Beauty

We live in a world of thought, constantly judging, categorizing, and evaluating.  What would happen if you stepped out of the mind stream of your thoughts and moved more directly into your experience?  When you stop to consider what your thoughts are based on you would see they are predominantly comparisons based on the past experiences of your life or they are projections of an imaginary future. If we are living in the past and future in our minds what is happening in the present moment?  We rarely know the direct experience of now without a story attached to it.

The present moment is completely unique!  If we could free ourselves from the constant comparisons and judgement we engage in we would open ourselves to experience the creative and truly magnificent  dance of life.  In fact, when you see something that is inspiringly beautiful, one of those "takes your breath away" moments, you are experiencing a momentary lapse in thought.  You have stepped into experience in a direct way. We usually associate those moments with desirable experiences and almost immediately cling to them and try to find ways of repeating the experience.  This experience of beauty is creative, it surprises us into accepting the moment as a gift of experience rather than repeating our thought judgement and categorization process that traps us in habitual thinking.  Beauty invites us into its embrace and nourishes us through its connections to creation. Beauty awakens our senses and fills us with an awareness of something greater than ourselves. Beauty connects us with true happiness.  Step into beauty every day!  Nature is one of the most immediate and powerful displays of beauty, it is everywhere and it is free!  Let nature remind you of your own beauty and celebrate life. If you have lost your connection to beauty or are finding it difficult to escape your mental prison give us a call @  Professional Alternatives, PLC (540)825-2788 or visit us on the web @ http://www.professionalcounselingpiedmontva.com.

Abundance or Scarcity, What is Your world view?

Our experiences in life are governed by our belief system which is usually unconscious and unexamined.  We accept certain things as true without considering whether we have any basis for the beliefs or perceptions we hold.  Do you view your experience through fear and anxiety or with hope and optimism?  Do you see possibilities or obstacles ahead of you? Is your relationship with money one of generosity or hoarding? Is there never enough in your life or do you feel gratitude for what you have?
These questions reflect fundamental differences in the way we approach life and create meaning.  If our view is based in scarcity we will feel fearful and anxious even when the circumstances do not threaten us.  If we approach life with a view of abundance we will find opportunity even when life presents obstacles. These differences dictate the emotional triggers which control our inner word.  We feel happy or stressed based not so much on the outside events but more as a result of our inner belief system.

These issues are some of the important areas we examine in therapy.  Helping people to achieve and maintain a happier life experience requires that we learn to change beliefs that keep us stuck in fear and anxiety. If you are looking for help with your outlook give us a call @ Professional Alternatives, PLC (540) 825-2788 or visit us on the web @ http://www.professionalcounselingpiedmontva.com

Keep It Simple, Breathe!

Amidst the mountains of self help books it  is easy to become overwhelmed with finding a place to start developing a greater sense of who we are.  Clients will often ask if there is a simple way to calm stressful thoughts and my answer is yes, breathe. As simple as that sounds it is very likely that you cannot remember the last time you actually connected with your breath and consciously followed it. When you pay attention to your breath in a conscious or "mindful" way you step into the present moment, connect with your body and begin to notice the subtle but powerful experience of stepping out of thinking.  We spend most of our lives following the endless flow of thoughts into the past and future where most of stress is created.  The simple act of mindfully breathing can connect us to the direct experience of the moment where we can find relief from the mental anxieties and worries. Try it, sit comfortably and turn your attention inward toward your inhalation and exhalation. Pay careful attention to the flow of air and the sensations associated with breathing.  Do not force it let your body do what it knows, just allow the breath to come.  Now try to deepen the breath, by slowing down and taking the breath fully into your lungs then releasing the breath fully.   Try this 10 times.  You will find that this promotes relaxation and a feeling of greater control. Regular practice of mindful breathing will help you feel grounded, less stressed and healthier. If you would like to explore the benefits of mindfulness and breath work further give us a call at Professional Alternatives, PLC or visit us on the web @  http://www.professionalcounselingpiedmontva.com