About Yesterday's Exercise

I found yesterday's exercise really interesting and informative. The first thing I discovered was that my list of energy drains looked more like a "to do" list than anything else. Which got me wondering whether or not one of my energy drains is an out of control "to do" list (which of course is true), or if I just didn't have a clue as to what my energy drains really are (also true), which sent me scrambling for our next series of posts which includes questions, a quiz, and a "yes" list.

Another thing that happened as I was saying the Ho'oponopono mantra was that I found myself saying, "I love you. I'm sorry. Please forgive me." - NOT to myself, and NOT to my energy draining to do list, but instead to my little dog Cinnamin. She died last year of cancer, and I have been holding a spirit of extreme unforgiveness for myself for allowing that to happen to her. There are so many things that I might have done differently, so many "could of" "should of" "why didn't I" "what if I" and "if only" etc. etc. ad infinitum. I knew I held myself responsible, and I knew there were plenty of unresolved issues, but I didn't realize the extent of the self judgment, nor did I realize just how invested I am in believing that her suffering was my fault. I am very very angry with Shirley, and this is probably the biggest energy drain of all.

So... today I'll be uploading some interesting stuff from Oprah.com, and I'm hoping that you guys will find it helpful and informative. I'll also be looking for something on self forgiveness. I think that if I can navigate my way through that, I'll be well on my way to having the energy to really create something good for myself.

Plug Those Energy Drains With Love

Remember our Ho'oponopono project? Karla said something in a comment the other day about love (read it here), and it occurred to me that it might be interesting and effective to plug our energy drains with love.

The wonderful thing about Ho'oponopono is that it takes people out of the intellect and ego because according to Ihaleakala Hew Len, “you don’t really have to know the problem or error. All you have to do is to notice a problem you are experiencing physically, mentally or emotionally, whatever. Once you notice your responsibility is to immediately clear by saying, “I love you. I’m sorry. Please forgive me. Thank you.”

So, how about it? Today, lets make a list of our known energy drains, large and small. You can be as detailed or as concise as is comfortable. Don't let the list scare you, it doesn't matter how long or how short it is.

Now, sit in a comfortable position, look at the list, allow your eyes to rest on each item for just a few seconds, and say "I love you. I'm sorry. Please forgive me. Thank you."

That's it!

Easy, huh? Now, for the rest of the day (or longer if you'd like), whenever you find yourself focused on a task, a problem, a situation, or a relationship that drains your energy, makes you tired, fills you with dread, or otherwise depletes your energy, just smile and say, "I love you. I'm sorry. Please forgive me. Thank you."

I'll be curious to know what happens when we do this, so if you have any interesting results, I'd love it if you'd share them.

Are You Procrastinating?

Nothing is so fatiguing as the eternal hanging on of an uncompleted task.
~William James

Many of my most difficult energy drains are caused by my talent for procrastination. For example, I still have not filed my Missouri Income Tax which was due April 15. It just sort of hangs there, over my head, along with a zillion other things I routinely schedule for "tomorrow."

Which reminds me of an old Spanish proverb: Tomorrow is often the busiest day of the week. So true. There is, however, this other quote by Pablo Picasso: Only put off until tomorrow what you are willing to die having left undone.

Ok.. that makes it a little easier... I'm perfectly willing to die having left my taxes unfiled! So, HA! I'm off the hook on that one! And, actually, I can't think of a single task that I have put off doing that I wouldn't be perfectly happy to leave undone forever! So there!! My procrastination issues have now been resolved. I'm quite content to die leaving a pretty big mess for everyone else to clean up... which doesn't sound very enlightened, or very considerate, or even very nice.

So... I suppose it might be a good day to do at least one thing that I've been putting off. Hmmm... so many tasks... so little time... what will I choose... And what about you? Are you procrastinating something? several somethings? Maybe today would be a good day to get at least one of them done, don't you think?

Here's some good advice:

For attacking those once put off tasks, remember, there is no time like the present. Since you never know what awaits you tomorrow, it is always better to get things done today.

I admit, it is like pulling teeth sometimes to get started on something that you really dread or dislike doing. On the other hand, once you’re done, the dread is over and you can relax.

Whether its dread, laziness or fear that makes you keep your seat, you still have to reach your goal eventually. So, stop thinking about it, and just do it!

On the other hand...

The sooner you fall behind,
the more time you'll have to catch up.
~Steven Wright

Inner Peace

There is a criterion by which you can judge whether the thoughts you are thinking and the things you are doing are right for you. The criterion is: Have they brought you inner peace? If they have not, there is something wrong with them, so keep seeking!

~Peace Pilgrim

As I work my way through this project, it occurs to me that many of my energy drains were created in the moment when I chose chaos or suffering or avoidance or anger or procrastination or potato chips and beer over inner peace. When I look at the results of my actions, I find that inner peace must be at the bottom of my "to do" list and "overwhelmed" must be at the top.

So, I guess I'm wondering, what can I do - what small thing can I do in this moment, right now, that will bring peace instead of chaos, comfort instead of suffering, nourishment instead of deprivation, rest instead of weariness. And the answer is....

"Take a nice long hot shower and then go to bed."

I wonder if I'll do it... The other voices in my head are screaming WATCH A MOVIE, DRINK A BEER, EAT SOME CHIPS, PLAY THE SIMS!! Who will win out? I'll let you know tomorrow.

What about you? Where do your choices tend to lead you? What could you chose, in this moment, that might bring some small portion of inner peace? What will you actually do?

Beware the swamp

Beware the swamp, the quicksand, the Sahara desert! These are the energy drains that look and feel impossible! The job you hate but can’t quit, the difficult marriage or relationship you don’t know how to navigate, the health issue that is full of unknowns, the looming decision that you can’t think through – all these things that are too big for you right now today! They aren’t your job today!

Today, we are doing something small and simple – easy and doable – something that you have the time for and the resources to do! If you can’t come up with something to do about your energy drain, whatever it may be, right now, in the moment, easily, with resources you have on hand, it isn’t the right drain to work on!

Is your energy drain a failure of forgiveness? Are you stuck in your plumbing nightmare because you can’t forgive yourself for having gotten there in the first place? Can you see how that magnifies, perpetuates and paralyzes you in this nightmare?

How about feeling excitement instead? This is terrific, this is a great, fun game! This is creative – what can I do without the easy solution, the quick fix, for EVERYTHING that’s wrong!

So the big thing, the job, the money, the relationship – those are the things that we see. But look closer at how these big problems are manifesting themselves in the little things in your life. Do you drag yourself out every morning to drive to the job you hate and your windshield is dirty? Is your back seat littered with trash, unopened mail, junk that needs to be delivered to the thrift shop… How would you feel, dragging yourself to work in a clean car that smells like tangerines? Maybe a little lighter?

Well, how's it going so far?

Here's how things are going for me: I have spent the last 2 days actually ADDING to the energy drains in my life and then compounding the situation by taking on even more, and then berating myself which isn't helpful.

What I HAVE succeeded in doing is spending a lot of time talking about my energy drains, thinking about them, planning for the mythical time in the future when I'm going to actually, maybe do something about them, and pretty much staying focused on the big unresolvable issues and ignoring the smaller easily dealt with ones.

What I HAVE succeeded in doing is saying yes to something I didn't really want (contact lenses) because I didn't want to hurt someones feelings (when will I ever learn?), saying yes because they said they would pay for it (thus making me indebted to them), saying yes because I didn't realize that what I really wanted to say was no until it was too late (I'm at home trying to take the damn things out), saying yes because I was thinking more about their comfort than mine (so typical). And the result of that yes is yet another energy drain... a potentially (but not necessarily) endless one ... so instead of making progress, I'm actually sliding deeper into the mire of stuff that wears me out just to think about it.

That being said, I have actually made an effort. Here is the list of things I HAVE actually done during the course of this project:

1. Rearranged the litter boxes so that they are easier to clean and stay cleaner longer because there are more of them. I also consolidated the litter box cleaning stuff, and have made sure that I have plenty of extra litter on hand. Not only that, but I have been cleaning them twice a day. So, KUDOS to me!


2. I am taking an extra change of clothes to work so that when the bathing is done, I can change into something dry and clean. This is really nice because I don't have to spend the entire day wet and dirty.


3. I called the vet and priced euthanasia for my elderly, arthritic, incontinent, senile border collie, Jesse. It's a baby step, but a step nonetheless.


4. I went through over 960 emails in my inbox, and am now able to keep up with it daily so that it doesn't feel overwhelming to check my mail.


5. I went grocery shopping and now have actual food in the refrigerator.

So, that's my story, now what's yours? Did you spend any time today doing something, however small, to plug an energy drain in your life? What about yesterday? If the answer is yes, that's awesome! If the answer is no, my next question would be: Why not?

Worth

An Unwavering Connection to the Infinite

From the Daily Om, we have this great little article about self worth that I found interesting. I'm wondering if our feelings of self worth are directly related to the way we organize our lives. Would I take better care of myself? Would I have more money? Would I have healthier relationships? Would I be happier? And if I did feel genuuinely worthy of all the good that life has to offer me, what would I do today? What would I be doing right now in this moment?

Here's the article:

Though much of who and what we are changes as we journey through life, our inherent worth remains constant. While the term self-worth is often used interchangeably with self-esteem, the two qualities are inherently different. Self-esteem is the measure of how you feel about yourself at a given moment in time. Your worth, however, is not a product of your intelligence, your talent, your looks, your good works, or how much you have accomplished. Rather it is immeasurable and unchanging manifestation of your eternal and infinite oneness with the universe. It represents the cornerstone of the dual foundations of optimism and self-belief. Your worth cannot be taken from you or damaged by life’s rigors, yet it can easily be forgotten or even actively ignored. By regularly acknowledging your self-worth, you can ensure that you never forget what an important, beloved, and special part of the universe you are.

You are born worthy—your worth is intertwined with your very being. Your concept of your own self-worth is thus reinforced by your actions. Each time you endeavor to appreciate yourself, treat yourself kindly, define your personal boundaries, be proactive in seeing that your needs are met, and broaden your horizons, you express your recognition of your innate value. During those periods when you have lost sight of your worth, you will likely feel mired in depression, insecurity, and a lack of confidence. You’ll pursue a counterfeit worth based on judgment rather than the beauty that resides within. When you feel worthy, however, you will accept yourself without hesitation. It is your worth as an individual who is simultaneously interconnected with all living beings that allows you to be happy, confident, and motivated. Because your conception of your worth is not based on the fulfillment of expectations, you’ll see your mistakes and failures as just another part of life’s journey.

Human beings are very much like drops of water in an endless ocean. Our worth comes from our role as distinct individuals as well as our role as an integral part of something larger than ourselves. Simply awakening to this concept can help you rediscover the copious and awe-inspiring worth within each and every one of us.


What do you guys think? Are your energy drains directly related to your feelings of self worth? Or something entirely different? Do you appreciate yourself, treat yourself kindly, define your personal boundaries, be proactive in seeing that your needs are met, and broaden your horizons? And when you do those things do you find you have more energy? Alternatively, do you find yourself mired in depression, insecurity, and a lack of confidence? And when you find yourself in that place, do you also experience exhaustion, fatigue, and a sense of being overwhelmed by life?

Housekeeping

No, this isn't a post about keeping your house clean. I suppose I could post about that - but if I did, that would mean that I'd have to get started cleaning my own. On the other hand, if your desk looks like the one in the picture - you might want to consider doing just a wee bit of cleaning, maybe throw just one thing away! Or maybe two?

What I actually meant by "housekeeping" is that this is a post about the issues some of us have been having with the comment box. I think I have succeeded in a temporary fix. I have no way to know for sure because I haven't had any trouble leaving comments, so I can't test it. I'd love it if those of you who have had problems would post a quick comment and if it still doesn't work, email me to let me know.

Have a great holiday weekend!

The Money Drain

ENERGY DRAIN: Your credit card debt. Money issues are among life’s leading stressors. And stress is a common cause of fatigue. Stress—and more importantly, how you perceive it—is the single most pervasive factor that determines the state of your energy.

Negative thoughts or monkey mind—a brain stuck in overdrive—can also be draining. Gaining control over your stress levels can affect a dramatic increase in energy and as a result you will be less likely to get sick.

ENERGY BOOST: In many cultures, breath is energy. Here is a simple way to increase your energy. It's called a “breath break”: Sit up straight, throw your shoulders back and inhale slowly to the count of four, letting the abdomen expand. Pause for one count. Exhale slowly to the count of six, letting the abdomen deflate. Pause for one count. Repeat four times.

source: Chicago Tribune Archives

Wow! I think this really works! I've been sitting here, hunched over the keyboard, feeling stressed and frazzled, wondering how I'll get the comment box fixed, the posts uploaded, the dishes washed, the laundry done, the house cleaned, the lawn mowed, the litter boxes changed, the car washed, the grocery shopping done, and at the same time have a really relaxed day of doing nothing... LOL... That's me, always trying to do the impossible!

Anyway, I thought I'd give the breathing thing a try - and it works really well. I feel a lot better. Now, if I can only remember to breathe more often!

Take off those shoes!

ENERGY DRAIN: Your shoes.The human body is built to move. The more you move it, the more energy it generates. While high heels might look nice, they can also discourage walking around the office, taking a energizing outdoor stroll or walking up the stairs. Even moderate exercise [30 minutes three times a week of brisk walking] has been shown to increase the number and efficiency of mitochondria to produce energy. Exercise is like plugging into the grid—it creates energy (as long as you don’t overdo it.)

ENERGY BOOST: Take your shoes off and jump up and down for three minutes. Feel that surge of energy? If you can’t part with stilettos, keep a comfortable pair of shoes at your desk. Cole Haan has cute shoes that use Nike technology, and Aerosoles (which can be found at Marshalls) are comfortable and inexpensive. Geox offers “breathable” dress and casual footwear for men, women and kids. Look for shoes with rounded toes rather than pointy. The more material on the sides (surrounding the foot) the better.

source: Chicago Tribune Archives

Wired?

ENERGY DRAIN: Computer and television monitors. Humans are photosensitive, like leaves on trees. “The bright light of a television or computer may stop our melatonin levels from rising to induce sleep because our body still thinks it is daytime,” said Lipman. A lack of shut-eye, of course, is going to leave you feeling zapped.

ENERGY BOOST: If you’re wired but tired at night, turn off your TV at 10 p.m. or earlier; at the same time, turn off your cell phone, handheld devices like BlackBerrys and iPhones and computers. “If you must keep them on, keep them as far away from your head as possible,” said Lipman.

source: Chicago Tribune Archives

Newton's First Law of Motion

Have you ever noticed how easy it is to make errors in judgment when you're seriously tired? For me, anyway, the more tired I am the more likely it is that I'll do something (or many somethings) to ensure that I stay that way.

And, as I'm mulling this over, it also occurs to me that when I'm angry, the same thing happens... or when I'm resentful, or depressed, or unhappy in the multitude of ways that I find to be unhappy... once I'm in that downward spiral, everything I say, everything I agree to, everything I actually do seems to contribute rather than mitigate my circumstances.

Here's a really good example: I spend a really long day working way too hard... so what do I do? I stay up 2 hours later than I actually have to... then, next morning, having had 6 hours of sleep, I find that it's absolutely necessary to drink a 20 oz cup of Quick Trip's darkest strongest coffee, (and we all know why that's not a good pick me up), which I then supplement all through the day with Reece's Peanut butter Cups, (which we recently learned is also not a great idea). I make it through what turns into another long and grueling day, and when I get home, instead of taking a nice hot bath and going to bed, I sit down at the computer and play the Sims until well past midnight. Yes!

So, today, having had almost 5 hours of sleep, it's TWO cans of Full Throttle coffee mocha flavored energy drink with ginseng, guarana, taurine, caffeine, and a handful of B vitamins, even more Reece's Peanut Butter Cups, and although I did make sure to get some protein, it wasn't much, and now that I'm home I'm finding it almost impossible NOT to turn that darn game on and do that same thing all over again.

And what's up with that? It must be some fundamental law of physics or something... and I just realized what it is! Yowsers! It was like an apple hit me on the head. What I'm talking about is Newtons First Law of Motion! The law of inertia. Apparently it applies to more than just moving objects! Here's what wikipedia had to say about it:

Inertia is the resistance of an object to a change in its state of motion. The principle of inertia is one of the fundamental principles of classical physics which are used to describe the motion of matter and how it is affected by applied forces. Inertia comes from the Latin word, "iners", meaning idle, or lazy. Sir Isaac Newton defined inertia in Definition 3 of his Philosophiæ Naturalis Principia Mathematica, which states:

The vis insita, or innate force of matter is a power of resisting, by which every body, as much as in it lies, endeavors to preserve in its present state, whether it be of rest, or of moving uniformly forward in a straight line.

Apparently, I'm just endeavoring to preserve my present state. OK... I'll buy that. The article goes on to explain the following:

The behavior of all objects can be described by saying that objects tend to "keep on doing what they're doing" unless acted upon by an unbalanced force.

So, here's my question: What would constitute an "unbalanced force," and why is it that when I'm rested and happy and everything is going along good, I still tend to make (although maybe not as often) the kinds of decisions that leave me exhausted and cranky? Could it be that exhausted and cranky have something to do with gravity? The "what goes up must come down" law of physics? Anyone have an opinion to share? How is everyone else doing?

Coffee Anyone?

ENERGY DRAIN: Your caffeine addiction. America’s favorite drug can give you that critical afternoon kick in the butt, but so called “energy” drinks and foods actually cause fatigue, anxiety and insomnia, headaches and other symptoms. That’s because caffeine doesn’t instruct your DNA to make more energy; it tells it to activate your nervous system, a process that expends energy. Caffeine has also been shown to block adenosine receptors; getting enough adenosine during the daytime is a trigger for getting to sleep at night. If you drink a cup of coffee at noon, a quarter cup’s worth could still be in your system by midnight.

ENERGY BOOST: If you can’t go cold turkey, limit consumption to three 8-ounce cups of coffee or tea per day (about 200 or 300 milligrams of caffeine). Try switching to green tea; even though it has caffeine, its health effects outweigh any negatives. Or try ginseng tea for a refreshing pick-me-up. Avoid energy drinks and foods that contain caffeine and sugar; they only mimic the effects of energy. When your energy flags at 3 p.m., try eating a handful of walnuts or almonds instead of getting a coffee. Nuts have a unique combination of protein (for long-term energy release), fiber and healthy fats.

source: Chicago Tribune Archives

What about breakfast?

ENERGY DRAIN: Your breakfast. A bowl of sugary cereal, a doughnut or a bagel might give you a quick burst of energy, but without some protein, you’ll be in slow motion before lunch. Carbohydrates—especially refined carbs—are broken down very quickly so blood sugar soars and the brain shuts down production of orexin, a neuropeptide responsible for feeling alert.

ENERGY BOOST: Eat protein, good fats and some carbohydrates to control blood sugar and avoid getting a burst of glucose. Try scrambled eggs on whole wheat toast, oatmeal with yogurt and a handful of seeds or an omelet with cheese, tomato and mushrooms. Smoothies with fruit, whey powder and almond milk are also a good option. Instead of using bananas in smoothies, try avocados.

source: Chicago Tribune Archives

My Grand Idea to Spend More Time Outside, and How That Worked for Me

So... here's something really interesting. This morning I posted about nature, and how I need spend more time outside, and made a decision to do just that. The universe must have been supportive of me in that moment, because I ended up working just a half day at the grooming shop, then I went directly from there to my boss's house and pulled grass out of an ajuga bed the size of a football field. Naturally, it was a bright and sunshiny day - warm actually - not a cloud in the sky, and I got really hot and really tired, and I pulled weeds until my hand cramped up, my fingers got numb, and my arm started to tingle.

Then, finally, when the last weed was pulled, I collected my very tired self and took my now twitching hand directly over to my daughter's house where I dug holes, and helped her plant shrubs and ornamental grasses in heavy clay soil filled with rocks.

When it was all said and done, I had worked a 13 hour day. Hard work, hard dirty work, hard dirty mostly outside work. I think the only time I sat down all day was when I was driving from one job to another. Here's what I look like right now:

OK... You're right, that's not actually me. Close though. And I have to tell you, even though I got plenty of sunshine, fresh air, and exercise, I don't feel all that nourished! In fact, I feel pretty much drained... There must be a lesson here somewhere. Maybe it goes something like this:

Just because somebody offers me $50 dollars to do something, it doesn't mean I HAVE to say yes. Saying "no" to working too hard is the same as saying "yes" to taking better care of Shirley. Also... just because my daughter wants and needs my help, it doesn't mean that I HAVE to say "yes" when I'm running on empty. I could say "not today."

I seem to have a pattern of putting my personal comfort last. Everything and everyone comes first. If I'm tired, I just tough it out... after all, they need me. It feels good to be needed, it feels good to be important, it feels good to be indispensable, and then later, when I'm worn out, I sit in front of the computer and wonder why I've got no energy.

Next time I decide to spend more time outside, I'll need to be way more specific when it comes to what I'd be DOING out there! Plus I really need to pay way more attention to my own need for comfort, rest, relaxation, and fun! So, I'm paying attention now, and I'm getting this posted so I can take a shower (no I haven't done that yet - remember the picture?), and go to bed.

Replenish and Nourish Your Life

“To get more energy, you need to remove what’s draining you and replenish it with nourishment from food, natural light, love, supplements, and community."
~Frank Lipman

I found the above quote, in an article in the archives of the Chicago Tribune. The article goes on to list several common energy drains, and gives suggestions for possible solutions. Instead of uploading the whole thing, I thought I'd break it up into a series of posts over the next few days.

In the mean time, I thought it would be interesting and helpful to put some attention on how we nourish ourselves. What is nourishing to your soul? your spirit? your mind? your heart? your body? Who are the people, where are the places that lift you up?

For me, being outside with my feet on the earth, the wind in my hair, the sun on my skin... wow! I wonder why I don't spend more time doing just that? As soon as I get this post finished, I'm going outside without a to do list! That'll be my prosperity project task for the day.

And here is something else. This morning I cleared out my inbox and came across a comment I had made in a note to someone more than a year ago. It seems appropriate to this post, so here it is:

Life is meant to be lived in the flesh and in action... not in cyberspace and thought alone. We need to connect in a real way with what lives around us... we need to go outside and smell the air, touch the trees, visit the birds with our eyes and our ears.

So Here's What I Did

There was once an old sailor my grandfather knew
Who had so many things which he wanted to do
That, whenever he thought it was time to begin,
He couldn't because of the state he was in.

~unknown

Having posted this grand scheme for spending the next 30 days addressing my (our) energy drains... I immediately became overwhelmed by the magnitude of the work to be done around here. Apparently, my life is one large sink hole!! I couldn't even begin to think of where to start, and next thing you know I was having trouble breathing (well, not really) and of course, the only solution for that is... turn my Sims game on.

But, because I'm supposed to be addressing my energy drains - and NOT playing computer games, I was absolutely paralyzed for ... I dunno ... an hour or so. Then I thought, well, I'll just do what I want to do, and I discovered that not only did I want to play the Sims, I wanted to get the Prosperity Project organized and ready for the next 30 days, I wanted to do the dishes, clean the litter boxes, mow the grass, fix the vacuum, vacuum the floor, clear off the table, do a total makeover of the template for Way Cool Quotes, upload pictures to More Cool Pictures and Way Cool Pictures, start a series of posts about magic and crossroads at Gypsy Magic, feed the dogs, plant a garden, take a nap, watch a movie, fix a delicious meal for lunch, go to the store, clean out my car, do the laundry, fix the dryer vent, and, oh what the hell, why not just go ahead and put new siding on my house...

Yowsers!! Just typing all that out made me seriously tired!!

So... what did I actually end up doing? That's a really good question because I haven't done anything yet! Well, I did do a google search for shipwreck images (because I feel like a wrecked ship today), LOL! I think, however, that what I am going to do is ... call my son-in-law and ask him to mow, and then I'll ask him if he can fix the vacuum cleaner. That being accomplished, I'll do something really easy... like put the dishes into the dishwasher. Then I'll do something even easier and turn that baby on! Let me see... that's four things! Not bad!

And, having accomplished all that, it'll be time for the Sims, a movie, or maybe even a nap.

UPDATE: It seemed like a good plan didn't it? So here's what really happened... my son-in-law was happy to help all the way up until it came time to actually DO something, and while I did get my dishwasher loaded, none of my dishes actually got clean because well, hey, my dishwasher isn't working properly!! When I get done screaming and pulling my hair out, I'm going to take a serious nap because now I'm really tired!

How about you guys? How are you getting along so far? Any great insights? Good experiences? Massive energy surges? Major leaks sealed and plugged? Disasters? Dramas?

Plug Those Energy Drains

What is draining the life out of your life? It is time to stop avoiding the things that drain your energy.

Just for today, right now, figure out what is your biggest energy drain. Don’t start a laundry list of heavy, hard problems. Start with the one thing that comes up first, most often…

Are you stuck? Are there too many? That’s okay too. Just take one thing today and do something about it.

Give that problem some energy – not mental wrangling, but real life doing, and maybe even a little love. Is this a chore you just don’t want to face? Don’t face it all at once. Make a finite commitment, one minute, five minutes, an hour, and do what you can do about it right now. Make a phone call to get the ball rolling; roll up your sleeves and make a battle plan and tackle the things you can do.

Of course if you have problems that are draining your energy, you may not be able to fix them all at once. But it is the act of doing something that frees up the psychic energy, gives you a bit of breathing room to live your life just for today, because you have done something about it.

Take ten minutes, or whatever time you have. Set the timer if it makes you feel more secure – more sure you won’t drown in the problem, more sure it won’t eat up your whole day - close your eyes, plug your nose and jump! Make a start. And then, for the rest of the day, don’t let it drain you of another ounce of energy. Don’t let yourself wrestle with it in the cyberspace of your mind. Let it go for today – you have worked on it!

Our Next Project - Addressing Our Energy Drains

Hi guys, for our next project, we're going to be doing something about those people, places, things, circumstances, and situations that deplete our energy and leave us exhausted, overwhelmed, and downhearted.

I think this is going to be a really good project, and I've been looking forward to it for a couple of weeks now. Problem is, I've had some trouble finding the time and the energy to pull it together... Looks like I REALLY need this one, doesn't it?

How about you? I'd love it if you'd join me for 30 days of taking real action and doing something (however small) every day to address our "energetic plumbing." I'm hoping that by doing this, we'll be able create a nice steady flow of good energy which in turn will give us the drive, the enthusiasm, the vitality, the mental clarity, the "umph" to move beyond wishing and hoping into the actual creation of richer, more prosperous lives.

Is it really true that the flow of money is in reality a flow of energy? If so, as we work this next project, we should begin to see a difference in our finances. As our personal energy increases, will we find it easier to bring our dreams into reality? Let's find out!

I'm expecting to have this next project up and running no later than Monday morning. (I'm too tired to do it right now... LOL... :) So, if there's anyone that you think might be interested, feel free to invite them to join us. I haven't yet found the "right" title for this project. I'm currently taking suggestions. So far we have:

• Energetic Plumbing
• Addressing Our Energy Drains
• Plugging the Leaks
• Restoring the Flow

If you are new to this site, and curious, you can read about us here. What is the Prosperity Project? Feel free to join with us at any time! We love the energy that new people bring to the group.

Focus On The Good - Project Overview

“To fix your attention on the best is to surround yourself with the best, and to become the best.. ~ Wallace D. Wattles”

Here is an overview of our project on Focus On The Good.This post provides links to pertinent aspects of this project for those of you who are interested in exploring it.

If you are curious about the results that we experienced, you can read my thoughts here: I'm Glad That's Done! You might also find feedback, comments, and other insights at Wrapping Things Up .

We decorated this project with LOL cat photos, you can find plenty more at I Can Has Cheezburger. And if you are curious as to why we chose this particular project, you can read Our Next Project.

If you would like to try this project for yourself, you can start on Day One - A Warm Up and then continue on through reading and working on each post in order. Or, you can explore the individual posts at random. It might be interesting also, to find one or two posts that really resonate with you, and focus on for the next 30 days. How you work the project is up to you. There is a complete listing of the day by day links at the bottom of this post. If you'd like to take this topic to another level and pursue it further, here is a list of helpful links.

This is an active blog, and if you post, we will notice and reply.. and give you the benefit of our own experience and our support if it seems pertinent or appropriate. Feel free to post your thoughts, ideas, results, joys and disappointments as you go. Even though we love you, comment spam is deleted when discovered. Anonymous posting is discouraged, but if you have problems with the comment box, feel free to use that option.

We do have a recommended reading list if you are interested in expanding your understanding. I don't know how up to date it is, but there are a lot of really good books listed. Feel free to add titles and authors that you would recommend. There is also a nice collection of Positive Quotes, click here to see all the quotes, and if you're still looking for quotes, you can visit Way Cool Quotes and find a bunch more.

As promised, here is the complete listing of all the posts for our Focus on the Good project:

• Our Next Project
• A Warm Up
• Coming Home
• What I Like About My Job
• Home Sweet Home
• Appreciate The Skin You're In
• What I like about my car
• Bills are good because...
• five things you enjoy doing every day
• It's Good to Have Friends
• Enjoying Your Work
• Favorite Things
• Oh, by the way!
• Did you get what you wanted
• What I like about Friday
• Something fun and fabulous
• That's not good - or is it?
• Something Good About You
• 100 Really Good Things
• Have a Wonderful Day
• Smile!
• Silver linings anyone?
• I'm so glad I can...
• Making Lemonade
• Who am I really?
• I'm Glad That's Done!
• Wrapping Things Up
• Helpful Links
• Positive Quotes
  
  

Positive Quotes

Our business in life is not to succeed, but to continue to fail in good spirits.
~Robert Louis Stevenson

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Optimist: A man who gets treed by a lion but enjoys the scenery.
~Walter Winchell

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People are not disturbed by things, but by the view they take of them.
~Epictetus

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Yesterday ended last night. Every day is a new beginning. Learn the skill of forgetting. And move on.
~Norman Vincent Peale

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That's my gift. I let that negativity roll off me like water off a duck's back. If it's not positive, I didn't hear it. If you can overcome that, fights are easy.
~George Foreman

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When the sun rises, it rises for everyone.
~unknown

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People deal too much with the negative, with what is wrong...Why not try and see positive things, to just touch those things and make them bloom?
~Thich Nhat Hanh

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It takes but one positive thought when given a chance to survive and thrive to overpower an entire army of negative thoughts.
~Robert H. Schuller

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I was going to buy a copy of "The Power of Positive Thinking", and then I thought: What the hell good would that do?
~Ronnie Shakes

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When I examine myself and my methods of thought, I come to the conclusion that the gift of fantasy has meant more to me than any talent for abstract, positive thinking.
~Albert Einstein

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The sun does not shine for a few trees and flowers, but for the wide world's joy.
~Henry Ward Beecher

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If you think about disaster, you will get it. Brood about death and you hasten your demise. Think positively and masterfully, with confidence and faith, and life becomes more secure, more fraught with action, richer in achievement and experience.
~Swami Vivekananda

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There are always flowers for those who want to see them.
~Henri Matisse

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The basis of optimism is sheer terror.
~Oscar Wilde

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When you get into a tight place and everything goes against you, till it seems as though you could not hold on a minute longer, never give up then, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn.
~Harriet Beecher Stowe

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I am not afraid of tomorrow, for I have seen yesterday and I love today.
~William Allen White

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Instead of thinking about what you're missing, try thinking about what you have that everyone else is missing.
~Unknown

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Some men go through life absolutely miserable because, despite the most enormous achievement, they just didn’t do one thing—like the architect who didn’t build St Paul’s. I didn’t quite build St Paul’s, but I stood on more mountaintops than possibly I deserved.
~Lord Thorneycroft

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Your circumstances may be uncongenial, but they shall not remain so if you only perceive an ideal and strive to reach it. You cannot travel within and stand still without.
~James Allen

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Remember: Success is nothing but luck. Just ask any failure.
~Anon

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If one does not know to which port one is sailing, no wind is favourable.
~Seneca

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Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways at the last minute, champagne in one hand, strawberries in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOO HOO - That was Fun!”
~Anon

Helpful Links

Here is a list of links to a number of web pages directly related to our project, Focus on the Good. I'm wishing I'd done this web search at the beginning instead of at the end of the project because there is some interesting stuff here if you dig for it. So, if there's anyone who wants to delve deeper into the subject, these are some places to start:

• How to focus on the Positive, not the Negative
• How to stay positive in a negative world
• How to focus on the positive qualities of your relationship
• Focus on the Positive
• How to be Positive
• Focus on Something Positive
• How to Quickly Change a Negative Mood into a Positive One
• Change a Negative to a Positive
• The Power of Positive Thinking
• Focus on the Positive - Lessons on Behavior Guidance
• Focus on the Positive - It's working for American Idol
• Optimism Quiz
• The Positive Thinking Assessment Worksheet

Wrapping Things Up

Our project on Focus on the Good has come to an end, and now it's time to share our experiences and decide if it actually worked for us or not.

I'd love it if you'd take the time to post your answers to the following questions:

• Do you think putting your focus on the positives worked for you?
  If so, in what way?
  If not, why not?


• During the course of the project, did you reach any of your goals?
• Did you experience unexpected income or surprising outcomes?
• Did you gain insight into defeating patterns in your life?
• Did you find more pleasure? more happiness? more clarity about how to create a better life?


• What did you learn?
• Any aha! moments that you'd like to share?
• Or maybe some Oh No! moments you'd like to talk about?


• What was your favorite part of this project?
• Your most valuable insight?
• The best thing that happened because of it?
• What was your least favorite part?


• Would you recommend positive thinking to others?
• Would (or do) you recommend The Prosperity Project to others?

Over the next 2 or 3 days, I'll be working on a summary of the project. I'll also be posting a slide show and image archive of all the LOL cats that we enjoyed this time around.

Our next project is due to start in about a week. I'll be posting about it soon, so keep your eyes peeled. I'm thinking it's going to be a really good one - maybe even life changing for some of us!

I'm Glad That's Done!

Looks like we've about come to the end of our 30 days of keeping our focus on the good. Before we post our ideas and thoughts about the project and talk about the ways it was helpful, and the ways in which it was not, I'd like to share with you my own observations and thoughts.

For me, personally, this project was less than rewarding. I found myself losing interest early on. I'm not sure if it was because I've had quite a bit of drama in my "real" life

• my dad is dying,
• my house almost caught on fire - not once - but twice,
• and because of that (the fires) the central air unit got charred and needs repair and a fair amount of melted vinyl siding needs replacing (naturally, I don't have insurance)
• and then there's the financial drama of brakes going out, two years worth of property taxes due, and a number of other major expenses which I do not have money for,
• I'm working 50 to 60 hours a week at a physically demanding job and I STILL don't have enough money to "get ahead," and that feels so discouraging to me
• plus, there's my elderly and incontinent dog - thanks to whom I now have two rooms of carpeting that have to be pulled and replaced - but what's the point since I'm not going to euthanize him, and so there's that...
• a house full of kittens - OK, that's a good thing

Just writing all that down makes me tired! I had really hoped that this project will pull me out of the doldrums, and I don't think it did. Or maybe, it did, and my expectations were too high. Or, maybe I'm in way better shape than I would have been without it... I don't know.

Also, I'm wondering if the project could have been organized better, if there might have been a more interesting way to do it. Or maybe the project itself was fine, and the problem lies within me. Possibly I am resistant to positive thinking, and it occurs to me that I might even find it boring. Being caught up in life and death, survival, chaos, and turmoil - well - it's just more interesting to talk about, more intriguing to the mind, and gets me way more attention!

The good things in my life seem small and insignificant. It almost feels wrong to be focused on them because ... then I feel guilty that I'm not doing something about all that other stuff. Which is silly because I'm not doing something about all that other stuff anyway... so why not enjoy a moment like the one I'm having now... blogging to friends with a small kitten curled up on my lap. Yes, the house smells like old dog piss, yes the laundry is piled high on the kitchen floor, yes the grass needs to be mowed, the dishes washed, the litter boxes cleaned, and the vacuum cleaner is broken and what am I going to do about that ... and yes, there's more... but when I put my focus there, I feel myself wilting inside. If, instead, I enjoy that small warm body curled in my lap, the way the sun shines through prisms in my windows and makes rainbows all over the walls and floor, the sound of birds and crickets coming in from outside... wow... when I think of that, focus on that, all seems right with the world.

So... those are my thoughts for today, what are yours?