October 21, 2012September 28, 2019 Sheila “Spiral Sister” Murrey Mind-Body

Decision Making, Risk Taking, and Accepting Responsibility for Choices

Decision Making, Risk Taking, and Accepting Responsibility

Yes, I know the title is long. I haven’t posted anything in my self analysis section in awhile because I’ve been busy. Went to Connecticut to visit my beautiful one year old granddaughter. Left a job. Began a new job. Got involved with “another” multi-level marketing (MLM) business.

Excuses?

These sound like excuses don’t they? Maybe they are or maybe they’re valid reasons. In either case, it’s me, explaining myself to you. But why? I don’t owe anyone an explanation especially since this is my blog and I write for the love of writing. That’s the point – people tend to “explain” themselves to everyone all the time.

Explanations

Explaining. We all do this to some degree or another – every day. We typically explain ourselves even to people who really aren’t all that important in our lives. What a waste of energy!

Energy drain

Do you know that when we explain our choices we drain ourselves of energy? Most of us “explainers” are strong “people-pleasers”. We often care more about what others think of us, than we think of ourselves. We do this out of a need to feel ACCEPTED.

Beliefs

We believe we can’t be happy (accept ourselves) unless a) we make others happy, or b) we need others to make us happy. And that’s simply not true. We can CHOOSE to BE – HAPPY. All on our own. No one else needs to DO anything for us, nor do we need to do anything for anyone else.

What a concept!

Do you know where your true JOY comes from?

Being happy with yourself. Accept yourself. Be happy with your life – your journey. If you’re not happy perhaps you’ve made some wrong choices or put yourself in a situation you’d rather not be in. I say “wrong choices” only because ultimately your choices didn’t make you happy! But you learned life lessons. Perhaps you’re feeling sorry for yourself. Give yourself credit for who you are NOW.

Learn and Choose

Choice

You can make a very powerful choice. You can choose to be happy amidst whatever circumstances you find yourself in or you can choose to make different choices.

Sit still – right where you are… for a few minutes and just – BE.

Think of all of the good things in your life. Times when you made wonderful choices. You have every reason in the world to be happy!

There have been times in my life when my supervisor or manager at work wondered why I didn’t make decisions. Typically it was because I was waiting on something or someone to do something first. When I read this article it perfectly explained that situation. I didn’t make certain work decisions because I was waiting for someone’s approval. All that waiting was so draining. And it also seemed that sometimes I’d make a decision only to be criticized (sometimes severely). It put me in the vicious cycle of never being able to win. We’ve all heard people say, “no matter what I do – I can’t win” or “you can’t please everyone”. And that was me – until now.

I make work decisions based upon a risk taking matrix. In the most basic terms it goes something like this:

Is this decision in my best interest? (You sacrifice yourself and your happiness if whatever decision your making is for someone, anyone else.)
Is this choice best for the company? (This includes considering all ethics, laws, etc.)
In 20, 50, or 100 years will this matter?
What is the worst that could happen?

I recognize and accept responsibility. Making a wrong decision almost always can be reversed – if the need is great enough. And I do not work in a field where lives depend upon my decisions. Point is, if the decision is mine to make – I must make it with the best information I understand at the time not necessarily by considering “the need to please others”. There is a time and place for building consensus among team members but this is not the focus of this post.

It’s no wonder people-pleasers have a hard time trusting their own intuition. They’ve been waiting on someone else to do something – anything to relieve them of the need to “make a decision.” I have actually known people who cannot decide upon what restaurant to eat at, or even what item to order once they get there!

A former manager I worked with a few years ago told me one of the traits he looks for in those he promotes is the ability to make a decision! His statement still rings in my ears.

Fear

How many people are scared to make a decision?

We must learn to become risk takers and accept responsibility for our choices if we ever hope to become enlightened and be our best most joyous self.

Blocks

I have blocked my own energy and creative power in the past by feeling a deep need to always explain myself. I am now learning to be much more aware and when I feel the need to explain I think for a moment and reason it out.

I begin to think different thoughts.

Happy thoughts.

It sounds easy enough as I write this, but I tell you – in the moment it’s not so easy.

I almost have to force myself to smile first, before I can guide my thoughts to something happy. People that aren’t “explainers” probably would have no idea what I’m talking about.

In control

The other day a person said something to me in front of others that I didn’t like. I felt the need to explain my side but I didn’t. I felt all of the emotions (due to my thoughts) about the experience well up inside me, my face grew hot, and though I didn’t look in a mirror I knew my chest and neck were probably red, but by gradually and systematically changing my thoughts (changing my focus) within less than five minutes I felt back in control. Empowered. No need to explain. No need to get angry. No need to do anything.

Think about what is most important in your life. Who is most important in your life. Put yourself and how you feel – with the goal to be happy – first. Notice the better you feel – the better you feel. Why? To feel better! In turn, you and those you love will feel better too. People around you pick up on your energy. We Are All Connected whether you realize it or not.

If someone is consistently draining you of your energy you only have two choices. Let whatever they say roll off of you as easily as water rolls off a ducks back. Or let the person (or job) go – out of your life.

When someone dissatisfies me in any way, I tell myself, “thank you for helping me make a better decision.” If it happens to be because of some poor service in a restaurant I choose not to go back. If it’s a business situation, I end the association. I’ve quit going to particular service providers. Changed doctors. You name it.

There’s plenty of options out there and I’m not going to stick around someone or remain in a situation that’s not in my best interest. Why would I? I don’t want to come home and complain to my spouse about things I certainly am adult enough to change.

I am quite sure that my words may not teach you how to make decisions, take risks, or accept responsibility for your choices. You may choose to completely disagree with me and that’s okay. I won’t try to change you. 🙂

September 22, 2012August 11, 2023 Sheila “Spiral Sister” Murrey Connections, Mind-Body

We Vote with Our Dollars

Vote with Dollars

The older I get the more I see why it matters where we put our money. We vote with our dollars. Each time we spend a dollar on this or that, businesses profit from it. We can make or break a business by our shopping habits.

When we save, the money stays in the bank or under the bed not doing us any good in the moment but down the road (if we’ve stored it somewhere we are being paid interest) then it may grow into a larger sum of money and be there for us to use at a later time. I’m not sure if it will be worth anymore because inflation seems to bite into whatever interest was made. And if you had it under the bed you’d end up with that same amount of money but it wouldn’t be worth as much as when you stowed it.

So, back to the point.

Spending money

Why spend money? Spending keeps people working. When you spend, others have the use of your money. And remember you exchanged your time for that money.

There’s a real relationship between time and money.

If you want to keep the economy moving – spend. If you want to slow the economy – don’t spend.

When you buy a car there is a ripple effect. Others benefit from your having bought the car. And the benefits may be direct or indirect. It reminds me of something I heard awhile back. If a butterfly flaps its wings on one side of the world, does it cause a hurricane on the other?

Support small businesses

Considering small businesses. If someone makes a product or provides a service I feel is good, I continue supporting that business. I will also tell others (word of mouth marketing) about the business and what excellent product or service they provided. I may promote the product or service provider on blogs, websites, Facebook, etc. All of those good and positive words help that business grow. Conversely if I am not pleased with a business I will also talk about it – and like the butterfly flapping its wings on one side of the planet, it could cause a ripple effect, the likes of which, that business cannot imagine.

If that one negative customer influences several others the business will experience a drop in sales. Enough mad customers could bring down the business – maybe bankrupt is too harsh a word. But if you’re a business owner or service provider and you’re not doing so well, you ought to consider how good you are or if you’ve ticked off a few people. That’s why the old adage came to be – “the customer is always right.” Yes, the customer is always right. If you don’t think that’s true and you own a business let me educate you.

Dissatisfaction costs businesses money

You don’t want your customer to leave dissatisfied.

If you hear any hint of dissatisfaction you’d better step up and make it right. I’m sure you don’t want people blogging about your business in a negative way. And if you don’t care – then you’ve really got problems. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. Some people are hard to please. But you’re in business and you need to strive to ensure your customers have a high opinion of you. You cannot control what they say about you but you will go a long way towards having them say nice things about you if you show them you care and will go the extra mile to meet or beat their expectations.

Animals are democratic

Have you ever noticed that the animal world votes in a democratic fashion? If a herd of 100 deer need to get to the watering hole, it’s the 51st animal who influences the whole herd to move in the direction of the water at precisely the right time. Check out the red deer study. I’ve noticed that birds of a feather also flock together – it’s not just an old saying. Have you watched a flock flying and notice how many turn, seemingly at the exact same time, then the rest follow suit almost immediately? Flocking together seems to be the birds way of voting and it is instinctual.

People are habitual

People are also instinctual as well as, habitual. Most people stick with others, whether it be friends, jobs, neighborhoods, cities, or such out of habit and comfort. We stick with what and who we know. Keep us happy and we’ll be around for awhile. Tick us off and we probably won’t feel comfortable and eventually we’ll leave. And we will probably tell others (in some cases a lot of others).

Making it work

If you want friends, customers, and good relationships be nice. Go the extra mile. Live up to your word. Meet or beat others expectations of you. Show you care. That’s what makes it all work.

A bit about me:

An Amazon bestselling author of two co-authored books: “Transform Your Life Book 2 Inspirational Stories and Expert Advice,” “Energy of Receiving”, plus author of “Blue Eyes: Ethereal Messages of Connection,” and holistic health book that details how I naturally reversed asthma, “Have Yourself a Wholly Vibrant Life: Reversing Asthma and Other Chronic Illness Naturally” all available on Amazon.

Be the best version of who you want to be.

Information provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended to treat, diagnose or prescribe.

For more about me, this blog, how I create websites, why I wrote a holistic health book, and more, find me on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

September 16, 2012August 11, 2023 Sheila “Spiral Sister” Murrey Mind-Body, Spirit

Are we real? Perceptions of Reality

There are many reasons why I pose the question, “are we real”? What brings me to this question? If we are real, how real are we? This might get deep. (Updated as new thoughts emerge.)

People exist in some material form since we displace space and the weight of us makes an impression, thanks to gravity on the Earth
People breathe
People process take substances in & expel substances out of our bodies
People think (have awareness, observe, analyze, and judge)
People feel
People communicate (or attempt to)
People procreate
People make stuff

Interestingly people can create things, but they cannot create LIFE. They can procreate only other human beings. Babies are the only other living entities we can create. Yet, we often care more about non-living things than we about any other living organism.

Is there a source or a creator?

You may answer differently, but for me, as intricate and finely tuned, balanced, as life is – I believe in God, Creator, Source. The master of the source code. And I am beginning to have a sense of the incredible enormity of “God.”

Examples

In the first Men in Black movie, Tommy Lee Jones’ character “K” told Will Smith’s character “J”, “A person is smart. People are dumb, panicky dangerous animals and you know it. Fifteen hundred years ago everybody knew the Earth was the center of the universe. Five hundred years ago, everybody knew the Earth was flat, and fifteen minutes ago, you knew that humans were alone on this planet. Imagine what you’ll know tomorrow.”

That line sparked an intrigue in me. Thus, I crafted this post.

If we believe individuals are smart, but masses of people are dumb it explains why we have governments and politics to guide the masses. Does that explain why individuals and groups help others (during crisis situations) seemingly with no thought of gain?

For example, good samaritans don’t take time to consider if they will get paid, or honored in any way, before they rush to help someone – they may often risk life or limb to help someone just for the sake of helping.

Yet, individuals argue over relatively stupid and short lived issues. Situations that in five, ten, or twenty years will not matter one iota.

Is motivation a factor? Large groups tend to be motivated by money. Perhaps at first, when the group was small the motivation was pure charity. However, as the group grows larger, greed sets in.

It’s electric

Our bodies are electrically charged. This is why when two people have a conversation, or shared thought / mindset they may say to each other, “ah, we’re on the same wavelength”! Speaking of “being on the same wavelength,” I never feel good during any kind of confrontation. Do you?

I feel the disharmony in the energy of the confrontation. Why?

I think it’s because we’re supposed to live in harmonious resonance with each other. I think it’s because a state of joy and well being are supposed to be our “normal” mode of operation. I believe we’re energetic beings.

Science has proven our bodies are electric. How can we profess to be people of any faith, go to worship God somewhere, on any prescribed day (usually a day that our prescribed faith deems appropriate), yet fairly soon upon leaving the sanctuary, cuss someone out who cuts us off in traffic, belittle a child, tell a lie, fight with a loved one, etc.

I’m sure you can think of other incidents that carry more negative charges. Why?

Didn’t we just hear a sermon or speech that in some way impressed upon us the importance of “loving”, i.e. “love thy neighbor as thyself”?

Sitting at a stop light the other day, I had the experience of looking back just as a man three cars behind me in traffic got out of his car, and apparently, while shouting (I couldn’t hear him but I could see his mouth moving), he pointed his finger, and shook his hand and arm at the driver in front of him.

What made me look back at just that precise moment?

Did I sense the energy coming my way?

It almost felt as though I was feeling his anger on an animal instinctual level.

I prayed the light would change so I could just move on.

Many faiths teach, Love

Christians have many scriptures devoted to love and forgiveness of others who wrong us in some way, “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” (1 John 4:8 NIV), and “Father forgive them, they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34), as well as, “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.” (1 Corinthians 13:4-7).

Muslims know these scriptures from the Quran: “God loves those who: do good (Quran 2:195), are pure and clean (Quran 2:222), are righteous (Quran 3:76), are just and act rightly (Quran 5:42), trust Him (Quran 3:159), are patient and persevering (Quran 3:146), love Him and follow the prophet (Quran 3:31), and fight in His cause (Quran 61:4).

Hindu’s teach that one should love, not expecting anything in return.

Sikhism teaches that only those who love will attain God.

The Unification faith teaches true love as the center of their theology.

Tibetan Buddhism teaches of salvation from achieving unselfish love for others.

Why then with all of this love being taught and believed, is the opposite experienced at all in the world?

Consider this

I watched this YouTube video which speculates an answer to the question, “are we real” – Click here.

The video sways back and forth between natural laws proving there is a God, Creator, or Designer – and not. That our universe, even just our world, can all be explained mathematically.

As a technical person, an analyst, I have studied a lot of math in the course of my career and education. I’ve also studied, and talked with a lot of people who believe differently. I’ve learned to appreciate and value diversity – not just tolerate it.

“Think different” is the Apple slogan. You may be familiar with that from watching commercials on TV.

I say it’s good to contemplate subjects from a variety of viewpoints.

Actions that speak volumes

“Just do it”, is the Nike slogan – which tries to entice people to get moving (in their athletic shoes of course). So back to religion.

Many faiths, instruct us to pray, meditate, worship, sit in silence. Why? When we quiet our mind, we still our thoughts. When we still our thoughts we stop negative unproductive thoughts. Perhaps true creativity comes to us at this point. We become “available to spirit.” We aren’t doing anything but breathing.

Could God be in the breath? (Remember the very air we breathe is made up of molecules of oxygen, hydrogen, argon, nitrogen, carbon, water vapor and other gases – and also there is empty space between all molecules).

I am learning when I “just breathe” and focus on my breathing that my body relaxes and I think better.

Why?

Where do our thoughts come from?

Science is finding our thoughts come from outside of our brain – but they still do not understand how our brains work. I believe our brains are both a transmitter and a receiver. And our children are blank computers that we program, with every action, every word, and I dare say, with every thought that we think aimed in their direction or perhaps within their vicinity.

I’ve learned by watching my first granddaughter (born in late 2011) that she attempts to communicate to those around her in non verbal ways. I’ve watched in amazement when she understood what we were saying to her, though she has yet to figure out how to work her tongue to form the words on her lips.

When you gaze at someone, someone that is not looking at you, perhaps across a room, why do they turn and look at you – often within just a few seconds? You know those times. Often when it happens we quickly turn away because we don’t want them to wonder why we were watching them. I believe it’s because we’re transmitting a thought toward them, wondering about them, judging them, speculating about them.

We are all connected

Space is not empty. And considering that space is everywhere, within our universe, within our body, within all cells, and molecules, of course space isn’t empty. There is a framework within so called empty space. Could God be the space? Or the framework? God is omni right? Omnipresent, omnipotent, omniscience. Perhaps our thoughts ride that framework.

Watch the video movie – it’s free. Then comment and let me know what you get out of it. I’m curious.

I’m speculating that we are indeed real, but that reality may not be what we’ve thought.

Since computers were created science has had time to consider how electricity, turning on and off circuits very fast can store information and “do” things. All computer programs are a series of ones and zeros = on and off, true and false. That’s all it is folks (I’ve been working with and on computers for more than twenty years).

The Facebook website and all those games and computer applications you love so much are only programs made up of ones and zeros.

The Bible states that God created the simple things to confound the wise.

Could it be that our very thoughts set into motion vibrations, traveling upon frequencies (on a framework) that allows all of what we see around us to materialize?

Simple, yet complex

My mind is overwhelmed when I consider, even for a few moments, how intricate, how complex, and beautiful – and living all of creation is. I bet there are color frequencies, for example, in existence our brains are not able to interpret.

Perhaps we’re energy?

Once, a little old lady told me not to wear my watch (because it had a battery in it) on my left wrist. She said that energy enters the body through the left hand and out the right hand. (Years later I learned this is different for a man than it is for a woman.) And she said, the battery current would block energy from entering my body. I was astounded! And why did she tell me this? I don’t know. I’d never met her before – it was a brief encounter while I was working in retail.

Later on, I had an experience while ill, that I was to put my palms together as I prayed for my healing. I did. I recovered.

I felt that in my future, someway, somehow, I should explain to others this experience and all the reasons that it’s so important.

When we pray, we put the palm of one hand against the palm of the other. Simply, this small act connects a circuit of energy. This means there is a very real reason why we put our hands together.

Notice that when people say namaste and put their hands together in prayer form over their hearts it signifies how we honor the spirit of the other person. Asian people put their hands together when they bow in greeting each other.

Applying logic, perhaps holding hands would also be immensely important to transmit thoughts, feelings, emotions, to another.

Ah, imagine what a hug does! (There’s been some studies on that also that are breathtakingly fascinating!)

Speaking of frequencies, consider all visual and audio information rides upon frequencies and our eyes and ears receive – then our brain interprets.

This means everything we see, is light that falls onto our eyes and our brain then interprets the frequency resolving a mathematical computation based upon all of the former input (learning based on relationships, patterns, and associated meanings) in order to paint the picture that you see! The way this happens is similar to how a television antenna picks up a frequency and presents it to your TV set, allowing you to watch it.

First there was only black and white TV. Then color. Now, high definition.

Why?

Because we’re always pushing the envelope – exploring and creating equipment which is continually improving the interpretation of the signals! Now consider, some of us dream in color – sometimes the colors are quite vivid – almost real.

Take it upon yourself to be the best you, that you want to be. May God allow you to see everything that is. Search. Question. Dream, believe, and achieve. Live. Laugh. Love. Breathe.

A bit about me:

Be the best version of who you want to be.

Information provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended to treat, diagnose or prescribe.

For more about me, this blog, how I create websites, why I wrote a holistic health book, and more, find me on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

August 8, 2012August 11, 2023 Sheila “Spiral Sister” Murrey Mind-Body, Spirit

Practicing patience

I went for a massage last Saturday and it seems my Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT) was having “one of those days.”

Do you know what I mean?

She was experiencing one of those days where lots of little things were going wrong. I could relate because I’ve been having one of those days for a couple of weeks. And when I am carrying a lot of tension, a massage is one of life’s luxuries that I feel is a necessity.

As it turned out, there was a message in the massage.

The message

My LMT started relating her experiences to me from her early morning. Since I felt I might be able to help her, and so, she wouldn’t take it out too much in the process of performing massage on me, I decided to listen closely. When she had fully vented, I began to offer her some cheerful comments to perhaps, lift her mood. At least I thought I would.

As she talked, we both began to realize what the issue was, and we both needed to learn and remind ourselves to practice… patience. Ah, a lesson and a great massage too!

The practice

She and I, maybe many of us, need to practice patience. Everyday. And there is work in that, I can tell you!

Perhaps we say we have patience. Maybe we have patience with ourselves, but get annoyed with others when they don’t move as fast as we want them to, do the job correctly the first time, or trust us to live up to our word. I’ve been told by people I’ve worked with over the years that I have “the patience of Job.” (Referring to the biblical story of Job.) So, I’ll give you a Bible verse I like, Matthew 6:8

Now, I know this verse has been and could continue to be interpreted and applied in many ways to our every day life. The way I like to think of it is, since God knows what we have need of before we ask then God doesn’t want us to worry.

Worry

Worry makes us sick.

Worry tires us.

When we’re rushing around, we’re worried that we aren’t going to get something done, meet someone, or get some place, on time.

We worry we’ll be late for a very important date. Why?

Worry implies we care more about what someone else thinks of us, than we think of ourselves.

How patience releases worry

So, I’m practicing patience. To let go of the need to please others. Sure, I like to arrive at work on time. And I like to show my boss that I go about urgent tasks, with a sense of urgency. However, all that stress, day after day, leads me to stress my body. It only hurts me in the long run.

I don’t know about you but I can’t remember ever getting a raise, or promotion due to rushing around.

Yes, consistent good performance, and meeting milestones at work – actually accomplishing things, that can bring rewards but I can always take time to breathe, to focus, to strive to understand, know the details – even if that takes me a few minutes longer. Taking my time means my work will be done correctly. Rushing may lead to errors. I’d rather have my work be clear, detailed, and accurate, than fast.

Been there, done that

My LMT wished she hadn’t left her office keys at the post office, when she went to check her mail. Her waiting client was patient with her though, thankfully. Perhaps, he’d once left his keys somewhere.

I bumped into a concrete post and put a small dent in the bumper of my husband’s truck – because I had to drop off my car key to a store that hadn’t correctly installed a part on my car the day before (meaning I shouldn’t have had to return there, had they done their job properly the first time). I’m glad my husband doesn’t get upset over things like that. Whew!

I had a friend damage one of my cars years ago and she didn’t feel a bit sorry! Unfortunately, I was irritated about that incident for a long time. I learned those feelings aren’t good for me to carry around.

A company I’m doing business with is threatening to sue me over a particular clause in a contract that I’d signed too quickly and apparently without fully considering the ramifications. They have no reason to sue me of course as I didn’t break our contract – but because I told them I was unhappy and didn’t want to do business together anymore they’re jumping to conclusions and threatening me. I guess it makes no difference that I’ve acted in good faith with full disclosure. It makes no difference that they’ll continue to make money by my association with them. It doesn’t matter either that they made mistakes – mistakes that have caused me to want to end our relationship. All of that leaves me feeling a bit disempowered, as well as aggravated, annoyed, grumpy, and angry.

Honor our feelings and other people

I’m honoring my feelings by venting and getting it out in the most healthy way I know, writing. I can’t put a positive spin on the experience yet, but because I have faith, I believe I can let go of it – one day.

I believe, as Jesus Christ commanded, it’s important to love our neighbor as ourselves. So I must love myself. I love myself when I honor all of my feelings. I’m not loving myself too much if by rushing around and stressing my body I make myself sick. Or if I deny my anger.

This brings me to my other interpretation of that Bible scripture I quoted previously.

Since God already knows what we have need of that must mean our prayers are only a form of obedience to God’s Word.

Lack mindset

Isn’t it interesting that typical prayers keep us focused on the lack of whatever it is we’re praying for?

Example: when we pray for someone to be healed it’s because they or others have told us they are sick. When we pray for someone to have a safe journey we are thinking of the unsafe things which could occur on their trip. We ought to be praying with FAITH which means… Believing What We’re Asking Has Already Been Accomplished!

Focus and feel we already possess whatever it is we are asking for as if we already have it.

Belief activates faith. Take it upon yourself to practice patience daily and let me know how it works out for you.

A bit about me:

Be the best version of who you want to be.

Information provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended to treat, diagnose or prescribe.

For more about me, this blog, how I create websites, why I wrote a holistic health book, and more, find me on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

June 12, 2012August 11, 2023 Sheila “Spiral Sister” Murrey Mind-Body, Spirit

Have a Magical Day

It’s seems like a very little thing. But sometimes it’s the little things that count.

I picked up a new tag line for my email signature space. I thanked the coworker (whom I’d copied it from) and let him know that I had decided to use it as well. Instead of “Regards”, or “Sincerely”, it was, “Create a Pleasant Day.” I used it for both for personal and business emails. Then, after accepting a role at Walt Disney World I changed it to, “Create a Magical Day” which, just played on the “Have a Magical Day” Disney slogan. They use it around the parks and we always ended conference calls with that phrase. I always thought it was lovely.

During a children’s program, that happened to be on TV while I was sitting with my grand baby, I heard the actors say something about magic words. Before that time, I’d just been thinking some random thoughts about how we really do create our days based on what we focus on. As the words “hocus pocus” were spoken I thought, Aha! Hocus pocus rhymes with FOCUS!

I’d been focusing on taking my daughter and grand baby back to the airport – they live in New Hampshire – and I knew I shouldn’t be spending any time thinking about that when I only had a few more hours to play with Jennie. Maybe indeed something magical was hidden in the words hocus pocus – were they guideposts to remind us that what we focus on, we give power to, thus we create?

What we focus on – that’s like something I recall from a lot of self help reading, “what we think about, we bring about” I believe is how it goes. And while studying energy work I’ve learned that where thoughts go, energy flows. It’s what’s behind ALL the intention talk.

So, when I sign off my emails, don’t think that I’m being all Disney, Harry Potter, or whatever. It’s just a way for me to remind myself (and maybe others too) that if we want to have a pleasant day, a day of pleasing and being pleased, a day full of joy or bit of bliss – then take few moments and focus on the positive. Think about what you’d like to happen, what might be nice if it worked out, instead of all the other seemingly endless things to nag or complain about. You know what you’re missing and I know what I’m missing but we don’t need to focus on what’s missing. Focus on what we have. Ah, that’s like living in gratitude, isn’t it?

World knows we all have plenty to be down about but what good does that really do? Thinking more pleasant magical thoughts makes me happier – and when I’m happier I bet there’s at least a few people around me who are happier too.

A bit about me:

Be the best version of who you want to be.

Information provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended to treat, diagnose or prescribe.

For more about me, this blog, how I create websites, why I wrote a holistic health book, and more, find me on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

May 17, 2012August 11, 2023 Sheila “Spiral Sister” Murrey Mind-Body, Spirit

About My Blog Name

Take It Upon Yourself is about accepting responsibility for yourself. Your health. Your dreams. Your talents. Your passions and desires. It’s about knowing who YOU are.

TakeItUponYourself

Who are you? Have you asked yourself this question? Have you said, “Self, who am I”?

Take a look in the mirror – go ahead, take a good look. Do you know who you are? I realize I may err on being a bit annoying here. But I just wonder how many of us really examine ourselves – and ask ourselves this question. How well do we know our own unique person… mind, body, and soul (or spirit if you’re so inclined to believe in a spiritual self). Each of us have a unique set of fingerprints to remind us that we’re all different, particular, specific individuals.

I’ve been asking myself who I am since turning fifty (50) years of age. I am on a journey of self discovery. I can describe attributes and characteristics of myself, but who am I?

I have discovered that I am Energy, focused in a physical body. I am the sum total of my previous choices and experiences.

I’ve accomplished many things that I never thought I would. I’ve been given everything I have ever wanted. Along the way I did some things I would not do again – but I learned lessons from those experiences. I can’t explain why I did some of the things I did, but I think I had good reasons at the time. I think most people act on the best information they understand at the time.

So, I can’t condemn my former self since I acknowledge that my past choices taught me lessons and turned me into the person I accept as my self today. I believe love is a choice. Life, humility, gratitude, sanity – all are choices.

I have also come to an awareness that beliefs are just thoughts we keep thinking over and over – we always have the power within us to think different (better) thoughts and change ourselves if we don’t like what we see in the mirror. Me? I’m always changing!

So, who am I? LOL

I accept responsibility, fully, for who I am. And I deeply love and accept myself for who I am.

I am a mother, a new grandmother, and wife. I’m a highly responsible individual. I take it upon myself to feel better and make healthy choices everyday. I’m fabulous. 🙂 And I bet you’re fabulous too!

I am more than my mind, body, and soul / spirit. I am the culmination of everything I’ve experienced. And I stand on GREAT shoulders. Strong, loyal, God-loving, parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, and so on.

I have also had great mentors and teachers along the way too! Thankfully, God gave me one in particular who proved the value of higher education to me many years ago (because I couldn’t wait to finish high school and had never wanted to go to college). She proved me wrong. Obtaining two degrees kept me gainfully employed on my career path!

Some of my ancestors were persecuted for their beliefs, religion, and even their race, which knowing this – keeps me grounded and humble. I believe that also is the reason, or at least one reason, why I am an empath. I am strong. A survivor of hurt, pains, and traumas. A survivor of former marriages, of loves lost.

I look in the mirror and see a woman who’s changed – a lot!

I now eat foods that I didn’t eat five (5) years ago. I beat asthma. I’m a creative and technical career woman. I’ve co-written songs (with my talented soul-mate hubby), and tried all sorts of alternative health modalities that most of my family and friends haven’t yet explored. I’ve gained weight, but I’ve lost it too! I consider myself somewhat of a renaissance woman. Forging ahead and leading my daughter and granddaughter down new trails.

Taking it upon myself, I want something better for them, an easier path perhaps, than what I had. And I know a lot of people who feel the same way. They want to give their kids more than they had – not material things exactly – but knowledge!

Knowledge is power. An explored, informed, due diligence done, and educated response to life – wow! Just imagine the time I’ll save them, and maybe some pain too.

I heard it once said that a wise person learns not from experience, but from the experiences of others.

I’d like to go down that road less traveled. So, I invite you to… take it upon yourself.

Imagine who you want to be. Won’t you?

A bit about me:

Be the best version of who you want to be.

Information provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended to treat, diagnose or prescribe.

For more about me, this blog, how I create websites, why I wrote a holistic health book, and more, find me on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

April 22, 2012February 9, 2024 Sheila “Spiral Sister” Murrey Art & Music, Mind-Body, Soul

Original Music For The “Thinking Person”

Welcome to the first article in my blog!

Friends coaxed me to write a blog – though I had designed, developed, and maintained two websites, joined Facebook, Twitter, and had begun to write a book. I didn’t have much readership, so I couldn’t understand why anyone would want me to write a blog. Nor did I want to spend much time promoting a free blog, when I thought my energies would be better spent writing a book.

I hesitated to start this blog, because I thought it would distract me–and I really wanted to finish the book before starting anything else. I even quit Facebook for a couple of years so I could finish my book!

Anyway, after a workout session in the gym, and continuing to experience a nagging thought that wouldn’t go away, I started the blog.

Dumb and Dumber

People have talked about the “Dumbing Down of America” for many years.

Media, TV shows, and movies entertain in such simple words and stories that nobody’s doing much thinking anymore.

People seem to be going here and there in a mindless fog. Entertainment is used as a means of escapism, from the stress of work, family drama, or as a way to relax. Many are unwittingly being dumbed down.

Now, we’re thinkin’

Yet for years, this band has been circulated around on the internet called, The Chevy Ford Band. And they’re on a mission to educate the masses through music – maybe that’s why they haven’t caught on with the mainstream public.

The music is about politics, religion, truth, and even sex. The lyrics are intelligent and perhaps, not for everybody.

Take a listen (on my home page footer) to our original songs. We think the songs would work beautifully as music for films and motion pictures. Let us know what you think!

My favorite songs of The Chevy Ford Band are:

Crush them with Rock
Dogma
Energy
Over my Head
Sunset

The upbeat tempos are great to work out with or dance to, plus I love the lyrics! I love to move and dance to high energy uptempo music that motivates and encourages me to move my body more! I sit all day for the most part and moving helps me release tension and stress!

The controversial song, “Attention Deficit Disorder” takes aim at how the ADD disorder is impacting many around us. That song inspires me to do everything I can to help people learn the Hippocratic oath, “Let Food Be Thy Medicine, and Medicine Be Thy Food.”

I’ve worked with or known people who have children with autism, parents with alzheimer’s, or they themselves have diabetes, recurring acid reflux, high blood pressure, and many other chronic ailments and dis-eases.

Since I’m an empathic person, and reasonably intelligent, I’d love to help them, and their loved ones, find relief. So, I continue to research and share. However, I’m not a health care practitioner, so I share my findings as a friend, natural holistic and alternative health advocate.

Coming next

Future posts in this blog will be related to energy work and other holistic alternative healing modalities. My other site, Being Wholly Vibrant, will share about diet, real food, and easy healthy whole food recipes. As well as book and product reviews.

I’ll also write about original music, social media advertising, health, technology, designing marketing materials, finding our bliss, and other consciousness expanding stuff!

Stay tuned. 🙂

Namaste. OM