My last post listed the first 5 underlying principles of learning to see the world through a new lens. As I said, until you know that you are the master of how you do see and are willing to observe from a more ‘eyes wide open’ place, you are naturally going to remain stuck in the same modality. Choice is the rudder of life experience so, choose conscious observation first.
6. Thoughts are things: Choose your thoughts carefully. Bucky Fuller used to say that a thought is a lot like a trim tab, that tiny, little switch that can change the direction of a 200,000 ton cruise liner. I love that metaphor. Throw the switch on a negative thought:..I can’t draw, I was never very good at______, art has never been my thing, I never have great ideas, I’m afraid I___, blah, blah, blah. Mind your internal and external dialogue. They are a lot more powerful than you might think. Notice if you are looking out at the world through a self limiting filter.
Our alternatives diminish with every limiting thought. All things are not possible. But, many more things are possible than you have time for in this lifetime. Hold that thought.
7.Intuition: Listen to that voice in there when it’s talking to you. It could be your higher intuitive intelligence nudging you to do something…or not. You can call it inspiration if you’d like…the knowing that lies at a cellular level and sometimes shows up in the most unexpected ways or situations. Your intuition is another part of your observation mechanism. Sometimes it’s just a whisper. Other times it’s a bullhorn, like I said. Hey!!! Wake up!!
8. Being present: The normal distractions of life tend to keep us from being in the moment. In our fast-paced world, being still, void of diversion long enough to notice and observe isn’t something at which we are culturally adept. The exercises I’ll share with you later on will help you to become more focused, centered and present so you can be conscious when a great idea or opportunity shows up.
9. Vulnerability: If we own up to not knowing it all, we are in a better place to receive a different point of view. It isn’t from a place of knowing that we will find a new perspective or an opportunity to learn something. We aren’t learning or observing when we are yakking. Most of that happens when we are listening. The chance to learn something can show up through the most unlikely of beings, so don’t let your ego sabotage that opportunity. Shake off the need to be right. I know from personal experience that it is a burden and a good way to sabotage your own evolution. Besides it’s annoying.
10. Give up control: Remember, to the degree we are unwilling to let go of controlling what is,we are unable to see what could be. I know it seems obvious but think about it. How uptight do you get when things don’t go the way you think they ‘should?’ I have seen a small group of people attempting to create a collage together as a team exercise. The first person would put down a shape of a certain color with a definite ‘vision’ in mind. Person number two would have the nerve then, to slap down another shape or image that completely derailed the first person’s vision of how it ‘should’ be. Person number three then added what felt like a personal assault to the ‘visionary’. Around and around it went until the project was completed. Controllers have a tough time with this exercise. Physiologies of discontent speak loudly and clearly. The myopic ‘my way’ syndrome slams the door on any possibilities of new perspectives to be gained. Surrendering to the idea that there may be a better way and it didn’t come from you can be painful, I know.
11. Mistakes can be a good thing: Backward is still forward…an ironic and perfect demonstration of the way life works. You don’t learn from what you know. Our mistakes are a great catalyst for growth or learning. So, if your points of view don’t work for you anymore and you consider them “mistakes”, honor them as great teachers. In fact I think changing the word ‘mistake’ to ‘lesson’ would be a positive thing. Maybe we wouldn’t beat ourselves up so much…or others.
Observe the world around you and suspend judgment of it.
Next post: Gathering options