I am so grateful for all the years of training and self-study when I totally immersed myself in meditation and writing. I am so grateful for the tools I had to delve within and take a good honest look at myself especially my mind and how mind works and more importantly….why. As I studied myself and became more aware of my thoughts I realized that most of my thoughts were not in alignment with who I am. This was a great revelation…so where did all these thoughts and patterns of behavior and beliefs that are not in alignment with who I am come from? They come from how we are raised, the times we are raised in, the media, our generation, every possible influence and even include past lives. Throughout our lives we are told what to believe, what to think and how to act. It takes awareness and discipline to watch our thoughts and remember that we have the power to choose our thoughts and once we accomplish this…the letting go and changing our thoughts gets easier. We simply change the channel.

When we listen to TV or the radio and don't like what we are hearing or are not in agreement with what we are hearing…we change the channel. We can do the same with our mind…change the channel and change the thought. Thinking negatively? Change the channel to positive thoughts. Changing the channel of our mind is no easy task. What I have observed in my own life is this mind has been in control, loves being in control and doesn't relinquish control very easily. It takes work and more importantly Awareness.

I remember the moment when my Yoga teacher gave a lecture about the mind. It was a moment of reckoning for me…wow…I have the power to control my thoughts? Who knew? Then the fun began; the next level of training was to develop "the witness" to strengthen that something within me that can "watch the mind". I quickly realized the "witness" is my Soul, Spirit, the Light or Divinity within. The more I empower my Spirit the less power mind has over me and my life. The mind ruled my life and my world…an endless whirlwind of thought constantly getting stuck and playing over and over again, leaving me walking through life unconsciously because mind was anywhere but right here, right now.

This past weekend I was driving to an event where I was a guest speaker. It was the largest venue for me so far, over 200 people in attendance. I was about 2 miles from my destination when my car phone rang and the voice on the other end gave me some very shocking and devastating news. I pulled over for a few moments, grateful for the presence of my Cheryl (whom I affectionately call my 2nd daughter). Once the conversation ended I drove to the event. I sat through about 2 hours of wonderful entertainment and yet mind began to wander to this news which rocked my world. As I observed mind and what every thought was doing to me and my body…I took a breath and focused the whirling thoughts on every note, every tune, every movement on the stage. I totally focused on the present moment. When I was introduced I walked up on stage and gave the best inspirational talk I've ever given. Once the event was over and I was in my car I allowed the tears to fall, the trembling to return and went home to deal with this news.

Changing the channel of the mind does not mean repressing emotion. What I have learned to do is to compartmentalize the thoughts. I knew I would allow the emotions and thoughts to return once my responsibility and obligation was done…and that is what I did. The most empowering teachings I have learned through the tradition of Yoga I studied is Raja –mastery of mind and emotion as my teacher so simply put it. There is nothing in my life and my world more powerful than knowing mind and using it as the tool it is. The Master of this mind…is my Spirit…the Divine within me.

The mind can be our greatest friend…or our worst enemy. We have the power to make that choice.

May you know that you too have the power to change your thoughts, to be aware of your thoughts and to live a more peaceful and centered life…just change the channel.

With love & blessings,

Kathleen