CATALYST NEWS

Eva Dahm, CPCC, MA

October, 2004

Dedicated to your growth and exploration

SHORT CIRCUIT WORRY

Watching a TV movie recently, a daughter said to her father, "You look worried, Dad." His reply was "I'm a father, so I'm supposed to worry." His daughter quipped, "Maybe you should get another job." (Or at least change the job description.)

Do you have a role in life that you have defined as a worry role? Perhaps as a parent or person with elderly and ailing parents you find the future thoughts you have are not too positive.

In the film "What the Bleep Do We Know, the main character happens upon a display of microscopic photos of water under the influence of different emotions.

Water being sent love looks beautiful and brilliant in a snowflake pattern. The same water with negative thoughts of hate and death appears dark, black and polluted. The movie asks which kinds of thoughts would you choose to send to your body (composed of 98% water)? Do you choose positive or negative (worry) ideas of the future?

FUTURE ORIENTED

I am a great planner. I used to live almost totally from this place of planning which is very close to worry when the thoughts are negative. I discovered (when I was going through a huge turmoil years ago); the world didn't end when I didn't follow "my sacred plan". Now I still utilize my strong planning skills for tasks and special events. And I have officially resigned from living every moment in this way. I am at choice.

I also found a few months ago living in future plans and schemes was keeping me from being present to the moment and the emotions of now. Since I want to be present and in the moment, my mental repetitions are not helping me. When I stay present, my life is smoother. Now I mix planning and being open to opportunity.

Each day I know what I'd like to get done or I have an idea of several possible tasks. I also may have one or two tasks that must be done. Beyond this limited framework, the rest of my day unfolds through inspiration.

I learned years ago to stop and ask myself, "What is the next most important thing for me to do?" Now I use this same procedure. However, the question now is "Since I am open and present, what is the next thing for me to do?" I am silent and still and await the answer.

When the name of someone who I need to call or email comes to me, I proceed. In this manner, I more frequently reach them and conduct our business easily. And productive days are also calm and centered days.

DAILY INTENTION

Each morning I also state my intention that the day will be joyful and will flow with ease and peace. Then I proceed to the day.

It is an unusual experience to be in the day from this place of peace-the calm in the eye of the storm. So many of us are crazed and busy (and proud to be). I'm proud to face my days with a grounded and centered feeling. Even the bumps in the road look different from this place of joy and trust.

I recently recovered from some minor surgery after many months of fighting an infection. I did not realize how bad I felt until I recovered and had more energy for the first time in months. On the other side of the illness, I feel like a new person.

Coming from peace and joy everyday, allows me to be in the world and feel totally different, like a new person. Living in the eye of the storm allows me to observe the craziness and not be in it.

Remember what we focus on increases. If you constantly think about the negatives, the lack, you get more lack. My focus on joy and calm allows me to receive more peace in my daily life. What is your focus?

A RECENT EXAMPLE

So have I stopped worry in my life? In a word, no.

Recently I caught myself fully engaged by the "tornado of thoughts" in my mind. I was worrying and wanting the future to be a certain way concerning an interview for some work next year. I stopped, realized what I was doing, and quickly determined I was attached to the future being a certain way.

Immediately, I wanted to switch the wildly careening thoughts to OFF. I knew I could choose a different focus. After several attempts, I decided to focus on a positive feeling I had during my interview. Dwelling on the emotions of joy and excitement will increase the chances for more of these in my future life IN SOME WAY. It may be the way I imagine with the work I interviewed for or in another even better opportunity. Either will give me the positive feeling of partnering in creating new workshops or groups in 2005.

Letting go of my attachments to one form in the future while holding the emotions I do want, will allow the Universe to bring me the best form of new and exciting work. Balance creates openness to the Universe and to possibility without attachment to any one form. This shift totally shut down my crazy worry thoughts.

GET OUT OF THE TORNADO

1. Be aware of your thoughts and your body. When do you go into "mindless" circles of future worry (or guilt or fear or shame)?

2. How can you shift the perspective to look at the whole matter differently? If you need an idea or two on a different point of view, ask a good objective friend for their assistance.

3. Create what you want it to be. Focus on this new idea (or feeling) and hold it in your mind. See it in your future in all sorts of possible detail and with the emotions that accompany it.

4. Set an intention for how the day will go. If you want compassion, wisdom, or patience, set the intention for a day filled with it. Then be open to see the differences in how your day flows.

Trust me you'll feel better when you live in a place of trust and peace about the
future.

Love and light, eva

Complimentary Coaching Session, Email Eva