A fresh start

I have made many mistakes in the past year of my life to many to list here and I have no intention of repeating those mistakes but an ingenious-spiritual professor of mine, Art Marino, has the ability to shift people out of old, crippling emotional patterns with the simple suggestion: "That was Then. This is Now."

This simple statement of truth reminds me that my pain and suffering occurred in the past--and brings me into the present to see if the experience is actually still occurring. And, in fact, that old experience of life is never occurring in the present--unless I drag it into the Now. That is, unless I unconsciously re-generate the expected, habitual past experience into the present moment.

A required text book written by Harry Palmer whom I shall now call The sage, expresses it, "The past only exists to the degree we re-create it in the present." I often set myself up for this unconscious carry-over by saying things like, "Oh, why is she always so negative around me!" But does she "always" have to be pessimistic? What if I approached her today with the willingness to be open to the possibility that he may be different, new, fresh? What might happen? Whats the point I am trying to make?

The Prison of the Past

In study after study, researchers have found that when one schoolteacher is told a new group of students is "intellectually challenged," those students will test very low on objective exams. When a different schoolteacher is told the same students are "geniuses," those same students will test very high on objective exams in her class.

What's Up with That?

My experienced expectations. I cruise the road of life projecting my beliefs ahead of ME, only to arrive exclaiming, "Oh, wow. It's just as I anticipated!"

Who Am I?

The same unconscious dynamic occurs with my own self-image! If I've come to believe that I am not artistic, then I continually prove it by seeing my creations as crude, uninspired or amateurish. If I've already decided I am not "athletic," then I am not surprised when I don't catch the ball. If I am not a "dancer," I trip on my own feet.
As long as I can recall, I've never been a "morning person," so, "God, I'm tired this morning. I just can't wake up. You know what I mean?"

The Filter of the Past

My unconscious beliefs about myself act as a filter, only letting in those perceptions of myself that "fit" my set image of ME. If I should accidentally happen to do anything "out of character," I either won't even perceive it--or we'll rationalize it away as an aberration, a fluke, a one-time chance occurrence. And I even solidify the past by exclaiming, "That's not me! I don't know how that happened. I'm not usually like this. Please excuse my behavior." I even apologize for being spontaneous and inventive! Disguised as "facts" these unconscious old beliefs filter our perception of every event, distorting reality to fit into my rigid, preconceived framework. Lord, save me!

The Truth Will Set Me Free

The liberating truth about these self-convictions is that they are totally arbitrary. My limiting beliefs about myself are only past experiences that over time have become so-called fact. These "facts" are only old personal perceptions that I have come to believe are "the way I am."

The Maintenance Project

I refer to this unconscious perpetuation of past experience into the present as the "Maintenance Project." And, boy, does it take a lot of energy to sustain a improved "Official Self-Image."
Whamee! The realization hits me like a Mack truck. I see that I am I good person! But now that energy all goes into preserving my belief system about myself and my world--my own "Maintenance Project." I've bought into the notion that I'm not popular, not weel liked and can't do the things because I am not above average joe. Unconsciously, I'm invested in being right about my beliefs about me, and having less and less energy as I grow older. Hello?! Why would I want to do that?

The Poison of My Position

Should I really care that much about my beliefs in my own limitations? Is my dogged defense of my old, restricted "self-image" making me any happier--or the world any better?
What is the personal cost of my "Maintenance Project?" Greater than the 2006 U.S. Defense Budget? Probably! Are my justifications for my old ideas of ME really just rationalizations? Or worst, simply old habits that I am unconsciously keeping alive? Is my arguing for limitation ... or possibility?

Unmask the Bandit!

Unmask the bandit that has stolen my personal power and joy. Expose these "facts of life" for what they really are--fantasies of an adult who has forgotten who wrote the script of life. A grown-up who can no longer live life unrehearsed. A "mature" big person who has lost the ability to play and create fresh in the moment.

Be the Master of My Own Fate

Being the master of my own self is having a real choice about what beliefs--and therefore what realities--I choose to empower. By becoming aware of the unconscious beliefs that are creating my own reality, I then give yourself the conscious choice of which beliefs you want funding my reality. I can withdraw creating energy from the unconscious limited self-images that no longer nurture my happiness. When I take back my power from old, restricted ideas of who I am, I can create and evolve in any way at any rate I choose. I am free to invent anew and unfettered. I become the Conscious Creator of my own destiny.

Re-tell Your Story

Starting a fresh dialogue with the Universe about what it means to be me in the form of this blog. Energize new personal stories--and realities. Envision--and then experience--fresh, different ways of expressing my unique spirit. Create a new vision of ME that is more alive, resourceful and self-compassionate.

Options Abound!

Opt out of beliefs--and realities--that don't serve me and never have. Opt into beliefs--and realities--that do serve my deepest aspirations.
Create a future from present passion, not from past perceptions. I don't have to let my past experience get in the way of my present happiness. Awaken to fresh choices, options and solutions I never saw before. Re-seed a renewed sense of peace, well-being and wholeness. I must Master the Present--and to enjoy the future!

Victor Hugo wrote, "There is nothing more powerful than an idea whose time has come." What ideas have come just in time to break you free of your self-imposed prison? What ideas will you allow today to lift your spirit into a new world, a fresh start?