Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Seeing the Relationship

When you realise that changing yourself is not actually outright change but growth. A relationship takes two people, committed to each other. Each one is to conform and compromise. Real relationships are about both adopting to each other, when this takes place a marked improvement
is noticed in your relationship.

There are always a assumptions or thoughts which you know, which is found to be wrong. You need to be open to new ideas and new concepts in being.

In order for things to improve, you are required to go into them with an open mind; a mind that accepts diversity and change; a mind that seeks opportunity to evolve and realise the potential. Succumbing to change is never a weakness, it is a powerful strength. This strength proves
that you are in for the long haul and truly care for your partner, lover, friend and mate. In turn they will have the same devotional goal.

Acknowledge that you cannot and will not change your partner, lover, friend or mate. They evolve and grow with you. Our brain and emotions are dynamic, constantly changing and shaped by our experiences, our thoughts and our environment.

Mindfulness is a way to control, and ultimately rewire our reactions to all three of these things.
Why is that?

Because we are disconnecting from the automatic involvement in the moment and observing it ‘objectively’.
Doing so takes our life off autopilot and allows us to decide instead how we would like it to be, effectively allowing us to set up new neural pathways and emotional patterns. Our brain and emotions are dynamic, constantly changing and shaped by our experiences, our thoughts and our environment.
 Mindfulness is a way to control, and ultimately rewire our reactions to all three of these things.
Why is that? Because we are disconnecting from the automatic involvement in the moment and observing it ‘objectively’. Doing so takes our life off autopilot and allows us to decide instead how we would  like it to be, effectively allowing us to set up new neural pathways and emotional patterns.

The one thing that has driven men mad is the fact that women tend to gets to know them, develop feelings for them, date them, and committee to them, only to try to change them. And this is where women and men go wrong.

You cannot make a man do certain things nor can you make him following certain habits. All you can do however is to communicate your views, wishes and desires and hope for the best. You also cannot control the thoughts that go through his head, regardless of how determined you are. Do however make requests of him. Do not fall into the category of a manipulator.

There is a warning: There are exceptions to every rule. There are men and women out there who are simple genuine jerks, flakes, wankers, who want to make your life hell. There are men who will forever trapped in their childlike and / or stubborn ways, refusing to expand and grow or even
acknowledge growth.

Women as a whole tend to be more emotional and thoughtful. This drives you insane from over thinking and getting nowhere.

How many times have you tried to pour your heart out to your man, only to have him immediately get defensive and act as if you have accused him of something or rather? He then accuses you of overthinking, over analysing and / or living in the past.

He basically informs you to build a bridge and get over it, and then less-than-respectfully you get a grip?

I know the answer is ‘yes’

The resentment is the result for you as the bridge is built and crossing it countless of times, only for you to realise that every time you cross it, you never left. Causing you, by the build-up of negative
feelings towards that person. You start to develop “why bother” attitude whether you realise it or not.

You have officially developed a state of mind called, NEGATIVE EMOTIONAL OVERLOAD.

No it is not personified version of a computer virus.

It is when your build-up of anger, frustrations and the pain dealing with your man starts to override any and all pleasant thoughts about him. Leaving things uncompleted and undone.

Once this occurs, you lash out for what seems to be no reason, when actually there are real reasons. You become the one who has the problem. Alternatively you may put up an emotional road block, no longer letting him in. You may find yourself becoming mentally unbalanced. You become emotionally distant. He will lose interest and leave,  not caring of the mess he has placed you in.
And his attitude “I don’t know what went wrong” :she is the crazy one” .

Men and women are different. This makes neither right nor wrong – just different. You simply have to embrace that fact. You are two different people. It is that the two of you choose to do with those differences that really matters. You both need to acknowledge and accept those differences
for what they are.

When we become familiar with each other we both begin to expect certain behaviours from one and other. When we do not get what we expect, we in the beginning to see annoyances, even the smallest one.. We expect someone to act in the way we deem normal.

 Over time, we give focus on these differences and quirks, some people seize on them and the relationships start to be in jeopardy, others accept them for who they are and build from those, these relationships succeed, expand and grow.

Men hurt. Men can crumble inside and face the greatest adversities with fear and dread,  if he dares to show it on the outside, he risks his reputation and his standing in the society and community as a whole.

Rather than risk this, many men simply block things out and shut their emotions down.

Example: What happens when a little girl cries?

Hearts break and people rush to their aid, by scooping them up and cuddling them, reassuring them.

                  What happens when a little boy cries?

More often that you realise, they are told to grow up, man up, or walk it off.

From an very early age, our emotions are stifled and taught to us. Can you see how these may create some adverse and relationship – affecting traits?

Many men will simply err on the side of caution and not show any emotions at all. Women become very emotional and always feeling things.

Men, when they had a heated argument usually tries to act as if nothing much has happened and goes to work or about their business or pleasure. It is either that or he stays angry. Which can build up like a pressure cooker. When they approach their family or friends for support, they are heckled and jeered upon.

Women generally want to pull their hair out, have a dam good cry, and possibly even contact their friends or family for a support system.

Conflict generally weighs more on the woman and stick with them longer. Does this make them weak? Hell NO! Not one iota. Try to imagine a man doing that!

The key is a delicate balance of emotional strength and real, human, honest to goodness release. When, Where, How? Herein lies the problem men face every single day.

Women claim that they want a man who is not afraid to show emotion, but many women often shudder when they actually see those things in a man.

Many women believe men are emotionless, unfeeling beings. This is far from the real truth. Men can feel and experience just as much fear and uneasiness as any woman. They can feel heart-wrenching loneliness just as often. The difference is that they were not raised to show that part of them openly. Doing so sends them back to the days of childhood and running to the parent to doctor them. More often the men were not geared to be the ones doing the comforting, not the ones needing to be comforted. Generations of men have been raised and wired this way. They simply cannot help it.

There are absolutely exceptions, the problem lies in trying to be one of the exceptions without being judged or seen as less of a man. It feels like a “can’t win” situation, regardless of which they choose.

Do men become the man we deserve and long for or, do the men what is expected by the majority? The answer is not cut and dry as you might think.

Written 2004

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

When Class You As TOOOOOOOO Needy

Being too clingy, desperate, and needy is a sure fire way to repel men (even the ones who want to “fix” or “rescue” women), wreck your relationships, and further damage your already fragile self-esteem.

We get clingy and needy because we’re starving for attention and affirmation, and when you’re desperate for those things, you stop spending time building our own life, and simply start scanning for any possible source for a “fix."

I know, that’s drug junkie language. And it fits in this situation, because what you need to do is break your addiction, and get yourself back to good emotional health.
 
Last time I wrote about the “Are You Too Needy“, and this week I’ll show you a few more ways to tackle and defeat neediness once and for all…
Dear MMMMM,
I recently finished a 2 year relationship I know many reasons why I didn’t have the relationship I wanted. Not long after that, I started to see someone new but I also made many mistakes and became needy too quick and now the guy I was seeing won’t call me anymore. This is after him saying he really liked me and being super interested in me. How can I fix that? If I contact him I’m going to look more needy but even though I am living my life and flirting with guys and everything, he won’t ever find out about it because he won’t call. How can I make him chase me now? At this stage if I don’t contact him he will never contact me and he can never notice the change I am going through. – J
 
It sounds counter-intuitive, J, but to have any chance at all, you’ve got to stop focusing on this one guy. I know you’re doing this already, but throw yourself into dating and following your passions — and let him see what a fantastic life you’re living.
 
You don’t have to wait for him to call in order to convince him that you’re happily investing yourself into your life. Post a few teasers (even some photos of you having a blast) on your public profiles, like Facebook, or Instagram. You can even invite him to join you on something you’re planning, but the trick is that you should go no matter what.
 
That way he begins to understand that…
 
a) You’re moving on (in the best kind of way), and
 
b) He will miss out on the awesome if he doesn’t get on board.
 
But listen: it’s not just about convincing him: the real person you need to convince is YOU. Like you said already, you need to go through some serious change. And you’re DEFINITELY not the only one; lots of women struggle with this.
 
Here are a few more ways to stop feeling desperate, and start winning the attention of lots of guys once again: Build Yourself Up1. Work toward your beautiful future.
 
What are your top 3 goals for life right now? Get busy and make a plan for meeting those goals and work your plan. Invest in your passions. Follow your dreams!
 
2. Expand your social network
If you only ever spend time with one or two girlfriends, now is the time to start renewing and expanding your circle of friends, coaches, and mentors.
 
3. Get help where you need it
If you’re stuck, spend some time getting help from a emotionally healthy friend or advisor.
Change Your Dating Approach1. Make a dating plan and timeline
Decide what your goal in dating is going to be. Are you dating for fun or commitment? If the latter, how long are you willing to invest in a particular guy before you determine whether he’s commitment material or not and move on?
 
2. Date lots of guys
I say this all the time because it’s the best possible way to make a man who is really interested in you realize your worth, and understand that other men are going to be competing for your attention. It’s also a good way to learn what you like in a man. You gotta stop putting all your focus on one guy!
 
3. Slow down
When you do start seeing someone, don’t go “all in” so soon. Keep your friends close and don’t stop doing all the other things you’re doing in life. And above all, slow down the pace of communication. Don’t respond to every text, call, or “like” instantly. You have other stuff to do!
 
Showcase Your “New and Improved” Life1. Post some photos and updates on your social profiles
And don’t forget the power of friends, co-workers, and other acquaintances talking about the exciting things you’re doing
 
2. Invite him out (and have a blast!)
It’s completely okay for you to invite a man out. Your best bet is to make it a group outing, and something that has a slight edge of danger to it. Think zip lining, watching a scary movie, go-carts, or anything that gets both your pulses racing.
 
Learn from your mistakes, and move on with fresh confidence
 
Remember, making mistakes doesn’t make you a screw-up. Making mistakes is proof that you’re actively trying. Instead of smacking yourself on the forehead and saying, “What was I thinking?” take a moment to breathe deeply and ask “What was I learning?” instead.
You’re going to be great. Keep working it!
 

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

The Lesson in life Great Philosphy for the Human Mind

 When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the 2 Beers. A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, he wordlessly picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. ...He then asked the students if the jar was full.

They agreed that it was.
 The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was. The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full.. The students responded with a unanimous 'yes.'

The professor then produced two Beers from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar effectively filling the empty space between the sand.

The students laughed.. 'Now,' said the professor as the laughter subsided, 'I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things---your family, your children, your health, your friends and your favourite passions---and if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house and your car..

The sand is everything else---the small stuff. 'If you put the sand into the jar first,' he continued, 'there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff you will never have room for the things that are important to you. Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Spend time with your children. Spend time with your parents. Visit with grandparents. Take your spouse out to dinner. Play another 18 holes or ride 30 miles on your bike. Don't screw around with other people on any level, even sexually. There will always be time to clean the house and mow the lawn. Take care of the golf balls first---the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand. One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the Beer represented. The professor smiled and said, 'I'm glad you asked.' The Beer just shows you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of Beers with a friend, there is no room for cheats and vagabonds in your real life as you need to be creating your life fully without hang ups.

 

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Bring out the Best

Bringing the Best Out

The three centres of Intelligence

  1. The Heard Centre
Gather information: generate Ideas: Mental processing: Rational analysis: Planning

Productive Uses: Objective analysis; astute insight; Productive planning

Unproductive Uses: Overanalyses; Projection, this is imagination that someone else is thinking, feeling, or doing something that is actually true of oneself.; Over planning.

Three of the nine Enneagram styles are called Head Centre styles – fives: Withdraw from fear of intrusion and loss of energy  by trying to depend solely on their own resources; gather abundant information to analyse for the purpose of understanding how everything works: sixes; Develop continuous anticipatory scenarios in order to overcome potential problems and reduce their fear that something could go wrong and /or headlong into fearful situations to prove their own courage:, and sevens; Move away from fear, sadness and discomfort by imagining positive futures possibilities and by generating exciting ideas rather that feeling fearful or uncomfortable.
  
       They engage in extensive mental analysis : Value facts, information, and ideas; and share a
       common concern about safety and trust response to the emotion associated with the Head
       Centre – fear, the imagining that something negative could happen.

  1. Heart Centre Functions
Experience feeling: Emotional relating: Sensitivity to Others.

Productive Uses: Empathy; Authentic relating; Compassion
Unproductive Uses: Emotional manipulation, is using emotional information to get an individual to do something he or she might not otherwise agree to do: Playing roles: Oversensitivity.

Three of the nine Enneagram styles are called Heart Centre Styles – Twos; Create an image of being likable, generous, and concerned for other people then look to others for affirmation on their self-worth: Threes; Create an image of self-confidence and success, then seek the respect and admiration of others for what they accomplish:, and Fours; Crate an image of being unique, special and different, then use their emotional sensitivity to avoid feeling not good enough. They want others to respond to them in a specific ways and create and image to get the desired response. With a common focus on creating an image and being concerned about others perceive them, the Heart Centre Styles end up feeling not value who they really are, and this gives raise to the common associated with the Heart Centre – sorrow.

  1. The Body Centre Functions
Individuals utilize the Body Centre in the following ways:
Movement: Physical sensations: Action or Interaction: Control
Productive Uses: Effective action; Steadfast; Gut knowing
Unproductive Uses: Excessive action; Passivity; Reactivity, is responding both immediately and hastily, without making a conscious choice to behave in this matter.

The Three Enneagram Body Centre Styles – Eights: Readily express anger starting from the gut, believing that anger is simply energy that needs release, exert control by taking charge:, Nines: Avoid both their own and other’s anger, seeking instead to mediate differences and create harmony. Do not let others control them;, and Ones: Manifest anger as irrational and resentment, believe anger is a negative emotion that must be kept under control by being self-controlled and highly structured. – Primarily trust their guts and instincts and have different ways for dealing with control that arises from the emotion associated with the Body Centre – anger.

Trust
Trust  is crucial to the success of the development experience, and trust-related issues need to be discussed at the earliest stages with individuals of all Enneagram styles.
  • Maintain confidentiality agreements
  • Possess impeccable integrity and not have side conversations with others.
  • Be reliable in the relationship – be available for the other when needed.
  • Honesty and Clarity
  • Value and Prestige
  • Core beliefs
  • Emotional patterns
  • Workplace behaviours
  • Realization- the knowing that you aren’t always right
  • Motivation – the impetus and inspiration for you
  • Awareness – the objective understanding of your own reactions related  to you
  • Choice – the decision to take responsibility for yourself and to commit to your own growth and development.
  • Plan – the creation of a development plan
  • Action – the ability to take constructive, sustained action ( complete this step one month after the plan has been implemented) and to adjust the plan as needed and required along the way.
  • Being excellent for other as well as yourself
  • Knowing how to accelerate growth
  • Being able to create a productive relationship
  • Knowing how to implement an effective development process
  • Being able to align the coaching efforts with requirements
  • Being able to achieve lasting results

Respond to the urgent issues
  1. Listen attentively
  2. Address immediate problems when possible, give advice carefully
  3. Be calm, compassionate and clear

Deal with the Deeper Dynamics
  1. Identify root causes
  2. Deal with the deeper concerns
  3. Provide relief and hope

Create a sustainable action plan
  1. Crate a focused, concrete plan of action.
  2. Design a support system
  3. Refer to additional resources as required and needed.

Learning Styles
Auditory
Visual
Kinaesthetic

Data-feedback
Preliminary Discussion Items
  1. Establish rapport
  2. Review the initial goals and the data collection methodology
  3. Reiterate the confidentiality Agreements
  4. Ask about any concerns

Primary Discussions Items
  1. Present data
  2. Discuss the data and prioritize the most important issues
  3. Discuss next steps

 

Saturday, May 17, 2008

Here Now By Sonia F Stevens

When you are blinded and lost some ways.
When you barley make it through those days.
Your mind has been in the lonely places.
Remember me and allow me to set you free.
...
It will be alright allow me to be there for you.
I allow your head to rest on my shoulder.
As I will hold you and it is ok.
When all the walls tumble down.
Remember I am here for you.
I will take the pain for you.
Rest up and feel safe as I hold you
I wont allow anything to happen to you
Rest up and get some ground.
Your dreams are fallen down.
When life knocks you to the ground.
When your spirit is gone.
I am going to hold you
Your safe with me now
I am here for you, now.
Allow me to raise you up.
You are just weak at this time.
I wont let anything happen to you
As you see I am here for you now.
As long as I am able.
I will make your life a little stable.
Look into my eyes
I am here for you.
As I am not afraid of you.
There is not other important place to be,
Than to be here for you right now.
Copyright 2008 by Sonia F Stevens
 

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Forgiveness tips to move past the situations...

We all get emotionally hurt from time to time.
Sometimes the pain can be intense and it creates feelings of anger, resentment and even hatred, especially if it comes from someone who is very important in our lives.
Our natural instinct is to protect ourselves and that’s what often causes the anger, the resentment and the hatred.

I wonder though, did you know the fastest way to move on from is forgiveness.
So – Here’s three tips to make forgiving easier:

1. Empathy: Recall a time when you made a silly mistake that really hurt someone that was close to you. Remember how much you wanted to take back what you’d done, and how important it was to receive forgiveness.

You don’t have to be happy about what they did, and you certainly should be clear about what they did wrong, but with all that said you can still forgive them. After all, that’s what you would want if you were in their place.

2. Self Love: When someone wrongs you in some way, there’s often an instant need to prove them wrong, and you right. It might well be the case that you are right and they are wrong, but the only persons who can decide and accept that is you.

Trying to prove the other person wrong is just another way of getting them to validate you.
Forget that idea, validate yourself, you don’t need anyone else’s opinion to let you know how wonderful you are.

As you get better at doing that, you’ll find less and less things make you upset or angry.

3. How long do you want to feel like Sh*t for?: Ultimately it’s your choice. You can feel angry and hurt about it for the rest of your life if you want, or you can forgive and begin the healing process.
Forgiving won’t instantly remove the hurt and pain, but it will remove it a lot faster than not forgiving.

Do what you have to do today so you can do what you want tomorrow. What you to really want is a life us that takes pride that you have lived, and that takes work. The only way that we can truly live, is to grow. The only way that we can grow is if we change.  The only way to change is if we learn. The only way we can learn is if we are exposed. And the only way we can become exposed is if we are willing to place ourselves out there and work through life’s difficulties. By SFS (1992)

Wednesday, October 17, 2007

Twenty laws of life

Twenty laws of life


ONE. Give people more than they expect and do it
cheerfully.
TWO. Marry a man/woman you love to talk to. As you get
older, their conversational skills will be as important as any
other.
THREE. Don't believe all you hear, spend all you have or
sleep all you want, or work all the time.
FOUR. When you say, "I love you," mean it.
FIVE. When you say, "I'm sorry," look the person in the
eye.
SIX. Be engaged at least six months before you get
married.
SEVEN. Believe in love at first
sight.
EIGHT. Never laugh at anyone's dreams. People who don't
have dreams don't have much.
NINE. Love deeply and passionately. You might get hurt
but it's the only way to live life completely.
TEN.. In disagreements, fight fairly. No name calling.
ELEVEN. Don't judge people by their relatives.
TWELVE. Talk slowly but think
quickly.
THIRTEEN. When someone asks you a question you don't
want to answer, smile and ask, "Why do you want to know?"
FOURTEEN. Remember that great love and great
achievements involve great risk.
FIFTEEN. Say "bless you" when you hear someone sneeze.
SIXTEEN. When you lose, don't lose the lesson
SEVENTEEN. Remember the three R's: Respect for self;
Respect for others; and responsibility for all your actions.
EIGHTEEN. Don't let a little dispute injure a great
friendship.
NINETEEN. When you realize you've made a mistake, take
immediate steps to correct it.
TWENTY. Smile when picking up the phone. The caller will
hear it in your voice.