For the past few years, I've received TUT's Notes From the Universe, via email, Monday - Friday. Mike Dooley, one of the contributors to The Secret, created these as a way to remind people of the power of thought, that thoughts becomes things. They have often mirrored right where I am in my thinking, or offered me a mirror to look at something a bit more closely. Sometimes, it has reflected life in some amusing and intriguing ways. For instance, almost three years ago, I read his note in the morning about how life is a carnival, complete with rides, cotton candy, and all the goodies associated with them. After I read it, I drove into town (a town I had only recently moved to when I first returned to Minnesota), to discover a carnival had been set up on the edge of it, complete with rides, and animals, and cotton candy. That kind of thing.
Anyway, this morning's note was sent with a request to pass it on to as many people as possible. I do think it's worth passing on and so I am.
The Top 10 Ways People Give Away Their Power:
1. Asking others what they should do.
2. Thinking God decides who gets what.
3. Worrying about how their dreams will come true.
4. Thinking they have dues to pay.
5. Attaching to unimportant details and outcomes.
6. Believing in soul mates.
7. Thinking karma or spiritual contracts are absolute.
8. Fear of anything, especially falling in love.
9. Waiting for their ducks to line up before acting.
10. Choosing to be unhappy.
A funny thing happened as I wrote them down in a notebook, something I often do with notes, quotes, and things I want to remember. As I was writing down #7, I found it took up a bit more than one line in my notebook, so the words "are absolute," had to be written on the next line. Then, as I wrote down #8, I found that space was again lacking and so this is how it ended up in my notebook:
8. Fear of anything, especially
falling
in
love.
As a result, #9 (see above) didn't exactly line up....
Which takes me to #10, a reminder that to be happy or not is always a choice. Always.
Today, I've chosen to be happy. I think I'm going to choose that tomorrow, too.
www.tut.com
Image: Joseph Cornell's "Hotel Eden"
I am a huge fan of Joseph Cornell's assemblages and have been since I first found him via art school. I love how you have these moments that mirror something in your life like this. Deepak Chopra says that when we see something in someone that we don't like, it is that same thing that is in us and they are just the mirror showing it to us. I have been trying to remember that when I get upset with someone. What is it that I am supposed to be learning? I'm not sure about #6...don't we have soul mates? I'd like your take on this one.
ReplyDeletePerhaps, Teri, the picture I should have included was of me opening a can of worms. :)
DeleteShort answer: no, although I know that is not a popular belief, nor will some folks like it. So, to elaborate only a little: I believe we meet people with whom we have an immediate sense of connection, a camaraderie or rapport, perhaps even a sense of having met them before (another can of worms I won't open right now). I have experienced this often myself, but I believe, AND IT IS ONLY MY BELIEF, that there is an inherent danger in believing in soul mates. It can become debilitating and prevent us from moving forward in our lives. It can even lead to remaining stuck inside of something that becomes dysfunctional and diminishes both people in the long run. That's not to say that two people can't find much common ground that allows them to grow both together and as individuals.
An additional note: I am trying to practice living in a world where there are no exclusionary categories, whether that be political, spiritual, or personal. It takes a lot of practice, and it sometimes takes me outside my comfort zone, but outside our comfort zones is where the magic happens. :)
Teresa, I am a firm believer of the power of thought and of words. They create an energy and energy has power. I love tut...it's funny how these messages come at just the right moment. Sometimes I've uttered a question, for example, the name of a flower, and sure enough an answer will come out of nowhere...amazing! Oooh and btw, that picture was taken at Cerrillos. I'm sure you've been there... :)
ReplyDeleteI have passed that sign many times and often thought it was stretching the notion. :) Love your post today. Thanks, again.
DeleteGod bless you woman, this is EXACTLY what I needed to hear today!
ReplyDeleteDamn the torpedos and scourges of life - I still have a say - I get to be Happy if I want to, if I make it so. And today, in part because of you, I will!
Thanks so much for the reminder =)
You are most welcome, t. I was happy to receive it myself and pass it on.
DeleteMe, too - choosing to be happy.
ReplyDeleteAnd, your choice to be happy, Penny, has often led me to a better place, and I thank you.
Delete#2 is a common belief in my part of the world, and it is painful to see what that belief leads some folks to do and think.
ReplyDeleteChoosing to be happy, and to focus on appreciating the good and beautiful rather than obsessing over the bad and ugly, has been an important part of my journey lately. I'm still working on it.
love the Cornell piece.
peace
Hi Bill, It is a very sad, insidious, and often damaging belief that seems more pervasive than ever.
DeleteI'm working on choosing to be happy, too. Some days are easier than others, but it's definitely getting clearer that it is a choice. As you know, Wendell Berry said, "Be joyful, though you have considered all the facts." :)
that's a good list. Choosing to be unhappy is the one which resonates with me, after spending my earlier years being a pessimist. I do believe in soul mates, though! :)
ReplyDeleteHi Jenny, It's nice to be in the light, instead of those shadows of unhappiness, isn't it? It's made life so much more peaceful for me. Thanks for your comments.
DeleteThanks!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome!
DeleteI got that in my inbox, too, today. But you actually passed it on. Kudos! I so agree with all of them. Still have a little trouble with a couple, but have made such strides since my more black and white youth--LOL! ;)
ReplyDeleteAh, yes, our black and white youth. I used to live in that world, and long after my youth. Then, I found out that much of life is in the gray zone and there's so much I don't know. I have only my personal experiences to go on and even then I have to question my perspective, which is only my perspective and it can change with additional information, shall we say. :)
DeleteTeresa -- I glean teachings from all directions and that makes my life free from following others. -- there is so much to observe and be aware of -- not everything makes me happy. Just finding a daily balance is good. -- barbara
ReplyDeleteHi Barbara, Balance in life is always a good idea.
DeleteI really need to work on #1.
ReplyDeleteI am always asking others what I should do and seeking approval. A couple months ago I made a decision that no one approved of. But I had such a strong feeling that it was what I should do. But now I feel as if others are disapproving.
I had not heard of tut notes. I'm going to sign up now!
Truly great ideas often come out of a willingness to go against the grain. :)
DeleteFor the most part I think life is a choice. I disagree being happy is always a choice, sometimes things happen in life which are unavoidable, circumstances beyond control which can affect happiness and then there are organic causes of being unhappy.
ReplyDeleteI wonder about all the folks who've lost their businesses due to lack of business, all the homeless folks who lost jobs, then homes, who are living in their cars or worse. I wonder if they are happy or unhappy. Even if they do choose to be happy I wonder if underlying their happiness there might be a sadness, especially if they have children they are responsible for and can only do what they can do but wish they could do more for, perhaps they had to give up their pets, perhaps they are happy with what they have, their health, their lives, their children. I think it's easier to choose to be happy when people have the basic necessities in their lives of food, clothing and shelter or have enough money to live on each month. And even easier to choose to be happy if folks have a small discretionary fund, then they might have freedom from the worries of where the next meal will come from, or of incurring medical bills, of their car breaking down, of being able to pay their house taxes the next year. Those worries, those fears are sometimes necessary to catapult folks into action to prevent future problems and less happiness. There's lots of circumstances people don't choose which can be detrimental to happiness.
Thanks for commenting, Linda. I just want to say, I've also seen or read examples of people who have lost everything, been in horrific circumstances, and still chosen "happiness." Happiness is not unmitigated joy, I see happiness as a place of peace where good can unfold.
DeleteIt is nice to have reminders to help us look at our lives.
ReplyDeleteYes, Steve, I agree. Have a good weekend!
DeleteI believe in karma. I also believe that you posted this just for me, something I needed to hear and read right at this moment. Every single one of them resonated with me. Thank you for being you, for giving me something I didn't have just moments before. :-)
ReplyDeleteGood Morning, Jan. Thanks so much for stopping by. I'm glad these spoke to you, as they did to me. Some food for thought.... :)
DeleteYou are so so right Teresa! And we have to often remake those choices every day!
ReplyDeleteExcellent post!
Happy Saturday!
xo Catherine
Hey, Cat, My friend from the Even More North Country! And, sometimes I have to choose several times a day! :) Thanks, Catherine. Happy Saturday to You!
DeleteI love your list. At times in my life I've believed in one or more of the items. But not these days - and I'm grateful for that.
ReplyDeleteAnd that's a good place to be.
DeleteVery good choice! There's a lot of truth in that too!
ReplyDeleteYeah, it is a good choice. It looks like you're having fun in that roadless area. What vistas you enjoy! Thanks for stopping by.
DeleteDear Teresa, I, too, get these notes from the Universe and have done so for four or so years. I was so impressed by that list when it came up on my computer the other morning that I saved it to copy off on the printer.
ReplyDeleteThose ten things are a wake-up call to me. Peace.
Weren't they? I am so grateful for these reminders and also glad to see that I have made some progress in these areas. I think. :)
DeleteI hope you're having a good Sunday.
Let me add one more. Not believing in yourself! I can't think of a quicker way to give up on your own destiny.
ReplyDeleteAnother way of giving away our power: not believing in it. It certainly fits into the list, Bill.
DeleteHi Teresa,
ReplyDeleteAre you still on facebook?
D.Z.
Nope. Taking a break for a variety of reasons. Email or call, if you'd like. I hope all is well with you.
DeleteBrilliant choice!
ReplyDelete