choose
to FOCUS
On the good
I desire
I am grateful
I have faith
What I want
Is on it's way
"Today I Choose" intenSati series
Where is your FOCUS? What changes can you make in your life so that you can design the life you want and DESIRE?
Mindfully yours,
Cristina
www.satilife.com for more information on intenSati
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Sunday, May 30, 2010
BELIEFS - Do you know what yours really are?
Do you know what your personal BELIEFS are? I am not referring to your current view on politics or religion. While these may be important in defining who you are, I am referring to those personal BELIEFS filed deep in the recesses of your mind. They are BELIEFS like, "I'm not worthy of love" or "I'm a screw up" or enter your own here. It's possible you are not aware of these thoughts but they are there. They exist in the operating system of your mind.
Our minds work like a very powerful computer with a huge database of BELIEFS. And those are running mostly in the background and strongly influence our attitudes and our actions. When we are struggling or having difficulties in our lives, it is usually due to a conflict between what we say we want and what we actually BELIEVE. The mind does not delete anything you store in those giant filing cabinets unless you personally go in, look for those conflicting files and erase the ones that no longer serve you and what you want.
And just what is a BELIEF? It is something you BELIEVE to be true for any given length of time. The good news about this is that you can change what it is you BELIEVE. It is only true because you say so and have been saying so for a long time.
I had a good example of a hidden personal BELIEF not that long ago. I was training to teach intenSati, a very powerful mind-body-spirit practice that combines affirmations with hi-impact cardio actions and attitudes. We started the class, led by its creator, Patricia Moreno. She asked us to think about that which we wanted and I knew right away, ABUNDANCE! As we began, I kept my focus on bringing ABUNDANCE into my life and what I found is that my throat started tightening up, my eyes started tearing up and I felt the most incredible sadness. My focus started drifting away and I began wondering what the heck was going on. And from deep inside, I heard my inner voice say, "You don't deserve it." The more I tried to silence it, the louder it got. Finally, I stopped my mental battle and just gave into the sadness and despair I was feeling. I had such a hard time doing the class--it's hard to breathe when you are sobbing inside. But finish I did. We had the chance to share and I gave voice to my struggle. And that's when I realized that this BELIEF of mine was operating in the deep recesses of my mind's operating system. And it was creating conflict in my life. Somewhere, somehow I had filed away this "truth". This BELIEF was at odds with my newer one that says "I am worthy" of ABUNDANCE. I have just been thinking the old BELIEF for a lot longer. But that doesn't make it true.
So now, I am using Meditation and quiet time to delete this long held and false BELIEF.
When I hear it, I remind myself, delete! That it was I used to BELIEVE, but I don't anymore. I am worthy and deserving of ABUNDANCE in all areas of my life: LOVE, WORK, FRIENDSHIP etc. Every morning, this is what I affirm and what I choose to BELIEVE! What BELIEFS are operating in the recesses of your mind? Are you ready to hit the delete button and create a new BELIEF? The choice is yours!
Our minds work like a very powerful computer with a huge database of BELIEFS. And those are running mostly in the background and strongly influence our attitudes and our actions. When we are struggling or having difficulties in our lives, it is usually due to a conflict between what we say we want and what we actually BELIEVE. The mind does not delete anything you store in those giant filing cabinets unless you personally go in, look for those conflicting files and erase the ones that no longer serve you and what you want.
And just what is a BELIEF? It is something you BELIEVE to be true for any given length of time. The good news about this is that you can change what it is you BELIEVE. It is only true because you say so and have been saying so for a long time.
I had a good example of a hidden personal BELIEF not that long ago. I was training to teach intenSati, a very powerful mind-body-spirit practice that combines affirmations with hi-impact cardio actions and attitudes. We started the class, led by its creator, Patricia Moreno. She asked us to think about that which we wanted and I knew right away, ABUNDANCE! As we began, I kept my focus on bringing ABUNDANCE into my life and what I found is that my throat started tightening up, my eyes started tearing up and I felt the most incredible sadness. My focus started drifting away and I began wondering what the heck was going on. And from deep inside, I heard my inner voice say, "You don't deserve it." The more I tried to silence it, the louder it got. Finally, I stopped my mental battle and just gave into the sadness and despair I was feeling. I had such a hard time doing the class--it's hard to breathe when you are sobbing inside. But finish I did. We had the chance to share and I gave voice to my struggle. And that's when I realized that this BELIEF of mine was operating in the deep recesses of my mind's operating system. And it was creating conflict in my life. Somewhere, somehow I had filed away this "truth". This BELIEF was at odds with my newer one that says "I am worthy" of ABUNDANCE. I have just been thinking the old BELIEF for a lot longer. But that doesn't make it true.
So now, I am using Meditation and quiet time to delete this long held and false BELIEF.
When I hear it, I remind myself, delete! That it was I used to BELIEVE, but I don't anymore. I am worthy and deserving of ABUNDANCE in all areas of my life: LOVE, WORK, FRIENDSHIP etc. Every morning, this is what I affirm and what I choose to BELIEVE! What BELIEFS are operating in the recesses of your mind? Are you ready to hit the delete button and create a new BELIEF? The choice is yours!
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Unshakable FAITH - Do you have it?
This month, the affirmation for the intenSati class I was taking with Lisa Van Ahn, talked about "unshakable FAITH." I like to think I have it, but evidence shows me that my "unshakable" FAITH has a foundation made mostly of shifting sand and not strong stone, as I would like. It is something I am working on: holding onto FAITH regardless of "evidence" to the contrary. I try to make sure I hold onto thoughts which support my vision of how I want to live my life, primarily as someone who is loving and giving. As the mother of four, that FAITH is tested constantly!
This recent work in progress has made for some interesting discussions, primarily with my son. The other morning he woke up very tired and very crabby and declared it was going to be a shitty day. I gently reminded him only if he believed it to be true, which, obviously he did. He had very strong FAITH about what horrible day it would be and nothing would deter him. So much so, that he yelled at me for my "positive mood" crap. I was also resolute in my FAITH that his attitude would not impact my day. I did as best as I could.
This example is just a garden-variety every day type of FAITH. At Lisa's class the other day, she told an incredible story of FAITH despite strong evidence to the contrary. The person she talked about was her own mother. Now, I have seen her mother at several of Lisa's classes moving and shouting with gusto. So I was truly shocked and moved to tears as Lisa told the story that her mother, Beth Pederson, had been wheelchair bound not soon after being diagnosed in with Multiple Sclerosis in 1990. That diagnosis does not usually lend itself to optimism or unshakable FAITH. But Beth never wavered in her unshakable faith that God would heal her. Nor did her community at her church. Seeing Beth in class is truly inspiring and a great testament to holding on to that "unshakable FAITH" - NO MATTER WHAT.
You can hear her incredible and miraculous story of healing here.
http://sc.fhview.com/sc_customplayer/seriesitems/1/118898
The date of the interview is 04/13/10
Do you have "unshakable FAITH"? And if so, FAITH in what? Because we all believe something and that something is what guides our lives, for better or worse. What type of FAITH do you choose?
This recent work in progress has made for some interesting discussions, primarily with my son. The other morning he woke up very tired and very crabby and declared it was going to be a shitty day. I gently reminded him only if he believed it to be true, which, obviously he did. He had very strong FAITH about what horrible day it would be and nothing would deter him. So much so, that he yelled at me for my "positive mood" crap. I was also resolute in my FAITH that his attitude would not impact my day. I did as best as I could.
This example is just a garden-variety every day type of FAITH. At Lisa's class the other day, she told an incredible story of FAITH despite strong evidence to the contrary. The person she talked about was her own mother. Now, I have seen her mother at several of Lisa's classes moving and shouting with gusto. So I was truly shocked and moved to tears as Lisa told the story that her mother, Beth Pederson, had been wheelchair bound not soon after being diagnosed in with Multiple Sclerosis in 1990. That diagnosis does not usually lend itself to optimism or unshakable FAITH. But Beth never wavered in her unshakable faith that God would heal her. Nor did her community at her church. Seeing Beth in class is truly inspiring and a great testament to holding on to that "unshakable FAITH" - NO MATTER WHAT.
You can hear her incredible and miraculous story of healing here.
http://sc.fhview.com/sc_customplayer/seriesitems/1/118898
The date of the interview is 04/13/10
Do you have "unshakable FAITH"? And if so, FAITH in what? Because we all believe something and that something is what guides our lives, for better or worse. What type of FAITH do you choose?
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Welcome to Who-ville!
My first post as a Mindful Warrior!
I have learned that if you stop whining and are open to listen, God or the Universe or whatever you choose to call a supreme being, will talk to you. This time the message came loud and clear courtesy of my T.V. and Gray's Anatomy. Without rehashing the episode, one character was angry over the actions of another. And she was told, instead of holding onto the anger, she should be a Who from Who-ville. It took a few minutes for her to understand. A recap: The Grinch, with a very small heart, stole all the Christmas presents in Who-ville and yet on Christmas morning, the Whos woke up with joy and a song in their hearts. And their optimism changed the Grinch! So, in the end, she could stay pissy and angry or happy and content. She chose happy and content. The operative word is choice!
Such a great lesson from the late great Dr. Seuss. So simple and yet profound. And not just limited to the holiday season. We will always be dealing with Grinches in our lives. That, we can't change. The only thing we can change is how we react to those "Grinchy" people or "Grinchy" things that happen. And that choice is always ours to make. How long it takes is also up to us. We can wallow in the grinchiness or we can choose to be a Who! So, today, now and always, I say welcome to Who-ville and toliving with Joy and Gratitude! Who wants to join me?
I have learned that if you stop whining and are open to listen, God or the Universe or whatever you choose to call a supreme being, will talk to you. This time the message came loud and clear courtesy of my T.V. and Gray's Anatomy. Without rehashing the episode, one character was angry over the actions of another. And she was told, instead of holding onto the anger, she should be a Who from Who-ville. It took a few minutes for her to understand. A recap: The Grinch, with a very small heart, stole all the Christmas presents in Who-ville and yet on Christmas morning, the Whos woke up with joy and a song in their hearts. And their optimism changed the Grinch! So, in the end, she could stay pissy and angry or happy and content. She chose happy and content. The operative word is choice!
Such a great lesson from the late great Dr. Seuss. So simple and yet profound. And not just limited to the holiday season. We will always be dealing with Grinches in our lives. That, we can't change. The only thing we can change is how we react to those "Grinchy" people or "Grinchy" things that happen. And that choice is always ours to make. How long it takes is also up to us. We can wallow in the grinchiness or we can choose to be a Who! So, today, now and always, I say welcome to Who-ville and toliving with Joy and Gratitude! Who wants to join me?
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