Journal

Hello DS friends,

    This will be the last journal entry that I post.  I wanted to say thank you to everyone who has helped along the way.  The friendships that I have made, have been wonderful however; I have made a few bad decissions in befriending some fellow DS'rs who have a flair for the dramatic and insist that they must create havoc where there should be none.

    I have, and always live my life by a code.  That code being things are honest and in the open.  I have no reason to hide anything.Those who know me, know my brutal honesty and respect it.  Guaranteed, I might saracstic; but that is my charm.  

    People do not enter into friendships lightly; nor should others assume they know things when they do not.  I have always found that when one asks, it's amazing what becomes of the answer.

    I personally, am on my own journey.  That journey is not to be judgemental of others and accept what is.  Other's negativity and personal biases are not mine; nor do I feel they should be forced upon others.  

    For every word that is written, there is usually a reason and a story behind it.  While DS started as a place for people to vent what they were feeling; it has become a haven for people who find a need to intimidate, create drama, and invade others lives when they did not ask for the invasion.

    As stated, I wish everyone well.

    My personal friends know where to reach me.

    Good Luck to everyone

http://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/The_Art_of_Being_Happy.html

A great read!!!

There is no question that uncertainty...and worry...seem to have increased dramatically as we all try to cope with such concerns as mounting violence and the effects of the global economic crisis. Yet, there is no question in my mind that, with the right tools, all of us can rise above any situation that life hands us. With this in mind, I wrote Embracing Uncertainty to give you those "right tools" which will help you see all that confronts you in a more life-affirming and powerful way. Here are just a few of these tools to get you started...

It's true...you are more powerful than you could ever have imagined. And it is by pushing through your fears that you discover and use this incredible power.

2. CREATE A "WONDERING" LIFE INSTEAD OF A "HOPING" LIFE. It helps to un-set our hearts by substituting the words "I hope" with the words "I wonder". Let me demonstrate: Instead of "I hope I keep my job", say "I wonder if I'll keep my job." Repeat these two sentences out loud and notice the subtle relief in this simple shift. Instead of placing yourself in the middle of the drama, you have placed yourself in the role of "observer"...as if you were watching a good movie unfold. "How interesting. I wonder what comes next." Even with very difficult situations in our lives, substituting "I wonder" for "I hope" keeps our hopes from being dashed and opens up the possibility of our learning and growing from whatever happens.

3. CHOOSE THE PATH OF TRUST. When you fully understand that you have little control in the external world, you then have two choices: 1) You can choose to see yourself as a "poor-me" victim at the mercy of circumstances...or... 2) You can choose to develop the trust that, no matter what happens in your life, you will have the inner strength to create something good from it all. You can see why it is important to choose the latter!

So when the "what-if's" are driving you mad, simply cut them off by saying over and over again, "Whatever happens, I'll handle it!" You'll feel a sense of confidence wash over you. Powerful...and peaceful... indeed!

5. COLLECT "HEROES" WHO HAVE LEARNED TO HANDLE IT ALL. Heroes to me are people who have created much good in this world as a result of horrible experiences in their lives...for example, Viktor Frankl, who created so much good out of his experience in a concentration camp and Ram Dass, who created so much good as a result of his debilitating stroke. As you collect heroes, you realize that..."If they can learn and grow from their experiences, I certainly can learn and grow from mine!" Truer words were never spoken.

When you can see the opportunities inherent in ALL situations...GOOD OR BAD...it truly helps you embrace all the uncertainty in your life.

7. EMBRACE THE THOUGHT "IT'S ALL HAPPENING PERFECTLY." (Another one of my favorite affirmations!) You may be asking, "Susan, how can things be happening perfectly when there is the possibility of so much bad all around us?" My answer to that is we cannot know the "Grand Design," the great mystery of it all. Therefore, as we embrace the thought, "It's all happening perfectly", we begin looking for the "good" in any situation that life hands us. And when we look for the good, WE ALWAYS FIND IT! Yes, so much good can come from so much that is bad. In that, it truly is happening perfectly.

It is in the noticing of the little things that you truly get the feeling of a life well-lived. Your noticing is enhanced as you learn to say, while still in the glory of the moment, "I HAVE HAD THIS." And to take this exercise a step further, write all your I HAVE HAD THIS moments on little slips of paper. Then, at the end of the day, put them into a special I HAVE HAD THIS jar. Your will soon have to get a bigger jar! It stands to reason that you worry less and less about the future as you appreciate life to its fullest NOW!

Just as importantly, you will have found the secret to creating a joyous and fulfilling life.

© Susan Jeffers 2009 All rights reserved.
Adapted from Embracing Uncertainty: Breakthrough Methods for Achieving Peace of Mind When Facing the Unknown