April 2011 - Remembering What's Important

Resources (links, books, articles, the lighter side)

April 2011 – Remembering What's Important

We are amazed at the powerful example being set by the Japanese people who have endured more tragedy than anyone could possibly imagine from the recent 8.9 earthquake and tsunami on March 11, 2011. Yet, the Japanese people are doing everything they can to help each other and to rebuild their lives, without blaming, complaining or whining about where they find themselves. Their courage and ability to cope is a powerful example of how well people can endure and pick themselves up when they need to in spite of incredible adversity. They are an excellent reminder of the power of a positive attitude no matter what happens.

We also encourage everyone to help them in some way — whether through money, time, other donations or holding positive thoughts for their rebuilding process.
[See end of article for a world-wide prayer event for Japan on March 31, 2011 at noon in all time zones.]

It sometimes seems that negativity and negative thinking have grown rampant in our society and in our workplaces.

When something as significant as a major earthquake the size of the one in Japan happens, the entire world is affected, whether we like it or not. The earthquake itself was devastating, then to be followed by massive tsunami is so startling to our senses that we cannot help but start to think about what might happen if it happened where we live.

Some people then go to fear, nightmares, closing down their feelings, wondering whether the end of the world is coming, etc. There are also those people who would like to increase the fear in the world - either because they are already fearful and want lots of company, or because they want to use fear to manipulate others.

Fear is a powerful emotion and can do incredible damage. It can also save our life as in the instinctive "flight or fight" response that was necessary when we had to worry about large animals chasing us back in the days when the world was not civilized. Today, most of our fears are self-created and self-perpetuated

The news media tends to sensationalize any event. In the case of the Japan events, the truth is stark enough to make every one pause and wonder. If we start to get into a spiral of fear, it tends to immobilize us and keeps us from doing what is needed - for ourselves and for others.

We do need to stop and make time to help others who need help and we encourage everyone to help Japan in some way, just as we encourage people to help in any large tragedy. Helping others helps us open back up and helps to counteract the fear that will close us down physically, emotionally and intellectually.

This month, we offer some tips for becoming more aware of our own negative thinking habits and those of others in the workplace with some suggestions for how to change that thinking to a more positive focus.

Where do we start?

We start where ever we are. We can start to think more positively. Look around and notice what resources you have already.

One of the easiest and simplest ways to start thinking positively is to be grateful — for everything. Grateful for the sun shining, grateful for the earth that holds us and feeds us, grateful for the air we breathe, grateful for the abundance we have all around us, grateful for our safety, grateful for our security, grateful for our loved ones, grateful for our life. Once we feel grateful, we can begin to appreciate what else is good in our life, whether large or small.

Be grateful for the people we have in our life — our family, our friends, our co-workers, even those who annoy us. Without other people, what would we do alone on this huge planet. They give us life, they give us laughter, they give us joy, they help teach us, they provide ways for us to learn about ourselves, they provide challenges for us to grow from, they provide extra resources when we can't do it all alone.

Where ever we are, we do what we can, where we can, when we can. That has become my mantra when I'm faced with challenges larger than I can see a way out of. No one person can do it all. Together, we can do so much more than we can imagine. The tallest mountain was climbed by a million small steps.

Many families are deeply affected by the events in Japan, by relatives who were there or through friends. In business right now, many companies are deeply affected by the tragedy in Japan. They may depend on products or services that are not coming through, affecting manufacturing plants, distribution centers, retail outlets, and many people's jobs and many people's lives.

There is money pouring into Japan right now from all over the world, possibly shifting resources from elsewhere that has depended on that income stream There are resources flowing to Japan from other places that may feel the affect of the shift of emphasis.

In past tragedies, the same thing happens. Things change. Resources shift. Many, many people are affected. We are a world-wide community and a world-wide economy. That is becoming clearer and clearer. With the Internet and world wide news, we know about events as they are happening, so we can no longer pretend we are isolated.

How do we deal with changes?

First, always remember that things change — constantly.
If we can be flexible and go where we are needed, instead of digging in our heels and thinking "life" is mean or cruel or unfair, we will be much more able to adjust to any type of change — large or small.
If we remember that we can survive in spite of difficulties, we will be more able to weather surprises.
If we know that no matter what, the only thing we can really change is our own self and our attitudes, we can then choose to be happy, sad, flexible or rigid. Being rigid won't help us; being flexible will.
Trying to find some measure of hope in any situation, will give us the energy to keep going when adversity strikes.
When faced with challenges, remember what is important to you. Stay focused on knowing everything else takes a back seat to that so it really doesn't matter much if those other things change, does it?
We can put one foot in front on the other and keep going where we need to be going, no matter what changes around us. We can stop what we were doing and deal with the change. We can put our head in the sand and ignore the change. We can curl up, do nothing and feel sorry for ourselves. All of these are choices and there are many other ways to deal with changes.

In our day-to-day dealings in the workplace, how many times a day do things change? Someone changes a meeting, a customer asks for something different, a part doesn't arrive on time, a co-worker gets sick, our boss resigns, a project gets off schedule, departments are re-organized, we get more orders than we can handle, our revenue drops for unknown reasons, a product fails in the marketplace, a new product takes off unexpectedly. etc.

Constant change is the nature of our life. The way we deal with the small changes gives us practice in dealing with more major changes in our life.

When something changes, we have choices in how to deal with it. Remember, the only thing we can really control is ourselves. We can't control other people, we can't control world events, we can't control what the boss does, we can't control what the president does, we can't control what other customers do, we can't control what our competition does, etc. We can only control how we react to the changes that happen all around us every single day.

Some tips for coping:

When something changes — anything at all — practice taking it with good humor. Example: Someone wants to reschedule an important meeting that you have been working hard to get ready for. Instead of getting angry or disappointed, try reminding yourself that it will probably be better at the new time, then carry that positive attitude into the meeting when it happens. If a plane is delayed, maybe it was because there are mechanical problems that might have been risky, so you are better off traveling late than not at all. Feel gratitude for the extra time that is needed to let your trip proceed safely.
Learn to see everything that happens or doesn't happen as a blessing. Feel gratitude for what ever happens — whether on schedule or not.
If you can shift easily from thinking something "bad" happened to knowing that it will work out for the best, that skill will provide you with good preparation for adjusting to major changes more easily. You will bounce back more easily and be much more productive than if you mope around or feel sorry for yourself.
If you are able to shift your attitude quickly, you will be more able to help others to shift their attitude. You will contribute more to your workplace, your family, your life and your community in a positive way and more people will be helped.
Do something for someone else who needs some extra help at this time. Donate money or other resources to relief funds for Japan or other places who need help. If you can't give money, give your time to send them positive thoughts or prayers.
Smile at a stranger, let your family know you love them, say thank you to everyone, feel happy every day and your life will blossom just as nature does.
Take time to appreciate the beauty of nature all around us every day and feel blessed for being alive in this vibrant world.

The more people can adapt easily and quickly to changes, perhaps that growing negativity in the world can be tempered and maybe eventually eliminated as more people are able to see the good in life instead of all the imaginary problems.

Our wish for you: May your life be blessed this month with happiness, joy and creativity as Spring makes its appearance in the Northern Hemisphere. Spring is a time of creativity, of new life, of growing things, of warmer weather, trees bursting forth with new leaves, flowers blooming and of the incredible possibilities of all that can be coming forth.

A worldwide prayer for Japan

As we were finishing up this article, we received this from multiple sources within a few minutes, asking for a common prayer around the world at noon (all time zones) on Thursday, March 31, 2011.

A letter from Dr Masaru Emoto...

To All People Around the World,

Please send your prayers of love and gratitude to water at the nuclear plants in Fukushima, Japan!

By the massive earthquakes of Magnitude 9 and surreal massive tsunamis, more than 18,000 people are still missing…even now… It has been 18 days already since the disaster happened. What makes it worse is that water at the reactors of Fukushima Nuclear Plants started to leak, and it’s contaminating the ocean, air and water molecules of surrounding areas.

Human wisdom has not been able to do much to solve the problem, but we are only trying to cool down the anger of radioactive materials in the reactors by discharging water to them.

Is there really nothing else to do?

I think there is. During over twenty year research of hado measuring and water crystal photographic technology, I have been witnessing that water can turn positive when it receives pure vibration of human prayer no matter how far away it is.

Energy formula of Albert Einstein, E=MC2 really means that Energy = number of people and the square of people’s consciousness.

Now is the time to understand the true meaning. Let us all join the prayer ceremony as fellow citizens of the planet earth. I would like to ask all people, not just in Japan, but all around the world to please help us to find a way out of the crisis of this planet!!

The prayer procedure is as follows.

Day and Time: March 31st, 2011 (Thursday) ~ 12:00 noon — where ever you find yourself at noon (local time) in any time zone you are in so it will become a rolling prayer around the world.

Please say the following phrase:

“The water of Fukushima Nuclear Plant,
we are sorry to make you suffer.
Please forgive us. We thank you, and we love you.”

Richard Ashworth, English feng shui consultant, writes about Dr. Emoto: It's possible you've never heard of Dr Masuru Emoto but he's probably the leading edge in understanding water. This may seem an obscure accomplishment perhaps until you recall that we are all 80% h2o ourselves. He has written several books (best known probably is The Hidden Messages in Water) demonstrating just how responsive water is. His experiments demonstrate for instance that different emotions affect the molecular structure of water differently. You may have seen some of his breathtakingly beautiful photographs of affected water molecules. In short, water will take a message.

All of the above is pure feng shui; water is communication. All water is constantly in search of all other water. If I spill a drop, it will spread and descend until it finds other water. It may even evaporate in this pursuit. Like communication, you simply can't, as the tsunami showed, block water. Some of the water we drink today will physically make its way to Fukushima, Japan.

Internet Resources

American Red Cross - donations help those who are hurt by tragedy http://www.redcross.org. Every little bit helps.
Inspirational message from Japan, March 15, 2011 http://www.itstime.com/japan.htm
Water, Consciousness & Intent: Dr. Masaru Emoto http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAvzsjcBtx8
Aftershocks, adjustment http://www.kaykamala.com/forecasts.html
The Water Crystals of Masaru Emoto http://www.unitedearth.com.au/watercrystals.html
Three Ways to Put an End to Negativity http://ezinearticles.com/?3-Ways-to-Put-an-End-to-Negativity&id=4173319
Gratitude is a Causal Energy http://ezinearticles.com/?Gratitude-Is-A-Causal-Energy&id=6086911
How to Help Negative People http://www.stevepavlina.com/blog/2006/06/how-to-help-negative-people/
Giving Workplace Negativity a Sustainable Lift http://www.abetterworkplace.com/088.html
How to end negative thinking http://www.ehow.com/how_2177325_end-negative-thinking.html
Ending Negative Self-Talk http://www.medicinalmarzipan.com/2010/08/28/ending-negative-self-talk/
How to Gain Inner Peace and Experience True Abundance http://ezinearticles.com/?How-to-Gain-Inner-Peace-and-Experience-True-Abundance&id=6108113
2012 Predictions: Stay Away From All the Negativity http://e-linking.com/computer-internet/it-news/2012-predictions-stay-away-from-all-the-negativity
Self Hate - what you should do about it now http://www.more-selfesteem.com/self_hate.htm
Stop Abusing Yourself: Tips to End Negative Self-Talk - Part One http://www.buzzle.com/articles/stop-abusing-yourself-tips-to-end-negative-self-talk-part-one.html
Stop Abusing Yourself: Tips to End Negative Self-Talk - Part Two http://www.buzzle.com/articles/stop-abusing-yourself-tips-to-end-negative-self-talk-part-two.html
The Power of Negative Thinking http://www.successconsciousness.com/index_00002d.htm
The Positive Power of Negativity http://www.articlesbase.com/advice-articles/the-positive-power-of-negativity-1900230.html
Negative environments that will eat at your self-esteem http://www.qnj.org/articles/Negative-Environments-that-Will-Eat-at-Your-Self-esteem-a45.html
How to Eradicate and Stop Negative Thoughts http://www.wikihow.com/Eradicate-and-Stop-Negative-Thoughts
The Daily Motivator http://greatday.com/motivate/index.html
Daily reminders from The Universe http://www.tut.com/resources/notes/

Books Disclosure: We get a small commission for purchases made via links to Amazon.

The Hidden Messages in Water. Masaru Emoto. Beyond Words, 2004. ISBN-13: 978-1582701141
Excuses Begone!: How to Change Lifelong, Self-Defeating Thinking Habits. Wayne Dyer. Hay House, 2011. ISBN-13: 978-1401922948
The Power of Positive Thinking. Norman Vincent Peale. Fireside, 2003. ISBN-13: 978-0743234801
Everyday Positive Thinking. Louise Hay. Hay House, 2004. ISBN-13: 978-1401902957
Infinite Possibilities: The Art of Living Your Dreams. Mike Dooley. Atria Books/Beyond Words, 2010. ISBN-13: 978-1582702322
Notes from the Universe: New Perspectives from an Old Friend. Mike Dooley. Atria Books/Beyond Words, 2007. ISBN-10: 1582701768
Transforming Your Dragons: Turning Personality Fear Patterns into Personal Power. Jose Stevens. Bear & Co; (July 1994) ISBN: 1879181177
Income Without a Job: Living Well Without a Paycheck. Michael Jay Anthony, Barbara J. Taylor. Lulu.com, 2008 ISBN-13: 978-0-557-00377-8. Website: www.income-without-a-job.com. Tap into your own creativity and use your full potential. Learn how to see opportunities that others miss.

Articles

Related newsletter articles:
    June 1999 - Personality Dragons -> especially: The Martyrdom Dragon
    July 1999 - Slaying the Personality Dragons -> especially Weapons for slaying the Martyrdom dragon
    April 2009 - The Good News
    September 2006 - The Power of Thought
    May 2007 - The Law of Attraction at Work
    November 1999 - Workplace Energy Dynamics
    December 2010 - Optimism

The Lighter Side

Thriving on Negativity http://jokes.maxabout.com/insult-jokes/thriving-on-negativity/13912
Funny jokes http://ezinearticles.com/?Funny-Jokes&id=2347771

About our resource links: We do not endorse or agree with all the beliefs in these links. We do keep an open mind about different viewpoints and respect the ability of our readers to decide for themselves what is useful.

If you have comments about this month's topic, please let us know or take our newsletter survey. If you would like to receive free notices of the new monthly topic, please sign up for our mailing list. See our Privacy Policy.

This page is http://www.itstime.com/apr2011.htm Printer-friendly version

tr>

| Home Page | Top of Page |

| Contact Us | Search the site | Site Map |

Contact us

Online Newsletter