The idea of Enrollment
sparks several viewpoints for me. I
often tell my daughter “Sometimes the answer is no,” when she is insistent
about one thing or another. Children seem to naturally demonstrate Enrollment, from the time that they are
able to talk. UCLA did a study a few years ago, which indicated that the
average one-year old child hears the word “No” 400 times a day by their
parents. What may naturally begin as Enrollment, is drowned by the time we
all hit adolescence. The rejected feeling of so many No’s can create the
“dampened downward spiral “ feelings that are mentioned in the text.
Unfortunately, we have to re-learn the idea of partnership and trust that
exists in children.
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| Picture courtesy of torontoschoolofstrings.com |
Developing a mind state of being present in the way things
are, is a powerful lesson. I’ve often heard the phrase “Things are what they
are.” Accepting that-things are what they are involves a different level of
understanding and application. The author describes this “present” state of
being, as a frame of mind that accepts what shows up willingly, and moves
forward from that point. Thinking and reacting to life’s circumstances will
surely help us avoid the “downward spiral” syndrome.
This week’s reading helped me to remember to focus on the
larger beauty of life, and not the small stuff, that will interrupt an
otherwise normal day. My attention needs
to be ever focused on what is happening now, and what I chose to happen next.
Since I never know what will show up, I must remember that my attitude needs to
remain one of gratitude, regardless of the circumstance. This mind-set, will
ensure that I am “On Board.”
I am certain that we live in a world of illusions. It is
written in the NIV Bible that “Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall
see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am
fully known.”(1 Corinthians 13:12). Many of us navigate the world, not
realizing that we have created the framework for our experiences. I found that
Chapter 12’s emphasis on the “We” was very profound. This lesson helps to
remind us that our individual strengths, contributions, opinions etc., are
useless without other people. When we
develop the ability to see ourselves as part of the whole, as opposed to separate
from the whole, we are able to live a more realistic life.
Vee I had to laugh a little at how many times a one year old is told no in a day. I can’t believe it is 400 times a day! Then again my nephew is getting to that age and I can see all the things that we already say no about. I like your thought of re-learning ideas when we are older. There are so many times that we tell our students and children no. Sometimes I think it is just because we feel we should. Not even because we want to. At times I feel even I accept things too soon and need to realize that pushing the boundaries may be a good thing. Like you said it is all the small stuff that adds up. Maybe there is something that we stop quickly when we should be moving forward. It is time for all of us to light a spark and maybe try the unexpected.
ReplyDeleteVee Winston, I just love your words. You sound so developed and present. You state, developing a mind state of being present in the way things are, is a powerful lesson. Accepting that-things are what they are involves a different level of understanding and application.
ReplyDeleteThe application of all of this mind-awareness process is the key to changing how you view and live in the world. One needs to be ready to read and absorb material such as this book. That requires being ready to receive and open-up to the world of possibilities. Not everyone is ready to do that when someone else tries to expose them to a different world view.
This plays into resistance-to-change because of that individual’s level of readiness. That is the struggle of self-realization and how we move in the world. We all want to be the best we can be, but sometimes, until it echoes back to you in some other form, often we think we are on a lone journey and are confused about why the world is the way it is.
I believe human consciousness accepts new ideas en masse. WE all move TOGETHER in this reality dance that changes as we change our view of the world. As Dr. Wayne Dyer says, “If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.”
Wonderful reflection and application of the reading to your personal experiences.
ReplyDelete