Life, The Greatest Ride of All

Life is the greatest roller coaster ride we will ever take. The ups and downs, the unexpected changes, the twists and turns, are all a part of living. The roller coaster ride of life can be miserable and uncomfortable or exciting and rewarding. Our states of mind and body are key factors in how we handle these changes. The problems of life do not go away magically. We have to consciously work on making our lives more positive and joyful.

Once in an ENCHANTED SELF workshop, one woman related a story about her Thanksgiving dinner. She had recently suffered a painful and unexpected breakup with a boyfriend. Although she was experiencing grief, she had a strong inner desire to reclaim her sense of self and move forward with her life.

It was interesting to hear her speak about the family meal. As she looked around at her extended family seated at the table, she became filled with love and felt the love reflected back towards her. It was then that she made a conscious choice to stay focused in the moment, to remain in a loving state and to share that love with those around her.

There were some inner struggles during the course of the evening because Thanksgiving held poignant memories for her involving her ex-boyfriend. When these memories surfaced, she deliberately chose to put them aside. After the family gathering, she confidently exclaimed, "I won!"

Her conscious decision to remain in a positive state of being, coupled with the feelings of love that she felt toward everyone, were the most critical factors in staying focused in the moment. She had triumphed because she did not succumb to feelings of depression and pity. Like Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz when she clicked her heels and said, "there's no place like home," she realized that the things she was searching for -- strength, love and happiness--could be found in her "own backyard."

The support and love that comes from our family and friends, as well as the inner strength we develop when we get to know and accept ourselves, was right there.

We will always tussle with dark thoughts and the negative sides of our personalities. Sometimes there will be unpleasant events in our lives, but we can choose not to let these things invade our sense of self-dignity and worth. When we make conscious choices about how we will respond to difficult situations, we feel empowered. For that moment we are in charge of our destiny. Nobody ever said that achieving positive states of mind and body was easy, but then again nobody ever said it was hard. It's a matter of focusing on the positive, and self-education.

Positive memory retrieval is the tool that enhances our ENCHANTED SELF journey. Reaching a positive state of inner and outer harmony is the essence of THE ENCHANTED SELF. One way of reaching this state is to give love and support to our selves and to others. Let's make this year a year of growth, peace, harmony and shared optimism.

Exercise: Heightening Our Experience of Pleasure

This exercise is designed not only to help you remember and validate positive aspects of your past, but to emphasize the need to stay more attentive to positive happenings in the present that may precipitate pleasure.

Were there moments in your childhood when you felt particularly happy? These moments can be from any age -- from your earliest memories through young adulthood. When you find a golden memory, savor it. See yourself at that age and experiment with letting different senses reconnect to that happy time.

  • What was going on at that moment?

  • What were you feeling inside?

  • How did your body feel?

  • Were there any aromas?

  • How did things look around you?

  • How were you acting?

  • What was the weather like?

  • What was the scenery like?

  • Were you with anyone?

  • What was it like to be with that person?

Take time to really enjoy this happy memory. Now scan your memory bank and the most recent past to see if you can think of one thing that you enjoyed doing in the last week. Give yourself permission to relive through your memory that pleasant time. Again, use all of your senses to reconnect you with that wonderful experience.

About The Author

Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein , originator of THE ENCHANTED SELF®, a method of bringing delight and meaning into everyday living, invites you to view her new line of ENCHANTED WOMAN products, downloadable e-books, and free gifts at http://www.enchantedself.com. Chat with others in Dr. Holstein's e-group, http://groups.yahoo.com/group/encself/join, and sign up for her free e-group at www.enchantedself.com. Order her book, THE ENCHANTED SELF: A Positive Therapy, or the CD-rom or tape version and her book RECIPES FOR ENCHANTMENT: The Secret Ingredient is YOU!, or the ED-rom version, at our website.

enchantedself@verizon.net

In The News:

pen paper and inkwell


cat break through


Do You Love Yourself?

So, do you love yourself?Shouldn't really be a difficult question... Read More

What Every Manager Should Know About How to Look Beyond His Attitude

Once we understand the difference our attitude makes in our... Read More

Is ADD Getting You Down? 6 Tips to Sharpen Your Celebrating Skills

Celebrating is a skill that adults with ADD (Attention Deficit... Read More

You Must Change the 148,000 Nos In Your Subconscious to Yes

What does it take to succeed? How can you move... Read More

Five Ways to Stay Positive in a Negative World

In view of the increasing negative events happening around the... Read More

Does It Really Matter?

We are all involved in this game called life and... Read More

Mindfulness and Money: Monkeying Around

Kasia is a talented landscape designer who speaks several languages,... Read More

Today, A Wonderful Day

Believe me, today is the most wonderful day of your... Read More

Need A Miracle? Build One, Everyday!

Henry Ford, after he had achieved great success, was the... Read More

Life Energy

There is a growing appreciation of the impact of psychic... Read More

Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life

Most of what we've been taught about how to be... Read More

Youre Not a Victim--Really!

Woe is me... life has dealt me a bad hand...... Read More

How Much Better Can You Have It?

"If you don't like something, change it. If you can't... Read More

Using Power Affirmations on ePosters

I believe that one of the best ways to stay... Read More

Open the Pandoras Box & Unleash your Hidden Power.

It really doesn't matter what your objectives are in this... Read More

How To Talk Your Way To Success

Smart folk have always realised how vital it is to... Read More

The Language of Confidence

The language we use programs our brains. Mastering our language... Read More

How To Condition Your Mind For Success

Your mindset is a strong factor in achieving any type... Read More

Choose Wisely

During these times of uncertainty in the outside world, look... Read More

Whats On Your Shift List?

The most happy and successful people on earth have a... Read More

Beliefs

Do you realize that what we believe about ourselves, affects... Read More

Shifting Your Paradigm

What is a paradigm? In my own words, a paradigm... Read More

Moving? Pack an Emotional First Aid Kit

From Making the Big Move: how to transform relocation into... Read More

Seeing Challenges as Opportunities

Are you a person who loves challenges, or hates them?... Read More

The Courage To Succeed!

The hardest part of success is the **courage** you need... Read More

Power Talk: The Two Most Powerful Words In Language

I don't know about you, but for me, the technological... Read More

Personal Assignments for Great Self-Esteem

Do you wish you had high self-confidence? Some of us... Read More

Do You Neglect The Power Of Your Mind?

James Allen, who wrote the masterpiece, As a Man Thinketh,... Read More

Growing Optimistically

Spring is here at last! The season brings with it... Read More

Positive Thought

The power of positive thoughts to affect one's experience of... Read More

Positive Mental Attitude

1. Smile2. Laugh3. Greet people courteously4. Be enthusiastic5. Dream. Engage... Read More

3 Proven Ways To Build Self-Esteem

When someone thinks of a person with self-esteem most people... Read More

You Have All The Resources You Need

You already have all the resources you need to accomplish... Read More