Daily Gratitude: It’s funny how the universe always knows what to put in front of you. I’m experiencing this now. I am not happy about something going on in my life. And although it’s painful, it’s also very trivial and I shouldn’t care. I’ll never change the circumstances nor should I want to because that’s not really in my control.
But I can change my response. I also know that it’s a part deep within and very young that’s reacting this way. Therefore it’s good that this situation showed up because there’s a little child or baby in there that needs work. You can scoff all you want at IFS but it has changed me completely in just a few years.
Remember that you can’t change other people. But you can change yourself. Maybe you have to pull away from a person or series of events. Perhaps it’s time to move on. But just maybe it’s one thing that needs a tweak.
How are you feeling about your world- notice I said YOUR world not THE world
Daily Gratitude: I can tell from my personal experience that this is true. I’m still not the bravest cookie in the jar but I’m a lot better than i ever have been.
I was afraid. Of everything. And everyone.
But once i discovered IFS, I discovered many of the whys and was able to heal part of me that had hidden away from the world. There’s still much work to be done and so much to explore. But my world has definitely expanded.
I’m able to approach things without such fear- fear I’d fail; fear people would laugh; fear I’d be rejected and on and on. Now I can do things and not worry (as much) about those intangible thoughts that crowd a child’s mind (the general age of my protectors is from 1-5 years old). And If I start to feel some fear, I know where it’s coming from and usually why. If not, I know how to find out.
Even if you don’t want to study IFS, I encourage you to think about the times you’ve said “a part of me….” Or “that was really out of character.” Or “I don’t know why I always do that. I don’t mean to and I don’t want to..it just happens”. These are times your parts are present and they want you to acknowledge them. That’s all. Can you just do that much?
Daily Gratitude: Read this again. And again. Now ask yourself when you have proven this to be true. I am positive that at some point in your life you were afraid of something, no matter how big or how small. Eventually, though, the wheels inside of you turned enough that you got the thought “hmm, maybe i can do that too (or something like it)” and boom, once the seed was planted, it began to germinate and before you knew it, you were out there doing it.
This has happened twice to me. Once that darn seed had to be nurtured for 30 years before it (and I) was strong enough to break through the ground. But it finally did. I had wanted to cross the US on foot for 30 years before I got the guts to try it. Oh yeah, I had all the excuses – I couldn’t get time off work was the biggest one. But you know what. As soon as that little bud made its way to peek above the ground, I was able to overcome even that excuse. What was real reason? I was afraid. I didn’t think someone like me had any business even contemplating it. But desire broke the fear and I got out of prison. It doesn’t matter that I didn’t complete my goal. What matters is that I had faith and tried to do it.
My experience with vol state was the same. I heard about it in 2012 and was totally fascinated. I read everything I could find about it. All those “thoughts” (aka excuses) were front and center. You can walk 314 miles; you’re not an elite runner so don’t even consider this; people will laugh at you. And on and on.
Once again it took time for that little tiny seed to grow enough courage for me to say “I’ve just got to do this.” Thank goodness it didn’t take 30 years like the other one though. As you know, it’s now become my main focus.
What is inside of you that’s scratching at its prison wall begging you to let it out? Pay attention to what it’s saying. Give it voice. If it’s a strong enough desire, let it out. And you will be freed – in more ways than you can imagine.
