SimplyNumbers

Quote ~ Abraham Lincoln

Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other. ~ Abraham Lincoln

Washington Post: Friday the 13th phobias

Friday the 13th phobias and the five strangest fears you never knew existed.  What's yours?

Today’s date will send cold shivers of fear down the spines of those suffering from Friggatriskaidekaphobia. (Also known as Paraskevidekatriaphobia)

Quote ~ Paramahansa Yogananda

Self-realization is, in fact, the only religion. For it is the true purpose of religion, no matter how people define their beliefs. ~ Paramahansa Yogananda

Gallup Poll: Wellbeing

Gallup reported that Hawaii had the highest wellbeing rating among states in 2010. The Southern states stand out with the lowest well being ratings, with West Virginia coming in last.

Spring Cleaning

Spring is almost here. During the Winter, there was one week when snow covered the ground for a short time in almost every state. But now, it’s time to be thinking about the warming weather and for many people the process of Spring cleaning. I’m not sure where the origins of this tradition originated, but there are many interesting possibilities. In many parts of the world there is a tight link between certain traditions and religious holidays.

There is a Persian holiday known as “Khouneh Tekouni” which actually means ‘complete cleaning of the house’ and is prepared for by general house cleaning and shaking out of all the carpets in the home. The event is supposed to “set the tone” for the rest of the year.

In China the tradition was to clean the home before the new year, to clear out any misfortune or bad luck, and welcome in good luck. Then the floors would be left alone for a time to preserve the new energy.

Before Passover there was a custom of cleaning the home. In honor of tradition this was probably done to remove any traces of leavened bread before the Passover feast. All traces of the bread (chametz) were supposed to be removed.

In Scotland there is the Hogmanay festival, with the tradition of cleaning out the house on the day before the holiday. This cleaning may be due in part of the belief of the festival will help people to clear out the remaining energy of the old year, and welcome in a new year with new possibilities.

Regardless of whether you have a regular Spring cleaning or not, many of these traditions at their core are about letting go. Symbolically they are about releasing the past in favor of something new. Whatever dirt, dust or grime that has been collected during the year is cleaned and swept away, and space is created for new life to take its place.

Of course, before we had modern appliances it was much more difficult to effectively cleaning during colder months. During the winter you simply didn’t have the opportunity to clear the rugs and bedding that could only be cleaned by dragging them outside and having the dust and dirt beat out of them. Also, many items had to be “aired” out as they could not be washed.

In the past, Spring was a logical time to give your home a thorough cleaning. With modern appliances we're able to more effectively keep our homes clean year round. However, many people still maintain at least a small part of the tradition as they use this time to host yard sales, donate items to charity, and begin to make repairs to the outside of their homes as the weather warms. Do you have a regular Spring cleaning routine? Do you have a yard sale and clear out the things you no longer need or want?

You may want to take some time this spring to think of the past, and the rituals that were enacted helped people to welcome in new the new year. For many, the season provided them with an opportunity to see friends and neighbors that they had not seen for some time. For others, it was a real opportunity to prepare for a “rebirth” of sorts, by clearing their homes which prepared them for new new hopes and opportunities.

What might you welcome into your life at this time? What new opportunity is about to unfold? Is there some ritual that you can perform to welcome in change and growth? Perhaps, simply donating an item to the charity of your choice may be a way to connect with the spirit of Spring, and welcome in new growth. Perhaps, spending time with someone who needs your time and support. Whatever you choose to do has the potential to act as a catalyst for taking a step deeper into a life that has growth, meaning and purpose, and isn't that what Spring is about?

Science Daily: Personal Well-Being Is Linked to National Satisfaction

A new study of people from 128 countries has found that the higher the level of satisfaction that people have with their country, then they will feel increasingly better about their lives. The study, which was published in Psychological Science,  is based on a Gallup World Poll.

"This [study] shows that those who are very rich or live in a Western culture assess their well-being in different ways than those who are poorer or live in non-Western country." ~ Mike Morrison, University of Illinois

For more information about this study, please contact: Mike Morrison at: mmorris8@cyrus.psych.uiuc.edu

Half the people in the world think that the metaphors of their religious traditions, for example, are facts. And the other half contends that they are not facts at all. As a result we have people who consider themselves believers because they accept metaphors as facts, and we have others who classify themselves as atheists because they think religious metaphors are lies. ~ Joseph Campbell / Thou Art That: Transforming Religious Metaphor)

Letting go of a limiting belief

Being aware and mindful of your thoughts as they occur can help you to recognize your critical or limiting beliefs. When they occur, you can have profoundly help yourself by simply having compassion for yourself. Compassion can help you to begin to tame the power of these critical beliefs. Recognize that they may really only be stories that you've been telling yourself. They are not necessarily true. If you can allow yourself some compassion you can begin to work with the beliefs by first telling yourself that the might not be totally accurate or true at all.

Next, you can begin to work on positive steps that can help you to reduce or eliminate the belief. You can take a positive step by setting an intention that supports your growth and is perhaps contrary to your belief. For instance, when you have a belief that is about not being fit, you can support yourself by setting an intention to evaluate and improve your diet. Then begin to actually follow through with your intention. You don't have to take giant steps in order to succeed. Begin by making small, but meaningful, changes and you can make great progress.

When you're inner critic rears up you can defend yourself by acknowledging it, and telling yourself that you are making important changes in your life. If the critic is talking about your fitness level, then you can remind yourself that you're not a zumba or pilates instructor. And, nobody is perfect.

Finally, be willing to have moments that you will feel like giving up. Your changes may create inner turmoil or tension, but this is okay. Feel whatever comes up and work with it. Accept where you are in following your intention. Changing behaviors can take time, patience, perserverance and compassion.

 

The steps:
1. Set an intention

2. Defend your actions and your successes

3. Accept where you are

 

Example:

When you watch television you feel unfit as you see healthy, thin and energetic characters on your favorite shows and commercials.

• Set an Intention: Make an intention to make changes to your fitness level.
• Defend against your critical voice: Tell yourself that many of the actors and models may not actually eat properly have personal trainers and can have demanding workout regimens.
• Accept where you are: Realize that watching television makes you feel comfortable, but slightly sedentary. Understand that it's okay for you to continue watching, but remember your intention.

 

Resources:
Association for Contextual Behavioral Science
Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies

Changing your beliefs

You may been in situation where nagging doubt made making a decision seem difficult, impossible, or useless. Many of us have these limiting beliefs. Trouble arises when we give into them, and give up and let the beliefs proliferate. There is a way to work with them. By evaluating the limiting belief and asking a few simple questions, you may be able to change it, or lessen its power over you.

Questions to ask about your beliefs:

• How long have you had this belief?
• Who/Where did the belief come from?
• Do you think others have similar beliefs?
• How might have this belief been beneficial to you?
• How has this belief limited my pursuit of your aspirations.
• How has this belief encouraged my pursuit of your aspirations?
• Do you agree with the belief?
• Does the belief accurately represent you?
• Are you willing to let it go?

Be careful to take all the time that you need to answer the questions. Don't feel pressure to answer all of the questions in one sitting. Have compassion for yourself, and allow yourself to experience any difficult feelings that occur when you're thinking about your answers. This process isn't about assigning fault or blame, rather it's about shining a light on your beliefs, so that you can lessen their strength in your life.

When you're ready, you can consider the emotions or feelings that arise when you actually have the experience of the limiting belief. What happens when it shows up? Describe your state in as detailed a manner as you can. For many of us, the feelings that we experience around our limiting beliefs can be powerful and visceral. I remember getting tense, feeling angry and agitated, and wanting to smash something when I experienced a particular belief around not knowing enough. This was very strong when I was in college. It always seemed like I had to cram more information in. Over time, I’ve learned to accept that I can’t and don’t need to know everything. And, in some way the belief has kept me curious and wanting to know more.

Finally, imagine yourself free of this belief. Breathe out and let it go. You can imagine a ballon, with the belief inside, floating away. What would your life really be like without it? Who would be in your life? Where would you be living? How do you feel? Again, be as detailed as you can. You may want to write down your vision, and visualize it as well. Spend a few minutes, or longer, visualizing your life when you no longer have this limiting belief. Don’t just describe how you will feel, feel it in your body now. Feel the changes that have occurred!

You can work with each limiting belief you have in this way. As you evaluate your beliefs, their hold on your life will reduce and you’ll be able to live your life on your terms. For longer held beliefs it may take more time and effort, but the rewards are worth it. You may also wish to seek outside assistance, such as a peer group, therapist or counselor.