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

---

What Should You Be Committed To?

There are many dynamics that go into making a great... Read More

Have a Present Moment!

It was the 10th day of rain, and I walked... Read More

Finding Meaning in Life: Three Steps

So how do we find meaning? The first step is... Read More

Get Out of Jail Free: How to Identify Unconscious Beliefs

Know thyself.These words were inscribed in the vestibule of the... Read More

How To Radically Improve Your Everyday Experience Of Life In Two Simple Steps

Can you do something for me?Tell me?Please don't think tomorrow.What?Yeah,... Read More

How To Gain Confidence Quickly And Effortlessly When You Feel the World is Against You

Have you ever felt the whole world was against you?... Read More

Living with Lunatics: They?re Crazy and They?re in Charge!

They're out there? they look like people you know, but... Read More

Letter of Hope from Hospital Patient

Hospital patient undergoing surgery recounts how Hero Soul provided strength,... Read More

Life Is Not Always Fair

I once heard the story of a grown bear that... Read More

How To Have A Life Changing Experience

Can you really plan a life-changing experience, or do they... Read More

Do You Believe What You Think?

If you work toward what you dream, the dream can... Read More

Banishing Hannibal Lecter Personalities From Your Life

We all know them. We all have somebody like them... Read More

Release Your Agression In Your DIARY OF EMOTIONS

In order for you to make positive ground daily you... Read More

Life Issues Pt. 3 - An Attitude of Gratitude

An Attitude of Gratitude. How important is this to you... Read More

You May Not Be Able to Manage Change - But You Can Manage Your Response to It

Your response (reaction?) to change is conditioned by your entire... Read More

The Power of Inner Dialogue

Are you aware of your inner dialogue? If not, you... Read More

The 5 Words That Are Ruining Your Life

How would you like to stop feeling like your life... Read More

Top Three Secrets To Becoming A Better Thinker

We all know there are ways to become a better... Read More

All In The Mind

"In life, if you give yourself a concession, you'd take... Read More

Theres No Negative In My Program - Part 1

Imagine the what you could achieve if:You were 100 %... Read More

Words, Ignorance, And Casper The Friendly Ghost!

Words, Ignorance, and Casper The Friendly Ghost!Do your best to... Read More

Creating Your Desires

Say aloud:I AM. I AM Consciousness. I AM the creator... Read More

The Top Ten Ways To Be Positive In The Workplace Of Life

There is a growing volume of research that shows' staying... Read More

Change Your Head Position For A Flood Of Positive Energy!

Have you ever considered that you may be subconsciously sabotaging... Read More

Condition or Definition?

In talking with a coaching client recently, she made a... Read More

Failure is Celebration Time

Failure is my favorite subject. For I have spent my... Read More

Keep Your Cool

Know your limits. Accept what you can't change and let... Read More

Courtesy In The Workplace -- Can You Say, Thank You?

Thank you is such a beautiful phrase. When you say,... Read More

The Power of Passion

Improving this single attitude makes your days fly by. You... Read More

Our Beliefs Define Our Limits

The universe is vast, it's dimensions inconceivable, it's potentialities unimaginable,... Read More

Perspective Is Everything

Ever witnessed an incident that needed to be reported to... Read More

Big Move to a Small Town

I'm getting calls from folks who say, "I hear you... Read More

How Do You Habitually Treat Yourself?

In order to learn how to relieve ourselves of self-defeating... Read More