Peaceful Paths "Questions" Blog

HOW DO YOU SEIZE A MOMENT?
(Or… How can we make the most of the energy, motivating forces & opportunities awaiting us in each moment and create positive change in our lives?)

Sometimes I am dismayed by the fact that this life didn’t come with a manual. (although it seems manuals are only written for those who already know what they’re doing. Did they write a “LIFE for Dummies” yet?) Every once in a while, I would prefer to have steps laid out before me, (and I’ll retain my right to change them along the way, thank you very much, ‘cuz, well, that‘s just the way I am). Perhaps you can relate? Here’s just one way (there’s a million) to seize a moment; a 7-step program (there’s prep work involved) that I think I can follow to partake of the energy, motivating forces & opportunities that await me in each moment:

Step 1. Cast into your mind the idea that there IS energy, motivating forces & opportunities awaiting you in each moment. Hold onto this idea.
Step 2. Cast into your mind the idea that change can be a good thing. Hold onto this idea too and remember that one of the things holding the world together is its diversity.
Step 3. Cast into your mind the idea that you can create. You do it anyway; might as well be aware of it.
Step 4. Let the above 3 steps percolate in your mind until they feel more like regular instead of decaf.
(Note: the first 4 steps are a piece a’ cake compared to the next one.)
Step 5. Find the most honest place inside you. If you have trouble with this one, start by being aware of yourself. Watch yourself as if you’re not you. Pay attention to your actions, thoughts, feelings and the words that come out of your mouth. (CAUTION: Refrain From Judging Them! …this step can take a while but judging can keep you stuck here for years.)
So much of our behavior becomes blindsided by the power we’ve chosen to give our environment over our own will; perhaps because it just, well, it just seemed easier that way. Ask yourself if your actions and feelings are truly yours. Are they peppered with influences that surround you which may not be in alignment with who you are? Do your words reflect what you really want to say? How do you actually feel deep inside?
Step 6. Once you can more easily recognize some of the lies you were likely living with, pick an issue in your life where you’d welcome a change. Start small and realistically. An annoying little habit maybe? A certain reaction you continually have toward something or someone? A certain plaguing thought that won’t release its grip?
Dig into the issue deeply until you reach the lowest common denominator that unites it with you. Where did it come from? When did it start? How did it become part of you? Make honesty work for you. If, at its root level, you find it a negative issue that you somehow invited into your life, forgive yourself and again, refrain from judging it. Pick it apart again and again until it diminishes to almost a vapor-like state.
Step 7. Let it go. Choose a moment for yourself, any moment at all, and make the conscious decision to let it go. (Note: This may take more than one attempt. It’s ok.) Let the vapor rise away from you and out into the Universe. Know that the Universe knows exactly what to do with such things.

If the plan above works for you, you’ll find yourself repeating the issue in question less and less, if at all. If you do repeat it, you‘ll be aware of it. At some point, you’ll realize you just don’t do it anymore. What you did do was seize a moment as your own and effected a positive change in your life.