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Freeing Ourselves From a Downward Spiral
Written by: Brad SwiftArticle Overview: Some people call them vicious circles or cycles. I prefer to think of them as downward spirals of life. I’m referring to those periods that we can all become trapped in like the whirlpool of water as it drains from the tub. If we're not careful and mindful these downward spirals can suck the life right out of us. They’re like the Spiral of Fulfillment in reverse. When we find ourselves trapped in such a downward spiral we life can look and feel pretty bleak. Here are a few simple and effective steps you can use to free yourself of such life draining periods.
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Freeing Ourselves From a Downward Spiral
Some people call them vicious circles or cycles. I prefer to think of them as downward spirals of life. I’m referring to those periods that we can all become trapped in like the whirlpool of water as it drains from the tub. If we're not careful and mindful these downward spirals can suck the life right out of us. They’re like the Spiral of Fulfillment in reverse. When we find ourselves trapped in such a downward spiral we life can look and feel pretty bleak. Here are a few simple and effective steps you can use to free yourself of such life draining periods.
NOTICE THE SPIRAL YOU’RE IN
As is so often true, awareness is the first step to intervention. Much of the power of a downward spiral comes from our continuing to be unaware of the direction of our life. Like a whirlpool, a downward spiral’s power picks up strength and speed the longer we’re in it; so it follows that the sooner we become aware we sre trapped in a downward spiral,the easier it will be to change the direction of our life. It’s often helpful to remember a downward spiral reversed becomes a spiral of fulfillment.
ALLOW YOURSELF TO BE FULLY PRESENT TO YOUR LIFE
When you first notice you’re in a downward spiral,the tendency is to quickly react in an effort to free yourself. This initial reaction is often based in fear and may only exaserbate the spiral. Instead, take time to notice what is happening from a detached position. Witness your life by stepping outside of it for awhile. One simple way to do this is to imagine you are in a movie theater reviewing the “Story of My Life” movie. Watch and Observe.
CONSCIOUSLY RELEASE THE THOUGHTS AND EMOTIONS
As you begin to “Dismantle” the downward spiral, be sure you release and let go of the disempowering thoughts and emotions. You might envision a large bottomless trash can in front of you into which you toss each thought and each emotion attached to the thought or you can write it all down then burn the paper, thus releasing their hold on you.
RESIST THE TEMPTATION TO INDULGE
Don’t get sucked into the drama of the movie. There’s no point to watching the movie over and over. This will only suck you further down the spiral. Observe and Move On.
COMMIT TO CHANGING DIRECTIONS
Make a conscious choice to change the direction of your spiral. You may write down your choice as a declaration or share it with a friend, loved one or your coach. Draw a line in the sand.
KNOW THE MAKE UP OF A DOWNWARD SPIRAL
Knowing the basic elements that are the composition of a downward spiral will make it easier to change its directions. Downward spirals are composed of “molecules of meaning” which can be further broken down to fear, and lack based thoughts and emotions.
This includes such things as doubt, worry, shoulding on yourself, jealousy, anger, fear, frustration, etc. All of these come together to effect who you think you are(ie, loser, failure, unlovable, etc.) which then determines the actions you take and what you say out loud to yourself. All of which then determines what you have, as in the results with which you measure your life.
USE THE LAW OF ATTRACION TO CHANGE THE SPIRAL’S DIRECTION
The Law of Attraction states that “like attracts like.” So just like fear and lack based thoughts will attract more similiar thoughts, the same is true of love and abundance based thoughts. By changing your thoughts and your emotions you change the direction of the downward spiral.
PRACTICE PATIENCE AND PERSISTANCE
Remember you didn’t get into the downward spiral overnight, so don’t expect reversing direction to take place in an instance. Just as it takes time to stop a car and put it into reverse, it will take time before you’ll see the evidence that your downward spiral has become a spiral of fulfillment. In the mean time continue to affirm and trust that it is so.
BEGIN TO GATHER EVIDENCE FOR THE TURNAROUND
As you continue the turnaround process begin to look for physical evidence that the process is working. Start with the mindset that the evidence is there already and your job is to find it like a detector, rather than wondering whether there is any or not.
DEBRIEF, DECLARE THE ACOMPLISHMENT, AND CELEBRATE
At some point you will know beyond a shadow of a doubt that the turnaround is complete. Before moving on take a few minutes to acknowledge what you’ve learned from the experience, declare to yourself the accomplishment and celebrate it. You’ve made major progress along your purposeful path. “Celebrate, Celebrate. Dance to the Music.”
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Article Tags: downward spiral, fulfillment, life, life purpose, spirals, vicious circles, whirlpool
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About the Author: Brad Swift RSS for Brad's articles - Visit Brad's website  He is the author of: - Coaching to Win: Building Your Business by Building Your Team - Life On Purpose: Six Passages to an Inspired Life -- an award winning finalist in the Self-Help: Motivational division of the Best Books 2007 Awards sponsored by USA News - From Spark to Flame: Fanning Your Passion & Ideas into Moneymaking Magazine Articles that Make a Difference. Start on the Purposeful Path with the fun and engaging Self Test at: http://www.lifeonpurpose.com/selftest Click here to visit Brad's website   All is In Divine Order Even When it Doesnt Look Like It Im Dying But Not to Worry The Typical Ways We Often Make Decisions How to Use Contrast to Enhance Your Life The Vehicle Of Your Soul |
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