Last week, I was having a conversation with another smart woman and we found ourselves on a familiar topic to many people with children: schools and education. This woman has children in middle school and high school and she was sharing with me that the schools have two tracks in which to receive an education. As you might imagine, one is perceived as better than the other. As I reflect on this conversation, I had to smile. It seems our children are really no different than we are. We, too, must stay on the “right” track with the “right” environment and the “right” teachers around us if we are to realize our dreams, goals, and ideas.
Last week I shared with you some thoughts on why creating the “right” external environment is essential to leading a meaningful life. Having a home, office, and relationships that provide harmony will help you create more of what you want in life.
Today, I want to share some ideas with you about your internal environment. What’s an internal environment? It’s your internal voice, your authentic self—your core. As in our home, office, and relationships, we need to clear away the clutter in our own self-talk to allow abundant thoughts to flow into our lives. We become what we focus on. If we find ourselves focusing on negative thoughts and judgmental self-talk, we tend to project this into our world and the world around us.
I often take time to listen to my own internal voice. I’m curious to learn what I might be thinking but not actually saying outloud. I ask myself a couple of questions to gauge where I am: Are my thoughts positive? Negative? Judgmental? Am I in a place of possibility thinking or is it “doom and gloom?” In my work with women, I encourage them to stay in possibility thinking.
How about you? Do you have an inner critic? Does she carry on a positive conversation with creative thoughts and calming words or is she judging you in every situation you encounter? Does she have empathy for other people that you come into contact with or does she say something like, “You think you have it bad, wait until I tell you my story!”
I invite you to take an inventory of your internal environment. Your internal voice needs to be “right” if you want to manifest a new way of being. If you are ready to step into a new journey and want to create something different in your life, your internal voice needs to speak the same language. Practice creating a regular habit of gratitude. One immediately comes to mind. In Los Angeles, parking is a premium. When all of a sudden a space opens up, I take a moment to give gratitude and if there is time left on the meter–wow, double-gratitude! It’s about finding the silver lining, even in simple things. Dwell on your accomplishments more often. Review what’s working rather than criticizing what’s not working in your life. Focus on finding simple solutions in your life to improve a situation and make it better.
If you have a BIG idea, dream or goal that you want to realize, it’s essential that you create the “right” environment in your home, office, relationships, and with yourself in order to make it happen. I will leave you with a familiar quote that I’ve been thinking about this morning that seems ideal: “We must be the change we wish to see in the world.” — Gandhi
Anything is possible. Everything is waiting for you.
© 2008 Joy Chudacoff
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Well said. I’m grateful this blog came across my path. Your words spoke directly to my inner voice. I’ve had days when my home business efforts only brings in a dollar at the end of the day. It’s at that moment, I make a decision to either play it down and criticize myself for not attracting more or be thankful to my Creator to let Him know I appreciate it and welcome more. Lately, I’ve begun to choose the later and I’m beginning to see positive results in my business.
Great article and Thank you.
Jen Thomas
Muvar Software