Fire, Water and Wind
2002 Boaz Rauchwerger
Nature has some very interesting lessons for us. Fire can be used to heat a room on a chilly night. Out of control, it can burn a house down to the ground. Water can be used to turn the desert into an oasis. Out of control, it can flood an entire town. Wind can be used to generate electricity. Out of control, it can turn into a devastating tornado.
There is a correlation in humans. Our emotions, when channeled properly, can lead to peace of mind, great relationships and incredible accomplishments. Out of control, the results can lead to stress, high blood pressure, ruined relationships and wrecked careers.
In these times of high-speed computers, instant worldwide communications and unparalleled competition, stress has become a major killer. The common thread that weaves through every coaching session I conduct with CEOs around the country is stress. Too much work; too little time; too many challenges; too little money and too many responsibilities.
Is stress really more prevalent today than it was in the past? I don't think so. Years ago it was the threat of the Cold War and nuclear annihilation. Then there was the War in Vietnam, the war on drugs, the threat of AIDS, the Gulf War and more.
I believe that many people have simply developed an unhealthy perception of their lives. They see themselves trapped on a merry-go-round that's going too fast and never stops.
Let me tell you about two working moms who, until recently, felt the same way. Mary lives in California and Janice lives in New York. Mary has three children and Janice has four. Both are busy executives. Outwardly healthy. Inwardly boiling. Walking time bombs.
How do I know? They both told me so in individual coaching sessions. Every weekday morning at their homes it was like a Chinese fire drill. Parents rushing. Kids dragging. Trouble dressing. Breakfast hurried. Complaints. Crying. CHAOS! Does any of this sound familiar?
Then, when they got to work, their stress level was usually so high that they were ready to explode at anyone who was an available victim.
Change channels to San Francisco. To the end of the cable car line, near Fisherman's Warf. The cable car comes down a hill, gets turned on a turntable and starts going back up the same hill. That's a perfect visual analogy for what I did to change the lives of the two frazzled working moms.
Like the cable car that turns around at the end of a downhill run, I got the two ladies to simply make a turn in their thinking pattern. Instead of seeing their lives full of chaos, I got them to start declaring the following affirmation the first thing every morning and the last thing each night:
I am a calm and peaceful person.
The Results Are In
Within a few days, both ladies found a new sense of peace and hope by saying "I'm a calm and peaceful person" every morning and every evening. Their kids began to comment, "Mommy, it's quieter around the house in the morning." Their co-workers also noticed the positive change. Their stress decreased. Their home lives and their productivity at work improved.
Then there's Mike, another corporate executive. A father and husband in his early 40's; apparently in good shape; highly stressed; blood pressure dangerously high; on medication. I coached him and got Jack to declare the above affirmation. His wife and co-workers noticed his new calm demeanor within a few days. At the end of a month, his blood pressure dropped to normal. The only change was a change in attitude.
Just like nature, you have the power to control the elements in your mind – your thoughts. This is a great day to turn things around.
A Daily Affirmation of Peacefulness
I am a calm and peaceful person. I am a calm and peaceful person.
Article reproduced with permission from Boaz Rauchwerger. You may reprint any of these articles in any publication or Web site so long as you credit Boaz Rauchwerger as the author and include this Web site address, www.Boazpower.com.