Getting Off The Rollercoaster

In the years after separation and divorce, my efforts in personal development have brought a dramatic shift in my thinking. At the same time, my music has gone from singing songs at home and simple gatherings of friends, to my lifetime dream of having my songs selected and recorded for use by other people. One of the most effective tools for songwriting is the ability to conjure up an image for the listener. As such, I have employed imagery with various aspects of this book to allow the essence of subject matter to enter into your mind, to then be seen in another light.

Imagery is the language of the Soul. This is why ancient mythology successfully spans the centuries. Because it does not speak in the language of the day, the use of imagery allows the message to settle peacefully in the heart of the spectator where it is rich in meaning.

By my own use of imagery, I can allow my thoughts to be placed in your heart in a most perfect way. That which cannot be communicated in words, will be complete by the stimulation of your own Love and imagination.

As you come out of your long waking sleep; (the sleep that came upon you as you entered into the dramas of adult life), you will find yourself in a strange room with two doors and a mirror. You came here through one of those doors to leave behind a painful past. Within your reach is a key that will fit both doors, however, it is not time to lock or unlock any of the doors ... this will be done later on. It will be done after you can go back to open the door you have just passed through, and acknowledge without fear that what you see is not your new reality. You will say to what you see in that room:

"Within this room are experiences that I do not need to be a part of anymore. Yet through them, I am closer to what I am to become, and I peacefully allow myself the right to progress in the understanding of my Life through the ways of Love. I will do this without the limitation of Regret, Shame, Guilt, or Blame."

Then you will continue over to the mirror, and in that mirror you will see a child. This child is the true essence of your nature, and the mirror is your own Soul. You will look at yourself and understand many things, and when you come to Love yourself, you can then use the key to lock the door of the things that Were, and open the door of the things that Will Be.

THE SUBTLENESS OF PAIN AND FEAR:

Recall that the Ego is the survival instinct of the animal raised to consciousness. Survival mechanisms are based on fear to prompt some action to ensure the safety and well being. When you see my use of the word fear, you may be tempted to think of a situation where there is panic, dread, or trembling. But the fear base operation of our Egos can be used to describe feelings of simple hesitation to feelings of confusion. There are also feelings of fear relating to apprehension and concerns, yet all these examples are only a handful of the descriptions that can relate to common aspects of fear. Fear does not have to imply the sort of emotion we might feel if we were confronted with a shotgun, or if we were to walk a dangerous precipice on a cliff. To employ the word "FEAR" when talking of the ways in which the Ego operates, requires us to thoughtfully consider the context in which it is used. Do not fear the use of the word fear.

The word Pain is also used in the description of the feelings that fear based thinking is preparing us to avoid. Once again, it has it's own context associated with each situation, so by virtue of the very nature of this book, we talk of emotional pain with regard to the fear base behind Ego thinking.

DEGREES OF FEAR:

The following hypothetical example is loosely, but essentially based upon an experience of mine.

If I were to ask a woman to share a meal with me one evening, she might fear it was a "come on", and politely suggest perhaps another time. Some time later, I would then ask her again, and that she might also like to bring a friend ... she says yes. She feels it would be a nice evening; she feels safe; she does not fear. The degree or intensity of her feelings did not bring her to a cold sweat, but her reaction to the original invitation brought about a response that delivered her from a pain, and the pain was the emotion that made her feel awkward. She may think...

"Oh oh!, what do I do here ?
I hardly know this guy.
Although we get on quite well and a meal sounds good,
I'd better l play it safe.
I'll tell him I'm busy."

The response is normal, good and wise; but it still illustrates a definition of fear and pain. For this purpose, fear and pain would have served her well. This is discriminative reasoning.

Fear based thinking does have its place in our lives, but to lack awareness in our actions and thinking, can limit the options for good and helpful things to be a part of our lives, even the fun things in life. If we were without fear based thinking, mankind would not have survived in the way it has. By crossing the road in a busy city, we employ fear to help us negotiate a safe journey. It would also natural to be fearful of getting involved in heavy drugs. In yet another light, fear also allows us to have a respect for electricity and therefore enjoy the benefits of many wonderful inventions. This fear part of our nature is normal; it is supposed to be this way. It is good.