November - December  2003  Newsletter - PAGE 2

The Four Agreements
by don Miguel Ruiz

1. Be Impeccable With Your Word
Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love.

The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success
by Deepak Chopra

An Excerpt on Personal Responsibility

Anatomy of the Spirit
by Caroline Myss, Ph.D.

An Excerpt on Personal Responsibility

Given the power of unified beliefs‑right or wrong‑it is difficult to be at variance with one's tribe. We are taught to make choices that meet with tribal approval, to adopt its social graces, manner of dress and attitudes. Symbolically, this adaptation reflects the union of individual willpower with group willpower. It is a powerful feeling to be in a group of people or a family with whom you feel spiritually, emotionally, and physically comfortable. Such a union empowers us and energetically enhances our personal power and our creative strength‑and it continues as long as we make choices consonant with the group's. We unite to create. 

At the same time we have within us a relentless congenital desire to explore our own creative abilities, to develop our individual power ‑and authority. This desire is the impetus behind our striving to become conscious. The universal human journey is one of becoming conscious of our power and how to use that power. Becoming conscious of the responsibility inherent in the power of choice represents the core of this journey.

From an energy perspective, becoming conscious requires stamina. It is extremely challenging, and often very painful, to evaluate our own personal beliefs and separate ourselves from those that no longer support our growth. Change is the nature of life, and external and internal change is constant. When we change inwardly, we outgrow certain belief patterns and strengthen others. The first belief patterns that we challenge are tribal because our spiritual development follows the structure of our energy system; we clear out ideas from the bottom up, starting with the earliest and most basic. 

Evaluating our beliefs is a spiritual and biological necessity. Our physical bodies, minds, and spirits all require new ideas in order to thrive. Some tribes have very little awareness of the importance of exercise and healthy nutrition, for example, until a family member develops an illness. A new physical regimen and more appropriate diet may be prescribed for the ill person. As a result, other family members will have an entirely different reality introduced into their minds and bodies concerning the need to make more responsible and conscious choices in their personal care, such as learning to appreciate the healing power of nutrition and exercise.

Seen symbolically, our life crises tell us that we need to break free of beliefs that no longer serve our personal development. These points at which we must choose to change or to stagnate are our greatest challenges. Every new crossroads means we enter into a new cycle of change‑-whether it be adopting a new health regimen or a new spiritual practice. And change inevitably means letting go of familiar people and places and moving on to another stage of life. Many of the people I encounter in my workshops are stuck between two worlds: the old world that they need to release and the new world that they are afraid to enter. We are attracted to become more "conscious," but at the same time we find it frightening because it means we must take personal responsibility for ourselves‑‑ for our health, career, attitudes, and thoughts. Once we accept personal responsibility for even one area of our lives, we can never again use "tribal reasoning" to excuse our behavior.

Caroline Myss PH.D.

 Lucette Bourdin / Gazing Cats

From the Ivy Sea Website http://www.ivysea.com/

Boosting Your Personal Social Responsibility "Quotient"
by Jamie S. Walters, Founder, Ivy Sea, Inc.

Be aware: A powerful step in becoming more socially responsible is opening up your senses and awareness to this concept. When you focus your thinking and intentions on personal responsibility, you make new observations and make choices that lead to a more positive, socially aware outcome. Some people use physical reminders such as inspirational quotes, a photograph of a mentor or a piece of jewelry to represent social responsibility and one’s commitment to make a more positive difference.

Initiate random acts of personal social responsibility: Don’t wait for the opportunity to come to you. Create small-effort, huge-impact instances where you can demonstrate your personal social responsibility. Genuinely listening to someone is a good example. Other examples include: Writing a letter of thanks to a bank teller that provided outstanding service; engaging in honest conversation; and having a sense of appreciation for the skills and ideas that someone brings to the group, and sharing your appreciation.

Recognize others for their socially responsible behavior and work: It can be incredibly rewarding to receive a well-deserved compliment, just as it can be to give one. Fortify someone’s resolve to be socially responsible by recognizing those behaviors. A sincere, well-earned compliment can encourage — and almost guarantee — the continuation of the appreciated behavior. From these observations, you can glean wonderful ideas and inspiration for your own repertoire of socially responsible activity!

Make it a daily habit: When planning your day, consider socially responsible and aware approaches you can take to accomplishing your list of to-do’s.

Plot relevant goals: Associate your personal and professional goals with socially responsible techniques and actions for achieving those goals. Not only will this increase the frequency and depth of your social responsibility "quotient," it’ll open your eyes and mind to new ways of achieving your goals, which ensures continued growth and learning.