Miracles 2.0
“The unleashed power of the atom has changed everything except our modes of thinking. We shall require a substantially new manner of thinking if humanity is to survive.”
Albert Einstein
I have spent my working life in two different areas of life. The first was corporate life – many years with IBM and ATT (wireless) and then corporate consulting to the fortune 500 and others. Through a strange but meaningful set of circumstances, I started to work with non-profits and began a journey of serving those on the margins and working towards systemic change in areas that held people back from the life they would like to have. At first look, these areas seemed on totally opposite ends of the spectrum and although I did learn an entirely new set of skills and knowledge; the heart of the matter turned out to be the same.
Whether you are building a new product for the marketplace or designing a program for the under-resourced, you are going to run into the same issue. How does a company, a community or an individual change their mind-set so that the miracle they are hoping for occurs? I can tell you that in my experience, people don’t wake up in the morning and ask themselves this question: “What do I need to change my mind about today in order to have the day I want to have?”
They do look to change their external experience – who can I avoid – what time can I leave to have less traffic – how do I deal with my annoying spouse so my day will be a happy one? And you already know the punchline – changing the externals doesn’t insure happiness, joy or miracles.
The good news is – changing something does – Life Is an INTERNAL game – and when the internals shift – the world looks entirely different – and the mind-set change is in motion.
I could share many stories of the power of mind set change in the environments I mentioned above – perhaps someday you will read them in my book. But for now let me share a personal example.
Once upon a time, my internal story on my Dad was that he was difficult. For years, I would call him on the phone (I was in California – he was in Michigan) and he would start literally every conversation with me with the following…How come you never call me? I asked him every time if he noticed the irony in his question…since I WAS CALLING HIM. I dreaded every conversation- I had both an attitude and a tone of voice that didn’t fulfill my intention and no matter how many times I promised myself I wouldn’t take the bait – I failed. Notice that I was very busy trying to shift the externals while keeping my view that he was difficult – always had been – always would be.
Simultaneously, I was completing an intensive on where our well -being comes from and learning to shift to that inside -out creation story. I learned that I had wisdom inside (not created by me but placed there in my design) and that if I looked in a new direction and relaxed my focus and opinion, I would see something new. Honestly I was so tired at that time of trying to “make it happen” (after all I graduated from Tony Robbins fire walk ) that I determined to try something new. One day my innate well- being and common sense kicked in with little or no effort on my part – and I had an insight. A shift of view occurred and suddenly I saw him as lonesome and his way of dealing with that was to come on strong. Instead of my same old difficult dad, I saw a curmudgeon who taught me so many things that I use daily – and am so grateful for having. SO I re-purposed my entire way of thinking about him – and picked up the phone. Here comes the miracle- he was engaging, funny and loving and there was no mention of why I didn’t call.
The two key point to share and lift you up with are this – we all have this innate health, well-being and wisdom in our DNA. We can access it easily if we know and trust that it is there. It does all the heavy lifting for us – and once that new insight kicks in – it’s a new world.
The second point is the how – it really is natural but to help you along with it – here is something you can do. Let go of the thoughts that are in your way of that new view in the moment. First – just allow them to be there – don’t suppress and don’t express. Ask yourself three questions– Could I (just could I for a quick minute, let go of this feeling of dread)? You already know you are capable because you let go of a lot of thoughts all day long. Next WOULD I (just for a quick minute – drop this thought and feeling of dread) This is a willingness question it- just try it. Last question – WHEN- how about now? Most people report a new lightness and may repeat until they suddenly have room for the new.
And the new is always a miracle. What can you change your mind-set about this week?
