Wake up, Jump into your life - A Journey into Self Observation

By Steve Lentini
 

 Twenty Strategies for a Life of Joy, Satisfaction and Success

So let's take a look at Strategy One and Two this week.

Strategy 1 - Begin a journey of Self Observation. Move toward the "uncomfortable."

This journey into Self Observation is where one begins to notice that there is a repeating pattern of self defeat or destructive behaviors. Up until the time that this journey begins, you probably would not have noticed any patterns. Most people at this time in their life are in what I call the "victim dream" state. In this state, it is not uncommon to hear someone blaming others for their circumstances. They are, in their minds, a mere circumstance in their own lives. Spouses, bosses, family and friends are always "doing something to them."

At some point in their life, severe frustration sets in and they begin the search for the reason that many others around them seem to be passing them by. They are filled with resentment and anger, although they do not know it, for the joy, success or satisfaction that others around them have achieved. If you have picked up this book, it was probably because you intended to "change things" perhaps due to this frustration. Now is the time to take a journey as a choice, a choice for changing your life once and for all.

The journey can take many forms; training classes, coaches or counselors, books, seminars or a spiritual quest. As long as you incorporate this permanently into your life it does not matter the form it takes. Expect that the journey is forever.

I suggest classes that form a "safe group." People like yourself who have discovered that "being awake" requires practice. People who would risk your wrath or even your friendship and tell you what you need to hear rather than what you want to hear. When I say "a safe group," I mean others who are committed to personal growth, who over time, commit to keep one another aware of their patterns. Landmark training calls them "your racquets." I call them default patterns. Others can see them. We often can see patterns in others and not our own. If everyone in the group is supporting our personal growth, they allow us the space to be who we are. We can expose the darkest side of ourselves to them and they will stay with us no matter what. They are committed to helping us stay awake because they expect that we will do the same for them. We are giving what we want to get. Typically groups meet monthly or bi-monthly for one, two or ten years or more. At the end of this book I have programs that you can research.  

My teacher, Toni Stone says "One must be willing to be uncomfortable, to have a future unlike the past." 

Strategy 2 - Recognize your power as creator and co-creator and take responsibility for your choices.

Gary Zukav and Linda Francis in their book "The Mind of the Soul" say this about choice, "Until you see that your experiences are consequences of your choices, you will think they are just or unjust, good or bad. You will experience yourself as a rudderless boat tossed helplessly by crashing waves. This is the experience of a victim. When you make the connection between your choices and your experiences, you do not have to create the same experiences again."

This is where an honest, self inventory would be helpful. It would help you see your role in what has shown up in your life up to this point. More on how to do it when we study chapter 14.

If you accept the idea that you are the creator of your life, take some time over the next few days or weeks and begin to list all of the things that you would like to create in your life. Then, starting with the end in mind, begin to list the actions required to create the desired outcomes. One of the most powerful "Universal Laws" is that of "Cause and Effect."
 

The laws simply states that "Cause and Effect" is always at work in the Universe. For every one of your past actions, "Cause," let's say,  you have seen, are now seeing or will see the "Effect" of that "Cause."

Keeping that in mind, let me ask you a few questions, Can you see a connection between where you are now in your life and your past actions? What new actions are required to have a new future? Does the suggestion of any of these new actions make you uncomfortable?

New choices, new cause will bring new effect.

The good news is, that as soon as you take responsibility for your choices and  begin to make new choices (cause), you immediately begin to see the new results, (effect). There is no waiting period required. No further price to pay. When you change, things change. "If you don't like your experience of the world, change how the world is experiencing you" (Steve Lentini). It's that simple.

Make a list of your old choices. Make a list of all the new possible choices you could make. Be bold and brave. Have some fun. The possibilities are unlimited. Fasten your seat belt as you begin taking action (cause) on the new choices, as the new results (effect) will astonish you and prove your power to create your life.

Chapters 3 and 4 next week.

Thanks and Be Well.

Steve