In my corner of the world, life is pretty darned good. I have so much gratitude for my personal and professional life. I tend to think I am pretty level headed and am more of a responder to situations than a reactor.
Yet, every so often something will trigger me and I go into reaction mode. It is then that I must stop, breath and ask for guidance.
Amazingly, within a very short period of time, a solution is put in front of me. Sometimes within minutes and even seconds.
Such was the case this morning. As is my usual practice, I spend quite time setting the intention for my day. From there I begin my work day. When I get into my office, I spend the first 45 minutes to an hour doing what I can to monetize my business. Either I work on some aspect of marketing, a new product release, a lesson for my VIP Club, or something along these lines.
Today was no different. My initial activities of my work day were to write a blog posting for my blog The Marketing Mindset and work on the beginning of yet another lesson for my VIP members.
After about an hour of this I moved on to reading my emails. The first email I received was from one of my blog subscribers accusing me of being misleading in a blog posting in The Marketing Mindset. Somewhat frustrated, I wondered where they felt misled. The title of the post was, 5 events to build your business, revenues and self confidence. The post had the five events listed; all of which are free.
This is the comment the reader left.
“I have to tell you.... I'm close to unsubscribing because of this message today (1/18/10)-- the subject line promises me "5 Events to build your business, revenues and self-confidence" and then the article delivers nothing but a sales pitch. Very disappointing, very misleading, and a waste of my time to open it.” Click here to read my post and the comment.
Not quite sure where the reader felt misled, I was a bit confused. One of my highest values is to stay in integrity at all times and not mislead people if at all possible.
And of course, ego stepped in and wanted to defend my position. When ego kicks in, that’s when I know I need to step back.
Wow! Did this every shift my focus. Rather than being frustrated, I found myself simply blessing the situation and Jules (the reader who commented). I also found myself thanking Jules for the gift I received. It is the gift of choice. I could choose to stay frustrated or I could choose to immediately move in the space of blessing all that is around me. This choice immediately shifted the way I felt.
Moment by moment we do choose. Yet, so often we choose to ignore the fact we have so much choice. It is in our choices we are led to the awareness of all that is good and right in our world, rather than all that is wrong, frustrates us or isn’t’ working.
Life is a miracle in and of itself. Today I choose to focus on this.
After about an hour of this I moved on to reading my emails. The first email I received was from one of my blog subscribers accusing me of being misleading in a blog posting in The Marketing Mindset. Somewhat frustrated, I wondered where they felt misled. The title of the post was, 5 events to build your business, revenues and self confidence. The post had the five events listed; all of which are free.
This is the comment the reader left.
“I have to tell you.... I'm close to unsubscribing because of this message today (1/18/10)-- the subject line promises me "5 Events to build your business, revenues and self-confidence" and then the article delivers nothing but a sales pitch. Very disappointing, very misleading, and a waste of my time to open it.” Click here to read my post and the comment.
Not quite sure where the reader felt misled, I was a bit confused. One of my highest values is to stay in integrity at all times and not mislead people if at all possible.
And of course, ego stepped in and wanted to defend my position. When ego kicks in, that’s when I know I need to step back.
No more than a few seconds after realizing this, I clicked on a link to a blog posting by my dear friend, Lorraine Cohen. The posting contained a video entitled, The Gentle Art of Blessing.
Wow! Did this every shift my focus. Rather than being frustrated, I found myself simply blessing the situation and Jules (the reader who commented). I also found myself thanking Jules for the gift I received. It is the gift of choice. I could choose to stay frustrated or I could choose to immediately move in the space of blessing all that is around me. This choice immediately shifted the way I felt.
Moment by moment we do choose. Yet, so often we choose to ignore the fact we have so much choice. It is in our choices we are led to the awareness of all that is good and right in our world, rather than all that is wrong, frustrates us or isn’t’ working.
Life is a miracle in and of itself. Today I choose to focus on this.
Your comments are welcome.
Hi, Kathleen!
Thank you so much for such a great post!
Synchronicity or not, just a few days ago, the following quote has been one of the most positively commented on my Facebook wall:
"Know that no one is capable of making you upset without your consent." -- Dr. Wayne W. Dyer (The Power of Intention)
You explained the very same is such a beautiful and personal way. Thank you again!
Blessings and hugs,
Chantal
Posted by: Chantal Beaupré | January 19, 2010 at 08:24 AM
I'm chuckling Kathleen
I am often guilty of slipping into reaction especially before I have all the facts. It's an old knee jerk reaction to a subconscious belief that "people will screw me if I'm not careful." Gratefully, I have shifted quite a bit of that energy to stop, pause, take a breath and be present to my truth in that moment. I also find my reactions are higher when I have been ignoring my needs!
Thank you for mentioning me and the video I shared with you. It's one of those gems you have to pass on!
Blessings to you my friend
Lorraine
Posted by: Lorraine Cohen | January 19, 2010 at 09:16 AM
Finding the strength and ability to bless is wonderful! How often do we get the direction to deal with negative energy, but we just don't see it.
Good post Kathleen!
Posted by: Steve @Life Change For You | January 20, 2010 at 06:51 AM