Hi ,

This January, let’s make a resolution to awaken. Let’s be present with our coworkers, friends, family, and customers. Imagine if we all did that—what a difference we would make. To actually listen and take notice of other people instead of listening to the chatter that goes on in our heads. So when someone is talking to us, we connect with them, empty our heads of what we want to say, and find out what’s really going on with them.
All you have to do is take two or three conscious breaths here and there throughout the day. What does a conscious breath mean? It means breathing in and breathing out and knowing that’s what you are doing. When you are conscious of breathing in and out, the chatter in your head stops and you find a space in time when you can just stop for a moment and take a brief rest.

You see all those thoughts that you have in your head — the worries about the future and the past— are all made up. And even worse, they are made up by you. I know, some of you may be thinking right now as you are reading this, that it can’t be true. You have money worries, family responsibilities that sometimes get overwhelming, concerns about people in your life—of course they are not made up….and at the same time they are totally made up…by you.

Let’s say you get worried about money—you are the one worrying about money. Other people may have less money than you, be more in debt than you, and may not be nearly as worried as you are. They may even be happy. You get to make a choice. If you are worried about money you can take action to relieve yourself of the worry. Look at your check book and notice what you spend. Do you need to spend money on these things, or could you start paying off some loans instead.

I don’t profess to be a money manager, and money is very simple. It’s energy that loves to be exchanged for goods. If you don’t take responsibility for what you spend your money on—it will get out of hand. It’s all about choice. The only reason most people worry is because they are making the wrong choices—they know it—and they don’t want to do anything about it. When you awaken—you start taking control of your life. You look at your situation and if something is worrying you—you make a choice to change it. When you make choices—you get to feel in charge of your life and worries become less and less.

By taking conscious breaths throughout the day—one or two breaths knowing that you are breathing—you slow things down. You remember that no matter where you are, what your situation is, you always come through. You always survive. Something larger than yourself is taking care of you. Something bigger than you is making sure that you are okay. Even in the very desperate times—things are actually okay. Everything works out.

So awaken. Make January a time of awakening from the sleep of unconsciousness. Make January a time for taking a breath and making a choice to act and behave rationally instead of just reacting and taking things personally.

Awaken my friends and be in charge of your choices.

All the very best for an amazing 2006

Jeff Gee