Mind Clearance
This could be so complicated. I wouldn’t even want to begin to tell you of all the methods I’ve learnt regarding Mind clearance. Yet what I’m about to share with you is by far, the easiest method of all, requires no skill and very little effort, and is immediately rewarding! It’s about clearing the mind of unnecessary thoughts regarding all those tasks you need to remember. You’ll see what I mean as you read on. I have two small hardback note books, each about 150mm x 100mm, which I bought from my nearest stationers. One of the books I keep with me at all times. The other, (which I will tell you about later) I leave on my bedside cabinet. Let's first deal with the book I keep with me at all times. I write down everything and anything that would otherwise take up space in my mind, that I need to remember, no matter how trivial. I’ll give you an example from one of my pages.
Remember to sort out car Insurance. Must remember to pick up loaf on way home… Promised Dave Tel., no., of new Internet Server… Saturday, I want to try new walk.. New aerial on roof needed… Dentist Monday 21st… etc etc etc
It's quite amazing how quiet my mind is using this simple note book to remember things, and how much more relaxed I am, allowing me to concentrate on more important or rewarding things. As I complete each task, I simply cross it out. All I have to remember is to look at it now and again. Also, on occasion, I’ll have a thought, an idea, or have a realisation, which I jot down at the back of the book before I forget so that I can look at it later at my leisure.
Attitude (part 1)
Now the other note book, the one that stays on the cabinet beside my bed. This really has got to be one of the most amazing and powerful Attitude changing techniques that I’m aware of, yet it is so simple to apply. I still use it regularly, as it helps me to remain highly aware of just how fortunate I am. At the end of each day, just as I go to bed, I reach for pen and note book. Comfortably propped up against a pillow, I make my entries. I write down six different things, that I’m grateful for, or that I have appreciated during that particular day. For example:
“ I appreciated a chat on the phone with my daughter today, it was good to hear from her. Thank you.” “I felt so grateful 2night, for seeing a beautiful sunset as I drove home. Thank you” “I really appreciated the cooked breakfast I had this morning at an old traditional café. The food was excellent… Thank you . I appreciated the kind actions of a driver who waved me on, as I was waiting to join traffic at a T junction... Thank you.” “I am so fortunate to be able to learn so much, and the more I learn, the more fortunate I become. Thank you.”
These entries only take a few moments to write each evening. I call the notebook “My Appreciation Journal.” After each entry I always write “Thank you” to myself and all of Natures influences, and only ever make positive statements. When I first started writing in my journal, many years ago, I remember some of my entries would start with “I am just grateful for getting through the day. Thank you.” However as I persisted each night, it wasn’t long before I started to feel more positive, more alive. I found myself looking for positive things, during the day, to write in my journal later in the evening. As my appreciation levels continued to rise, so my I inner & outer awareness grew. Amazingly, within a few weeks I was actually feeling happier, more content, more confident, less worried, less anxious. Wow! I was even noticing things I had been unaware of before. This little book, (and the entries I make in it, to this very day,) is indeed an absolute diamond. “Thank you.”
Attitude (part 2)
I want to share with you in this section of Attitude changes an easy to follow method of increasing awareness regarding the impact I had on the world, and ultimately, what impact, the world had on me. The results (of which there were many) were almost instantaneous. I learned that I, and I alone, am responsible for the way the world appears to me, and treats me. My personality, character, body language, facial expressions, what I talk about, how I talk, etc., etc. The sum total of how I present myself is a message to the world. How the world treats me is a direct reaction to that message. First though, I would like to tell you a true story.
In the section Emotions and Nature I told you of a beautiful village that I love to visit and the old fashioned grocery store, from which on occasion, I would buy an ice cream.
Years ago, it was run by a man and his wife. They often seemed unhappy and in fact I never saw them smile. Often, when serving me, the man would sigh quite heavily, making me feel unwelcome. I noticed he had an abrupt manner with other customers. I don’t remember him saying thank you, very often, nor a friendly “Hello” or “Goodbye.” More often he would make some sort of grunting noise which I interpreted as a simple acknowledgement to my presence. To cut a long story short, they sold up, after telling local people they were unhappy with the business, 
and the hours they worked were long and unrewarding. They also felt that as there were supermarkets everywhere, the Grocery store was no longer a viable business. I must tell you, the nearest Supermarket is about seven miles away. Several weeks passed before I called in there again, but when I did the new owner was serving behind the counter. What a difference! He was polite, friendly, very helpful and of jovial character. Over a period of time, he transformed the little store into something quite extraordinary, without affecting its Olde Worlde charm. He added to the existing stock, selling local dairy products, freshly prepared game, an assortment of reasonably priced wines and fresh vegetables. If he didn’t have what I asked for in stock, he would offer to get it for me. Often, he would find time to talk to me about local events, and sometimes, we shared a joke and had good laugh together. His assistant was a local lady, of similar attitude. In short, I was always made to feel more than welcome. I enjoyed my visits, which were more frequent, than with the previous owner. Time passed, the business flourished, and continued to do so until he happily retired to the coast.
So you can see Mr. Happy did well, Mr. Grumpy didn’t!
The point of my story is to illustrate in the most simplistic way, the importance of attitude in affecting our lives. Whatever impact my attitude has on the world, returns directly back to me, like a boomerang. My attitude determines the life I lead. In short… Bad attitude, bad life. ….Good attitude, good life… Brilliant attitude, brilliant life!
Do you want a brilliant life? This is what I learnt to do.
I found a plain piece of white A4 paper. With a pen, I drew a straight line, starting from the top, down the middle, to the bottom. On the left hand side of the line, at the top, I wrote a heading. “Things I love about my life.” On the right hand side of the line, also at the top, I wrote another heading. “Things I dislike about my Life.” (I resisted writing the word “hate” in the title, because I don’t really hate anything. (Carrying hatred within me would simply be pointless and self defeating. It is simply a seed bed for disease.) I made entries in both columns, and went deep into my conscious thoughts writing down as much as I could possibly think of.. Things I loved on the left, things I disliked on the right. Let me share with you just a few examples of mine:
Under the “love” heading I wrote...
I love my family… I quite like myself… Oh alright then, I love me!.. I love hugs… I love laughing…I love sharing… I love sunsets… I enjoy walking in forests especially when its raining and love the smells… I love Nature… I love the four seasons, and the changing colours of the trees… I love the sound of humming bees… I like to wake up in the mornings to silence… I enjoy learning new things… I admire blunt honesty… I love visiting the coast and the noise of the waves and the seagulls.… I enjoy some classical music…I love playing my Guitar…. I adore the smell of freshly ground coffee… . I enjoy visiting Garden Centres… I admire ancient architecture… I enjoy red wine…I enjoy eating out… I love walking in the countryside… I thoroughly enjoy driving… I appreciate good manners… I enjoy peace and quite… I enjoy reading ….. ..
and so forth, and so on, in fact it went on and on, much more than the small sample I have written here. I was quite surprised.
Under the “dislike” heading I wrote…
I abhor war… I dislike the use of violence… I dislike corruption especially in areas of authority… I don’t like noise upon waking in the mornings… I don’t like noisy aircraft… I dislike unnecessary conflict, or arguments… I dislike bad manners… I don’t like feeling hungry… I dislike being cold… I dislike most newspapers, as they are so full of negative sensationalism, and untruths… I dislike loud music blaring from cars… I don’t like the low standard of quality on T.V… I don’t like to watch Eastenders, Coronation St., or Neighbours…I cant stand rushing… I dislike clock watchers… I dislike the smell of diesel fumes… I abhor dishonesty …….
and so forth and so on.
In my completed list, I included more controversial and very personal opinions. However, I’m glad to say that my “love” list was longer than my “dislike” list, so I knew there was hope for me! When I felt satisfied that both columns were completed, I sat down in a comfy chair, with a cup of coffee (and 2 sugars!) and studied the list carefully. I had to be 100% honest with myself. As I looked at both columns, I realised that most of my daily thoughts, actions ,and decisions came from the things I wrote in my “dislike” list. I didn’t give much daily thought at all to the things I wrote down in my “love” list. Wow! What effect was my attitude having on the world? How was I being perceived? Was I a “Mr Grumpy?” Well perhaps not, but I had to accept responsibility that much of the suffering and conflict happening in my life was almost certainly caused by the “boomerang” effect of my own attitude. There is more to this “boomerang” effect. For instance, whatever I do, or say, even what I omit, whether by intent, or ignorance, comes back to me in one form or another 24/7. It is just one of Natures many seemingly invisible laws.
I knew what I had to do to confirm my suspicions and then turn things round the other way. I took a pair of scissors, and cut the list down the middle, separating one from the other. The “dislike” list, I folded carefully and put it away safely in a draw. The “love” list I also folded carefully and put in my note book. (the one I keep with me at all times.) From that moment on, I made a promise to myself. I would practice on a daily basis, to think, talk, and live from my “love” list, looking at it regularly, to help keep me on track. My “dislike” list however, would stay in the drawer. I would remain aware of it. but I certainly didn’t want to live from it any longer.
I can tell you, I kept that promise to myself, and practiced living each day from my “love” list. My attitude changed for the better, and therefore, in accordance with the “boomerang” effect, my life changed for the better too! In fact, amazingly, the whole world seemed to change for the better. People became kinder, more friendly. I became more fortunate as greater opportunities presented themselves. As each day passed, I felt happier. My life was flowing freely, more so than ever before, and I was loving it! I was simply reaping the rewards of my own attitude. I was, and still am amazed at the magnitude of positive rewards I received from learning something so very simple.
As time passed, I would occasionally take my “dislike” list from the drawer, and cross things out as I became more philosophical and accepting of the things I used to “dislike”. After all, I couldn’t change the world?…… but I did….mine!!
Maintaining the Mind Clearance note book, the Appreciation Journal and the “Love” “Dislike” list concurrently, is so simple, yet the combined power of all three, just has to be experienced to be believed!
Try it and see for yourself.
