Hi,
This is Theresa Conte and today I'd like to wish you a very happy holiday.
I'd also like to share the twelve principles of attitudinal healing with you,
Along with a few comments and suggestions to implement them and help move through the holidays with greater joy and ease.
The holiday season,
As you know,
Is in full swing.
For some of us,
The holidays are a time of joy as we celebrate the season with family and friends and take pleasure in tradition and gift-giving.
For others of us,
The holidays can trigger painful memories along with feelings of loneliness,
Grief,
Or abandonment.
And for some of us,
Financial stress can be exacerbated as we may feel pressured to give beyond our means.
The twelve principles of attitudinal healing are the foundation of the Centers for Attitudinal Healing Worldwide,
Founded by Dr.
Gerald Jempolski.
More information about their work can be found on their website at www.
Ahinternational.
Org.
No matter what the holiday season holds for you,
The twelve principles of attitudinal healing are sure to improve your sense of well-being and help you move through the holidays and life with greater peace and ease.
And now,
The twelve principles of attitudinal healing,
Followed by a few suggestions and comments.
Principle number one.
The essence of our being is love.
I invite you to take a breath or two and let the feelings of love resonate deep inside of you as you allow yourself to embrace and embody them.
If thoughts,
Images,
Or ideas surface that say otherwise,
Just recognize them for what they are.
Nothing more than a thought,
Image,
Or idea,
Without giving them undue attention or power.
Regardless of what the mind says,
The essence of our being is love.
Principle number two.
Health is inner peace.
Healing is letting go of fear.
You might find it helpful to put a hand on your heart and imagine a beautiful white light surrounding you as you breathe in the sense of peace and let go of any fear that may be causing anxiety,
Discomfort,
Or stress.
Let the sensation of peace fill you and imagine any fear being dissolved,
Like water from the ocean dissipating into the clouds above you.
Feel the sense of beauty and peace residing deep within you.
Principle number three.
Giving and receiving are the same.
Giving stimulates positive feelings and activates areas of the brain associated with reward and pleasure.
It also lowers our cortisol levels,
A stress hormone that can make us feel overwhelmed and anxious.
Giving doesn't have to include money.
It can include acts of kindness,
Like visiting someone homebound.
Letting someone we know how much we appreciate them.
Acts of generosity,
Like sharing our gifts and talents,
Or calling a friend we haven't spoken to in a while,
Just to say hello.
There are many,
Many ways of giving.
You might find it helpful to brainstorm a list of how you can give this holiday season without having to spend a lot of money.
Principle number four.
We can let go of the past and of the future.
It can be hard to let go of past events and hurts we're attached to or projections about the future.
But living in the past or future keeps us from enjoying the present.
That's not to deny our dreams,
Hopes,
And intentions.
Those are also part of living.
But where we spend the bulk of our time determines our life experience.
You might like to stop and take a breath a few times a day and notice if your thoughts are someplace other than the present moment.
If so,
Take a breath or two,
Look around,
And feel your feet on the ground beneath you.
It's a simple practice that helps us create greater awareness of where our minds are and brings us back into the present moment.
Principle number five.
Now is the only time there is,
And each instant is for giving.
As you gather with family and friends throughout the holiday season,
Consider ways you can contribute.
A thoughtful word,
Offering a ride to someone who doesn't have a car,
A phone call letting someone know you're thinking of them,
Or perhaps offering to help the host prepare for the event you're attending are ways you can make a contribution,
As well as not reacting to the person that's triggering you.
If you're spending the holidays alone,
Think of ways you can contribute to your health,
Happiness,
And well-being.
For example,
Cook your favorite meal,
Go to the theater,
Watch your favorite movie,
Or go for a walk in nature.
Cherish yourself.
You make good company.
Principle number six.
We can learn to love ourselves and others by forgiving rather than judging.
It's easy to hold ourselves and others out of our hearts when we or they don't live up to our expectations,
But holding onto resentments takes a toll on our health and damages our relationships with others and ourselves.
Ask yourself what there is to know and what,
If anything,
You can do about the situation.
If you like,
You can bring the question into meditation and see what the answers reveal.
If you'd like to try a forgiveness practice,
One I've found helpful is naming the person I'm feeling angry or resentful towards and letting them know I forgive them.
I then release them to their highest good,
Knowing that as I do,
I am also freed to mine.
Of course,
I do this within my own consciousness and meditation.
You can also do the practice in written form.
It may take several attempts before feeling a sense of relief,
But it's worth the time and effort.
Principle number seven.
We can become love-finders rather than fault-finders.
We can look for the good in ourselves and others rather than find things that are wrong or that we disagree with.
For instance,
In place of judgments,
We can create good rumors that are based in truth,
Like finding something positive about the person we may be judging,
Even if it's simply acknowledging a hair on their head that's in place.
We can also acknowledge others and ourselves for something they or we did,
Like even getting out of bed.
What we focus our attention on grows.
Find ways of looking for the good in simple exchanges and pleasures as you move throughout the day.
Principle number eight.
We can choose and direct ourselves to be peaceful inside,
Regardless of what is happening outside.
Growing a sense of inner peace and strength are two of our most important resources.
Meditation and mindfulness can help us become aware of our thoughts and tendencies and develop a greater sense of ease,
Both within ourselves and our lives.
Let the feelings of peace and strength soak down into your body as you notice them throughout the day.
Making this a regular practice will help it become second nature.
Principle number nine.
We are students and teachers to each other.
Every exchange provides an opportunity for us to teach and learn.
Even plants,
Animals,
And inanimate objects have something to offer us.
We don't require special skills.
Being ourselves and letting others be are our greatest assets.
Principle number ten.
We can focus on the whole of life rather than the fragments.
Like a tapestry,
Each experience and aspect of life helps us to create the whole.
Have the vision of an eagle.
Look beyond the obvious and see the larger picture.
What is life showing you?
Who are you to be?
Principle number eleven.
Since love is eternal,
Death need not be viewed as fearful.
The holidays can bring up feelings of loss as our loved ones,
Friends,
And beloved animals may no longer be with us.
The gifts they've shared and the love we felt will always remain inside of us.
Perhaps writing them a letter or sending them love,
Letting them know you cherish them,
Will help you feel more connected.
And the energy you generate will create a positive ripple that knows neither space nor time.
Principle number twelve.
We can always perceive others as either extending love or giving a call for help.
Receiving love may take a little practice and is a skill well worth learning.
We can begin by saying thank you for the gifts and blessings we receive.
Letting others extend their love to us also benefits the giver.
On the other hand,
Knowing others are crying out for help when their actions are painful or destructive can help us to respond rather than react with judgment,
Fear,
Or ridicule.
Setting healthy boundaries,
Acting with kindness and love,
And asking how we can help can make a positive difference.
What we see and do depends on our perspective.
As you contemplate the holiday season,
Ask yourself how you can apply the twelve principles of attitudinal healing into your festivities and relations.
Let your heart break open and embrace the love,
Peace,
And joy that reside within you.
But don't stop there.
Using the principles in our daily affairs can help to change our lives for the better.
I invite you to come back and listen to the twelve principles of attitudinal healing several times to let them soak into your consciousness and understand them at a deeper level.
You might also like to choose a particular principle or principles to work with on a daily basis.
While the podcast was made to move us through the holidays with greater joy and ease,
The twelve principles of attitudinal healing help us to strengthen our spiritual muscles and are a lifelong practice.
If you have suggestions for how to implement the twelve principles of attitudinal healing,
Or are already doing so,
Please leave your comments in the section below.
I'd love to know what they are,
And they'd also be helpful to others.
It's perhaps another way to contribute.
I'd like to thank,
Once again,
The Center for Attitudinal Healing International for allowing me to use the principles in this podcast.
It's an incredible organization,
And they have published multiple books that are part of these principles.
I think if you enjoyed this podcast,
You'd love their offerings.
Wishing you a most peaceful,
Beautiful,
And love-filled holiday.
