Today’s Mandala Message: How Would You Like to Feel
This week I’m combining Principles #14 and #15 from Jack Canfield’s “The Success Principles” entitled “Lean Into It” and “Experience the Fear and Take Action Anyway”. I set my intention today to ponder the idea of focusing on the physical sensations of fear. As a way to relieve fear when you’re in the midst of it, Canfield suggests: “…focus on the physical sensations you’re currently feeling…Next, focus on those feelings you would like to be experiencing instead.” From there he suggests going back and forth between the two for about 15 seconds at a time. After a few minutes you’ll find yourself in a more neutral state.
For me, some of my fear sensations include a tight jaw, clenched teeth, tight shoulders and stomach, and shallow breathing. Even as I was coloring today’s MotD I felt all of those sensations. Every time I caught myself, I took a deep breath, brought my shoulders down, and loosened my mouth and jaw. This begs the question: what do I have to fear about coloring a mandala? I tend to feel anxious about the outcome. Intellectually I know better and yet I find myself self-judging and fearing I will mess it up. History has shown to me, that at least 98% of the mandalas I have painted, colored, or drawn have turned out just fine; some even were fantastic (IMHO). So what do I have to fear? Honestly, at this point, I think it’s just a bad habit. And I think I have a mantra for that somewhere around here.
This technique Canfield offers may or may not work for you. Give it a try anyway just to make sure. I’ll be sharing another of Canfield’s technique with tomorrow’s MotD.
So how about you? Are you aware of the physical sensations you’re feeling when you’re feeling fearful? What are they? Would you be able to get to a neutral place using Canfield’s technique?
“Nothing in life is to be feared,
— Marie Curie
it is only to be understood.
Now is the time
to understand more,
so that we may fear less.”
Blessings,
Maureen
The Mandala Lady
All Things Mandalas
An Invitation
I invite you to color along with me this year as part of what I’m calling “The Year of Self-Exploration and Expansion” with all of my “Mandalas of the ___” (day, week, month, year). If you’re interested in more of a self-exploration approach to coloring, check out my “Coloring Mandalas as Meditation”. You can download this mandala at MandalaoftheWeek.com.
Mandala of the Day 