-Jon Gordon
What do you do when a 140mph hurricane is headed straight for your house, your business, your family and your life? This is the question I am asking myself right now. As my heart races and fear attacks I realize the ultimate truth-that security is an illusion. The house that protects my family, the restaurant that provides us with an income, and the beach where I walk each morning could all be gone in a flash-simply because of high speed winds. The reality is that no matter how much our ego clamors for control and security and no matter how much we try to create security in all aspects of our life, true security doesn't really exist. Walls cannot protect us from fierce winds. Gated communities cannot fully protect us from crime. And a big bank account cannot insulate us from the cost of a life threatening illness.
Now I don't say this to bring you down, after all, this is a newsletter about getting addicted to positive energy. In fact, I believe this is where the story gets brighter and the sun shines through the clouds of our inherent vulnerability. For when we realize that we are truly vulnerable there is nothing left to do but let go of our ego covered armor and false notions of power and security and tap into the ultimate security and greater power source. You see, when we accept that we are not in control we can stop investing our energy in worry and fear and we can start investing in the higher octane power sources of trust and faith. And from personal experience I can tell you that when you make this change in energy your life flows much better.
So as the 140mph hurricane approaches I have decided to do the only things I can do. Seek safety by driving my family to Atlanta and seek peace by surrendering my control, letting go of my fear, and trusting that no matter how powerful the storm, the sun is right behind it, ready to shine on my life if I let it in. To let the sun shine on your life try the following action steps.
Action Steps
1. First accept the facts that you are ultimately not in control and that security is an illusion.
2. When faced with a difficult challenge in your life, determine what is in your control and what is beyond your control. There may be elements of both.
3. For the parts that you can't control such as a hurricane, losing a job, etc. make the decision and the effort to let go of your fear.
4. Trust that things will work out. Even if the situation looks bleak, try to see the bigger picture, look for the life lesson and attempt to grow as a person. Trust is fuel for an incredible and happy life.
trust:
I trust that everything happens for a reason. I trust that great things are happening." I find the less I fear and the more I trust, the more my life flows. Try it and see for yourself. Saying this mantra each day is like me giving you a 10lb barbell and you lifting it. In response to your exercise you build more muscle. When you trust you activate the part of your brain associated with higher brain functioning and you deactivate your amygdala, the part of your brain associated with fear and stress. The more you do this exercise the more automatic and stronger the response becomes.
So when you are faced with a fearful or stressful situation instead of fear hijacking your thoughts and mind, your trust muscles will be flexed and dominate your thought process. Instead of your thoughts saying, "What are we going to do, this is bad, I can't handle this, it's hopeless, why me, what's going to happen tomorrow," you will trust and say, "Calm down, relax, everything is going to work out, it always does, I can handle it, and I trust that great things are happening." This is not rah rah motivational stuff. This is the latest research in neuroscience and positive psychology applied to our daily lives. Research shows that building your trust muscles will help you make better decisions at work and at home. It will help you reduce stress. You will flow instead of fight each day. And most importantly your trust and faith will energize you to take on each day, each challenge and each situation one trusting belief at a time. Trust that great things are happening and they will.
Action Steps
· Throughout the day repeatedly say, "Great things are happening."
· When you are faced with an obstacle or stressful situation practice the following technique. Stop and focus on your breathing. Say the mantras, "I trust that great things are happening," and "Everything happens for a reason." Do this for a few minutes until you feel calm and mentally clear. Then, deal with the situation. Continue to breathe deeply while you handle the problem. You'll be amazed at how problems dissolve when you flex your trust muscles.
posted by ramakrishnan @ 1:53 AM
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