Introduction to 30 Days of Incredible Awareness
The significant problems we have cannot be solved at the same level of thinking with which we created them. Albert Einstein\r
\r We allow our thinking to get in the way. For most of our dreams and goals, it is our self-limiting belief that can be our greatest obstacle to overcome. If we could get out of our own way, our satisfaction in life could certainly be greater than how we see it at this moment.\r
Its not a simple thing to do, to just step aside and let our strengths and gifts, natural abilities and uniqueness shine through. It is easy to say that learning to love oneself is necessary in order to fully accept the love of another, or to truly understand how to love another. Its a harder thing to do. I know.\r
It doesnt have to be difficult. It starts with a decision, a conscious choice to expand our own awareness and challenge the way we think, see, feel, believe and ultimately behave.\r
Actually, thats not that new of a concept either. In fact, professionals in the fields of psychology, counselling and coaching for example, have been working with clients on that very thing for decades. So why dont we get it?\r
There are far too many reasons to list. In fact for every person alive theres a uniquely different set of reasons or even excuses. But there are trends we can briefly look at for us to begin our intensive journey toward greater awareness.\r
The first of these trends is that weve been taught how to think and what to believe. Socrates, Plato and Aristotle designed fundamental thinking technologies and strategies 2500 years ago, and have formed the way Western civilisation would think up until now. Once someone claims to have proven they have found the truth of something, then it becomes very difficult for anyone else to disprove that truth and offer a new perspective without getting a lot of resistance.\r
Socrates invented the interrogatory style of argument involving strings of questions seeking either a YES or NO response. Plato continued from there, with his original idea that there IS such a thing as absolute truth. Our thinking since has been closely bound by these ideals, and to our detriment.\r
Take Galileo for example. In the early 1600s he designed a telescope to prove that the Earth revolved around the sun. This disproved the truth of Copernicus hypothesis that it was the other way around. This created so much controversy that people were actually afraid to look into Galileos telescope for fear of what they might actually discover.\r
This is called cognitive dissonance. It refers to what happens in your brain when information is presented to it which doesnt seem to fit. Sometimes information may seem so obviously different from what weve already been taught to be the truth and we struggle to know how to respond to this new information. And we can find it even more difficult to accept it simply as another perspective to explore versus having to adopt it as a truth, because were also taught to only accept well-established truths.\r
This way of trained thinking can cause serious consequences. In 1633, when Galileo was 70 years old, sick and completely blind, he was forced by Pope Urban VIII to make the arduous journey to Rome to stand trial for heresy. The pope accused Galileo of causing the greatest scandal in Christendom for contradicting the scriptures. On June 21, after a long trial, he was found guilty of heresy by the Inquisition and forced into covering up his own evidence. Weary and broken, the old man knelt before the pope and made his confession, I, Galileo, son of the late Vincent Galilea, Florentine, aged 70 years must altogether abandon the false opinion that the sun is the centre of the world and immobile.\r
The second trend follows from the above. 2500 years after Plato, much of Western society still behaves as though there actually is such a thing as absolute truth and clear cut black and white answers to everything. How bound are we now by words and discussions around truth, right, wrong, good and evil? \r
Were taught by our family, religions, governments, business and society in general what to believe. Were handed down our values and belief systems, instructed what behaviours are appropriate or not, and provided strict examples to follow in terms of our own development.\r
And it doesnt matter how much information is available to us today through a variety of mediums, by the time we have learned how to read and write, the foundations of our belief systems are already set.\r
For example, by the time were seven, weve already learned 90 percent of our adult responses in life. This makes a lot of sense as by this age, weve already understood quite well the meanings of words like no, you cant, you shouldnt and thats wrong. \r
Combine this with the fact that by age ten weve developed the majority of our language skills, so were very aware of how language forms communication and is used to say what we want or dont want. We also have learnt by this age when were allowed to speak and when were not, all based on someone elses rules.\r
Its no wonder then that by puberty and all the hormonal changes we go through, that our self image and esteem is in such a delicate place that were that much more susceptible to conforming with what our society states we must become.\r
And finally, were instructed by society, the church and even our friends and family about whats possible (and not) and how limited our potential is. We are generally not encouraged to dream, or examine perspectives beyond our current view. We are seldom invited to look inward and become more aware of our own strengths and celebrate them. \r
What seems most extraordinary is that were taught at some levels to love ourselves, but not instructed how or supported to do that. Most personal development material today comments on the importance of truly loving oneself in order to fully accept and experience the love of another, or to have the resourcefulness to fully love another. Yet this premise, as easy as it may sound, is incredibly difficult for us because our society, in general, doesnt support it.\r
For example, nearly every religion and philosophy has some form of the Golden Rule, which equates basically to treat others the same as you wish to be treated. However, it doesnt matter how many times its written about or preached, we still dont seem to be able to get it. Were back to cognitive dissonance again. The idea of being good to others, or of loving ourselves fully, doesnt match with what we see around us.\r
Some cultures seem to make a point of knocking down anyone who either thinks highly of themselves or is achieving remarkable things. The reasons for this all come down to one emotion, Fear.\r
There is so much were afraid of, and all of it is based in our thoughts, and what we think is the truth.\r
I firmly believe that if I can you become more aware of yourself, starting with the way you think, then this will have a dynamic effect on what you believe. Once you have a stronger grasp of your own values and belief systems, then you will be in a better place to review your own emotions and behaviours. You may choose to let go of the fear youre holding on to.\r
We have to start somewhere, and the best place it would seem to start is to simply focus on ourselves in a very selfish manner. And by the way, being incredibly selfish is a good thing. \r
How can being selfish be a good thing?\r
If you are willing to suspend what youve been taught about that word for a moment, Ill explain. To be honest, you spend more time thinking about you than anyone else will ever think about you. Its just natural. Your conscious and subconscious mind is devoted to you, not someone else. If we accept this as a reasonable position, then wouldnt it make sense to put some structure around that? This is a selfish or self-focused position.\r
Also, being selfish doesnt mean that someone elses needs arent also important. Consider how much more resourceful we can be to others, if we are first fully resourceful within ourselves? Take care of the self in order to take care of others.\r
The above is an excerpt from \"30 Days of Incredible Awareness\". In its entirety, this inspiring and challenging e-book works as a personal, daily programme to assist you on your own journey of self discovery and awareness. To receive your own copy in full, visit http://www.incredibleawareness.com/ . For more information, contact Noel directly by email on noel@noelposus.com, or visit his website http://www.noelposus.com/
Noel Posus (Master Coach, BFA, MH (Edu), FALCS, AFAIM, MAHRI). Author, instructor, trainer and master coach with a highly successful personal, small business, executive and mentoring practice, Noel is one of the global coaching industrys great resources. He is the Master Coach at the Life Coaching Institute of Australia and the Principal Coach and Head of Human Resources, Training and Coaching Services with Masters Le Mesurier, Noel is also the host of CoachRadio, Vice President of the Australian Life Coaching Society and NSW Leader of the Australian Life Coaching Association. Personal development is his lifelong passion, and his vision of coaching is quite simply, \"Eliciting your Greatness!\"
The Great Opportunity
I assume you want to be happier. Searching for greater happiness is a wonderful thing whatever level of happiness you are cur...
A Basic Introduction to Pay Per Click Advertising
When you first start marketing on the web, it helps to first learn the very basic options you have so you can see the forest ...
The Celebration of Your Lifetime
What is celebration, why celebrate life, and how can one best celebrate his or her lifetime? To celebrate is to observe or ho...
Do You Have a Chip on Your Shoulder? Congratulations!
When you were a child, you no doubt heard the phrase, Hes got a chip on his shoulder! This usually had a negative connotation...
What In The World Is Forex Training?
Forex trading is an abbreviation for Foreign Exchange Trading. At times, it is also known as "FX" however that particular nic...
The American Dream - At What Cost?
When people are asked, How many of you are content and happy with what you have? the reply of an overwhelming majority of peo...
Learn How to Walk on Water
Conquering Fear vs. Walking on WaterStep 1:Develop ClarityThe ShiftConquering fear means you have a battle with fear and you ...
Forex Incredible System - Day Trading And Your Money
Forex day trading is a incredible system to lose money as we will explain later, but you need some currency basics and we are...
Executive Coach or Business Coach Did Your Business Grow By 40% in 2006
In December of 2006, The Economist suggested that the business coaching industry was growing at an annual rate around 40%. On...
Life Coaching Explained
Coaching people to live richer, fuller, more enjoyable lives is the same process as coaching sports men and women to fulfill ...
Heating Your Waterbed Is Hot
The trend in recent years has been toward soft-sided waterbeds otherwise known as hybrid waterbeds. The thick padding and fo...
How Come You Are Like You Are?
We are first conditioned by our parents, relatives and other well meaning people. A lot of their advice is beneficial to us,...
What a Difference a Coach Makes
In being a resident of the Tampa Bay area since 1979 I have had front line exposure to the highs and (mostly) lows of our loc...
2007 May Be the Break Out Year for Business Coaching
A recent report released by the Alternative Board suggested that small business owners view 2007 optimistically when it comes...
Have You Considered Purchasing Teak Swings For Your Deck?
When thinking about improving the appearance of your deck area, you ideally want to find something which makes your garden lo...
Automated Forex Trading Software - Beware Of These Trading Software
These days, if you search for the phrase 'Automated Forex Trading Software' you'll be bombarded with countless offers that cl...
Instant Article Wizard 2.0 Vs Instant Article Wizard
Instant Article Wizard 2.0, a new article writing tool has emerged on the internet marketing scene. This article tool has tak...
Pathways To The Soul - Music Is The Magic Of Life
They say that eyes are the windows of the soul. And the way to a mans heart is through his stomach. Well, I would say that he...
Core Exercise For Golf Will Improve Your Driving Distance The Quickest
Core exercise for golf. Youve probably heard this phrase mentioned on the television a time or to. This is the area that Vi...
Mindfulness and Signs: Stirring Up Your Own Juju
I am not one of those people likely to
exclaim, "It's a sign!" whenever there's
some kind of event that seems to
indicate...