We are fast becoming rewired to use our brains in a very machine like manner and we are doing quite a good job. Our minds are flitting quicker, our hands are pushing buttons faster and we’re recognising symbols nearly automatically.

The scary thing is, as the article alluded to, is that it comes at a cost. While we are busy training our brains in this way, there is little time and personal capacity to do the things we once did that helped in the more human aspect of our selves. Things like listening, discovering reflecting, understanding, finding meaning, caring, sharing. It seems more like a one man path in the life journey with less and less connection with the heart and soul of others.

It’s not just words or blah blah but a very scary proposition that soon if we all head down the machine and technology road, our capacity to sit down and connect on a human level will not be a capability of our brain and body function.

So difficult will it be to show tolerance, patience, explore curiously and compassionately as we will be wired for speed and movement and quick response.

So if you’re like me and many others who feel so strongly about the dire urgency of where we are at now, it is up to us to do what we can to make a difference.

I once thought all I could do was to sit on these sad thoughts about where we are headed as a race, however I now see it as a challenge (and know many others feel the same) to do what we can to keep the human spirit and ability to connect as one, alive.

I feel it is a survival of the species issue as was mentioned in the article not just expression of a dissatisfaction or dislike.

So each time you engage in human body and spirit activities and actions, you are doing something great for humanity.

Let us know what you’re up to and share the spirit of this with others to give hope that there is a movement to keep this alive,

Look forward to hearing about it,

Tricia

Interestingly people were also discussing changes they had faced from recent decisions so it seemed quite apt to have ‘decisions’ as the topic of the week.

To prepare for this I began to think about the nature of decisions and I was surprised where my trail of mind moved to.

I realised every moment we are making decisions, albeit unconscious ones that move us to the next moment. I began to ponder what was behind these more unconscious decisions as opposed to those that require more conscious processes of thinking, planning, analysing and evaluating.

Automatic decisions are generally impulsive in nature and often not aligned with our deeper desires and intentions. I wondered how to influence this more automatic and unconscious aspect to align more with what we truly want as opposed to against what we want for our lives.

I thought how useful it would be if quality automatic decisions could ‘help us out’  in our day to day living because relying on ‘trying’ to make best conscious decisions can be quite taxing;

• We decide to go one way however it doesn’t seem to align with another part of our life that is important
• One part of us wants one thing and another part wants another and there is lack of congruency
• Best fit approaches and solutions are often inspired from creative or intuitive approaches rather than the more calculated

So it is understandable that confusion, stagnation, dissatisfaction or a sense of disempowerment can result.

I thought it may be worthwhile to investigate some creative approaches to enhance our likelihood of quality actions with our automatic decisions in every day moments.

The most significant approach that stands out in my own life is the use of creative visioning and its influence on decisions in relation to physical activity which is an important area in my life.

I create a vision of how I see physical activity fit amongst my whole of life experience; what I see as the way regardless of time, place or context. I see it clearly in my mind. For example it includes the following

I see myself moving energetically from one situation to another.

I see myself seeing the opportunities for an incidental walk or outdoor activities.

I hear myself saying yes when asked to try a different activity that appeals to my senses.

I see myself taking my dogs for regular walks.

I see myself stretching and using my body in its full range

I see myself taking the opportunity for a movement that brings a meditative state such as yoga, tai chi, cycling

I see myself talking enthusiastically about my commitment to be physically active

I feel me as this person who is prepared for these opportunities.

I connect regularly with this vision and the sensation of this in my body as these actions actually represent the choices I desire.

Then I allow myself to naturally ‘fall into’ these aspects of my vision without structured planning, rules and expectations.

When I do undertake physical activity, it seems more from the memory and connection with my vision and feels more like a natural ‘thing to do.’

Using this over time I have noticed I engage more regularly and purposefully in physical activity and the decision to do so is without struggle or expectation.

So, I hope this slant on decisions can spark an approach that gets you moving in ways that feel good.

Enjoy your fortnight,

Tricia

This woman did not allow the number of her age, dictate her destiny.

She informed me she was still very active, enjoying functions, visiting family, still drives and that she had plenty more to achieve in her lifetime.

It reinforced the potential of our human bodies when we engage our human spirit to allow life.

So easy is it to get caught up in the boundaries, rules and expectations placed on us – not only by society but by our own minds.

It seems this in itself begins a cycles of decline where we reduce our attempts and energy for new experiences.

She was a powerful inspiration and reminder that it is possible to engage life with passion and purpose no matter the age of the body you are in.

This message was reinforced when I viewed an inspirational video produced by Sean Stephenson, who highlights what is possible for a body with limitations, when the focus in on what can be done rather than can’t.

So, if there is something you are interested in, passionate about or enjoy – discover how the body you are in, can connect with that in some way.

It could generate the shift from ‘dream the dream’ to ‘live the dream’.

Enjoy your fortnight,

Tricia

It hit me how denial can be an inhibitor to personal growth. Not that the purpose of this information is to be hard on yourself but it could offer something worthwhile to explore such as how the conclusion was made.

An example of this happened over the weekend when a friend did a numerology reading. It identified something I thought was ‘untrue’ and my first reaction was to deny it. Later that night however as I sat on the information, I actually identified something deeper about myself and for that, was grateful.

So often no matter what comes at you, there is a chance to extract and learn something worthwhile – albeit insight to your reaction!

When we take the defence and personal element out for small moments, it can awaken us to some ‘illusions’ we may be trapped by.

It was while writing this, I flicked open a book I borrowed from a colleague ‘Power VS Force’ by David R. Hawking, MD., Ph.D (which is often how I approach books!) and low and behold, what did it read?

‘Recovering from a single addiction can take up the majority of a lifetime- and the most common and insidious addiction is to denial which “enlightens” us through intellectual vanity’.

Um…something to ponder!

Enjoy your fortnight,

With love Tricia

In fact I didn’t really know how it all worked or understand the benefits or what it actually offered.

In time however as I learnt more about it, my ‘truth’ about Facebook changed significantly.

I recognised how much through my day to day dealings and learning about it, my views and ‘truth’ actually transformed.

It emphasised something really important to me

Each day as we take on different actions we subtly change and the nature of our beliefs and truths tend to reshape quite dramatically as a result.

I thought about the impact of this in relationships

If we don’t share what is happening in our day to day lives, with those we are close in relationship, it can seem in no time we are speaking to different people!

This was an important reminder to me on the importance of chit chat and catch ups with those I share close relationships.

I thought about my own progression from ‘not liking’ to ‘liking’ the site of Facebook.

I realised each time I showed my excitement such as when an overseas relative contacted me, an invitation was sent or a birthday wish was made, I was sharing my feelings and showing my changing attitude.

This expression that was so simple and seemingly non important was in fact very powerful in my relationship!

So next time you find yourself sharing with your loved ones what happened in your day, your feelings and thoughts, know the incidental worth of such expression.

If not you may wake up one day feeling you don’t even know the other person!

So enjoy some chit chat,

And your fortnight…

It makes me wonder what learning and realisations for mankind will emerge…

Hearing that the oil companies may have cut corners with their safety and practices to meet deadlines and targets for the global economy – reinforces a dangerous consequence for our world, when this becomes more important.

It led me to stop and observe in what way, albeit on a small and personal scale, I am governed by these factors.

Just because the consequences of my actions are not given media attention or costing millions of dollars a day, doesn’t mean they are any less important to the wellbeing and survival of our environment.

These thoughts helped me to look more closely at the general patterns and ways we follow.

I asked myself what actions I put before what.

I realised some of my own choices were governed by the time, finance and material demands over the more important aspects of life such as health, well being for myself and earth.

It is easy to do so in our society.

Sometimes just by noticing what we do, can change the course of things.

So when we notice it is happening, we have a chance, in some moments in some situations, to select more wisely.

Every small contribution with choices based on wisdom and humanity can, I’m sure, have a huge impact.

So perhaps do something worthwhile for your own health and wellbeing today.

Enjoy your fortnight…

What enabled such an amazing feat?

I call it an amazing feat as it seems does the world, however in the eyes and words of Jessica, it was more a challenge she set out to accomplish and did so.

Her view seemed more that she had done the hard work, preparation and planning, understood the dangers and herself well enough to know she was equipped to take on the voyage.

So how do you become equipped to take on such a voyage?

This is the part that I marvel at…

Jessica’s family’s decision to take on schooling, learning and education in a different manner brought about skills and knowledge but also developed qualities and inner capabilities that for many would take a life time to uncover.

I am excited at what this represents for how we rear and teach children and the focus and approach we take.

Well researched theories and findings on the ‘what and how is the best way to teach’ seems to have our students ‘filled’ with content and busyness (much the same as our western life approach) but  is this actually the best way to enhance quality transferable learning and personal development?

It may be time to look at the demands we place on students and teachers and take the plunge (as did Jessica’s family) to explore different approaches.

It seems we are on the brink of exploring this because there is now much unrest within the education system with stress and dissatisfaction from teachers, students and parents getting louder.

Often while we don’t like the loudness of such battles, they do in fact offer the opportunity for change.

I am hopeful that this voyage of Jessica Watson is the catalyst for deeper realisation and awakening of alternative education approaches with greater benefits for teachers, students and parents.

We may begin to see the markers and focus of successful learning and development placed on qualities and capabilities as opposed to test results.

Just a thought…

On the one hand these bring so much, however this abundance can be costly.

Last week as I viewed my mounting inbox items, I felt an overwhelming sense of overload.

I felt quite bombarded. I knew I had to do something there and then to quell the feeling.

I made the ruthless decision to ‘delete’ many of these subscribed items to give me some space, similar to the feeling when I clear out unused household items.

My process was simple, I kept all important personal matters and the rest I viewed briefly to determine if it was in or out.

Surprisingly it strengthened my intuitive sense which drew me naturally to worthwhile information needed for the moment.

I realised the importance of such a process in this busy fast world of information via technology. It can otherwise feel like a battle where you sit on ‘do you or don’t you; follow, respond, read, save, forward?

So perhaps take some time to observe the impact on your ‘state of being’ from the social and professional media information that resides in your ‘inbox’.

Just a thought, have a good fortnight…

I think most of us have some things that ‘bite’ a little more and we stay attached to for longer.

I look at these events or situations as opportunities for they generally offer the biggest clues to our deeper patterns (that have probably been around for a long time).

These actually become the material for my own ‘mindful’ investigation meditation where I explore what is happening.

With this type of meditation you enter in your own mind space (without having to prove or justify to anyone else) and ask questions about reason for that difficulty. You then ask what it may mean about you and then ask what that may mean about you and then ask what that may mean about you; until an insightful realisation about your pattern or need and its impact emerges.

I used this approach the other day when my daughter asked me to care for Sherman, her Rhodesian Ridge Back for the long weekend. My first reaction was ‘how on earth was this going to work with our 2 other dogs who are already very demanding?’ I had created a picture of a household under siege and non-stop craziness.

Mindful investigation brought awareness to one of my recurring life patterns. My pursuit for comfort and peace judged this situation to be a threat hence my reaction and feelings emerged.

As I realised where the feelings had emerged from, it was enough to help me ‘move on and get over it’. It helped me shift from worrying to visioning how it was going to work well for everyone.

Amazingly, having Sherman for the weekend proved to settle the other two dogs and we enjoyed a wonderful weekend!

Hope there is something in this approach for you,

Enjoy your fortnight…

So how do you tune in and become aware with ‘eyes that look in’?

One way is to begin with areas you would like to improve such as relationships with others and explore the role you play in that.

You could look at the common themes or patterns that emerge during engagements or interactions such as non resolution of issues, rejection of ideas or manipulation to ‘win’.

If it always ends the same, chances are the same patterns are being followed.

This is your opportunity to notice what leads to what. Is it a particular word, tone, gesture or look? What part are you sensitive or reactive to?

When you identify this in the chain of events, you have gained something powerful that you didn’t realise before – your own vulnerabilities. Something can now be done with this discovery – you can choose a different response at those significant moments for a better life result.

You may find you can steer off course what you don’t like or attract something you do like with simple shifts at critical times such as refrain from a reaction, calm the self, use humour, look away or ask a clarifying question.

The usual chain of events may be put to a halt due to this slight shift.

This self awareness approach can lead you to become the instrument that initiates change in your life.

And every day brings an abundance of opportunities for this ongoing exploration and new ways.

In time you no longer talk about what you do or don’t want (or like) but rather action what is needed to make the difference.

Look forward to hear about your discoveries,

PS

As Earth Day coming up on April 22^nd I thought it may be worthwhile for us all to observe our actions in relation to earth matters and make some simple but worthy changes.