It is amazing how often we can get in our own way without even being aware that we are doing so. Even though we truly want to succeed, there are many reasons why we may sometimes block our own efforts. It may be that we are afraid to succeed, so we subconsciously create circumstances to keep ourselves stuck. Or it may even be that we are afraid that we will succeed, so we block ourselves by making the achievement of our goals more difficult than they really are. We may even approach our goals in a way that keeps creating the same unsuccessful results. If you believe that you’ve been standing in your own way, you may want to take a piece of paper & record how you’ve done so. Write down the choices you’ve made that have hindered your efforts & the fears that may have prompted you to make these decisions. Take note of any thoughts & feelings that arise. It is important to be gentle & compassionate during this process. Try not to blame yourself for getting in your own way. Remember the choices we make always are there to serve us, until it is time to let them go. When you are finished, throw the paper away while setting an intention that you are getting rid of any obstacles you’ve created to block yourself. You can then let yourself start again with a clean slate. Doubts & fears are going to be natural, but with this new awareness, you should be able to prevent yourself from subconsciously thwarting yourself. Besides, now that you’ve decided to get out of your own way, the part of you that has always wanted to succeed can now do so.

HYPNOTHERAPIST, KURUSHETRA...09872880634

The next time you find yourself wanting to react, try to pause & in that pause, take a deep breath. Feel your feet on the floor, the air on your skin & listen for a response to arise within you, rather than just going with the first thing that pops into your head. You may find that in that moment, there is the potential to move beyond reaction and into the more subtle & creative realm of response, where something new can happen.

Our relationship with others is about kindness. It is easy to act only in our perceived self-interest. We feel that if we do not look out for ourselves, who will? In an interrelated world, we are obliged also to look beyond ourselves. In the Talmud, Rabbi Hillel wrote, “If I am not for myself who will be? But if I am for myself only, what am I?” We are links in a chain. The fate of each link affects the fortunes of all others. There is individuality but not independence. We are dependent upon each other at every turn. Our integrity affects the integrity of the whole. We are each a part of a system of relationships that embrace our family, friends, neighbors, business associates, organizations, communities, nations, & family of nations. No single object or entity exists independently. What we do to others, we do to ourselves.