Dear Friend,

Last month we had a look at how, throughout our lives, we have developed deeply ingrained habits of focusing on negativity, both in the outside world and in our inner world where we have come to make erroneous decisions about what is real and about who we are. This month it is my intention to cast some light on how we can consciously make a shift toward living in a reality-based, positive perspective in all aspects of our lives and thus live deeply fulfilling and peaceful lives.

Warmest wishes,

Mollie

June, 2009
Vol 2, Issue 5

Share this newsletter with anyone you think may enjoy it!

Feature Article:

NEGATIVITY VS. POSITIVITY-A CHOICE
PART 2: Fostering The Habit Of Positivity

By
Mollie Malone, Certified Life Satisfaction Coach

As I mentioned last month, none of your negative, nonproductive habits and perspectives need be permanent dictators to how you interact with and experience life. The very same process that lays down the negative imprints in our brains that then “call out” for more negativity to join them, can be consciously used to lay down more and more positively driven imprints, which then “call out” for more positivity to join them. Our very malleable brains can be re-minded to reflect the positive, pure essence of who we really are.

Remember, I am not suggesting that we should adopt an excessively cheerful and optimistic perspective to everything in life, where we become unaware and powerless to change circumstances that are unacceptable to us. What I am suggesting is that we withdraw our energy from our internal negative scanner that has been programmed over the years to habitually seek out that which is negative, and redirect our energy toward empowering and amplifying the positive.

At this point in the discussion, a not uncommon comment is something like, “A habit is a habit. It’s automatic. I don’t even notice that what I’m thinking or doing isn’t coming from my free-will choice. It’s as if some gremlin inside of me has made the choice and left me out.” Indeed, that is often how it seems. The truth, however, is that you do get to make a more life-fulfilling choice, if you want to, and that it can be easy and seemingly effortless.

To reclaim free-will choice (as opposed to unconscious, pattern- driven choices) requires a decision and a commitment to do so—even though, in that moment, you may not know how.

One of my favorite commentaries on commitment was written by W.H. Murray while on a Scottish Himalayan Expedition in 1952.

The Power of Commitment

“Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth—the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans—the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too.

All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one’s favor all manner of unforeseen incidents, and meetings and material assistance, which no one could have dreamt, would have come their way.

I have learned a deep respect for one of Goethe’s couplets:

‘Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it’”
W.H. Murray

As is no doubt obvious, the power of commitment is applicable to every endeavor we might aspire to, not just to making the shift from negativity to positivity. For now, however, let us keep our focus on the subject at hand.

While a very powerful force in the universe, commitment does not act alone when it comes to shifting from negativity to positivity. To be fully effective, it requires that you be an active participant with it. Here are seven steps to help you take efficient participatory action in your commitment to get from negativity to positivity in your life:

SEVEN STEPS TO SHIFT FROM NEGATIVITY TO POSITIVITY

1. Make a commitment to yourself to take actions known to support a positive experience of life.

2. Become vigilant in your awareness of any tendency to languish in, or give undo attention to negativity.

3. STOP at the first awareness that you are directing your attention toward negativity.

4. Consciously and deliberately withdraw your attention, and any other energy (i.e. negative behavior and/or emotions) you might have in that direction.

5. Breathe. Take several slow, deep breaths. On the inhale, imagine breathing in the energy of positivity and on the exhale, letting go of all negativity.

Your breath is your friend. Not only does it keep you alive, but properly and conscientiously executed, it will lead you to your deepest wisdom. (more on this at a later date)

6. Notice that your mind has loosened its grip on the previous negativity and left a newfound clarity in its place.

If at first you do not experience success, go back to your breathing until you experience your mind relaxing its hold on your previously negative perspective.

7. Choose a more positive thought or behavior and proceed in alignment with that perspective.

TRY THIS:

Make a commitment to implement these seven steps continuously throughout the day, for at least a week.

At the end of the day write down anything you have noticed about your ability and/or your experience of drawing in more positivity into your life.

I’d love to hear your comments at the end of the first week of practice.

Tune in next month to discover the final, and most overlooked ingredient, to developing the habit of bringing positivity into your life so that you will have an experience of fulfillment and peace.

Mollie Recommends:

Journey Into Your Center by Erhard Vogel

Many of the teachings in this book have allowed me to profoundly deepen my experience of whom I am, and subtly, or sometimes not so subtly, alter the way I function in my life. Erhard Vogel is the clearest and most masterful teacher I have met. He is the “real deal”. I recommend his teachings without any reservations.

Three Deep Breaths by Thomas Crum
This is a beautiful little parable about turning negative patterning into a more effective positive outlook on life. Tom Crum is an Aikido expert, highly acclaimed corporate coach, and formerly John Denver’s body guard and best friend.

Also, of note, is his book The Magic of Conflict, an older, but still very relevant book about using the perspective of Aikido to manage conflict.

Click on the Links to Check out both books!

About Mollie:

Mollie Malone is a life coach and transpersonal counselor. She received her Bachelor of Science in experimental psychology and a Master of Arts in counseling psychology.   Over the years she has augmented her education with in-depth trainings within the human potential arena and the study of metaphysics. She has extensive training in the Hoffman Quadrinity Process methodology and is trained in the Hakomi method of psychotherapy. Mollie is a licensed Now What? facilitator and is a certified professional co-active coach trained by the Coaches Training Institute. She is a member of the International Coach Federation, the San Diego Professional Coaches Association, Coachville, and the American Counselors Association.

To SUBSCRIBE to our newsletter: Sign Me Up

© Copyright 2009 Mollie Malone, Soul Power Coaching
8070 La Jolla Shores Drive #450
La Jolla, CA 92037

http://www.SoulPowerCoaching.com

858-454-5435 (San Diego, CA) 902-892-4653 (PEI, Canada)