10 PATHS TO PERSONAL TRANSFORMATION

Transformation is an alteration in perception, a change in focus, moving in a different direction. It is a process that begins with a question that focuses our attention on what we are observing. It alters our perception and causes us to change our direction. Our change in direction causes us to experience a different reality. In turn, that experience causes a transformation in us. Transformation is the process that allows us to achieve the task at hand. The more we participate in this dynamic process, the easier and more rewarding life becomes. Discover how the following alterations in perception can radically change your life.
1. We are not alone. In the depths of our depression, despair or anger it is difficult to see that others have experienced what we are going through. The more alone or isolated we feel, the more difficult the task becomes. Our ability to see, acknowledge and accept that we are not alone changes our reality. It gives us the motivation, comfort and reassurance
we need to accomplish the task at hand.

2. Everyone is doing the best they can. It is easy to criticize or judge another, especially ourselves. Our expectations of others and ourselves prevent us from seeing that each of us is unique and that we are doing the best we can. Allowing others to be themselves and experience their uniqueness changes our reality. We cease to critique and begin to value and respect uniqueness. In turn, we become a supportive ally rather than a derogatory spectator.

3. We learn what is right by experiencing what is wrong. We live in an imperfect world so that we can learn perfection. Nothing new would ever be learned if we were never to err. Our errors provide the motivation, the environment and the resources needed to learn. Seeing err as a potential learning experience changes our reality. We take ourselves less seriously and allow ourselves to err. The more we do that, the more open and flexible we become. In turn, we learn more and discover how enjoyable learning can be. Life becomes an exciting adventure rather than dull, boring or tedious.

4. How we respond is more important than what occurred. It does not matter what happened to us or who did it to us. What matters is what we do about it. Focusing our attention on what happened to us or who is at fault does not resolve anything because it prevents us from seeing what we can do about it. Attentively observing how everything affects us emotionally and how we respond changes our focus. In turn, we see what we can do to resolve the problem and prevent it from occurring again.

5. We are always experiencing what we need to experience. Problems and undesirable predicaments cause us to focus on what we do not have. In turn, we pursue what will not resolve the problem and unknowingly reject the assistance we desire. Focusing our attention on what we have alters our reality. We cease to pursue and begin to examine and develop what
we have. In turn, we allow life to assist us in achieving our objective. Seeing life as our ally rather than our foe allows us to achieve the impossible.

6. Everything serves a purpose or it ceases to exist. Nothing in life is ever really wasted. Everything we encounter and do in life helps us to learn and grow. We unknowingly judge life, others and ourselves when we see things as being good or bad, right or wrong. Looking at everything as a possibility, a probability or potential resource alters our focus. In turn, we cease to judge and begin to discover opportunities we never knew existed.

7. We learn from observing and embracing differences. More of the same begets sameness and stifles our growth. Sameness, the known and routines give us a false sense of security and cause us to be fearful. The more fearful we are, the more comfort we seek in the familiar or the known. Disrupting our routine and embracing differences changes our focus. In
turn, we stimulate our growth and diminish our fears. The less fearful we are, the more security we find in the unknown.

8. To see what we were doing, we have to stop what we are doing. The slower we move, the less blurred our vision and the more we see. Doing nothing allows us to see more. Focusing our attention on what we are observing allows us to see even more. The best sight of all is free of all distractions, especially thought. All our senses and every part of our being is focused on what we are observing. This qualitative sight is commonly called meditation. We begin to meditate when we cease to
pursue. The more we meditate, the more we function with consciousness rather than thought. In turn, we realize that our consciousness provides us with everything we need.

9. Everything is constantly changing. It is impossible to hold on to anything in life for everything is constantly changing. Holding on to the past keeps us in the past and prevents us from experiencing what is new. The past is the known. Challenging the known alters our focus and allows us to “let go” of the past so we can experience what is new. Open-ended
questions challenge the known and facilitate the detachment process.

10. Questions are more beneficial than answers. Just as each step begets another, our path through life is determined by the questions we ask. Each open-ended "what" and "why" question begets another question rather than an answer. Thought, in its pursuit for more knowledge, seeks answers. Answers never resolve anything because they are “more of the same” rather than something “new.” "How" questions seek knowledge rather than understanding. Asking "what" and "why" questions changes our focus and allows us to understand what we are observing. The understanding gained from one question causes us to formulate another question that helps us gain a deeper and more fuller understanding than its
predecessor.