I like how you set up the chart with the reframe, Derek. Your writing is always flows well. It’s easy to grasp the message you're trying to convey. In this post you gave us a specific exercise we can use to get in touch with our higher selves. I find that many people struggle with that. They may even doubt that they have a higher self. I find getting quiet and still is half the battle. I often need to ground myself. I find it depends on where I am in the moment. It’s easier at home than if I’m somewhere else. Dropping down, for me, is the next challenge.
I have never tried the ‘white light’ followed by ‘is it true?’ I imagine that could be a powerful exercise of you feel it and when you can truly take it in, as Rick Hanson at the Greater Good Institute likes to say. It reminds me of what my psychotherapist taught me. She was influenced by his work.
His method generally includes four steps:
1. Have a positive experience. (Notice it or create one.)
2. Enrich it. (Stay with it, feel it in your body, make it intense and lasting.)
3. Absorb it. (Imagine it sinking in, becoming part of you.)
4. Link it. (Optional) (While feeling the positive, also bring to mind a mild negative to soothe or reframe it.)
Not exactly what you described here. But, it’s related I think. We have more power over our emotional states than what we tend to believe. I especially like the ‘enrich it’ or ‘expand’ it part. This is when you can take a positive emotional experince and expand it throughout your body. I believe it helps counter negative messaging from childhood. It’s literally rewiring the brain. That’s been a game changer for someone like me that was conditioned to develop a negative or pessimistic mindset.
Inner knowing is a gift. So is the idea that we can change the way we feel. I find comfort in knowing that personal resources are always available for me.
Thanks so much, Anna. Inner knowing by aligning with our higher selves is definitely a gift we all deserve to give ourselves.
I really like the 4-step process you outlined, and it has me thinking. Since they begin with a present-moment experience and expand from there, I can see how it's grounding. Whereas the meditation in the article begins by tapping into the higher self, and then pulling its messaging through the body.
I was never meant to be. PERIOD. My mother contracted polio between the two epidemics and although she conquered it she was told she couldn't have children. So she married at 35, and got pregnant (?!) and then had another girl 15 months later(!)
And we both disappointed her- I was a child born with FAE issues and compromised lungs. My sister has her own set of issues. We lost both our parents 15 months apart 40+ years ago.
I set myself free by investing my inheritance in physical corrections and education that has granted me a 40+ year career in ministry
Thanks so much for sharing those deep memories, Andrea. I'm so glad you're in a much better place now. Did mindfulness play a role during any part of your transformation?
Thank you for the reminders and your open honest sharing of your own experiences.. it really helps the message hit home. I like your reframing of negative thoughts, so useful!
The practice of reframing is an incredible one. Loved the examples in it. It is up to us to assent or dissent to the impressions which we take in. How we judge these things is up to each of us, and why not choose to view it from a perspective of how something can be useful, regardless of its perceived value? Thank you for sharing your wisdom!
Some of it is mind garbage. Some of it is hormones. I’m being serious when I say my hormones have been making me rage against myself. My biggest issue is just wanting to quit everything I’ve worked so hard to build, to give up, to go back and live a mediocre existence with a job I hate.
I had to take all week off to just realign myself. Take the pressure off. Stop trying to be an overachieving menace to society lol.
Yesterday I got a lovely email reminding me why I shouldn’t tear it down. And I’m feeling better. But this life isn’t easy — instead of going with status quo and blaming our bosses or jobs we have to look inward and grow. And it’s called the messy middle for a reason.
Seeking inward guidance is simple, although definitely not easy. The temptation is always there, waiting for us to throw in the towel. Especially when it seems that the messy middle is a never-ending universe unto itself, which makes us believe we're not making progress. Small efforts, repeated daily.
Thanks so much for sharing your truth, and I'm glad you're feeling better!
I like how you set up the chart with the reframe, Derek. Your writing is always flows well. It’s easy to grasp the message you're trying to convey. In this post you gave us a specific exercise we can use to get in touch with our higher selves. I find that many people struggle with that. They may even doubt that they have a higher self. I find getting quiet and still is half the battle. I often need to ground myself. I find it depends on where I am in the moment. It’s easier at home than if I’m somewhere else. Dropping down, for me, is the next challenge.
I have never tried the ‘white light’ followed by ‘is it true?’ I imagine that could be a powerful exercise of you feel it and when you can truly take it in, as Rick Hanson at the Greater Good Institute likes to say. It reminds me of what my psychotherapist taught me. She was influenced by his work.
His method generally includes four steps:
1. Have a positive experience. (Notice it or create one.)
2. Enrich it. (Stay with it, feel it in your body, make it intense and lasting.)
3. Absorb it. (Imagine it sinking in, becoming part of you.)
4. Link it. (Optional) (While feeling the positive, also bring to mind a mild negative to soothe or reframe it.)
Not exactly what you described here. But, it’s related I think. We have more power over our emotional states than what we tend to believe. I especially like the ‘enrich it’ or ‘expand’ it part. This is when you can take a positive emotional experince and expand it throughout your body. I believe it helps counter negative messaging from childhood. It’s literally rewiring the brain. That’s been a game changer for someone like me that was conditioned to develop a negative or pessimistic mindset.
Inner knowing is a gift. So is the idea that we can change the way we feel. I find comfort in knowing that personal resources are always available for me.
Thanks so much, Anna. Inner knowing by aligning with our higher selves is definitely a gift we all deserve to give ourselves.
I really like the 4-step process you outlined, and it has me thinking. Since they begin with a present-moment experience and expand from there, I can see how it's grounding. Whereas the meditation in the article begins by tapping into the higher self, and then pulling its messaging through the body.
I was never meant to be. PERIOD. My mother contracted polio between the two epidemics and although she conquered it she was told she couldn't have children. So she married at 35, and got pregnant (?!) and then had another girl 15 months later(!)
And we both disappointed her- I was a child born with FAE issues and compromised lungs. My sister has her own set of issues. We lost both our parents 15 months apart 40+ years ago.
I set myself free by investing my inheritance in physical corrections and education that has granted me a 40+ year career in ministry
Not bad for a disappointment
Thanks so much for sharing those deep memories, Andrea. I'm so glad you're in a much better place now. Did mindfulness play a role during any part of your transformation?
Thank you for the reminders and your open honest sharing of your own experiences.. it really helps the message hit home. I like your reframing of negative thoughts, so useful!
Thank you, ecad! I'm honored that it resonated. 🙏
Pleasure Derek, good to be in contact again. Looking forward to following your new work.
The practice of reframing is an incredible one. Loved the examples in it. It is up to us to assent or dissent to the impressions which we take in. How we judge these things is up to each of us, and why not choose to view it from a perspective of how something can be useful, regardless of its perceived value? Thank you for sharing your wisdom!
Thank you deeply, Gunther! If nothing else, life is all about the perspectives we choose.
Some of it is mind garbage. Some of it is hormones. I’m being serious when I say my hormones have been making me rage against myself. My biggest issue is just wanting to quit everything I’ve worked so hard to build, to give up, to go back and live a mediocre existence with a job I hate.
I had to take all week off to just realign myself. Take the pressure off. Stop trying to be an overachieving menace to society lol.
Yesterday I got a lovely email reminding me why I shouldn’t tear it down. And I’m feeling better. But this life isn’t easy — instead of going with status quo and blaming our bosses or jobs we have to look inward and grow. And it’s called the messy middle for a reason.
I strongly align, Michelle!
Seeking inward guidance is simple, although definitely not easy. The temptation is always there, waiting for us to throw in the towel. Especially when it seems that the messy middle is a never-ending universe unto itself, which makes us believe we're not making progress. Small efforts, repeated daily.
Thanks so much for sharing your truth, and I'm glad you're feeling better!
❤️❤️
Thank you for these words of encouragement. With your knowledge and understanding clearly seen.
Thanks so much, Debbie! These words are only a reflection of your own deeper understanding. 🙏