So do you believe 2010 can your best year ever?

I invite you to take this opportunity, as we bring 2009 to a close, to stop for a moment and reflect on the "belief infrastructure" that will support your move into 2010. I want you to have a fantastic new year and to be able to move into the year with the energy, clarity and focus that 2010 can be one of your best years yet. This is a real possibility: unless you have a time machine, 2010 is the leading edge of evolution as we know it, which means you are probably the wisest that you have ever been in your life.

So let’s try an experiment. I’d like to invite you to engage in a little New Year’s practice to move you into 2010 with greater awareness, vision and focus...

1. Imagine the date is December 31, 2010. Write down in concrete detail what you want your life to look like on this date. This vision can include whatever life areas you feel are appropriate. For example, any or all of Body, Mind, Spirit, Shadow, Service, Work, Relationships, Sexuality, Parenting, Ethics, Activism, etc.

2.Now take a few minutes: sit by yourself and brainstorm a list of all the assumptions you’re making that either support or hinder your ability to achieve that vision. Don’t edit yet, just make a note of which assumptions will support you and which will hinder you.

3.Take a moment to re-read and acknowledge all of the supporting assumptions and beliefs that will support you next year. Just make a quick mental note of how each will support your vision.

4.Now choose up to 3 inhibiting assumptions you believe will most significantly hinder your vision. If you are a quarterback, then these three are like the defensive line trying to tackle your ass this coming year, and you’ve got to get your running back by them.

5.Now, for each assumption you’ve chosen, ask yourself the following:

What could I achieve if that assumption is wrong?

What story about myself or my capabilities does that assumption help perpetuate?

What would I do if I wanted to prove that assumption wrong?

When I give voice to that limiting assumption, what voice is speaking? (e.g., the voice of fear, the voice of the skeptic, the voice of the complacent father, the voice of the lonely child, the voice of the failed executive, etc?)

Is it worth it to me to see my assumptions as a story I’m telling myself?

Finish by sitting for a final 5 minutes with your eyes closed, breathing deeply. Notice your mind, emotions and the feeling in your chest as you let your limiting beliefs gradually loosen. Hopefully you feel a little lighter, a little more focused, a little more like the author of your own life this New Year.

The stories we tell ourselves create a very powerful reality that heavily influences what we’re capable of. Hard work, focus, skill, multiple perspectives, integral tools and dozens of other things all contribute to what we’re able to do in our lives. But at some basic level it all starts with what we tell ourselves we will do and then clearing the way mentally, emotionally, spiritually and physically to go do it. And this starts with your story. So tell yourself a great one for 2010. Make it the best year ever. You deserve it, and I’m counting on all of you to help us continue the work that humanity needs you for.

Adam R. Seward
Individual, Couple, & Family Counsling
www.adamsewardcounseling.net



(Thank you to Rob Smith from Integral Life for providing this framework)

How Do You Begin Your Day?

What is the first thing you say in the morning when you wake up? We all have something we say almost every day. Is it positive or negative? Do you awaken with a groan and say, "Oh God, Another Day." If you do, do you ever notice that that is exactly the kind of day you have, one thing after another going wrong? Try this...when you wake up, even before opening your eyes,thank the bed for a good night's sleep. After all, you have spent the whole night together in comfort. Then with your eyes still closed, spend about ten minutes just being thankful for all the good in your life. Program your day a bit, affirming that everything will go well and that you will enjoy it all.

Then give yourself a few minutes to sit in quiet meditation. If you are new to meditation, begin with five minutes. Sit quietly, observe your breathing and allow the thoughts to pass gently through your mind. Give them no importance and they will pass on. It is the nature of the mind to think, so don't try to get rid of thoughts.

There are many classes and books you can explore to find ways to meditate. No matter how or where you begin, you will eventually create the method best for you. I usually just sit quietly and ask, "What is it that I need to know?" I allow the answer to come if it wants to, if not, I know it will come later. There is no right or wrong way to meditate.

Another form is to sit quietly and observe the breath as it goes in and out of your body. As you inhale count one, as you exhale count two. Continue counting until you get to 10, then begin again at one. If you notice your counting takes you to 25 or so, just go back to one.

This will help to center you so that you can bring your best self into the rest of your days activities. I've heard so many people tell me that just doing this one thing, every morning, completely changes and enhances the quality of their day, and ultimately their lives.

Adam R. Seward
Individual, Couple, and Family Counselor
www.adamsewardcounseling.net