change

Short and Sweet #163 – Just Do The Right Thing

/ Tim Custis / Leave a comment

Sounds simple doesn’t it, but it is not always that easy for most of us. However, in truth it should be simple to do the right thing every time.

How many times do we hear about a person, company or government not doing the right thing? It seems like daily there is something in the news, happening locally or personally. Why is it when someone tries to do the right thing they are often chastised for doing it? The truth is if we all did the right thing in every situation this world would be very different wouldn’t it. I wonder how different things would be if we were not so focused on material things, power, money and so rigid in our rightness. These things often lead us astray and cause us to do the wrong thing.

If you really want things to be different in this world or just in your own life, then you have to start doing the right things. In every situation that happens around the world, whether it is with another country, a company or a government, we must remember that people just like you and me run them all. When we find out that something bad has happened it is because a person or group of people have chosen to do the wrong thing at some point. We all know what that feels like because we all have done something wrong in this life.

Why is it when someone comes along who is brave enough to expose the truth they are held to be criminal or have to be protected from possible harm. These whistle blowers should be held in high regard for their courage and honesty. If they were then more people would come forward to expose the wrongdoing of others.

In order to change the whole, we have to start with the pieces and we are all a piece of the whole. Let each event where you know that someone did not do the right thing be a signpost for you to look at your own life. Instead of judging other people for not doing the right thing, look within for where you are not doing the right thing. Instead of getting angry because of what other people are doing, look at your life and see where you can do better, where you can do the right thing. Let me assure you that there is always some part of your life where you can make a shift. Be observant over your thoughts, words, and actions and when you become aware of something that needs to shift, take the simple action of doing the right thing.

**If you like this post please help me by sharing it. Have it delivered to your inbox by signing up for an email subscription on your right.

What’s on your mind? I am always open to questions and comments or for a healthy and supportive discussion about these topics.

Short and Sweet #161 – Now That I know better, I Do Better

/ Tim Custis / Leave a comment

Maya Angelou said, “I did then what I knew how to do. Now that I know better, I do better.” Well yesterday, it struck me that this is not always true. In my life, I have countless examples of when I knew something was not for my highest good, yet that alone did not always stop me from doing it. We have all been in a position of doing something repeatedly even after we knew it was not good for us. Think about it, do you ever eat foods that you know are not good for you? Do you spend too much time on the internet or watching television?

Many would say that you just need more willpower. Well I would agree that willpower is sometimes a part of the process. However, willpower is not always enough by itself. Many different things can facilitate our ability to be able to stop doing a certain behavior. Having an addictive nature myself, I have found that there can be many things that need to come together to manifest a shift. I believe this is true for everyone, even if you do not think you have an additive nature.

For each person the solution may be different for healing or getting the desired results. However, I believe that an unbending intention is at the foundation of any successful healing or transformation. We are part of the creative energy of the universe and intention is a catalyst for manifesting. Now the result is not always the way we pictured it and sometimes it is completely different from what we expected, but it is always equal to, or greater than we could have imagined.

It is important for you to know that you will succeed in your quest if you stay connected to your intention. Certainly, you can revise it, but it must stay active, otherwise you will slip back into the old pattern, often falling deeper into it. What this means is that you will suffer more until you are aware enough to reestablish your intention again. Please do not beat yourself up when you fall off the path, just reconfirm your intention and keep moving. As I have said before, the Universe is conspiring in our favor, not against us. It is our birthright to rise above who we have become and to reconnect with who we really are, the True-Self. We are not the conditioned and fearful human being we think we are, but a fearless and beautiful spiritual being, capable of infinite possibilities.

**If you like this post please help me by sharing it. If you missed an earlier post or would like to sign up for email notification please go to timcustis.com.

What’s on your mind? I am always open to questions and comments or for a healthy and supportive discussion about these topics.

Short and Sweet #158 – Stop Attacking Yourself and Others

/ Tim Custis / Leave a comment

When we make a mistake or find fault in others and ourselves we attack through our thoughts, words and actions. Be careful if you think this does not apply to you without some investigation. We think of ourselves as stupid or feel this way when we make a mistake. In addition, we sometimes lash out at other people through our thoughts or facial expressions. We might even be frustrated enough to say something aloud to them. Just remember that it does not matter how you commit this attack it is always self-destructive and hurtful to others energetically. It never serves a positive purpose unless it is done with a loving intention.

The best things you can do in these situations until you stop the behavior, which means releasing the energy of the pattern, is to be aware and notice it. Notice the glance of disgust, your thoughts or words that you say to yourself or the other person. Now do not beat yourself up because you did it again this is attacking yourself and not helpful. In fact, the energy from this attack feeds the pattern energetically making it stronger. Just notice, acknowledge, and reset your intention to release the behavior and when appropriate make amends to anyone that you hurt.

Know that you will repeat the behavior again until you release the pattern. One day you will wake up and notice that you are not doing it anymore, celebrate this moment. There is no rush, it will take as long as it takes, so you must be willing to continue to pay attention. Sometimes you will forget and I say again, do not beat yourself up for forgetting, just acknowledge that you did the behavior again and move on.

Now if you want to add something to accelerate your awakening you can add Ho’oponopono (see Short and Sweet #24), repeat your favorite prayer or some other higher vibrational text, something that inspires you to connect with your higher self and reinforces your intention to stop the behavior.

**If you like this post please help me by sharing it. Have it delivered to your inbox by signing up for an email subscription on your right.

What’s on your mind? I am always open to questions and comments or for a healthy and supportive discussion about these topics.

Short and Sweet #153 – The Living Paradox

/ Tim Custis / 3 Comments

If we were only taught in school useful information and knowledge about how the world works and how to live our lives on a daily basis things would be very different from they are today. Unfortunately, that is not happening yet and it is up to each one of us to seek this time-tested knowledge out if we want a better life and a more peaceful world.

One of these very powerful lessons is very short and sweet but do not let that fool you because it can change your life dramatically. You only have to be willing to put it into practice and then watch as it changes your experience of life.

Unto those that hath shall be given, and they shall have abundance: but from those that hath not shall be taken away even that which they have. – The Gospel according to Saint Matthew

Even though the quote above is from the bible, know that similar knowledge can be found in other spiritual text and teachings. If you are not a believer then do not let the fact that this quote comes from the bible get in your way because all you have to do is put it into practice to see the results for yourself.

In simple terms the quote says, the more patient you are with people the more patience you will have. The more love you give, the more loving you become. The more generous you are today, the more generosity you will have tomorrow. The simplest things in life are often the most powerful, if we are only willing to give them a try. I suspect that you have already experienced this in your own life so what is keeping you from putting this very simple principle into practice. I guarantee the results will speak for themselves.

 

**If you like this post please help me by sharing it. Have it delivered to your inbox by signing up for an email subscription on your right.

What’s on your mind? I am always open to questions and comments or for a healthy and supportive discussion about these topics.

Short and Sweet #148– Do YOU Need To Change

/ Tim Custis / Leave a comment

Do we really need to change in order for things to get better or is this part of the illusion? Personally, I do not believe that we need to change. I am sure many would disagree with this statement. If something already exists, do we need to change to experience it or do we just need to remember or rediscover it again. When we change our clothes, we look different on the outside but on the inside, we are still the same. Who you have become is what people see on the outside, but this is not who you really are. If you let go of your outside, the façade just like taking your clothes off then and only then will you expose your True-Self.

Is letting go change, you may think so, we even say I am going to change my clothes, however there is a difference because you cannot change the changeless. Do you see the qualities of the Divine as changing or permanent? If you see them as changing then you will disagree with me. When you perceive that something is wrong with you or someone else then you are looking at the False-Self through the eyes of the False-Self. Therefore, you will only see what it sees and you will stay stuck.

We must keep our awareness on the Divine this is what matters. Not only within but we must notice it in everyone. Why because we are all part of the divine and this is who we are, this is our True-Self. When we make a judgment about someone, we are judging him or her through the False-Self. If we continue to act through these filters then we are living in the illusion and not seeing things clearly.

The oneness of the world is only seen through the eyes of the True-Self. Just like in the movie, the Matrix do you want to take the blue pill or the red pill. The choice is yours in each moment of everyday. Therefore, you see it is not about change it is about choice. The choice to pay attention, be aware and live from the True-Self. It is always available to you and you have experienced it in this life. You have seen it in the eyes of a baby; it has caressed you in the arms of love and dowsed you in the sunlight. You just allowed the False-Self to tell you otherwise and fell back into the arms of illusion, instead of the Divine and the True-Self.

 

**If you like this post please help me by sharing it. Have it delivered to your inbox by signing up for an email subscription on your right.

What’s on your mind? I am always open to questions and comments or for a healthy and supportive discussion about these topics.

Short and Sweet #145 – Understanding Life In Difficult Times

/ Tim Custis / Leave a comment

We all have or will experience tragedy, pain and sorrow in our lives. This is a natural part of life. Thinking that life has to be perfect to be happy is a recipe for suffering. In addition, comparing our lives to someone else and thinking if I only had what they have my life would be perfect will end in suffering too. I can assure you that nothing outside you can bring you lasting happiness or eliminate suffering from your life. During difficult times, the tragedy is not the experience we are having; the tragedy is that we do not take the time to understand the meaning.

I have said this before but it bears repeating, in all tragedy is the seed for healing. Tragedy brings the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of our human experience on all levels. It opens the door to connect with the True-Self and to have a greater connection and understanding of our fellow human beings. Tragedy can open the bridge between the world we live in and spirit. If we overlook these opportunities, we are missing the gift that tragedy and suffering bring. If we are not careful, it is just as easy to allow the tragedy to take us in the other direction, letting our fear lead us into anger, resentment, overwhelming suffering where we can become stuck for years.

In life, we always have a choice no matter what the situation is and we need to recognize that in every situation is every outcome. What I mean by this is that there is good in the bad, all things exist at the same time. We have the choice to see what we want. When tragedy strikes take all the time you need to feel the feelings, but remember not to overlook the opportunity. Do not be swallowed up by your tragedy and remember who you are, tap into the truth of the True-Self to find your way to a new you.
**If you like this post please help me by sharing it. Have it delivered to your inbox by signing up for an email subscription on your right.

What’s on your mind? I am always open to questions and comments or for a healthy and supportive discussion about these topics.

Short and Sweet #142 – Ferguson Missouri Healing Or Horror

/ Tim Custis / Leave a comment

When you look out into the world what do you see? Remember that what you see may not be the truth because it can be filtered through the lens of your past. With every tragedy, there is the horror of what just happened and the reality of dealing with the aftermath for those involved. What we need to remember is that the seed for healing is in every tragedy. We can choose to water the seed or stay stuck in our anger, fear and other emotions that lead us away from healing and towards the very thing we dislike.

Remember that whatever we feel or see is an expression of the world in its entirety. It may be expressed outwardly in different ways but the underlying suffering and outer reactions remain the same. It does not matter if it is in Ferguson or somewhere halfway around the world. No matter what our skin color, religion, country of origin or personal beliefs are we all have a responsibility to come from love, not hate. To reach out from the heart to those in pain and be present for them so they can have time to heal. Using violence to make ourselves feel better temporarily will not change our suffering and it will not change the outer world. As we have seen, violence begets violence and this does not heal but energetically feeds the very thing that we detest. There will always be someone who disagrees with us or who cannot see things in the way that we do. However, this is not an excuse to leave our heart at home, nor is it permission to use our anger and hate against anyone else in this world.

Healing in Ferguson or any place in this world will only take place when we have the courage to look deeply within and heal ourselves first. It is an inside out job, not an outside in job. This means you will never feel completely peaceful, happy, centered or healed unless you have the courage to look within first. When enough of us around the world have done this then the outer world will change. We will then treat ourselves differently and the people around us no matter what they believe. People will be heard and appreciated for who they are instead of being judged for what they say, do or believe. When we live from a heart centered place instead of a mind/ego centered place we can be present, which will allow others to heal and awaken. It is only from this place that anger, hatred and violence will dissolve.

Furthermore, if you cannot do this within yourself first, then how can you expect anyone else to change? I can tell you that hate, anger, lashing out, fighting will not change anything because if that worked things would be very different than they are today. Therefore, I ask do you have the courage? Are you willing to look within to change the outer world and leave this place better than it was when you got here? The world will not lose its hunger for horror until we lose ours.

 

**If you like this post please help me by sharing it. Have it delivered to your inbox by signing up for an email subscription on your right.

What’s on your mind? I am always open to questions and comments or for a healthy and supportive discussion about these topics.

 

Short and Sweet #141 – Focus On What Is Different

/ Tim Custis / Leave a comment

Too often, our attention remains only on what is wrong in this world and in our lives. Over time, this becomes our view and we wonder if things will ever change. We forget that we live in a universe that is in constant change and we stop looking for this change. From this place, we no longer see what is different, what has changed and what is changing. We begin to feel that things are dull or boring, even hopeless and we perceive this as our normal state.

Simply put everything in this universe is made of energy, from the car you drive, the body you inhabit and the stars above. When all of our attention is focused on what is wrong our energy feeds this pattern, the wrongness. Therefore, we our energetically strengthening the very thing we do not want in our life.

If you want your life to be different then it is important to focus on what you want instead of what you do not want. This does not mean you ignore what is present in your life; however, it is helpful to shift your focus and energy towards what you want. Focusing only on what is wrong makes you feel more hopeless and anchors it more deeply into your life.

How do you begin to make this shift when things are turned completely upside down in your life? On the other hand, how about when things are going well and life seems to flow with ease, perhaps you have become complacent on your journey without even knowing it. No matter where your life is, you begin this shift by noticing what is different, no matter how subtle. Notice I did not say better, but different. This is an important distinction because change and growth is not always pain free because of our own resistance to it. When we begin to see what is different we recognize that things are changing. This begins to bring hope back into our lives once again and this energy feeds our desire for something different to occur. With the right intention different will always lead to better with patience and persistence.

In the end, you are the only one who can look for what is different in your body, life and the world. It is always there however, you are free not to see it and continue to focus on what is wrong. This is a moment-by-moment choice sometimes. What will choose today, tomorrow or even this very moment?

**If you like this post please help me by sharing it. Have it delivered to your inbox by signing up for an email subscription on your right.

What’s on your mind? I am always open to questions and comments or for a healthy and supportive discussion about these topics.

Short and Sweet #95 – Circular Self-Destruction

/ Tim Custis / Leave a comment

I know, what in the world is Circular Self-Destruction (CSD). It sounds ominous doesn’t it? You should know that we are all infected by it. OK, I just made it up but that does not mean that you are not infected by it, let me explain.

Have you ever heard something that you lived your life by, only to find out later that it was not true? How about life is hard, have you heard this one? Do you believe this is true? Hear me out before you go listening to your thoughts, which are probably saying that life can be hard. If you have heard this, can you remember where you heard it for the first time? How many things have you heard like this; not remember where you heard it, yet live by it blindly?

We are like sponges soaking up information in the form of energy from the time of conception until we die. When we are a baby, we do not understand language but we pick information up from our parents and surroundings by what we hear, see and most importantly feel. We begin to learn about getting attention and what we need and as we grow older, we mimic our parent’s words and actions. Learning and forming beliefs does not always come from what we think as traditional ways of learning, like school or watching our parents.

We learn many things in this world just by being in it through the diffusion of energy. Many of our beliefs are formed unconsciously through the energetic transmittance that emanates from all things. Simply put we unconsciously pick up information from the energy field of the people around us and the energy field that we live in. Now if this sounds crazy to you just think about a time when you were in a large crowd or even just with one person and you walked away feeling different than you did before that experience. What do you think changed your state?

OK back to the example that life is hard. Once you receive this message and believe it, this effects your energy field. Then when something challenges you in life, you immediately think to yourself they were right, life is hard. For some people it is so strong that the unconscious thought keeps repeating and then difficult things happen more often because they are drawn to them energetically and this creates CSD. This can happen with any belief we have such as, “you have to work hard for your money”. If you believe this statement, then what do you think your work life will be like. Now I am not saying that we shouldn’t work hard, but there is a big difference between working hard by choice or thinking that the only way to make money is to work hard.

Can you experience life challenges differently? Of course you can, you can look at them as opportunities and learn from them. Resistance shows up any time we think something is hard and this can cause suffering. The way to release any pattern of behavior is first become aware of it, which I have talked about before. Look at your life and see if you are exhibiting CSD behavior. Is it time to shift some energy?

If you like this post please help your friends by sharing it. Have it delivered to your inbox by signing up for an email subscription on your right.

What’s on your mind? I am always open to questions and comments or for a healthy and supportive discussion about these topics.

Short and Sweet #88 – The Little Things

/ Tim Custis / Leave a comment

We have all made mistakes or felt that we have failed someone in this life. Sometimes these failures haunt us for the rest of our lives. In reality, these only become failures when we let them haunt us, instead of using them to create a better future.

We have been conditioned to ignore the little things because we live in a world where only big things in life get our attention. We fail ourselves when we ignore all the little faults and failures in our own lives. We say they are not big enough to be important or call for our attention and we ignore them. We rationalize our actions by saying I don’t have time to take care of these little things when there are all these big world problems to be solved.

Too often in life, we think that ignorance is bliss and this is a big illusion that we play on ourselves. We then allow all the little things to pile up. This creates a life that one day we look back on and say how did I get here. We never imagined we would end up this way and usually the changes occur so slowly that we do not see them happen. Life is short and yes, there are some big problems out there, however, you cannot solve the big problems out there without solving the little problems in you. How do you do this? Well like anything else that you want to do you take one-step at a time. You already know of one thing that you want to change but you keep putting it off. If you are not going to start today then when, because your time is running out, ticktock.

If you like this post please help your friends by sharing it. Have it delivered to your inbox by signing up for an email subscription on your right.

What’s on your mind? I am always open to questions and comments or for a healthy and supportive discussion about these topics.