Know Thy Self

There are two different forms of thinking that lead to two “ very different ” outcomes in life. One leads to more internal power; one removes it. One has you feeling in complete control and the other as a victim. One has you as the captain of your own ship and the other feeling as the ship itself.

Let’s look now at these two forms to see where you might have put your “current power source”, and at the “natural consequences” of that action.

Reactive Thinking - Is based on thinking from the outside in, with more focus on what is going on around us as the reason for the way we are. This form of thinking has us believing that the situations must change so that in turn, we can change. The power comes from the situation.

• A reactive person will tell you about every person (and / or) situation that got them into their current circumstances.

Proactive Thinking - Is based on thinking from the inside out. With more focus on our choices and options within each situation. This form of thinking has us believing in terms of what response (or) action that we choose to use at that given time. The power comes from within the person.

• A proactive person will tell you about all their choices or values they have that led them to their decision.

Both forms of thinking have a common source, they are a “learned response.” Or, in other words, a habit. All that a habit essentially is, would be the natural reaction of repeated practice.

Just like riding a bike; how you hold a pencil while using it; which hand you prefer to drink your coffee with (or) anything else that you have learned to do. It is “how we practiced the process” until it became “comfortable to us” and therefore became - a habit.

The wonderful thing about habits is that they can be modified (or) even changed with new information and new repeated practice. Life is an ever growing experience and time can always be on our side in learning how to do something new. Each day is a new chance to practice, learn, and grow.

1. Where do I currently place most of my focus?
2. Does that have me ( feeling / thinking ) in more control of my choices to the matter?
3. What would naturally happen if I changed this habit?

    

Many Blessings,

Carol

Has there ever been a time in your life that you were just "so sure" that it was the truth, that you never thought to challenge it? Only to find out years later, that it wasn't the true at all.

The image we have of ourselves today, was formed long ago, by all the well-meanings people ,who were around us while we were growing up. Our teachers, parents, our elders, aunts and uncles, etc. For all we know, the knowledge could have came from the village-idiot of their time. But, we believed it. They formed ideas about us, and we took them to heart because we placed them in the position to be the expert on, who we are. Their opinion became the "truth" to us. And then, became a large part of our self-image. ~ Curly Martin

If you are now, as an adult....in the position of not living a happy, successful life. It is the time to go back and honestly look at those "expert opinions." To check for accuracy. Have you changed at all from childhood? Then, why should those same opinions from then, be valid now?

• As we grow, change and increase in life knowledge. So too, should our own self-image. Take this time now, to allow our beliefs to catch up, to where we are now. The past has it's place. But, so to does the present.

Let's put it this way, would you still be willing to go to a doctor who continues to practice medicine they used in the 1930's. Or, would you feel more comfortable with one that is up-to-date with their skills and knowledge?