Living The Emerson Rule

April 7, 2022April 7, 2022

Relax; Don’t Believe What You See

Moving the needle on deeply entrenched belief systems is like walking in quicksand. It’s the struggle that traps me. I can emerge if I relax, float and slowly rise.

Still, changing course can be difficult considering objective reality reveals what I believe. The stumbling blocks are what I see with my eyes, feel on my skin, smell with my nose. The belief itself perpetuates its existence, giving it added legitimacy.

When I’m unwilling to modify a belief, nothing changes. Life marches on and I drag today into tomorrow – my hopes and desires seemingly futile. But if I’m open to examine the truths I consider unquestionable and absolute, change becomes possible.

Instant self-transformation is not a thing; yet the wish for magical fulfillment isn’t unique. Imagine parting a curtain and stepping through a portal to the heart’s desire. Let’s walk through that mysterious veil to a different world. Tempting; but a mean slippery slope. It’s better to follow a progressive path. A gradual change is less jarring, and more likely I can enjoy the company of my familiars along the way.

It’s possible to interrupt a recurring difficulty by observing my reactions to people and events. They reveal my self-concept, which could be sweet and satisfying or prickly and uncomfortable. It all plays out in front of me in the tangible world. The key is to suspend judgement; positive or negative. Let me be tolerant, charitable even with my observations.

Noticing the feeling is the first Step to relieve the pressure of judgement. Acknowledging its mine; how frequently and intensely it appears puts the emotion in perspective. This insight eventually allows me to set the burden down; to relax.

In a world that demands instant gratification, patience isn’t always appreciated. Taking baby steps to a heartfelt goal is learned behavior. We can definitely get there from here, a degree at a time. The trick is to stop struggling – float and slowly rise.

“You can’t change how people treat you or what they say about you. All you can do is change how you react to it.”

― Mahatma Gandhi

March 31, 2022March 31, 2022

Hey! Don’t Let Me Down

Learning what hooks my psyche is a journey up a spiral stairway. Glaring and obvious troubles are identified and addressed in due course. Okay, done. Then it’s back – the worry, the frustration, the resentment; hooked again.

Didn’t I learn that lesson? Well, sort of. This go-around is simply a variation on that theme; a tad more profound and nuanced maybe. It can feel like I’m doomed, but I’m not.

Each step up the staircase refines my spirit; making it lighter and more genuine.

Two coping mechanisms I acquired early on were “I don’t want to disappoint you” and “I’ll show you.” A Yin/Yang duo for the ages.

Success stories in my portfolio show those assholes who said I couldn’t do something; that, YES I can – and I DID. Most of the time they didn’t even know I was trying to prove anything. But I did. That’s what mattered.

That combative device isn’t as necessary anymore. When it does show up, I see it for what it is. This gives me the opportunity to choose. Is this more self-validation? Or is it bigger than me? There is a difference.

As for the people pleasing business, that one’s a bit more insidious – or I’m being thickheaded. Recently, I didn’t want to “let down” some anonymous player in a hidden object game I started playing during the pandemic. “LENE” and I kicked ass on the Detective Challenges. Now I want to move on. How can I mourn the loss of someone I never met? Why do I feel like I’m letting her down?

Curiously I have no answers yet, I’m just sitting with the discomfort. The insight I seek may be a few steps away. Or maybe delighting my higher self is my true objective.

“All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”
― J. R. R. Tolkien

March 24, 2022March 24, 2022

Invent A Better Future

My music playlist includes a version of Aerosmith’s “Walk This Way” . . . it starts with “Get the f*** off of the fence!” Delightful motivation – or a subconscious nudge to commit? Discovering the deep roots to walk an ordinary road, despite a lifetime of rebellious conduct is eye opening. Habits are planted and ingrained in us through culture, generation and the traditions we’re born to.

My personal nemeses include: “Don’t rock the boat. “Don’t upset the apple cart.” “Be a lady and don’t make a fuss.” “Smile and be nice.”

Shouldn’t some boats be rocked, and rotten apples tossed? There are certainly situations ripe for a ruckus. And who walks around constantly smiling?

Rebellion is a recurring theme of mine. In the corporate world testing showed two of my leadership derailers were being “mischievous” and “melodramatic.” My derailers. I was quite proud of that.

Still, I was indoctrinated to play my part. To be other than what is normal and customary is risky and threatening. It’s uncomfortable to go against convention – and yet hellaciously pedestrian; a tedious walk between birth and death. When I’m bored I rebel, then pull back when things get edgy. This is life by trial and error; thought-provoking, but likely inefficient and cockeyed.

Being radical brings conflict which isn’t necessary. And when I don’t look deep enough any good in that tossed apple is lost. It’s possible to be quietly unorthodox and bring about change. Even discreet unconventional acts can influence my surroundings, where playing the chameleon may perpetuate the status quo.

When I use my imagination, I create different and specific realities. This is a new approach for me. Using concepts from the work of Neville Goddard motivated me to try. It’s fun – not at all difficult. Trusting that it works is the challenge. By starting small, I use each success to move on to bigger, more entrenched beliefs that can use an overhaul.

When I tap into my desires and aspirations a window opens to show me what I’m missing, revealing a sense of lack. Visualizing the desire fulfilled from my mind’s eye – feeling the pleasure, my longing evaporates. By accepting that my world mirrors my self-concept, my mind and my beliefs, when I don’t like what I see, I can change it.

Getting off that fence to live an authentic life without apology is a decision and a discipline. Seeing beyond what is, invents my best life. My playlist is here to remind me.

“There is no fiction. Imagine better than the best you know.”
― Neville Goddard; The Law and the Promise

March 31, 2021December 30, 2022

To Fast or Not to Fast – Worth a Look

Last fall I was inspired to check out intermittent fasting. My Covid belly was bothering me; it was time to act. After reading a few articles I started to experiment with the 16:8 method. It was an easy add to my daily routine.

Of course, I supplemented this new approach with my tried and proven practices; tracking what I eat, weighing myself and paying attention to what I put in my pie hole. Progress!

To be better informed on the concept of fasting, I found and ordered the book The Obesity Code by Jason Fung, MD. It took several months to crack it open, but once I did – so enlightening. Also checked in with my doc – good sounding board.

My perceptions about food and diet are influenced by many books I’ve read over a 30-year period.

After reading Fit For Life by Marilyn Diamond and The McDougall Plan by John McDougall MD, I tried out vegetarianism.
When sugar became an issue, I studied The New Glucose Revolution by Jennie Miller and Anthony Leeds, and The Okinawa Program by Bradley Wilcox.
When my husband practiced a homeopathic approach to a chronic condition, we both researched The Wahls Protocol by Terry Wahls MD.
Dr. Henry Lodge and Chris Crowley’s approach to wellness in the book Younger Next Ye ar energized me and alleviated some of my impatience with the process.

Today, reading Dr. Fung and his theory about insulin levels and intermittent fasting makes so much sense. I particularly relate to his candid assertion: “Maximum weight loss occurred at six months, with gradual regain thereafter.”

My brother once observed that I was “on a diet since I was 13.” He wasn’t wrong. I would lose .. then gain. Lose .. gain. Rinse, repeat. Hence my continued nutrition search.

Dr. Fung’s five basic steps in weight loss lines up with what I already accept as true. A few tragic particulars I resist – because I simply don’t want to change (yet).

“Reduce consumption of added sugars.”
- Sucrose & HFCS are exceptionally fattening
“Reduce consumption of refined grains.”
- White flour = nutritionally bankrupt
“Moderate your protein consumption.”
“Increase consumption of natural fats.”
- Full fat dairy = yes
- Dietary fat is least likely to stimulate insulin
- Use virgin olive oil
“Increase consumption of protective factors; fiber, vinegar.”

My recent insight comes from considering “meal timing.” It’s not just “what we eat.” Understanding the impact of insulin, insulin-resistance and how they influence my health is new to me.

Dr. Fung says insulin is what makes us fat. “To break the insulin-resistance cycle, we must have recurrent periods of very low insulin levels.” In his book he outlines different fasting types which do just that:

“Intermittent fasting involves fasting for shorter periods of time on a regular basis. Shorter fasts are generally done more frequently. Some people prefer a daily sixteen-hour fast, which means that they eat all their meals within an eight-hour window.”
“Longer fasts are typically twenty-four to thirty-six hours, done two to three times per week.”
“Prolonged fasting may range from one week to one month.”

Dr. Fung also tells us that: “Fasting follows feasting. Feasting follows fasting. Diets must be intermittent not steady. Food is a celebration of life.”

There can be freedom to live a full life and flow in and out of the methods he recommends. But, “the bottom line is that fasting is something we can do, and that we should do.”

“Everyone can perform magic, everyone can reach his goals, if he is able to think, if he is able to wait, if he is able to fast.”
– Hermann Hesse, Siddhartha