Monthly Archives: March 2016
Grasping Hand
Grasping Hand sounds pretty startling, doesn’t it?
Do you know how they catch monkeys in the forest? They put out glass jars with a nut in the bottom. The monkey reaches in, grasps the nut, and then cannot pull the hand out because it will not let the nuts go. They come back, pick up the monkeys, jar and all. They break the jar once the monkey is secured. Easy.
Do you have a Grasping Hand? Are you holding onto something so tightly that you do not want to let go? Do you know how much effort that takes?
Place a pencil in your hand and wrap your fingers around it. Ask a friend to remove it. Not going to happen. Now – open your hand. The friend can remove the pencil easily. The difference? Readily seen – you let it go by opening your hand.
There are many reasons to have a Grasping Hand, some of which are sentimental (which is OK). Some things have served their use (as in clothes you have outgrown or no longer wear because your tastes have changed). Yet, sometimes we hang onto things just because we have a lack consciousness. Hoarders are one example. Yet they, too, acquire things that they will never even use.
Sounds complicated, doesn’t it? It can be.
Many of us were raised up with very little possessions. Hence, we decide to keep stuff that no longer serves a purpose for us.
There are so many others out there who still have very little. Why not share with them what you no longer need? There are so many organizations out there that would appreciate that set of dishes, silverware, serving spoons, clothing, furniture, etc. Recycle your stuff with the universe. Let it go!
A few years ago, I had the obligation of going through a relative’s house. Many of us have to do that. Things that held such attachment to that person become no longer valid. So the sort begins: One bag to the Good Will or other charity organization, some to relatives, and others to the trash.
Why wait for somebody else to do it? Take charge of your life, keep what you want, and then let the rest go to wherever you think it will be needed.
I know someone who keeps everything by the stacks. These items are never looked at or cherished. Yet, if asked to go through them, it causes such agitation that it is mind boggling. It is very sad to see.
How about you? Are the emotions that are generated by these items so difficult to endure that it makes it impossible to release them? This can be the case, easily. Each item can only be examined on its own merits, and then a decision rendered, item by item. That is pretty overwhelming, yet necessary.
What price is there for the Grasping Hand? It can be extreme in many instances, from creating a fire hazard to feeling helpless about it. Only you can decide what price you want to pay. Are you willing?
God’s blessings upon your journey!
You Own Nothing
Do You “Push the River?”
One example of “Pushing the River” is: Have you ever been in a hurry to drive somewhere and getting really irritated at stop lights and pokey drivers? That is an example of “Pushing the River.” The fix is simple: be where you are, concentrating on the moment.
Perhaps things are not going according to your plans, or something unexpected happens to delay you. These are examples of “Pushing the River” because you are getting upset, excited, or angry about whatever it is. However, the answer is always the same: Be in the moment, experiencing your life and resolving the situation.
It sounds pretty simple, yet it can be as complicated as you make it. Life will go on, either way.
But the more you experience negative emotions (upset, angry, irritation, etc.), the less livingness you have. You are giving your power away to others and to situations that are, obviously, not under your control. Your response is your life expressing.
Have you taken the time to analyze yourself: Are you a Type A personality or Type B?
Type A personalities (per Wikipedia) are “ambitious, rigidly organized, highly status-conscious, sensitive, impatient, take on more than they can handle, want other people to get to the point, anxious, proactive, and concerned with time management. People with Type A personalities are often high-achieving workaholics, push themselves with deadlines, and hate both delays and ambivalence…Dangerous Type A behavior is expressed through three major symptoms: (1) free-floating hostility, which can be triggered by even minor incidents; (2) time urgency and impatience, which causes irritation and exasperation – usually described as being short-fused; and (3) a competitive drive, which causes stress and an achievement-driven mentality.”
Type B personalities (again per Wikipedia) are “noted to live at lower stress levels. They typically work steadily, and may enjoy achievement, although they have a greater tendency to disregard physical or mental stress when they do not achieve. When faced with competition, they may focus less on winning or losing than their Type A counterparts and more on enjoying the game regardless of winning or losing. Unlike the Type A personality’s rhythm of multi-tasked careers, Type B individuals are sometimes attracted to careers of creativity: writer, counselor, therapist, actor or actress. However, network and computer systems managers, professors, and judges are more likely to be Type B individuals as well. Their personal character may enjoy exploring ideas and concepts. They are often reflective, and think of the outer and inner world.”
It is readily apparent that Type B personalities are more relaxed and approach problems differently than Type A personalities. You can sense the wear and tear that Type A people experience. Can you recognize your traits as more of one of these than the other? It is possible to be a mix, of course. But it is the predominance of one over the other which can rule each day.
Pushing the River is like a Commandment: Thou shalt do this or else! “My way or the highway” people have less flexibility in living and choices that they see from their frame of reference. Every other possibility is nixed before they become aware of such an idea. Can you see how limiting that can be?
Would you rather be relaxed, floating on an inner tube, paddling at will than be on a Class V river rafting trip? Life can be hard enough without starting out every day with a Class V. Wouldn’t you agree?
Can you get the sense of flowing with life’s experiences each day, seeing where it takes you? Yes, there are things that need doing – in their time. Nothing wrong with that idea. It’s just proceeding as if you have a guided tour vs. a Tour de France push. Can you sense the difference?
Are you willing to look at your daily choices to begin to make some required changes so you can live with less stress, anxiety, and anger? It is, after all, your choices that will make a new beginning for you. Are you willing?
God’s blessings upon your journey!
upliftingthoughts4u 