Monday, May 18, 2009
Closer to Fine
The title of this post comes to me this morning as I evaluate my mental and emotional states. Some may recognize it as a song title from the Indigo Girls, although the lyrics don't particularly match what I'm going through now, as much as the song title does. Lately, I've been experiencing much more serenity, calm, equanimity, peace, and joy throughout my days. This may sound ludicrous or far-fetched, but the absolute God's honest truth of the matter is that I can not remember the last time that I had what one would consider "a bad day." I do not ever experience them any more. From time to time I do have moments that annoy me, piss me off, enrage me, sadden me, or in some way make me feel bad; however, I'm getting better at catching my mind reacting with these negative emotions... quickly! Then I, the presence behind the mind, can laugh at the folly of my mind (ego) going through those detrimental mental gymnastics. More and more I'm able to act rather than react to any situation which may arise. As I experience more serenity, I am willing to tolerate much less drama. Sure, things continue to happen, but increasingly I'm able to handle them with calm, logic, and positive rather than negative emotions. My mind is a tool that I choose to use for my own enjoyment of this life and to help others to do the same IF THEY WANT MY HELP! Moving toward joy and away from suffering is what I'm doing. The end of suffering and the beginning of eternal bliss is known by some as enlightenment, heaven, or nirvana. Whatever it's called, I know that I want it for myself and for all sentient beings. So, as mentioned above, I'm getting "Closer to Fine" : )
Monday, May 11, 2009
New Directions
I just got back from a conference entitled "I Can Do It," which was put on by Hay House Publishing in San Diego, California last week. Many thanks to my dear friend, Wendy who told me about the conference in time for me to arrange a road trip through the beautiful desert southwest of the United States! The conference featured several authors of Hay House who gave talks on subjects relating to their respective writings. As it turns out, EVERY talk that I heard was individually worth the price of admission for the whole conference! I came back from this trip with a new vision and a new purpose for my life : ) More to come on that subject....
Monday, February 16, 2009
Ebb and Flow
Just as the sun, the moon, the seasons, and the tides rise and fall, so do my levels of energy, serenity, motivation, and health. Recently I've been on the upswing on all levels. I think this is due to the realization that it is time to transition to another phase in my life which does not include Oklahoma or Emergency Medicine. The Louise Hay video "You Can Heal Your Life" has really jump started everything!
A few weeks ago I came down with the latest GI bug that was going around. That afternoon I noticed that my stomach was aching a bit, so I went to bed. At 4:00pm I had to run to the toilet, beginning the 48 hour stretch of the trots. Fortunately there was no vomiting. I was able to make it into town to get the same supplies that I prescribe to my patients (or to my patients' parents to get for them). The B.R.A.T. diet -- Bananas, Rice, Apple sauce, Toast. I got four liters of pedialyte, not knowing how long I would be ill. Just as I was checking out with my supplies, I noticed there was a pharmacy in Reasors... WOO HOO! That meant I was able to prescribe myself a great anti-nausea medicine which must have worked, as I didn't puke a single time...DOUBLE WOO HOO!! Got home and began the process of healing. Very little food, two liters of pedialyte, and lots of rest did the trick. It's interesting to observe the processes of my body, mind, and spirit during an illness. With a few years of spiritual training under my belt, the self pity was at a bare minimum. Also distinctly absent was any blame of anyone who might have "given me the bug." I was oddly happy and peaceful in spite of the frequent trips to the toilet, the stomach cramps, the weakness, and the all over body aches. By Wednesday, I could feel my guts slowing their churning and my strength gradually returning. Fortunately, my hunger did not return to it's previous levels, nor did the size of my stomach, so I've been able to cut WAY back on the amount of food I need to stave off hunger pains. TRIPLE WOO HOO!!! It seems that the probiotic kefir really helped a great deal.
Since recovering from "the bug," I've been eating a much healthier diet which includes several servings of fresh, raw fruits and veggies and virtually no sugar or refined flour. In keeping with the new good habit of using positive affirmations to make positive changes in my life, I frequently repeat the following to myself, "I only eat and drink healthy things, because I feel SO MUCH better when I do!" That one simple little phrase makes all the difference in the world in my emotions and my behaviors regarding what I consume! The temptation to eat junk food is simply gone--like a piece of trash blowing past my consciousness carried away by a stiff wind. Nowadays crappy, processed, unhealthy food tastes revolting. I can't even force myself to consume it, nor do I want to, providing I continue my positive new mantra, "I only eat and drink healthy things...."
I've also been using this mental, emotional, verbal, psychic, magic trick on myself since around December 20, 2008 to stay smoke free. If I find myself wanting a cigarette, I say to myself, "I only breathe clean air because I feel SO MUCH better when I do!" This little ditty is the absolute God's honest truth. When I say it, I am in no way blowing the proverbial smoke up my own ass ; ) It also contains zero negativity, and the words "smoke" or "cigarette" are nowhere in the statement. For the past two and a half years, since relapsing on cigarettes, I'd been trying to quit smoking, but had been using the wrong language for success on myself...saying things like, "I want to quit smoking," or "I need to quit smoking," or "Smoking's bad for me," or worst of all, "I LOVE to smoke, but should quit." With such words going through my mind and coming out of my mouth, it was no wonder that I kept smoking since all I was saying was, "SMOKE, SMOKE, SMOKE" in combination with some negative phrases. Now, using the positive language and eliminating the offending word, the obsession has been lifted. Thanks Atman! (see the Bhagavad-Gita or wikipedia for explanation of "Atman").
Of course just like everything, the motivation to continue this ebbs and flows. It takes continuous effort and renewed commitment just to be able to speak to myself positively in this way on a daily basis. Something that helps me with this is daily meditation and reconnecting to Source frequently via AA meetings.
I've no idea if any of this makes any sense to anyone else, but it does to me. Seems like it's helping me to write about things from time to time as well : )
A few weeks ago I came down with the latest GI bug that was going around. That afternoon I noticed that my stomach was aching a bit, so I went to bed. At 4:00pm I had to run to the toilet, beginning the 48 hour stretch of the trots. Fortunately there was no vomiting. I was able to make it into town to get the same supplies that I prescribe to my patients (or to my patients' parents to get for them). The B.R.A.T. diet -- Bananas, Rice, Apple sauce, Toast. I got four liters of pedialyte, not knowing how long I would be ill. Just as I was checking out with my supplies, I noticed there was a pharmacy in Reasors... WOO HOO! That meant I was able to prescribe myself a great anti-nausea medicine which must have worked, as I didn't puke a single time...DOUBLE WOO HOO!! Got home and began the process of healing. Very little food, two liters of pedialyte, and lots of rest did the trick. It's interesting to observe the processes of my body, mind, and spirit during an illness. With a few years of spiritual training under my belt, the self pity was at a bare minimum. Also distinctly absent was any blame of anyone who might have "given me the bug." I was oddly happy and peaceful in spite of the frequent trips to the toilet, the stomach cramps, the weakness, and the all over body aches. By Wednesday, I could feel my guts slowing their churning and my strength gradually returning. Fortunately, my hunger did not return to it's previous levels, nor did the size of my stomach, so I've been able to cut WAY back on the amount of food I need to stave off hunger pains. TRIPLE WOO HOO!!! It seems that the probiotic kefir really helped a great deal.
Since recovering from "the bug," I've been eating a much healthier diet which includes several servings of fresh, raw fruits and veggies and virtually no sugar or refined flour. In keeping with the new good habit of using positive affirmations to make positive changes in my life, I frequently repeat the following to myself, "I only eat and drink healthy things, because I feel SO MUCH better when I do!" That one simple little phrase makes all the difference in the world in my emotions and my behaviors regarding what I consume! The temptation to eat junk food is simply gone--like a piece of trash blowing past my consciousness carried away by a stiff wind. Nowadays crappy, processed, unhealthy food tastes revolting. I can't even force myself to consume it, nor do I want to, providing I continue my positive new mantra, "I only eat and drink healthy things...."
I've also been using this mental, emotional, verbal, psychic, magic trick on myself since around December 20, 2008 to stay smoke free. If I find myself wanting a cigarette, I say to myself, "I only breathe clean air because I feel SO MUCH better when I do!" This little ditty is the absolute God's honest truth. When I say it, I am in no way blowing the proverbial smoke up my own ass ; ) It also contains zero negativity, and the words "smoke" or "cigarette" are nowhere in the statement. For the past two and a half years, since relapsing on cigarettes, I'd been trying to quit smoking, but had been using the wrong language for success on myself...saying things like, "I want to quit smoking," or "I need to quit smoking," or "Smoking's bad for me," or worst of all, "I LOVE to smoke, but should quit." With such words going through my mind and coming out of my mouth, it was no wonder that I kept smoking since all I was saying was, "SMOKE, SMOKE, SMOKE" in combination with some negative phrases. Now, using the positive language and eliminating the offending word, the obsession has been lifted. Thanks Atman! (see the Bhagavad-Gita or wikipedia for explanation of "Atman").
Of course just like everything, the motivation to continue this ebbs and flows. It takes continuous effort and renewed commitment just to be able to speak to myself positively in this way on a daily basis. Something that helps me with this is daily meditation and reconnecting to Source frequently via AA meetings.
I've no idea if any of this makes any sense to anyone else, but it does to me. Seems like it's helping me to write about things from time to time as well : )
Friday, January 30, 2009
Fear is fading fast!
Recently I came to the realization that the majority of my actions over the past three years have been taken due to feelings of fear. I read a book in February '06 that sent me into a downward spiral which was enhanced by finding out other disturbing facts surrounding world events and history. My mindset since then has been one of urgent preparation, care of loved ones, and defense against "enemies." I purchased a house and some land at what I considered "a safe distance" from a major population center with the aim of preparing to grow enough food to feed myself and all of my friends and family who might need to be saved from the coming disasters. It has taken me several months of solitude, contemplation, and relaxation to realized that this state of underlying fear in my mind simply is not beneficial and is a waste of my precious time in this plane of existence on earth!
Many of my closest friends, family, and acquaintances have patiently heard me out as I foretold of the dire straights that I foresaw in the future of the United States and the rest of the world. If any of you have suffered unduly from these prognostications, please accept this as my sincerest apology! Please know that I shared the information out of a sense of love and caring so that all of you might be prepared for the difficulties, real or imagined, that I saw in the future. Also, know that I still believe that our nation and our world are in for some major changes, and that I don't recant ANY of the beliefs that I have previously held regarding the energy situation, the financial situation, or the evil, murderous nature of the United States government. It's just that I no longer feel any sense of fear around this knowledge. I just got tired of being afraid, and I made a decision to take action to get out of a constant state of fear and into a state of joy, love, and compassion for all sentient beings!
Lately I have been working diligently to come back into the present moment and to stop living in the future, which exists only in my mind. I've done this by tapping into the infinite Source of love, power, connectedness to everything that I will henceforth refer to as Source. Funny... it rhymes with The Force! This seems to be what I hear other folks refer to as God. I frequently go to meetings where lots of people for many years have referred to Source as God, and sometimes I do too. The meetings always help me to tap into Source. Meditation has become an essential tool for making contact with Source. Books (a great pleasure to me) have also been indispensable in my quest to get back to a place of joy, peace, and freedom which flows freely to me when I am in close contact with Source. This place is the present moment. The more time I'm able to spend in the present moment, the less time I live in fear! This has not happened for me over night, but rather has been a result of quite a bit of effort and work; however, the work that I've done seems miniscule relative to the serenity, peace, and freedom that I receive from Source when I do make the effort!
I now know that I am not simply a human being that people refer to as Eric Mix. I feel, know, perceive that I am pure consciousness--a part of the universal consciousness--that just happens to be interacting with the physical world in this part of the space time continuum via my physical body. This body, like every other human body before or after my time here, will decay and eventually cease to function. Nobody really knows what will happen after consciousness and the force of life that comes from Source leaves my body. Logically speaking, the worst thing that I can foresee happening is that the body's dying might be like an eternal sleep. The best that I can imagine is that I will return to Source and join with the eternal consciousness of the universe--a state that could be bliss beyond the capacity of my mind to comprehend! Knowing that I am not simply a set of mental, emotional, and physical characteristics brings me a great sense of peace and love, which is, in essence, the end of fear : )
Many of my closest friends, family, and acquaintances have patiently heard me out as I foretold of the dire straights that I foresaw in the future of the United States and the rest of the world. If any of you have suffered unduly from these prognostications, please accept this as my sincerest apology! Please know that I shared the information out of a sense of love and caring so that all of you might be prepared for the difficulties, real or imagined, that I saw in the future. Also, know that I still believe that our nation and our world are in for some major changes, and that I don't recant ANY of the beliefs that I have previously held regarding the energy situation, the financial situation, or the evil, murderous nature of the United States government. It's just that I no longer feel any sense of fear around this knowledge. I just got tired of being afraid, and I made a decision to take action to get out of a constant state of fear and into a state of joy, love, and compassion for all sentient beings!
Lately I have been working diligently to come back into the present moment and to stop living in the future, which exists only in my mind. I've done this by tapping into the infinite Source of love, power, connectedness to everything that I will henceforth refer to as Source. Funny... it rhymes with The Force! This seems to be what I hear other folks refer to as God. I frequently go to meetings where lots of people for many years have referred to Source as God, and sometimes I do too. The meetings always help me to tap into Source. Meditation has become an essential tool for making contact with Source. Books (a great pleasure to me) have also been indispensable in my quest to get back to a place of joy, peace, and freedom which flows freely to me when I am in close contact with Source. This place is the present moment. The more time I'm able to spend in the present moment, the less time I live in fear! This has not happened for me over night, but rather has been a result of quite a bit of effort and work; however, the work that I've done seems miniscule relative to the serenity, peace, and freedom that I receive from Source when I do make the effort!
I now know that I am not simply a human being that people refer to as Eric Mix. I feel, know, perceive that I am pure consciousness--a part of the universal consciousness--that just happens to be interacting with the physical world in this part of the space time continuum via my physical body. This body, like every other human body before or after my time here, will decay and eventually cease to function. Nobody really knows what will happen after consciousness and the force of life that comes from Source leaves my body. Logically speaking, the worst thing that I can foresee happening is that the body's dying might be like an eternal sleep. The best that I can imagine is that I will return to Source and join with the eternal consciousness of the universe--a state that could be bliss beyond the capacity of my mind to comprehend! Knowing that I am not simply a set of mental, emotional, and physical characteristics brings me a great sense of peace and love, which is, in essence, the end of fear : )
Monday, December 22, 2008
Affirmations work!
Saturday and Sunday I spent some time watching a video that my dear friend Jack has recommended very highly. I have a feeling that this is going to be one of those major life paradigm shifts for me, and that every moment I spent watching it (and will spend PRACTICING it) is going to pay back in spades ; ) The video is by Louise Hay and is called "You Can Heal Your Life." It tells a sort of story of several different people who have all spent a lot of time and effort practicing a way of changing their thought patterns from negative to positive. Like all of the new-age, spiritual, self-help sort of stuff that's out there, it requires action...go figure.
So, yesterday I decided to start practicing what was taught in the video. I began by listening to and repeating out loud the affirmation exercises that were in the special features of the DVD. While doing the dishes, straightening the house, and packing for the holiday road trip I repeated the phrases which affirmed my worth and ability to live a wonderful life. For the next phase of my day I stated aloud my intentions for having a great trip to work. Guess what? The sky was so stunningly beautiful that it brought tears to my eyes. Just as I had stated aloud, ALL my lights were green on the way. I was warm and comfortable with wonderful music playing. Last, but definitely not least, I stated that, "I love all of my patients and will help them to the best of my ability." This one really was the kicker. Since I started working at this particular location in late February of this year I have not had a more enjoyable and productive day. It seems that the universe and the beings that inhabit this particular location therein appreciate that love quite a bit. Not a bad start, if I do say so myself!
Having been trained as a scientist, I appreciate the value of the scientific method: 1. Form a hypothesis 2. Test the hypothesis 3. Gather data (results of the test) 4. Accept or reject the hypothesis based on those results. The preliminary results of my experiment with using this new way of life were overwhelmingly positive! AFFIRMATIONS WORK!!!!!! : )))
So, yesterday I decided to start practicing what was taught in the video. I began by listening to and repeating out loud the affirmation exercises that were in the special features of the DVD. While doing the dishes, straightening the house, and packing for the holiday road trip I repeated the phrases which affirmed my worth and ability to live a wonderful life. For the next phase of my day I stated aloud my intentions for having a great trip to work. Guess what? The sky was so stunningly beautiful that it brought tears to my eyes. Just as I had stated aloud, ALL my lights were green on the way. I was warm and comfortable with wonderful music playing. Last, but definitely not least, I stated that, "I love all of my patients and will help them to the best of my ability." This one really was the kicker. Since I started working at this particular location in late February of this year I have not had a more enjoyable and productive day. It seems that the universe and the beings that inhabit this particular location therein appreciate that love quite a bit. Not a bad start, if I do say so myself!
Having been trained as a scientist, I appreciate the value of the scientific method: 1. Form a hypothesis 2. Test the hypothesis 3. Gather data (results of the test) 4. Accept or reject the hypothesis based on those results. The preliminary results of my experiment with using this new way of life were overwhelmingly positive! AFFIRMATIONS WORK!!!!!! : )))
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
human textings
In the past couple years it seems to me that there are more and more "human textings" running around everywhere and fewer and fewer "human beings." Many people continuously tap at the keypads of their phones in all social situations. Yesterday, I found a human being : ) This is the first time in quite a while that I've been on a date in which someone actually put his phone aside and spent time with me...what a treat!
A few months back, I made a decision to stop using text messages--one of my most freeing decisions ever. Here's a question for anyone and everyone who might wish to respond....
Is it too much to ask that you turn your cell phone off completely and spend a bit of time with JUST me?
Here's another question.....
Has this entire post turned into a whiny rant?
Yet another....
How do you feel about someone texting (or answering the phone) in the middle of your face to face conversation with him/her? Do you feel good, bad, or indifferent to such an occurence?
I will eventually read comments but more than likely will not respond to them in writing. I think that they will somehow be on the blog, but this is all new to me, so I guess I'll see what happens.
A few months back, I made a decision to stop using text messages--one of my most freeing decisions ever. Here's a question for anyone and everyone who might wish to respond....
Is it too much to ask that you turn your cell phone off completely and spend a bit of time with JUST me?
Here's another question.....
Has this entire post turned into a whiny rant?
Yet another....
How do you feel about someone texting (or answering the phone) in the middle of your face to face conversation with him/her? Do you feel good, bad, or indifferent to such an occurence?
I will eventually read comments but more than likely will not respond to them in writing. I think that they will somehow be on the blog, but this is all new to me, so I guess I'll see what happens.
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