| In today's world there are so many wonderful and | | | | perspiration that is involved in what I call the three |
| inspirational books. There are books filled with stories | | | | R's of enchantment. Let's look at the first of the |
| of Divine intervention, miracles happening, special | | | | three R's. |
| positive moments never to be forgotten and | | | | The first is REMEMBERING THE BEST AND LETTING |
| incredible coincidences. They help make us feel in | | | | GO OF THE REST. This is a critical component to |
| harmony with the universe. They help us fall asleep | | | | general well being and a sense of happiness on a daily |
| and have pleasant dreams. They often bring tears to | | | | basis. Most of us have sustained loss and |
| our eyes, reinforcing an inner sense of wisdom that | | | | experienced pain. Yes, we've been hurt. We've been |
| all is right with the world even when appearances say | | | | short-changed by opportunities or other people. |
| that is not so. | | | | Sometimes we've been stepped upon, left or |
| But there is one thing often missing from these | | | | forgotten. |
| books. It is the mental and emotional perspiration that | | | | If we spend our daily life focusing on these |
| we need to go through as we struggle to live a life | | | | disappointments then we cannot release the positive |
| of meaning and joy. The inspiration is there, but it's | | | | energies we need to make the most of the present |
| the perspiration that most of us need to put into our | | | | moment and to plan for the future. Grudges, |
| daily lives to create for ourselves lives of | | | | negative thinking, disappointments and not forgiving |
| enchantment. Because enchantment for most of us, | | | | all get in the way of what can be done with the |
| i.e. living a life of joy, a life that reflects many states | | | | present. We need our psyche energies to seize |
| of well being and has meaning and purpose, is hard | | | | opportunities we can take advantage of. This can't |
| work. | | | | happen if our energies are used up ruminating. |
| And none of us know that better than our jewels | | | | Besides, there is beauty in our own story, and most, |
| over Fifty! We have been through the mill of life. We | | | | if not all, disappointments we've experienced have |
| know ups and downs, losses and gains, big moments | | | | strengthened us. Often, we have even developed |
| and tedious moments. We have gone through getting | | | | talents in coping with hard times that can reemerge |
| to know our bodies and sometimes wishing parts of | | | | in ways to enhance pleasure and/or help us be of |
| our bodies worked better or even could last the | | | | service to the world. For example, the child that was |
| journey! We have relocated, packed and unpacked, | | | | neglected or yelled at has an opportunity to be |
| said goodbyes when we didn't want to and hellos | | | | particularly kind to others as he or she gets older, |
| that were delicious. We are adventurers and | | | | maybe to teach others certain parenting skills having |
| survivors! We are polished and gleam like the most | | | | known first hand how it feels on the other side. |
| priceless gem and yet we still are forming as we | | | | I hope you'll take some time this week to think |
| experience the act of living. | | | | about yourself and what talents or coping skills you |
| Certainly we yearn for moments when the right thing | | | | may have developed during your life. It may be |
| happens at exactly the right time and the world | | | | these very skills that you can use to make your life |
| opens up for us, whether it's a lucky break, meeting | | | | even more successful and joyful. You may enjoy |
| the right life partner or winning the lottery. And we all | | | | going back to a particular year or review your life in a |
| need at least some of those moments. But life, in | | | | more general fashion. You can find these talents and |
| reality, is filled with hundreds and thousands and | | | | wonderful coping skills in good times and in stressful |
| probably millions of minutes that are repetitive, boring | | | | times. Please choose where you are comfortable in |
| or simply ordinary. They involve getting up, brushing | | | | reviewing your history. If you choose a stressful |
| our teeth, driving to work safely, keeping a job, | | | | period of your life, give yourself permission to not |
| raising children, fighting off a cold, etc. It is all these | | | | focus on the feelings that surrounded that time, but |
| times and even the easy moments of elation that | | | | just on your accomplishments, successes, strengths, |
| that THE ENCHANTED SELF gives us tools to better | | | | coping skills or even potential within you that existed |
| handle. | | | | then, even if you had to suppress it |
| After all, any moment can be mundane, depressing, | | | | I would suggest listing your earlier talents and/or |
| dull or captivating, enlivening and filled with joy if we | | | | coping skills on paper and pondering them. Within |
| know how to 'adjust' it. | | | | them lies precious information that may be valuable |
| What is the difference? The difference is usually the | | | | as you regenerate yourself again and again. |
| perspiration. I mean the mental and emotional | | | | |