Addicted to thinking

Almost all of us suffer from the chronic affliction of being addicted
to thinking. As parents, we are often overwhelmed with the million
things that have to get done. We plan, we create lists, we follow through
as best we can. Many people find it difficult to "shut off" the endless
repetition of their "mind talk".

This, of course, makes it very difficult to be present in the moment
and to practice conscious parenting. How do we still the mind enough
to remain present as much as possible? How do we get everything
done without becoming lost in the storymaking and list creating of the mind?

The mind is a beautiful thing, when it serves, not when it runs your life.
I have found that by creating habits, through diligent practice and
repetition, there is a way to multi task and still remain present and
aware. So many times I have longed for the evening so that I could go
to sleep and escape the incessant chatter of my mind going over
everything that needed to get done.

I now have created a new habit that allows me to gain that sense
of peace wherever I am, regardless of the time of day. I shift my
attention into my heart. This allows me to access the intelligence
of the heart. I give myself permission to believe in my heart.

This has proven to be a very useful exericise. I can now accomplish
many things in a single day and remain focused and present more
often than not.

The mind needs nourishment, just like body does.
The question to ask your self is "what am I feeding my mind?"

I began to watch what my focus of attention was on.
As soon as things became hectic and my mind started to race,
I brought my awareness back into my heart and started to
breathe deeply. I watched the feelings and the thoughts
and then did some housecleaning.

This also works very well as typical situations arise in
day to day living. For example, getting stuck in traffic jams,
waiting in line at the bank when you are in a rush or when
your child is having a meltdown.

The power within the heart is a self-empowered feeling,
it is different from sentimentality. It is a gateway
through which you can access your conscious presence.

To get into that space, slow down for a moment and pay
close attention to what you are feeling. Really go into that
feeling and relax the mind. Identify what you are feeling
(do not analyze your thoughts or feelings),
for example; frustration, anger, feeling overwhelmed,
stress, etc. Now think of a replacement for that feeling.

Focus on your heart and breath into it. As though you
are breathing through it. Imagine that you are breathing
your replacement feeling directly into your heart.

This will actually shift the energy within your body and mind.
As a result you begin to create new emotional signatures that
you can anchor within yourself through practice and repetition.

This is a powerful exercise and it will alleviate much of the "insanity"
of a mind that just won't be still. The wonderful thing is that you can
do it anywhere and at anytime.

Shifting your focus in this way, puts your awareness "in charge"
so that your mind can do what it was designed to do;
solve problems, not create new ones.

In love and light
Melinda Asztalos

The Power of Your Word

I've decided to take the 30 day challenge on keeping my word

It has become so easy and so normal not to follow through on our word. 

No one thinks that much about it because almost everyone is so used 

to not placing true value on the integrity of his/her word.

It's important for me to inspire my daughter to recognize the 

power of keeping one's word. I decided to take a 30 day challenge. 

In the next 30 days, I'm focusing intently on the conversations and 

agreements that I make with my daughter. 

I love this practice because it keeps me on track and focused 

in the present. Instead of rushing, it requires that I slow down a 

bit and take each opportunity to watch the way that I speak to 

my child and the degree of presence that I am experiencing 

when listening to her.

 

Keeping your word means that you honor what you are saying. 

It means that you are thinking before speaking and so you do 

not hastily make promises that you choose not to keep.

 

People give less and less value to the power of their word. 

This directly relates to the level of integrity in one's life.

 

I believe that when a child grows up in a home where 

the parents' word means something, and can be counted on, 

then a child is growing up getting the full benefit of experiencing 

life with integrity.

 

I would like to invite you to take the 30 day challenge with me.

In the next 30 days make a point of keeping your word. 

Practice saying what you mean and meaning what you say.

 

Be mindful and present to the promises and agreements that 

you make with everyone in your life. Recognize that you are 

your word and choose to remain true to yourself and your 

commitment to your word.

 

Decide who you are going to be in the face of your inner 

dialogue as well as your outward expression. Catch yourself 

being inauthentic and make a conscious choice to live and 

speak with authenticity.

 

I find that this is a powerful exercise that will not only benefits 

me on a very deep level, but it also opens a doorway to 

transformation in my relationships with others.

Wishing you much joy and success

Melinda