WOW, 2009 has been full of crazy ups and downs. It appears that a general consensus is that many people just want to be done with it. This is awesome and a prime opportunity to “live in the moment.” One of my clients has spent her entire life upset about the past, worried about the future and depressed about the present. Over the past few months we have been working on living in the moment. The past is just that. It doesn’t exist because it is only an abstract thought. It is a memory. Take for example a person who has recently suffered a stroke in the hippocampal region of their brain and their long term memory has been wiped out. Ask that person if they are upset about what happened to them when they were a child. They will probably say no, or I don’t know, and they don’t feel bad because they don’t remember. Now, I do understand that there are still areas of the brain that harbor memories even when other areas have been destroyed, so some memory of some sort in generally in tact, but by and large, this is the result.
Can we control the past? No, so it makes no sense to worry about it. Can we control the future? Maybe some things, and maybe not others. So for those things that we can control, it makes no sense to worry about it, because we control it. For those things we cannot control, it makes no sense to worry about it either, because we have no control over it. We must simply do as the Leanne Rimes song, What I Cannot Change says and allow ourselves to let go, forgive, and love what we cannot change.
Mother Teresa said “I was once asked why I don't participate in anti-war demonstrations. I said that I will never do that, but as soon as you have a pro-peace rally, I'll be there.” This is because she knew as do many other wise people that have changed the world that conflict escalates the problem. Conflict breeds more conflict, while peace breeds more peace. As I look back on 2009 I am looking at it from where I am. I will not feel guilty for anything, as any wrong decisions I have made are already done, and guilt serves no purpose other than to paralyze our forward momentum. I learn from them, sometimes at a cost, but let it go and look forward with a brightness of hope.
As I live in the moment, I am enjoying myself and all that is in connection with me for the great things that they are. I am enjoying my experience to its fullest. Others around me, thoughts of the past, or even negative self talk, like Mopey in The Littlest Acorn may attempt to bring me down, even in light of the wonderful things I have done, and the awesome person I am. What do we do? We separate ourselves from them.
I recently gave this counsel to one of my clients that I learned from a very wise man: If a person gives you a gift, and you choose not to receive it, then whose gift is it? Anything that the past, or negative self talk, addictions, or toxic people can offer you is entirely up to you as to whether or not you accept it. Separate yourself from these toxic influences in any way you can. Distract yourself when necessary. Surround yourself with people whom you want to emulate in some positive unselfish way.
I have found more growth in my life as I sit and meditate. It is during and after meditation that I am able to have a greater understanding of myself and that Creator who has blessed me with life. I can pray while meditating in ways I could never pray before, and my prayers are no longer verbigerations or desperate but peaceful and open to the communication of that still small voice.
I am please with my place in life and content. This doesn’t mean I don’t look forward to the future with excitement and boyish anticipation, but I am better able to control my worries about the future by not catastrophizing and placing them in proper perspective. Perspective is really all it takes.
I meditate and pray that you accept the blessings that will be with you as we all live 2010 for all that it is and we realize our true potential, experiencing gratitude, love, and peace in every facet of our lives.
Anson
