SERIOUSLY SPEAKING - THE SEDUCTION OF 'INSTANT'

Our Western Culture has been intrigued with the concept of NOW and immediate. 

In our current social media culture, 'instant' has taken on an even more prominent position.

Our Native Cultures had a different view - perhaps because they were more connected to nature.

Our internal human system - our neurology, psychology and physiology have their own logic that needs to be respected.

If we look for instant change, we get discouraged.

If we believe in instant internal change, we sabotage our actual forward momentum by not recognizing it!

DANCE WITH IT!   EXPERIENTIAL APPS                          

An opportunity to experiment with some fun ideas…

5 STEPS FOR CHANGE

We've been here before, but when it comes to positive change, these steps are crucial!

1)  Look for the mini shifts

2)  Be compassionate with yourself

3)  Acknowledge what you are doing

4)  Appreciate your efforts

5)  Applaud your changes

SERIOUSLY SPEAKING - HONORING EACH DAY

What does it mean to honor the day?

Certainly, not pretending to be happy if you're not.  Actually, not pretending at all!

But rather, finding something that allows you to close your eyes at the end of the day with a sense of satisfaction; a feeling that you were able to suck the juice that was available, and come away richer for it.

Maybe you learned something about yourself you really like - or maybe you banged into a corner of your being that needs some fixing - no matter - as long as you tuned into that something - in you, or in the world around you - it was a good day!

  

DANCE WITH IT!   EXPERIENTIAL APPS           

An opportunity to experiment with some fun ideas...

RULE #1 TO GET THE RICHNESS FROM EACH DAY: DROP THE BULLY VOICE!

Coming at you from the corners of the universe, that negative invitation to 'should' yourself to death is a non-starter - the biggest waste of your moments!

When you hear it coming:

"Why did you…!"

"You should have…!"

"Nobody will like you if you…!"

PLUG YOUR EARS AND PUSH BACK!

This is one time when harsh words are acceptable:

"Back off!"

"Get lost!"

"Shut up!"

And the good old 3 year old standby of sticking out your tongue works too!

This voice, whether it is external from friends, teachers, parents, or internal from our own minds - is not helpful and always counter-productive.

~To comment click below and let us know what you think ~

And for a mini-meditation:                                                                   

Http://tinyurl.com/minimeditations

  

DETACH? WITH COMPASSION? WHAT?

We were talking about ways to deal with difficult people…

"So," he demanded, "what is this thing about 'compassion'?  Does it mean accepting rotten behavior and smiling and saying its okay?"

"'Cause if that's what you're talking about," he continued vehemently, "count me out!"

Well, okay, what are we talking about?

What does it really mean to consciously and intentionally detach with compassion?

We are talking about a way of paying attention and observing that allows you to step back, catch your breath, and observe the world and people around you.

Do you like that person you're watching?

Do you want to be intimate, open, close friends? 

Do you have to fight them?

Engage with them emotionally?

No.

Compassion allows you to see them for who they are, not just an extension of your reality - even if it's a parent or sibling!

What do ya say?

Can you see how this might make your life easier and less painful?

~To comment click below and let us know what you think ~

Want a 3 minute meditation break?

Just go to Amazon.com  select 'digital music' and type in 'Carol Shapiro' or click the link below:

CLICK HERE

MR. SWEET

Once upon a time, in a land far away, actually a small burg in upstate New York, a young girl was sitting in the back of a classroom quietly crying…

She was a good student.  She really worked at it, but she was in extremis! 

It was final exam time and that paper in front of her was torment!  None of it made sense!  Weird symbols that were getting weirder as they blurred with her tears…

The teacher, yes, his name really was Mr. Sweet, had been watching her with concern.  He was not only a compassionate human but he also loved math and just couldn't stand his beloved material being so poorly received…

He pulled up a chair next to the girl and tried - really tried - to point out the beauty and simplicity of his wonderful Algebra…

Showing her with great enthusiasm how easy it all was, he proceeded to do - and ace - her final exam…

A half century has passed and that girl is still grateful to this exceedingly kind human. 

She went on to ace many exams over the years but the biggest lesson she learned that day was understanding that all of us have limitations and reaching out with compassion changes a person's live forever!

What do ya say?

Ever had a Mr. Sweet in your life?

~To comment click below and let us know what you think~

SUNDAY SMILES - SO SUE ME!

Dealing with an elderly parent or grandparent and struggling with the reversal of roles? 

It can certainly be challenging, calling for compassion, letting go of old grudges, accepting limitations, cultivating patience …  

One country seems to have this one nicely nailed down.  Check it out:

"China recently passed a law allowing elderly parents to sue their children for not visiting them enough.(!)

In 2010, China became the first country to pass national legislation legally obligating adult children to visit their elderly parents.  

There are no set parameters for how often children must visit, but parents in China who do not feel sufficiently cared for have legal grounds to sue their adult children…"

read more

Hmmm... Needing to legally force children to visit their parents... Is this telling us something, or what?  

What do ya say?  Love to hear your thoughts on this one!

To explore any of these topics type a key word into the search field on the upper left of the Blog.

To comment just place your cursor over the word 'comments' (sometimes it says 'no comments') below. 

Remember we are also at:  www.thehumandance.com

CAN YOU TAKE BABY STEPS?

Here’s a really interesting one to think about. . .

When little children begin the process of walking – and it is a process:

Step  Step  Wobble  Trip  Splat…
Step  Step  Wobble  Trip  Splat…

We can’t seem to control our excitement, enthusiasm, and encouragement.

“Look at her!” we exclaim.

“OMG is that wonderful!”

“Yes, yes come on Sweetie, that’s great!”

So, where, may I ask, is that loving, compassionate, kind, excited, supportive voice when, as adults, we take those baby steps into new behavior?

How many times have you applauded yourself because you lost one pound?  

More to the point, how often have you been encouraging when, the next day the scale indicated that you wobbled and tripped?

How many times have you applauded small behavior changes even though they weren’t dramatic?


Can you imagine what would happen to those toddlers learning to walk if they got scolded every time they wobbled?

What do ya think?

Can you get behind baby steps in your own life?



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