Archive for category Positive Thinking
Physical Clutter Creates Mental Clutter: the Extreme Thought Makeover Moment
Posted by drchrismilkie in Positive Thinking on August 25, 2010
I’d really like to help you free your mind from undue burdens and feel the lightness of thought and inspiration found in de-cluttering.
In order to achieve a feeling of total security and total freedom, it is necessary to let go of our attachment to physical things. Detachment holds the wisdom of uncertainty and possibilities. When you embrace uncertainty, you will find security. This is a bit tricky to grasp at first, but when you realize that you truly can’t predict the future, then the only alternative is to embrace the idea that there are some uncertainties. In accepting those uncertainties, you will feel more secure. When you embrace possibilities, you will find freedom. Knowing that there is more than one path that can please you can help you to feel freedom and happiness. A simple first step toward detachment is letting go of small physical items. Let’s get started!
Today, get rid of one thing. It could be a pair of shoes, a knick-knack, or an old souvenir glass. Just pick one thing and give it away, recycle it, throw it away, or put it in the garage for a future “Give-Away Day” (see below for more on this idea). This physical action is a representation of clearing mental space for clear and creative thinking, and when made habit, can transform the way you interact with your physical and emotional environment profoundly. Think about the stuff you have that clutters your living space. Where to begin? Well, you could start a “five year rule” for clothing, for example. That’s an easy one: if you haven’t worn it for five years, you will definitely not miss it! Perhaps even a two-year rule? One year? Just because you haven’t exercised your throwing-away muscles in a while, doesn’t mean you can’t start somewhere … like with a coffee mug from the back of the cupboard. Don’t worry that it is in great condition or that you paid good money for it, it is the getting-rid-of energy that will be far more valuable to you, and the value will come back to you many fold.
As your physical space becomes more and more clear, you will find that previously cluttered areas give way to empty space, allowing for a mental shift from the focus of “what is” to the focus of endless possibilities. Your living space will become a blank canvas upon which anything can be created, in any moment.
De-cluttering feels like clearing your stuff, but it is actually clearing your mind. Jumbled, crowded thoughts will give way to clarity and focus. Creative energy will emerge in the space vacuum you have created for it. Your new thinking will have the room it needs to be powerful and inspiring!
A continuation of this exercise for the future is to have a “Give-Away Day.” Fill the garage bit by bit with all the stuff you have uncluttered through your new daily attitude of detaching. When it really starts to pile up, call your friends and invite them to come and get all your stuff. They will go crazy and really create a great memory for themselves and for you. Plus, the objects themselves will have a much more useful and vibrant life in their new home.
In detachment lies the wisdom of uncertainty, and in uncertainty lies freedom from our past: from the known. It is also where limitless possibilities are found. Stay open to the possibilities by manifesting an attitude of detachment in your physical environment today.
Excerpt from Extreme Thought Makeover by Rick Schaefer, M.D. See www.rickschaefermd.com for more inspiring articles.
A Technique to Elevate Your Mood in a Moment
Posted by rickschaefermd in General, Positive Thinking on June 9, 2010
Letter of Introduction from Dr. Milkie: I would like to introduce to you a friend of mine Dr. Rick Schaefer. He considers himself a “reformed anesthesiologist.” He now focuses on life coaching, and has published a wonderful program on Positive Thinking called Extreme Thought Makeover, which I have been through. I have invited him to contribute to my eNewsletter. I am proud to share his inspirations with you, and hope you will benefit in some way… I certainly have! – Chris
A Technique to Elevate Your Mood in a Moment Simply by Focusing Your Thoughts
Your mood correlates completely to your focus of thought in every moment. You know this because you can feel it change moment to moment as you go through the day. You win a contest, a date is canceled, your boss shows appreciation, your doctor tells you he found a lump, you leave work at the end of the day, your favorite sports team wins, your favorite player is traded away, etc. All of these examples are simply thoughts that are changing for you, and thus bouncing your feelings, emotions, and mood. I offer you here a simple exercise to elevate your emotional state in a moment. And it is so, so simple
The idea is to focus is on bringing up the feeling and energy of appreciation as strongly as possible. Simply put your attention upon all the things you really appreciate: your favorite daily moments, things, and people. Think about them, write them down, and appreciate all of the stuff that you appreciate.
For me, I love that first taste of my favorite iced coffee drink first thing in the morning. I love seeing the sun rising, blindingly bright as I drive downtown. I love the people I care about. I love that people love me. I love discovering something new that I am drawn to. I love slipping in under a puffy warm and cozy comforter on a cool evening. I love crawling into bed on nights I don’t have to set the alarm, because it really allows me to fall into the present moment, and melt into the bed. I love seeing deer walking through the yard. I love the luxury of taking a ten minute nap. I love my iPhone (oh my gosh, don’t get me started on that!) I love that I am a risk-taker. I love that I am always willing to say “YES!” I love the luxury of having an automobile, and being able to jump in and drive anywhere I want, any time I want, to be with any one I want. I love making a fresh salad from a grocer’s salad bar. Wait, I love the grocer for supplying it for me. Whoa, I love the farmer who grew the lettuce for me. I love the person who invented the hot shower. I love that there is truly an endless supply of things to appreciate in this world.
You get the idea… once you get going it is really hard to stop. This is called a Rampage of Appreciation. Practicing this way of thinking squeezes out any space in your thoughts to be annoyed or irritated with anything in your life. Go ahead, grab a pen and paper and start writing. Keep going and going, and see what you come up with. Most importantly, recognize the feeling that comes with it. The feeling of love and appreciation for your world will become overpowering.
Is the glass half empty or half full? The answer is what you want it to be. It is totally up to you, to your imagination, and to your thoughts. And thoughts become things. So choose wisely, and practice choosing appreciation!
Dr. Rick Schaefer
excerpt from Extreme Thought Makeover
www.rickschaefermd.com