 Dear Why Team member, I hope this week's message finds you well and encouraged. Think - Feel - Act Are you engaging in any activities that do not align with your highest aspirations? Behind most actions, with the exception of pure habit, you will find feelings that... ...prompted the actions, feelings you enjoy or, after some consideration, you do not. Most of us, based on the situation we are faced with, have our preferred “actions” to manipulate or numb out our feelings; actions that sometimes do more to disconnect rather than connect us with others. If you are engaging in any act that does not align with your highest aspirations consider asking: Why?
It is important to recognize those feelings we “put aside” because if we stash to many away, their burden will one day overpower us and we’ll find ourselves overwhelmed by emotions. For those of us that have been there, we know how destructive and threatening that can be to our well being. For example, while I am a lover of getting stuff done, producing and accomplishing, I find that at times if I am moving too fast, life can become blurry with the result that less, not more, is accomplished; that’s why it’s important to observe our actions and continue to improve ourselves to where we can work fast at getting things done without slipping into a pattern that would find us numbed out and disconnected from life. When developing productive habits, make sure one of those habits is taking time to just be present and observe any thoughts that invade your peace. Consider how much of your thinking is habitual; what are your thoughts that enhance your life, connecting you to others; what are your thoughts that are painful, disconnecting you from others? Wordsworth said, "Habits rule the unreflecting herd". The question for us is do we rule our lives or do our habits of thought rule our lives? Life has taught me time and again that it's all about relationship - relationships to each other and depending on your beliefs, your relationship with your creator. Observe your relationship to inanimate things and how that may be a safe haven from vulnerable emotions; then consider the more unpredictable relationships with people. Our greatest joys in life are found in connection with others, while our greatest pains are found when feeling disconnected from others. Do your thing, get stuff done, move the needle, produce and create, but know that what makes all of life truly more productive is to regularly and consistently connect with people. Consider investing more time to truly bond with others, being more present to the very gift of life in our precious given moments. Throughout your day, develop the habit of being as fully present as possible, especially in the company of another, and notice how much more rewarding your life can be. Make it a great week, Steve Luckenbach ** If you arrived here via Facebook or Twitter and would like to sign up to receive each blog post as it is announced, along with future news about upcoming books and other projects I am working on please sign up here. Comments are closed.
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