Declaring War
A thought occurred to me this week. Isn’t it fascinating and unfortunate how countries declare war on each other. That is until I recalled all the times I’ve declared war on those around me.
The dictionary defines war as “Any serious struggle, argument, or conflict between people built on the idea that there is not enough.” Not enough money, not enough land, and not enough resources. It is out of this fear that we end up creating a world filled with, “how can I get more.”
Once we are in a war mindset our attention is automatically drawn towards scarcity (what we don’t have vs. what we do), we create and encourage conversations that keep this core story in place and we’re left with the belief that there just isn’t enough.
So how do we unwind this thinking?
First we must take notice of all that we do have and where in our lives that we have a sufficient amount of those things we are longing for. Second is to then pay gratitude to the abundance. This is extremely counterintuitive especially in the business world. The main focus in business is usually how we can add to the bottom line and how can we get more.
When we become overly concerned with scarcity regarding clients, coworkers, subcontractors, or our own families it is especially beneficial to distinguish when we are declaring war. We can start challenging the idea that more is always better and begin choosing to consciously practice thoughts of abundance and gratitude. Those moments of insight create an inner richness and freedom.
From this place of fullness and gratitude we begin to find new solutions to challenges and our gratitude for what we already have begins to grow. Wait a second you mean stopping and creating gratefulness instead of trying to work harder and get more is actually more beneficial in the long run?
So a question to ponder this week is this. What have you declared war on? Where can you shift your thoughts into sufficiency so you can see what you already have?
Monday Mindfulness
This week notice where others as well as yourself are using language of scarcity like: one day when…, there is not enough.., I’m afraid that…, we need more… Each time you catch yourself hearing a scarcity phrase, take a moment, and think of one thing you are grateful for.
Also I'd love for you to share a gratitude in the box below and watch as our community helps each other grow in appreciation and abundance.
Wishing You a Grateful Monday,
Jason
P.S. Emails from professionals at the last Meditation in the Workplace Seminar were inadvertently shredded before sending the notes. For anyone wishing to see the notes please click here
January 22nd, 2007 at 5:20 am
Over the past few months, I had begun to have a “struggle” with my teenage daughters. The more I focused on the problems and the lack of appreciation, the greater the porblems seem to get. Finally, after feeling exhausted with one seeming crisis after another, I stpped and got still and looked inside of myself.
I said, “Self, what is it that you think is missing in this situation that has not already been provided for?” I had to ask myself where my focus had been and begin to focus on the positives in my relationships with my daughters and all around me.
Once I shifted into a state of cooperation, so many things changed. Grades improved. Arguements ceased. The housework and homework got done without the constant fussing that had ruled our hearts and minds.
It was not an external thing, it was an internal committment to love and cooperation and a solid focus on how much I appreciated having my three daughters.
January 22nd, 2007 at 8:46 am
Today I am grateful for my breath, my life and my husband’s unconditional, prolofic love! I am also grateful for my spiritual practice and WAN community which have nurtured and supported me over the past year. Today I am grateful for all that I am.
January 22nd, 2007 at 9:25 am
Thank you Jason for the continued messages of inspiration. One of the things I love to do in life is to create a positive message out of the everyday words we use through the use of acronyms. Here is one that I came up with for the the word GRATITUDE
Gratefulness
Reorganizes
Abundance
Through
Infinite
Thoughtfulness
Ultimately
Doubling
Energy / Everything
I have learned that to be grateful for even what may look like something not so good is a great way to gather the learning quickly, for it is in being grateful for ALL things that we get to see more of life. Be Well David
January 22nd, 2007 at 9:50 am
Today, I am deeply grateful for my ever increasing network of friends, who invariably remind me of what I already know. Thank you!
January 22nd, 2007 at 10:55 am
Thank you for reminding me the joy of an “attitude of gratitude”. When I shift into this truth I am immediately transformed to celebrate mysef & others w/o giving “lack” a foothold.
January 22nd, 2007 at 10:55 am
When I used to look at the dirty dishes, the kids’ messy rooms, the projects piling up at work, etc. I was really frustrated - I always wished for more time in a day. Recently though, I started counting my blessings. Dirty dishes mean that I have food on the table. Messy rooms mean that the kids have a roof over their heads and the personal items that make life more comfortable. Projects at work mean I’m employed and have job security. Since I changed my outlook I have been a lot more at peace.
January 22nd, 2007 at 11:46 am
I love it when I get confirmation in a deep way about a step my heart has already pointed me to and I have started to step along in the inspiration path. That is what today’s MMM was for me. I am in the beginning of a huge opportunity in my business for myself and the people who vision along with me. I have found myself starting to focus on “how much” and “how many” and being very attached to the outcome in so many ways. I found myself struggling to not get caught in comparison and anxiety and dread about not being good enough or offering enough or , God forbid, having enough….I was slowly turning a beautiful opportunity in to a weapon that was slaying my heart and destoying the service that my heart wanted to bring to people. I was extinqishing the Hope…for me and others…
I realized that connection to my Source, and Gratitude for All in my life were the only things I truly required for my happiness and my success. I chose to return to ‘Gratitude in everything’…everything!!! Like the 893 clients that I do have.. and the opportunity to bring hope and health to anyone. I began to purposely pray and offer thanks for my business, my clients, my prospects and, Yes, the fear that went with it all. I chose to see that exercising my will in this was my soul’s highest Creativity to serve in my work. I decided to stop warring with my heart by measuring outcomes as the evidence of Good in my life and to trust and gratefully acknowledge all the Abundance that is mine. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you Jason for mirroring that profound truth to me in so many ways. The MMM is a cord that continually connects me back to my heart …and that is Life to me!
January 22nd, 2007 at 12:53 pm
Love it. I was just thinking how odd it was that so many people are blaming Bush for getting us into the war. When the truth for me is so clear, WE got us into the war. The same fear that caused us to create a leader like Bush, the same scarcity/fear that causes us to continue to have our economy rely on oil. Okay, that’s a little more political than I usually get, but my 7 year old son keeps asking me why we have wars so I have thought about this a lot and this ezine was perfect.
Who have I declared war on? The drivers in Denver in the icy snowy conditions we are experiencing. Massive road rage this morning on my part. So what is the underlying fear? Fear of not being able to control others? Fear of getting Andre to school late and looking bad? Hmmmm….
January 23rd, 2007 at 6:36 pm
I am grateful for the incredibly rich experience life continues to be. Whether I'm driving to work or putting my girls to bed, I am amazed at the wonder of it all. I have been getting lost, of late, in my little "career war". Thanks, Jason, for reminding me to pay attention to the "roses".
January 29th, 2007 at 2:49 pm
Jason, I am truly grateful for you. You’re a wonderful human being.
I am so grateful for my wife, Karen, she is so full of joy, compassion, her love for me and all people, and she is always looking for the greatness in others. Whenever you see Karen Irish-Borrego you will see a big smile and a “hello, how are you today!”
I am very grateful that I have so much to be grateful for; like everyone else I have problems and challenges, chatter in my mind, why am I not doing better, yet I love who I am, my excellent health, great abundance in all areas of my life and sincerely appreciate all my friends, family and colleagues.