| PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT by Renae Cane |
From an early age we learn that cars will break down, clothes will wear out, and our bodies will slowly deteriorate.� This is considered a rule of life on earth, but is it really true?� Perhaps my beliefs have something to do with it. Discounting is:� reducing the value of something Example: New Used Car I just bought a car.� It's not new, but it is in very good condition.� It's certainly a lot better than what I used to have (a bicycle). Day 1:� I clean it up, wash and wax it, buy new floor mats and an air freshener, and stand back and admire my new car.� I'm really proud that I made such a good deal on it.� It's certainly worth more than I paid. Day 160:� I've noticed that there are a few screws missing from the interior molding.� I wish it had a little more power, but it gets me where I want to go. Day 360:� I need a new car! This is the change in attitude that makes our Life go from "new and improved" to "old and falling apart".� We have done this with everything from jobs and relationships to money. The Practice Effect involves Appreciating instead of discounting.� Appreciation has made our life more and more enjoyable and more exciting and expansive. We really do feel that we are now the best we've ever been. And you know what? Appreciation expands, too. The more you appreciate, the more you are able to appreciate. Another bonus is that the sooner you stop pushing against something you don't like or want and begin to look for things to appreciate about it, the sooner you can actually get to other things that you do want. Imagine that you bought the car in the example above.� You start talking to your car, telling it what a great car it is.� You think of it as a new pet and take care of it to make sure it runs the best it can.� Every time you drive it, you Practice the car, and the more practice it gets, the better it runs. You look for one thing to really appreciate about it every day, and you see all the wonderful non-tangible things that you car is to you -- freedom, safety, speed (faster than walking), comfort, independence, and prosperity.� Revel in these qualities and think of new ones. We practice our marriage, also.� We see our partner as more and more beautiful, loving, talented, and happy.� I say out loud how much I love her/him, how loving they are, how much I appreciate all the wonderful things they do, and I don't need him to say the same thing. I just want him to be who he is and be happy in that.� Every day we appreciate our relationship, and it keeps getting better and better. This has certainly helped during the most trying times, because even when problems seemed huge, there was a deep, immutable connection we had already experienced that we knew was still there underneath everything. We can truly Appreciate anything and everything, including our bodies.� When I feel especially good, glowing with health, I focus on that with all my attention.�I really Feel it. I exult in it. I do some joyful physical movement and I see my body practicing strength, beauty, and flexibility, and I know those abilities are expanding. I know the healing process begins immediately when I have a papercut, so the same thing is in process whether the imbalance is the flu or cancer. Every imbalance is temporary, and immediately begins moving toward my natural state of wellbeing the moment I begin practicing better thoughts, loving attitudes, peace and contentment with my life Now. The Practice Effect gives us a new way to enjoy the things that we have, the people we know and love, and the lives we live. Just about every day, we experience the best meal we've ever had, the most beautiful day, the funniest moment, the most amazing sunset. What do you know? Practice really does make Perfect! *inspired by David Brin's novel, The Practice Effect |
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