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Transformation begins by raising our awareness and demonstrating responsible choice at the intrapersonal level. Most of us are our own worst enemies. If we can slow down and be still for a moment, we begin to hear the constant barrage of criticism we have towards ourselves: "I'm so stupid, I can't believe I did that, Next time I will do it better, I'm just not good enough, What I have to say isn't important, I never get it right."
"To not forgive is a decision to suffer." A Course in Miracles
We all have had painful experiences. These experiences remain dormant until something in the present reminds us of them. When this happens, we react in a manner similar to our earlier encounter and project our painful memories from the past on to the present situation. In other words, our thoughts from the past shape our experiences in the present. By raising our own awareness of this phenomenon, we can choose our reaction based on the current situation, rather than our past beliefs and experiences. We cannot change our past, but we can choose a more nurturing, compassionate, and productive response in the present.
"The last of man's freedoms is the freedom to choose his attitude under any given circumstance." Viktor Frankle
Our attitudes determine the quality of our perceptions. Since we think, feel, act, and process information based not on reality, but rather on our perception of reality, in a world of multiple realities, it is essential to examine our own attitudes or mind set. As we do this, we find we are always confronted with a choice to either react, based on our history, expectations, and past perceptions, or we can make a conscious decision to generate a response in the moment, based on our values and commitments. We must be present to our own thoughts, feelings, and sensations to make conscious choices.