For those of you who weren’t aware, I made this announcement over a month ago about my new book.
In That Original Post I Explained...
Over the next few months, I’ll be rereading all of the post comments, enhancing the posts, and crafting them into the final chapters. When these chapters are complete I’ll have an open call for beta-readers on Hive to read the manuscript and offer feedback.
What Is A Beta-Reader? (from Wikipedia)
Beta Reader: a test reader of an unreleased work of literature or other writing (similar to beta testing in software), who gives feedback from the point of view of an average reader to the author. A beta reader is not a professional and can therefore provide advice and comments in the opinions of an average reader. This feedback is used by the writer to fix remaining issues with plot, pacing, and consistency. The beta reader also serves as a sounding board to see if the book has had the intended emotional impact.
The Process Of Writing Mindful Moments
This book project has been like no other one I’ve ever worked on. First, it’s taken way longer to write than a book written in the traditional way. Secondly, it’s been so much more enjoyable to let the ideas for the chapters naturally bubble up into my imagination.
I thank you in advance for your notes and feedback in the comments below. It’s been very valuable to me so far and will help to create a book which, hopefully, helps lots of people improve their lives for many years to come.
Chapter Nine – Stop Giving Your Power Away
Choosing the path that allows you to become the absolute best version of yourself isn’t always easy in the short term, but in the long run it rewards you with huge dividends. When you begin to realize how profoundly your everyday actions influence those people around you (and vice versa) it can begin to seem more like a moral obligation to be as smart, self-aware, and compassionate as you’re capable of.
You may not realize it but each one of us has great power. Each time you interact with someone you leave them with a subset of residual feelings. These feelings have the power to change the emotional state of that person. This interaction can be as complex as an hours-long conversation or as simple as a five second interaction with a cashier at a gas station.
A very useful question to ask yourself every day is:
Are you leaving the people you interact with in a better or a worse state than before they met you?
For example, think about that last innocent mistake you made while behind the wheel in traffic. It could have been cutting someone else off who was in your blindspot, failing to use a turn signal, etc. We’ve all made those absentminded mistakes that have sparked a fit of road rage from another driver. Although you didn’t mean to cut them off (or whatever else it was you did) their beeping, yelling, and/or cursing probably ruined part of your day.
To make matters worse, this road rager’s temper tantrum will even start a chain reaction, if you let it. You may decide to retaliate, escalating the situation further. Even if you don't retaliate in that moment you may hold onto the negative experience and it might make you treat someone else badly at a later point in the day. Not only is this horrible for your own emotional and physical health but it has the potential to be bad for everyone else you come in contact with afterwards. It’s much better to break the cycle.
The important thing to remember is we have a choice as to how we react to these kinds of situations. A majority of people have been conditioned to believe they’re being strong by retaliating against someone who says or does something rude to them but it’s quite the opposite.
Each time we choose the path of retaliation to this kind of impulsive behavior we perpetuate a chain reaction of negativity. In losing our temper and retaliating we also unwillingly give our power away to someone else.
How could this be possible? By allowing complete strangers the ability to change our mental and emotional state with just a few words, a gesture, or an action we’re allowing them to hack our emotions and manipulate us. In just a few seconds this kind of manipulation can escalate into a dangerous situation that has enormous consequences. Most miserable people enjoy nothing more than spreading their misery. Truly strong people keep their power and simply don’t allow their emotions to be this easily manipulated.
“You have power over your mind -- not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.” - Marcus Aurelius
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One of the amazing side-effects of meditation is it allows us to become more introspective instead of just impulsively reacting to what unfolds in our environment. It’s a lot like installing virus protection software in your brain that offers us a layer of protection from these “hackers” who are trying to manipulate us for their own goals or amusement.
Meditation also provides us with another very valuable feature, a pause button. Once you become mindful, through the practice of meditation, you tend to not instinctively react to situations based on emotion. Instead you give yourself the cushion of a few seconds to analyze a situation before deciding how you're going to react. Sometimes a few seconds make a difference between just going about your day peacefully or making a mistake that could alter the course of your entire life.
“He who controls others may be powerful but he who has mastered himself is mightier still.” - Lao Tzu
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Once you begin to see the world from this introspective angle you will see that a lot of things start to look different. Becoming conscious of your reactions will make you feel as though a thick fog has lifted, you’ll be able to see both yourself and the world around you in a more honest light.
You'll start to recognize your own deficiencies and weaknesses. By recognizing this shortfalls you'll be able to begin to actively work to overcome them. This will allow you to reclaim your personal power and this will set you on a path of self-directed evolution that will change your life more than you could possibly imagine.
This is how we change the world for the better, one person at a time. Making a promise to yourself to be a better person tomorrow than you are today is the best gift you can give to the world. It all begins with you.
Affirmations
Find a quiet place that will be free from distractions. Sit upright in a comfortable chair with your eyes closed and concentrate on your breath for a count of thirty...to breathe properly for meditation just remember,
- INHALE through your nose for a count of five (sniff the flower),
- HOLD the breath for a count of 5 (pause),
- EXHALE from your mouth for a count of 7 (blow out the candle).
Now think about a situation you’ve experienced in the past where you’ve lost your temper and greatly regret it. Revisit that memory, with closed eyes. Imagine yourself reacting in a different and more positive way. Think about how much better of an outcome you would have experienced.
With closed eyes repeat the following affirmations three times each:
After you recite these affirmations it’s helpful to linger in the serenity for a few minutes -- focus on your happiness, health, and overall well-being.
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In Gratitude,
~ Eric Vance Walton ~
I am an American novelist, poet, traveler, and crypto-enthusiast. If you’ve enjoyed my work please sign up for my author newsletter at my website. Newsletter subscribers will receive exclusive updates and special offers and your information will never be sold or shared.
Alarm Clock Dawn, one of the first full length novels published on the blockchain, and the book that started it all for me can be found HERE. Or Click Here to read it for free on the Steemit blockchain
My meditation book, The Perfect Pause, is priced at $12.99 (paperback) and $4.99 (eBook). Buy the paperback and receive the eBook for free!
