May 2006

Unable to Work or Disabled ...by your STRESSFUL Thoughts??

 As I was registering recently for a newsletter, I found myself scrolling through the occupation choices listed.  For some strange reason it seemed that none applied. The frustration was mounting as I was not able to find one that applied and then suddenly the mouse intuitively clicked on "Unable to Work/Disabled". What?? And then the stressful thought appeared, “I am not unable to work or disabled, what happened??” And then the work took over my being and said, "I am not unable to work or disabled or am I?".  

Knowing there are no mistakes, and allowing the work to do its job, fully trusting the process, I asked, "Is this true that I am unable to work and disabled?”YES!” I screamed. "A lot of times I am unable to work and disabled...disabled by my limiting/negative thoughts!”. This was such a profoundly accurate insight.  

A new world had been opened up miraculously simply by a click of the mouse.  Then I asked myself how do I feel when I am disabled?  The truth was that I am filled with guilt and regret.  Guilt that I should be doing something and regret of all the things I have not done.  It opened up a vicious cycle of self-debilitating and limiting beliefs.  It’s a wonder I can ever get any work done with these thoughts.   To be real honest here, it's true that my thoughts keep me from doing the work in front of me ...the very work I want to be doing.  

It is now time to clean house so I line up all the thoughts that came out of how I feel exercise. 

These are the thoughts that came up; do you have thoughts like these also?

• I can't do all of this
• I have too much to do
• I am not organized 
• I need to focus
• I should be doing something more meaningful

Then I realize that so much time is spent entertaining these thoughts, how could I possibly be focusing on the job in front of me?  How can I be present?  I am unable to do the very work I want to be doing!  It is a vicious cycle of fear and regret.  I believe the thoughts, waste time with them, do not get my work done and then at the end of the day I looked at my unfinished piles of work in regret at all the choices that could have been made differently.  This thinking mutates a whole newbreed of limiting beliefs such as:

• I am not good enough
• I never get it all done
• I don't make good choices
• I am not motivated
• I always procrastinate

Wow, it’s a wonder that I am even able to complete this newsletter with this war going on in my mind.  Great thing there is a way to end the war.

How can we end the war?

There are 2 things we can do to end the war and to create a life of peace.  First by doing inquiry on one limiting thought at a time; by asking the 4 questions from the Work of Byron katie, we can release the power the thought has on us. 

First, Go through the 4 questions and turnaround,

#1 Is it true that I have too much to do? "It certainly feels this way at times"

# 2 Can I absolutely know its true? "Well, I guess I don't know that I have too much to do.  How can I have more to do than I can do? Unless it’s self-imposed? So, No it’s not true". 

#3 How do I react when I think this thought? "I get bummed out, I feel overwhelmed by it all, I feel incompetent and not at peace at all.

#4 Who would I be without this thought?  “I would be just doing the work in front of me, trusting the Universe, being at peace, happy, full of joy and thankful for what I am doing as I am doing it.  Not worried what lies ahead or behind me just present and focused on this moment right now.  Just thinking this brings me to peace.

Turn It around to the opposite:I don’t have too much to do- Is that as true or truer?  Yes, because my only purpose is to be doing exactly what I am doing in this moment.  I trust the Universe to support and provide me exactly what is needed in this moment.  This helps me stay present and savor what I am doing.  Just like typing this newsletter to you.  I feel my fingers typing on the keyboard and I am amazed they know exactly what letter to choose and having faith that the right thing is being done in this moment.   Peace is restored to my being and I relax as I enjoy typing this newsletter to you. 

Second, by focusing on what we are meant to be doing, the work in front of us.  One of the things on my "to do" list that day was to complete the May newsletter.  The experience presented itself, I was inspired and instead of saying that I need to be doing something else (the other things on my list), I immediately did the work and started writing of this experience to share with you, hence this months Newsletter focus.  We are given many opportunities of inspiration every day but we think we should be doing something else.  Laying back, trusting the Universe and doing the work when we are inspired to do it, then sitting back feeling fulfilled that we did exactly what we needed to be doing at precisely the right time!  It's a beautiful, stress free and peaceful way to live! 

If you find yourself unable to work or disabled, feel free to visit our website at www.apeacefulmind.org for more information about the Work of Byron Katie: http://www.apeacefulmind.org/examples.htm

Mr. Magoo the ultimate Goo-Roo (Guru) ??

"Who would you be without your story?" was the question that a friend asked recently when doing The Work.  Suddenly this image flashed in my mind of Mr. Magoo.  The tension flew away, I started laughing and said, "Mr. Magoo-I would be like Mr. Magoo--just going about my life unaffected by what happens around me, fully trusting that everything will work out perfectly and living in total faith...just as he was.”  We both enjoyed that moment so much thinking of who we would be if we were to go through life as Mr. Magoo. 

The next time you are in what seems like a stressful moment, ask yourself, “What would Mr. Magoo do?”  How would he go about this situation, and surely you will find some insight and a chuckle or two.  Here are some Guru qualities that are the same as some of our greatest master teachers:

BEING PRESENT- Mr. Magoo is oblivious to whatever happens around him because he is so present and trusting. While the external situations may seem chaotic, Mr. Magoo does not get involved or let that distract him from his path.

TRUST- Mr. Magoo goes along his merry way with full confidence that everything will work out perfectly, even though he is practically blind.

PEACE- Mr. Magoo always seems relaxed as the world around him is sometimes seemingly being destroyed.

INTEGRITY- Mr. Magoo always lives his truth moment by moment totally experiencing where he is at and his story of it.  If he is patting a fire hydrant he thinks is his dog, he truly enjoys that.  He somehow knows the secret that it’s all our story anyway, and we can make it up how we like it. 

FAITH- Mr. Magoo never does any research as to what may lie ahead on the road; he never goes into the future of what obstacles he may encounter and never lets his physical limitations stop him.  He just goes along living in full faith that all will work out

Now go out and rent some reruns of Mr. Magoo. You just might have some great laughs as you also become a Mr. Magoo devotee, because though some might be blind to the truth,  he is a great GOO- ROO (GURU)…

Featured Friend - Fengshui with KarenAnn

Feng Shui is a science that modifies the energies of our home and work environments to enhance our personal life energy (Chi) and life experience.  When properly aligned, our environments support each of us to live richer, fuller, happier lives and reach our fullest potential.  We are precisely and intimately connected to our environments.  That awareness provides the opportunity to access a powerful tool, Feng Shui. 

The reason I consider Feng Shui so valuable is not only its effectiveness, but its uniqueness.  The Chinese have an interesting belief about what factors influence our life.  The first influence is called Tien Chi, our Destiny, or life path.  It has limitations, but also great opportunities.  The second influence is Ren Chi, or Man Luck, because everything you do - in action, decision, or choice in consciousness impacts your life.  The third factor in life is Tai Chi, or Earth Luck.  Feng Shui works with Earth Luck, or our environment. Feng Shui does not take away from anything we are already doing, but provides another level, or tool, to bring in opportunities or healing. Man Luck and Earth Luck both work through with the natural law and the laws of the Universe, and can both be used to alter or expand our path in life. 

Much information available on Feng Shui is rather shallow, superficial, and in some cases, inaccurate.  I practice Classical Feng Shui, a precise, multilayered and complex science, using principles much like physics or geometry.  It is diagnostic and personal to the property, and to the person.  Feng Shui not only works with the patterns of influence in the environment, but also with individual and personal patterns of Chi for each person.  Classical Feng Shui also incorporates the influences of the cycles of time, actually time and place. The dynamics of change are powerful realities that influence our lives.     

When Feng Shui principles are correctly applied, we can enhance specific benevolent influences and minimize nonsupportive ones.  Whatever is going on in your life will have one, or many corresponding influences in your environment.  A few of the influences that can be located, identified  and modified through Feng Shui are these - attract opportunity and more money, experience more harmony and joy, minimize conflict and stress, provide greater support, heal health problems, attract a relationship, and enhance mental clarity and focus, or studies, etc. 

We truly live in a world of connections, not separations.  If we acknowledge just the possibility of these connections, we open a whole new world of possibilities in our lives- Written By Karen Ann Tompkins of Feng Shui By Karen Ann.

  Karen Ann consults nationwide with individuals and corporate clients, helping them with everything from their bottom line to their love life.  Clients range from casinos and movie studios, to medical facilities, and large developments in the United States, Canada and Mexico.  A popular teacher and lecturer, she is in demand for corporate, convention, academic and community events.  She has been featured on WFAA TV, as well as in numerous magazines and newspapers.  Studying with Feng Shui Masters world wide, she takes students and clients through a step-by-step process to understand why this works, how it works, and why we should care.  A passionate, provocative and knowledgeable lecturer, she makes it hard to be a nonbeliever.

For more information on Feng Shui or Karen Ann, please visit her website at www.fengshuiwithkarenann.com