Month: October 2012

Shifting Style

Gerard S. HoffLeave a comment

From the REFORMATION series

The funny thing is, that despite of the ambitions or situations we’re in, we keep doing the same thing and expect a different outcome.

Well, this is never the case.

Maybe it is a hard conclusion, but it is the truth. Those are not only my words, basically it’s what Darwin said a long time ago:
Evolve or die.

And evolution is adapting to the environment.
Or situation.

And he proved right, ask the dinsaurs. Besides, it is a very good thing. It is absolutely fabulous to be in that situation and have the ability to evolve. Imagine, just new and better things lying ahead.  There’s two things we need to do:

  1. Overcome the fear
  2. Break the routine

In that order….

A good way to start is, make it visual. Change that look in the mirror. It is the easiest way to start a change and evolve. Change your look, change your clothes or just buy those great pair of shoes or boots you always wanted, but were a bit extraordinary.

Do it.

Start.

And don’t be afraid to look in the mirror and be proud of yourself. Along the way, be very much aware of the situation you’re in and where you want to go. If you don’t know where to go, just focus on that positive feeling of happiness in general. The world will fold around you.

Remember, the difference between evolution and revolution is time.
How fast do you want to go?

Happy shifting.

Shifting Style is part of the Reformation series.
Reformation is embracing new knowledge and insights in order to rewire existing patterns in the brain and ones natural behavior. Reformation is phase One and internal. Phase Two is Transformation the external result.

Shifting Speed

Gerard S. HoffLeave a comment

From the REFORMATION series

The story of Toomee.

Toomee is 1 person and 2 manifestations. One is Fastmee and he’s walking fast. The other is Slowmee, trying to catch up.

Fastmee is pre-occupied chasing ambitions, missing out on life. Ambitions of a bigger house, better things, a bigger job and more stuff and more stuff.

Slowmee on the other hand, is enjoying live, the moment and everything along the way. His child within is fully alive. He has no worries and finds living in the moment the highest goal of life. But, he’s frustrated because together, Fastmee and Slowmee, they’re on an inseparable journey.
He needs to catch up with Fastmee.

Suddenly Slowmee realizes he’s missing out on all the good stuff and the fact that he only knows the back of Fastmee, which is pretty boring.

In that inspiring moment he has the best idea ever. He shouts at Fastmee to slow down.

Fastmee turns his head and looks back at Slowmee. For the first time in their lives, they see each other. It is a magic moment. At that instant they decide to continue their journey side by side, helping each other to speed up when necessary or slow down when needed. Always with big smiles on their faces.

The advantage of speed a.k.a. fast life, is that you get faster to a destination. So it seems, but what if you don’t know the destination? And let’s face it, none of does.

One of the problems with too much speed, is that you don’t get to see the beautiful view a long the way. And as a result you will miss out on some of the greatest inspiration, that would have changed the outcome of your journey.

Another problem with too much speed – trying to live like an ‘adult’ – is that it’s easy to forget your childhood dreams. Can you remember them?

I am not saying it always has to be slow – but hey! – life goes fast enough as it is, so enjoy the moment.

Happy shifting

Shifting Speed is part of the Reformation series.
Reformation is embracing new knowledge and insights in order to rewire existing patterns in the brain and ones natural behavior. Reformation is phase One and internal. Phase Two is Transformation the external result.

Shifting Moods

Gerard S. HoffLeave a comment

From the REFORMATION series

It is odd but there are times I am not feeling me. It’s like I am a different person and most of all, a person I don’t like.

It feels like a person with glue on its shoes and it is hard to go forward. Or the feeling of walking through mud, while the mud is sucking on your soles and walking is a drag.

Well, you get my point and those are really the moments I don’t like myself! The ‘funny’ thing is, it takes a while to fully realize it is happening, that I am that dreadful person and when I realize it, it is hard to shift moods.

So I started analysing it and came to the conclusion that it is something or someone that is in me and has the tendency to appear when I’m tired, worried, stressed, and so forth, moments of lower resistance, where this ugly me has the power to manifest.

I have two rituals, starting with becoming aware of the ugly me.

One is sleeping well. Not too long, but enough, like 7 hours. Wake up, think about what’s bugging you and think of all the positive things you have, take a conscious shower and let the heat chase the ugly me away.

The other is a literal shift of mood. Wake up the good ‘you’, think of the ridicule of your behaviour and laugh out loud about it. Just laugh the ugly you away.

Laughing is the best cure I know. I believe it’s not because you’re happy that you’re laughing, I believe it’s because you’re laughing you become happy. Think about that for a while.

Laugh happy;
happy shifting.

Shifting Moods is part of the Reformation series.
Reformation is embracing new knowledge and insights in order to rewire existing patterns in the brain and ones natural behavior. Reformation is phase One and internal. Phase Two is Transformation the external result

Shifting Gears

Gerard S. HoffLeave a comment

From the REFORMATION Series

Do you recognize that feeling, when you’re in the car with somebody and they’re not shifting up gears?
That sound of an engine making too much revs?

Well sometimes I feel the same thing in my body. I don’t know exactly how that goes. Too preoccupied maybe, or stressed? But what I do know it is taking a lot if energy. It is an undefined feeling when I think about it and I don’t like it.

Fortunately, most of the times I’m realizing it and am I able to shift up a gear or even go into overdrive, saving energy and less noise. But it made me wonder. How does it happen and how often are we not aware of it.

The reverse is also true, forgetting to shift down. We stay in a higher gear, but we really are driving very slow. The problem is that when kick the throttle, to speed up again, the engine stutters and there’s the risk of shutting down.

The idea made me realize that it’s good to choose the right gear in everything you do, by being consciously be aware . Sometimes it’s just not worth using to much energy, when you’re stuck in a low gear and trying to go fast. Be aware and shift up.

Or otherwise set in a high gear when there’s no need, just go in overdrive, safe energy or shift down, drive slow, but be able to pick up speed, without the engine shutting down, just be aware, you control the gear shift.

Happy shifting.

Shifting Gears is part of the Reformation series.
Reformation is embracing new knowledge and insights in order to rewire existing patterns in the brain and ones natural behavior. Reformation is phase One and internal. Phase Two is Transformation the external result.

Shifting Prejudice

Gerard S. HoffLeave a comment

From the REFORMATION series.

Prejudice or prejudge, in essence is a good word.
It creates a constructed context for a new or unexpected situation. The problem rises when this context is – or becomes – rigid, instead of flexible and changing with any new input. In other words: when pre-judgment becomes reality, it’s not good.

I say it is an easy trap to get caught in, especially in negative situations. It creates a good excuse for victim behavior and quest for attention. The problem? Mean becomes the objective.

When you’re in this situation, it is hard to see you are by yourself and people feel sorry for you, so most of the time they won’t tell you. You get stuck in this way and it becomes a kind of a prepetulum mobile creating negative energy.

But there’s a way to change this negative energy into positive. When you’re a victim and survived, you’re a hero with a lot of baggage. Realize that! Stop looking at yourself as a victim. Become that hero, your hero.

Learn to use the baggage in a positive way. Make your prejudice flexible. Nothing happens for nothing. Be curious for the next great thing.

Happy shifting

Shifting Prejudice is part of the Reformation series.
Reformation is embracing new knowledge and insights in order to rewire existing patterns in the brain and ones natural behavior. Reformation is phase One and internal. Phase Two is Transformation the external result

Shifting Reality

Gerard S. HoffLeave a comment

From the REFORMATION series

It’s funny how things go. How we have the tendency to stick to situations or things, even when it’s bad. Whether it is a job, a relationship or a bad habit like smoking, it is hard to change.

But don’t worry! It is a human thing.
Humans – and we all are – like cliché’s, the patterns, the habits. We get used to them and somehow make that situation a goal on it’s own. It is how we’re programmed; it is called cognitive dissonance.

Add the fear of change and most of the time we’ll end up in a very rigid position. What will happen in case I’ll make that radical decision? And none of us has a glass bowl.

Well, it is simple; you don’t need a glass bowl.
It will ALWAYS be better then sticking to a bad situation, no matter what excuses you can come up with.

There’s a way.

Try to imagine how you feel in this ideal situation, this new reality. The happiness, the freedom, the air, the whatever-you-want-to-feel. Just focus on that feeling and make decision. Use it as a springboard to something new and refreshing!

You’ll find that the more you can attach to that positive feeling the more everything around it, becomes real.

It is attracted by it, like a magnet. It isn’t for nothing the word reality is derived from the word real, from the Latin word ‘realis’, which means ‘Relating to things’.

Relate to that positive feelings and it will turn into reality.

Happy Shifting.

Shifting Polarity is part of the Reformation series.
Reformation is embracing new knowledge and insights in order to rewire existing patterns in the brain and ones natural behavior. Reformation is phase One and internal. Phase Two is Transformation the external result

Shifting Polarity

Gerard S. HoffLeave a comment

From the REFORMATION series.

Shifting polarity is about shifting from negative to positive, where negative of course  is related to unhappiness. It’s interesting to see what happens when we’re unhappy.

Sometimes unhappiness becomes part of life and isn’t noticed anymore.
Sometimes people aren’t aware of their unhappy undertone, because the origin is forgotten in the past and they think it is part of life.

Other times, people are aware of their unhappiness, but don’t know how to fix it. In anyway, unhappiness is a negative engine. Sometimes it’s so strong that it influences the outcome of things before they happen. And here’s the danger: unhappiness becomes a downward spiral. Not good.

So when one has the feeling that things aren’t as good as one wishes, shift polarity.
Become aware of these negative thoughts and replace them by positive ones.

The next phase is exaggeration.
Imagine the most positive things you want to achieve and believe in them.
You’ll see things will change.

Shifting from positive to negative thinking.

So now you have a positive end goal in mind – this purpose and direction are vital, because it generates positivism– but just as important is to think hard about the hurdles lying in wait.

Huh, what?!

…you might think. But the risk of only thinking positive is becoming lazy, because when you truly believe in the outcome to come, what else is there to do then wait….. But laziness is never a good thing. Defining these hurdles makes it more interesting and creates active thinking (which I promote).

I call it “mental contrasting” – thinking about how wonderful it would be to achieve your goals, while keeping in mind where you’re now and the way – and difficulties – that can lie in between. It’s also a good way to help coping with negative thoughts that will crawl in your thinking anyway. Those are possible hurdles and keep you sharp.

Try it – think of one of your ambitions or goals, write down three benefits of achieving them, but then pause and consider the three main obstacles in your way, and write those down, too.

Going through this routine will help ensure you direct your motivation and energy where it’s needed most, and help you identify if this particular goal is a non-starter.

Happy shifting

Shifting Polarity is part of the Reformation series.
Reformation is embracing new knowledge and insights in order to rewire existing patterns in the brain and ones natural behavior. Reformation is phase One and internal. Phase Two is Transformation the external result.