Traffic is Perfect

I used to get angry a lot. If someone was in the grocery store "10 items or less" line with more than about 12 items-- watch out!

One of my biggest trials was traffic. I'd weave from lane to lane, trying to get home as fast as possible, and getting upset every time someone cut in front of me.

A book called Peace Is Every Step: The Path of Mindfulness in Everyday Life, by Thich Nhat Hanh, completely erased my traffic angst.

This book was my first introduction to the idea of mindfulness. In it, Hanh talks about mindfulness in everyday life, and paying attention to moments like washing the dishes. Every moment is perfect (even sitting in traffic!) and every moment should be appreciated. After all, the present moment is all we really have.

This idea was a real mind-blower for me. Every moment was perfect? I couldn't wrap my mind around that for quite a while.

But I began to look at my anger and frustration in traffic, and to see that there was another option (who'd 'a' thunk it?) I felt kind of like the Grinch, realizing that there was more to Christmas than presents. Maybe there was more to driving in traffic than getting frustrated and angry.

My heart might not have grown three sizes with this realization, but my life certainly has changed. When I drive in traffic, I relax, breathe, and look for beauty in the scenery around me. Even if it's someplace I've been hundreds of times, there's always something new to notice and appreciate. And I make a point of having good music to listen to, although I often prefer the silence.

I'm also more patient standing in lines, and dealing with other people in general (although my 16-year-old can still find and push my buttons). But that's perfect, too, and it's OK. Since I'm still here breathing, I still have work to do.

VISIONStatement for Manifesting

I love starting the morning with a new inspiration, and this one's brilliant. Create your vision statement, and make your own slide show, with inspiring videos, and music. Then watch your slide show first thing in the morning, last thing at night, and whenever else you can during the day.

Now I just need to figure out how to make a slide show. How did I get so behind technologically?

Whips and Chains, or Aligning Energy?

At the end of a recent marketing seminar, the presenters offered us quite a few options for follow up. One of them was weekly calls to "give you homework, and make you do it." Whips were mentioned.

Hawing someone else remind you, and gently push you to do something, can be very effective. Whether the whip adds anything is a matter of more personal preferences. But the whole thing got me thinking about my own motivation.

I've been to two of these seminars recently, and I've come out of them with a great plan to follow. The first thing I was supposed to do was start a business blog. But I hadn't started it yet. I even went to a specialized class about blogging, and got more great ideas. Again, no blog.

So what was the hold-up here? I usually like to write. And I'm usually not timid about trying new things. So what was going on? Did I need to sign up for the BDSM plan?

Well, maybe. But not yet. Because motivation is really about lining up spiritual energy. So, if I'm not doing something that I think I want to do, I haven't aligned my energy. And taking action first, without doing the energy work, usually isn't very effective.

There are lots of ways to achieve this energy shift. In this case, I'm spending more time visualizing the end result, and finding the feeling of accomplishing what I want. I'm also taking time to set clear intentions for my new business blog, and the business in general. And I'm practicing writing two blogs, both this spiritual one and the one for my business.

Then, if all else fails, I'll be setting up special calls with the marketing guru. I wonder what he wears when he makes those calls?