Welcome back to Ki Moments ...
and thank you for subscribing. If this is your first issue, let me know how you enjoyed it. What questions do you have about managing conflict or communicating more effectively, and how I can be of help?
My book, Unlikely Teachers: Finding the Hidden Gifts in Daily Conflict is at the printer! One of the stories in Unlikely Teachers is about this very process of imagining what you want and taking the steps necessary to achieve it - "Night and Day."
Night and Day
"There's nothing either good or bad but thinking makes it so."
- William Shakespeare
The title of this great Cole Porter song - Night and Day - also describes the sometimes changeable nature of my outlook on life.
Example:
It is late evening, and I'm thinking about all I have to accomplish in the week ahead - book publishing details, workshop preparation, handouts to finish, that audiotape script I want to write, a call to my sister, plane reservations to Chicago, and so on, not to mention the minutiae of phone calls, email, internet searches, and follow up associated with each project. I feel overwhelmed, tired, self-absorbed, and incapacitated.
Next morning:
I awake before dawn and do some deep breathing. I meditate, watch the sun rise, and eagerly anticipate the day. Today, I will learn the ship date for my book, have the opportunity to create a new piece of writing, plan a workshop, and maybe take a walk and enjoy some fresh air.
The same circumstances that seemed daunting, scary, and impossible to manage the night before appear filled with potential this morning. I am doomed - I am lucky. I'll get sick - I feel great! I will certainly fail - My day is filled with promise.
My husband Jim and I call these "Night and Day" viewpoints the Good Reality and the Bad Reality. I would rather be in the Good Reality - positive, pleasant, and full of possibility. The sun is shining, birds singing, and life is easy, flowing and fun. Problems exist, but I can handle them. My energy is strong and resilient.
But sometimes I drop into the Bad Reality, where life is difficult, depressing, and stressful. I feel weighed down, inadequate, and powerless. I can't find my energy or my spirit.
Is it a choice?
I think it is. Something is happening out there, and my viewing lens changes my experience. My thinking makes it so.
Sometimes I can get there on my own steam. I just change my mind, or laugh at myself, or both. When I'm too tired to find the road back, I rest or take myself out for a cup of tea. When I am kind to myself, the Good Reality always returns.
And so I experiment with the Reality channel and how the external world changes with my viewing lens. Shall I live in the Good or Bad Reality today? How about you? Which one are you in now? Can you cross over?
I would love to hear from you on these questions. The capacity to believe that by changing my thinking I can change my reality is a gift. I know this. Partly, my life is about sharing this gift.
I hope you're in the Good Reality today.
Happy Spring!
Email Judy about your experiences with channel changing.
JudyRinger.com Wins Award
I'm delighted to report that my Web site, www.JudyRinger.com, won second place in the 2006 NewHampshire.com Internet Awards for Small Service Business site. The judges said: "Clean layout with interesting information. Does a great job of staying professional and showing some personality at the same time."
Have you visited JudyRinger.com lately?
Aikido - The Martial Art
Many of the principles reflected in Ki Moments come from aikido, the Japanese martial art that teaches self-defense through the redirection of energy.
If you're interested in learning aikido, Portsmouth Aikido is an ongoing martial arts school located at the Seacoast Family Y in Portsmouth. Classes are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7:45 p.m., Fridays at 6:45 p.m., and Sundays at 1:00 and 2:15 p.m. You can stop by anytime and watch a class.
Learn more about Portsmouth Aikido
Contact Information
Judy Ringer
Power & Presence Training
76 Park Street
Portsmouth, NH 03801
voice: 603.431.8560
website: www.judyringer.com
Judy Ringer is Founder of Power & Presence Training, a Portsmouth, NH company specializing in unique workshops to help you and your organization manage conflict, communicate effectively, and co-create a more positive work environment. E-mail Judy at judy@judyringer.com for a free initial meeting to discuss your training needs.
Ki (from Ai-ki-do) is Japanese for life energy. Ki Moments is a complimentary monthly "e- zine" with tips and how-to articles to help you manage the key moments in your life.
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Ki (pronounced "key") is Japanese for universal energy or life force; it’s the symbol I use as my logo. Ki Moments are those moments in which you are fully aware of your life force and your ability to influence your environment. Ki Moments hold challenge and opportunity. How you handle them is what makes life interesting and powerful.
