How To Change (Part 1)

[Guest guest]

" HOW TO CHANGE " -- Part I Written by Louise L. Hay

" I love " how to's " . All the theory in the world is useless unless we know how

to apply it and make a change. I have always been a very pragmatic, practical

person with a great need to know how to do things.

" The principles we will be working with at this time are:

* Nurturing the willingness to let go

* Controlling the mind, and

* Learning how forgiveness of self and others releases us.

RELEASING THE NEED:

" Sometimes when we try to release a pattern, the whole situation seems to get

worse for a while. This is not a bad thing. It is a sign that the situation is

beginning to move. Our affirmations are working, and we need to keep going.

Examples:

* We are working on increasing prosperity, and we lose our wallet.

* We are working on improving our relationships, and we have a fight.

* We are working on becoming healthy, and we catch a cold.

* We are working on expressing our creative talents and abilities, and we

get fired.

" Sometimes the problem moves in a different direction, and we begin to see and

understand more. For example, let's assume you are trying to give up smoking and

you are saying, " I am willing to release the need for cigarettes. "

" As you continue to do this, you notice your relationships becoming more

uncomfortable. Don't despair, this is a sign of the process working.

" You might ask yourself a series of questions like: Am I willing to give up

uncomfortable relationships? Were my cigarettes creating a smoke screen so I

wouldn't see how uncomfortable these relationships are? Why am I creating these

relationships?

" You notice the cigarettes are only a symptom and not a cause. Now you are

developing insight and understanding that will set you free.

" You begin to say, " I am willing to release the need for uncomfortable

relationships. "

" Then you notice the reason you're so uncomfortable is that other people

always seem to be criticizing you.

" Being aware that we always create all of our experiences, you now begin to

say, " I am willing to release the need to be criticized. "

" You then think about criticism, and you realize that as a child you received

a lot of criticism. That little kid inside of you only feels at home when it is

being criticized. Your way of hiding from this had been to create a " smoke

screen. "

" Perhaps you see the next step as affirming, " I am willing to forgive ... "

" As you continue to do your affirmations, you may find that cigarettes no

longer attract you, and the people in your life no longer criticize you. Then

you KNOW you have released your need.

" This usually takes a little while to work out. If you are gently persistent

and are willing to give yourself a few quiet moments each day to reflect on your

process of change, you will get the answers. The Intelligence within you is the

same Intelligence that created this entire planet. Trust your Inner Guidance to

reveal to you whatever it is you need to know.

Exercise: Releasing The Need

" In a workshop situation, I would have you do this exercise with a partner.

However, you can do it equally as well using a mirror, a big one, if possible.

" Think for a moment about something in your life you want to change. Go to the

mirror and look into your eyes and say out loud, " I now realize that I have

created this condition, and I am now willing to release the pattern in my

consciousness that is responsible for this condition. "

" Say it several times, with feeling.

" If you were with a partner, I would have your partner tell you if he really

thought you meant it. I would want you to convince your partner. Ask yourself if

you really mean it. Convince yourself in the mirror that this time you are ready

to step out of the bondage of the past.

" At this point many people get scared because they don't know HOW to do this

releasing. They are afraid to commit themselves until they know all the answers.

It's only more resistance. Just pass through it. One of the great things is that

we do not have to have to know how. All we need is to be willing. The Universal

Intelligence or your subconscious mind will figure out the hows. Every thought

you think and every word you speak is being responded to, and the point of power

is in this moment. The thoughts you are thinking and the words you are declaring

at this moment are creating your future. "

YOUR MIND IS A TOOL:

" You are much more than your mind. You may think that your mind is running the

show, but that is only because you have trained your mind to think in this way.

You can also untrain and retrain this tool of yours.

" Your mind is a tool for you to use in any way you wish. The way you now use

your mind is only a habit, and habits, any habits, can be changed if we want to

do so, or even if we only know it is possible to do so.

" Quiet the chatter of your mind for a moment, and really think about this

concept: YOUR MIND IS A TOOL YOU CAN CHOOSE TO USE ANY WAY YOU WISH. "

" The thoughts you " choose " to think create the experiences you have. If you

believe that it is hard or difficult to change a habit or a thought, then your

choice of this thought will make it true for you. If you would choose to think,

" It is becoming easier for me to make changes " , then your choice of this thought

will make that true for you. "

End of Part I -- How To Change

Copyright 1999. Excerpted with permission from " YOU CAN HEAL YOUR LIFE " ,

(book or audio), by Louise L. Hay, metaphysical teacher and bestselling author

of over 20 books including " Heal Your Body " , " Empowering Women " , and " I CAN DO

IT " . Her works have been translated into 25 different languages in 33

countries. Published by Hay House, P.O. Box 5100, Carlsbad, CA 92018. (800)

654-5126 - Phone. Visit their website at www.hayhouse.com

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/AffirmationstoDe-Stress

A positive thinking, positive affirmations support group, that discusses ways to

cope with the stresses of daily life. Come aboard! PJ and Gang