While replacing a family photo in one of the little plastic frames that stick on my refrigerator, I found the original item I had displayed in that frame many years ago.  It was a yellowed newspaper clipping of the “Ten Secrets That Can Transform Your Life”.  I love it when you find an opportunity to compare yourself now to who you were in the past, and to celebrate how far you have grown.  As I read down the list, I was smiling broadly, and so pleased to know that all of these “secrets” are now how I am living my life.  I’m not saying I live by them all the time and never slip up, but that they represent my core beliefs and the results of years of conscious spiritual study, practice, and growth.  They show me the current depth of my inner peace.  They connect me with my joy.

So, here is the list for your review.  As you read each secret, be honest with yourself.  How much have you embraced this belief?  How is it showing up in your life?  What ones can you celebrate?  Where are the opportunities to transform your life even more?  Where is the most important place to start?

1. Everything you need to be happy is INSIDE of you.
2. The purpose of life is for you to GROW into the best human being you can be.
3. Change is inevitable, so stop resisting and SURRENDER to life’s flow.
4. All obstacles are lessons in disguise – HONOR them and learn from them.
5. Your mind creates your EXPERIENCE of reality, so make your mind your friend.
6. Fear will steal your aliveness – make your COURAGE bigger than your fear.
7. You must love YOURSELF before you can give or receive love from anyone else.
8. All relationships are your mirrors and all people are your TEACHERS.
9. True FREEDOM comes from how you respond to life and not what life does to you.
10. Whatever the question, LOVE is the answer.

I hope this wonderful list has inspired you on your life path.  Maybe you want to cut it out and hang in on your frig…

With so much joy and gratitude,

Cecily

behavior change · empowerment · inner peace · life lesson · self improvement exercise · spiritual growth

In my travels on the internet, I came across a copy of the famous Cherokee story about the two wolves.  It’s always been a favorite of mine, and this version was particularly well told.  You may have seen this before, but, please take a moment and read it again.

Two Wolves: A Cherokee Teaching

An elderly Cherokee Native American was teaching his grandchildren about life… He said to them, “A fight is going on inside me, it is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves. One wolf is evil — he is fear, anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, competition, superiority, and ego. The other is good—he is joy, peace, love, hope, sharing, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, friendship, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith. This same fight is going on inside you, and inside every other person, too.”

They thought about it for a minute and then one child asked his grandfather, “Which wolf will win?”
The old Cherokee simply replied: “The one you feed”.

Now, think back on the last 24 hours and all your thoughts, feelings, activities, and interactions.  How did your “evil wolf” show up?  How much was fear running the show?  What could you have done differently?  Where did your “good wolf” come in?  What was joyful about your day?

Once you are aware of your own two wolves, you can pay attention to which one you are feeding as you go about your day.  You can notice when your energy feels expanded and when it feels constricted.  You can distinguish between feeling powerful and feeling powerless.  You can tell when your heart is open and when it is closed.  You can make more conscious choices on who you want to be.

Continue to notice the fight between your wolves as you go through the next week.  Be aware of the choices you make and the impact on your life.  This seemingly simple life lesson may inspire profound change.

To your best self,

Coach Cecily

Cherokee teaching · life lesson · self improvement exercise