American Fitness Professionals & Associates

By: Dolores J Argutto

The Keys to Our Success lie in our being consistent even when faced with obstacles since obstacles are a part of our journey. No matter what our goals, no matter the subject, there will always be obstacles. Realizing this, intellectualizing this makes our struggle that much easier.

Currently, we are in a world crisis..a struggle to protect our security and banish terrorism The content of this article was supposed to be about suppression of our feelings and how that limits us in achieving our happiness. In keeping with that, our feelings with regard to  world events-mine and yours need to be expressed. I am sure everyone’s perception is in sync..CHANGES NEED

TO BE MADE -ASAP!

The principles of change begin with a thought. A higher level of awareness is brought about by any number of things. Maybe a health report indicates that we need to change our diet. A photo, depending upon what we see, can make us adopt an exercise program. Feeling so full after a meal “we can’t hear” can make us vow to eat less. Being late for work and feeling fearful over our security makes us get up earlier. Actually getting up earlier is caused by a feeling and an act. This is the second step of change. A feeling motivated us into positive action to correct a situation with which we were not comfortable.

Finally, the terrorists who committed these unbelievable acts of violence have shocked us into realizing the need for a change. They have invoked in all of us powerful motivators Rage..Fear, Sadness, Absolute Resolution. Feelings that when suppressed can do serious damage to our spiritual and emotional well-being. How often do we feel these feelings in our daily lives? You tell me. What about this-how often do we become these feelings without even realizing it?

Feelings are not us- they are separate from us. Once we recognize that a feeling is just that and not attached to us we can let go of it along with any negativity attached to it. That done our potential is unlimited. Wouldn’t it be terrific if we could marshall the energy behind these feelings and use it to realize a dream? ANY progress toward this end is good.  Just think of something you’d like to change if you smoke and you are able to cut back, that is progress. If you eat a little less at each meal, that is progress. If you increase your exercise 15 minutes a day, that is progress. Change, no matter how insignificant it may appear, is  still a step forward.

Small steps, steady consistent ones give us the confidence to continue. Very often we feel overwhelmed just by the idea of change. When we believe we can succeed we do.  It really is a mindset. Is there any American in this country right now that is willing to entertain the thought of us failing to bring the people who committed the horrible crime of 9/11 to justice? I don’t think so. In order to facilitate this, steps have been taken by our government to ensure the success of this, the closing of borders to countries which harbor the prime suspects.

Allowing our military to enter their airspace. Sanctions of all kinds including removing funding for these activities, etc. So it is that change is brought about by … steps. It does not happen overnite or we would have retaliated on Wed.Sept. 12th. Which I ( and I am sure many others) would not have complained about! Be that as it may, the journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step. In trying to change something..as some of us are..keep your focus on the goal not on the struggle. Remember..suppression limits us while combining expression with letting go sets us free. Thankfully, we have a very reliable resource for this prayer!

Dolores J Argutto
E-Mail http://www.afpafitness.com/articles/Basicbeginnings@aol.com