Success Salad

Over Labor Day I read an older book but it was a real eye-opener for me, which says a lot, since I’ve read about a billion self-help books. This one is called “What You Think is What You Get,” by George Lavenia.

The author hit me right between the eyes when he started talking about our early programming with parents. Here’s a quote that I highlighted and read over a few times:

“Wanting nothing to do with painful situations, you avoided them by going into a state of partial consciousness. What this means is the mind’s auto-response mechanism took over to protect you. It’s similar to losing consciousness when you’re in a serious auto accident.”

Wow.

The author goes on to say that in an effort to avoid any old and unpleasant feelings from childhood, we bury those memories deep inside our subconscious minds.

It seems to me then, that this could be the under lying factor, or at least a contributing factor, to many of the issues or addictions that plague our lives. Painful events in childhood don’t have to be surrounded by a terrible environment. For example, even a rich, well-loved child can be subject to feelings of shame or disappointment, death or other disaster that, whether big or small, holds a life-long impact.

The question is, how do we get down to the nitty gritty of the matter when we don’t know what the matter really is?

Lavenia’s answer is classic and one that I whole-heartedly agree with.

LOOK AT YOUR EXPERIENCES.

Since we create our own experiences, those experiences that we are living, day in and day out, are our living proof of what we are thinking. That might include good stuff, like appreciation, love and positive expectation; and it might include some not so good stuff, like scarcity thinking, fear and worry. Probably a bit of both is my guess.

While I truly believe that we do indeed create our own reality, I never really stopped to consider the idea that from our current experiences we could identify our beliefs…but it makes perfect sense! If I believe there will always be enough money to pay the bills and enjoy life, then there will be, so if I can’t pay the bills, then clearly there is a belief that I can’t…right?  Getting down to the basis of the belief might be beyond this post, but at least having the belief in place is a good starting point.

For instance, taking the “I can’t pay my bills” and acknowledging it as a belief moves us to, where did that belief come from? And most importantly, how can I change it? Here’s the clincher: WITH YOUR MIND.

Yup. You gotta start in your mind. Rather than change a negative belief (i.e. one that does not serve you) through action, you must initiate the change on a mental level first. Since form follows thought, it only makes sense. Then, once you’ve recognized that you and only you are in charge of what you think, and that you and only you have created what you have and can change that creation rather quickly, it’s all a cake-walk. Well, almost.

We spend so much time and effort beating ourselves up over things that never seem to change, and I propose it’s because we try to change them on the outside instead of starting on the inside, where the real and lasting work takes place.

So there you have it. To change something in your life, follow these steps.

1. Identify what the belief is (hint: you get what you think about, so whatever you have, you, on some level believe that’s how it’s supposed to be).

2. Acknowledge that the belief started in your mind and in reality it’s only an illusion (no matter how real the belief seems).

3. Recognize that you have the power to change the belief. Pick a better belief and start programming your mind to believe it. Stay inspired, journal, use affirmations, pray, visualize…whatever it takes to help you change your thinking.

4. Move forward with inspired action that “proves” your new belief has taken hold. Your new experiences will be evidence enough that you’ve changed your belief.

Hope that helps!

ta ta for now,
Tamara
Listen in to my personal and professional development radio show each Wednesdays at 10 AM PST  at www.InLoveWithSacto.com. This week we’ll be talking about how Feng Shui can help you improve your life!

“What You Think is What You Get,” by George Lavenia. ISBN 0-9658679-0-0 The Earth Foundation (publishing company)

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