InnerSelf Newsletter

December 14th, 2014

Welcome... Our InnerSelf welcomes your Inner Self.

Looking at the picture with this week's newsletter (man in a jar), the lyrics of an Elvis Presley song come to mind: "...caught in a trap, I can't walk out...". And the chorus goes on to say:

We can't go on together
With suspicious minds
And we can't build our dreams
On suspicious minds.

While the lyrics of this song we're written for a personal relationship, what if we applied it to our life in general... Are we, or do we feel like we are, caught in a trap, and that we can't walk out? What if the trap is one of our own making... one of having a fearful, suspicious mind... 

The important thing to realize is that, as the song says, we can't build our dreams on suspicious minds. However, the good news is that since it's our mind, then we have the power to change it and to redirect it to actually building our world according to a higher vision.

This week we look at a crucial step in doing that: Aligning with Life and Living Within the Cycles. Alan Cohen suggests that you Pray to be Wrong in Your Interpretation of the Facts (those facts that your mind is interpreting based on its fear-colored lenses). 

Where do we start? Perhaps by Learning to Recognize Chaos As A Friend and Powerful Ally as well as by Sitting Quietly, Doing Nothing, Letting Everything Be Without Resistance. And as Joyce Vissell reminds us, It Only Takes a Few Seconds to Be Kind. And in the same way, it only takes a few seconds to change our mind's focus and direction (sometimes over and over again).

This week, we bring you a total of 16 new articles, plus the Astrological Journal and 7 oldies (but goodies). We also have various videos for your enjoyment. Scroll below for the links to all of this week's new material which covers topics from dementia, depression, dog communication, relationship troubles, anti-climate policies, making electricity with plants, and much more.

Wishing you Joyful and Inspirational Reading (and Viewing)... and Insightful Actions!

Marie T. Russell
editor/publisher,
InnerSelf.com
"New Attitudes...New Possibilities" 

EDITOR'S CHOICE

Aligning with Life and Living Within the Cycles

by HeatherAsh Amara.

For most of my childhood, one of my favorite sayings was “It’s not fair!” As an adult, I continued to believe life should go the way I wanted it to go. When I couldn’t control the external world, I tried to make things better by transferring the sense of “Life isn’t right when . . .” to “I’m not right unless . . .”

Read more: Aligning with Life and Living Within the Cycles

It Only Takes a Few Seconds to Be Kind

by Joyce Vissell.

In 1993, Conari Press published a book called Random Acts of Kindness. This book started a movement of people looking for ways to be kind to complete strangers. It was not at all unusual to see a bumper sticker on the car in front of you that read, “Practice Random Acts of Kindness.”

Read more: It Only Takes a Few Seconds to Be Kind

Pray to be Wrong in Your Interpretation of the Facts

by Alan Cohen. 

I realized how skewed was my interpretation of Brenda. I was focusing on one aspect of her that brought me pain to consider. Mark, on the other hand, had focused on an aspect of Brenda that brought him joy. Each of us was reaping the result of our interpretation...

Read more: Pray to be Wrong in Your Interpretation of the...

Seven Normal Relationship Troubles

by Linda Carroll.

Two points emerge from our troubles during this stage. The first is the incorrect belief that our happiness and the success of the relationship are determined by what our partner says and does. As I’ve emphasized before and will again, all relationship change begins within you...

Read more: Seven Normal Relationship Troubles

Sitting Quietly, Doing Nothing, Letting Everything Be Without Resistance

by Barbara Berger.

Sitting quietly, doing nothing. But what’s the point, you ask? Why should I do this? Why should I waste my precious time sitting quietly doing nothing when there is so much to do, so much to accomplish and achieve?

Read more: Sitting Quietly, Doing Nothing, Letting...

Learning to Recognize Chaos As A Friend and Powerful Ally

by Nora Caron.

The Oxford dictionary defines chaos as complete disorder or confusion. In general when we speak of chaos we associate it with a negative state and negative energy. When someone says, “My life is chaotic” or “Chaos is everywhere” we understand that person to mean, “My life is a mess and I am a mess”.

Read more: Learning to Recognize Chaos As A Friend and...

Dutch Company Powers Streetlights With Living Plants
Written by Kayla Schultz
https://innerself.com/content/living/science-a-technology/9926

The Train to Sustainability: Next Stop, Your Hometown
Written by Shelley Poticha
https://innerself.com/content/social-a-political/environment/climate/solutions/9927

Top Five Things You Can Do To Keep Your Heart Healthy
Written by Ivy Shiue, Heriot Watt University
https://innerself.com/content/healthy/diseases-a-conditions/heart/9933

What To Know About Disclosing Depression, Bipolar Disorder, or PTSD at Work
Written by Sarah von Schrader, The Conversation
https://innerself.com/content/living/finance-and-careers/career-management/9929

The World’s Worst Anti-Climate Policies and How To Fight Them
Written by Hugh Compston, Cardiff University
https://innerself.com/content/social-a-political/environment/political/9932

Is India's Plan For New Energy Mix A Game-Changer?
Written by Nivedita Khandekar
https://innerself.com/content/social-a-political/environment/climate/solutions/9928

In The Ocean, The Most Harmful Plastic Is Too Small To See
Written by Magnus Johnson and Melanie Coull, University of Hull
https://innerself.com/content/social-a-political/environment/9931

Do Dog Brains Process Human Speech In The Same Way We Do?
Written by Victoria Ratcliffe and David Reby, University of Sussex
https://innerself.com/content/living/leisure-and-creativity/pets/9937

Managing Tropical Coastal Seas for 21st Century Challenges
Written by Peter Sale, United Nations University
https://innerself.com/content/social-a-political/environment/climate/adaptation/9947

People With Dementia Suffer Less Depression In Care Homes – But Why?
Written by Clarissa Giebel, University of Manchester
https://innerself.com/content/healthy/diseases-a-conditions/aging/9938

Astrological Journal for the Week (updated Sunday afternoon)

by Pam Younghans. This weekly column (updated every Sunday afternoon) is based on planetary influences, and offers perspectives and insights to assist you in making the best use of current energies... Read more

It is also highly beneficial to reread the past week's astrological journal as it gives a 20/20 view of the events that took place and may provide many "ah-ha" insights.

OLDIES BUT GOODIES:

Helping Out: When A Little Help For Your Friends Is Just Too Much
Written by Jerry Minchinton
https://innerself.com/content/self-help/behavior-modification/general/4880

Free To Be Me: Spontaneously, Lovingly, and Joyfully
Written by Marie T. Russell
https://innerself.com/content/self-help/behavior-modification/creating-realities/5923

Heal A Broken Heart With A 7-Step Heartbreak Recovery Program
Written by Elisha Gabriell
https://innerself.com/content/relationships/aloneness/5198

Knock Knock...Who's There?
Written by Michael D. Johnson
https://www.innerself.com/content/self-help/behavior-modification/life-changes/5642

Relax and Learn to Release Tension, Anxiety, and Stress
Written by Jim Dreaver
https://innerself.com/content/self-help/behavior-modification/general/4737

Finding Inner Bliss: Looking for Bliss In All the Wrong Places?
Written by Jane Katra, Ph.D. & Russell Targ.
https://www.innerself.com/content/self-help/behavior-modification/attitudes/5062

How Can I Be Free of Negative and Fearful Thoughts?
Written by Stuart Wilde
https://www.innerself.com/content/self-help/behavior-modification/attitudes/6097

VIDEOS ADDED THIS WEEK

 
Click here for access to all videos.

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