TRANSFORMATION NEWS – MAY 2012

Dear Friends of TTK,

I would like to share a few thoughts with you about maintaining a lifestyle of peace and contentment. This is different from happiness, which is a state of mind created by positive emotions. Peace and contentment is a state of being that you can maintain in spite of perceived negative life experiences. Especially during these trying times where stress has become the number one cause of disease and even death, it is imperative to look at the alternative that is available to each of us.

Following are some important universal or life principles that we need to learn, understand, implement and practice in order to develop a lifestyle of peace and contentment. These principles are not in any specific order as they are all equally important.

An Attitude of Gratitude – This is imperative as our mental and emotional state largely how we experience life. This does not mean that we are only grateful for the positive things that bless us, but also for the perceived negative things that afford us the opportunity to learn some important lessons in order to grow and transform. We need to learn to actively, purposefully and deliberately practice gratitude every day, immaterial of what we may be experiencing. By doing so, we not only change our perception of the situations, circumstances or events that we may be experiencing, but very often we can influence these to eventually work out for our ultimate good. I can personally testify to this and have been practicing and experiencing the amazing benefits of this amazing principle.

An Attitude of Forgiveness – I am always amazed at the reaction from most people when I raise the issue of forgiveness. I believe people are challenged by this concept because they confuse forgiveness with condoning the other person’s actions. It has nothing to do with that. It has everything to do with making a choice not to harbor any negative emotions towards the offender, but to make a concerted effort to immediately deal with the situation in the best possible way and find a way to release the person and the offence in order to move on with your life. Medical science proves how toxic it is for the human system to carry negative emotions related to unforgiveness inside of us. There is also evidence that over a long period of time it may even contribute to mental illness and personality disorders when the unforgiveness becomes an obsession. Forgiveness is not about the offender, but about the one offended against.

An Attitude of Acceptance – This principle is probably one of the most challenging for many people. Again, this is because of misunderstanding the real meaning. Acceptance does not mean capitulating or denying, but simply acknowledging the fact that things are the way they are. I may or may not have been responsible for creating the situation, circumstance or event, but the fact that it occurs in my reality now becomes my responsibility. I now need to decide what action needs to be taken. Blaming others and playing the victim will always exacerbate the situation. I can only make proactive decisions once I accept what is and move on from there.

An Attitude of Giving – Also known as the principle of “Sowing and Reaping”, this is one of the most important principles to learn to practice. It must be noted that this is not limited to money, but includes time, energy, love, compassion, forgiveness etc. There is always more joy in giving than receiving. The saying, “Do unto others as you would have them do to you” also goes hand in hand with this principle. Whatever we sow into someone else’s life will eventually return to us, positive or negative. I once heard somebody say, “When someone treats you badly, ask yourself whether you are sowing or if the other person in reaping”. This is a good philosophy to embrace.

 Attitude of Love – Love in this context does not necessarily refer to the emotion of affection or attachment, but merely the acceptance of others in their humanity – created in the Image and Likeness of God. This does not mean to accept or condone someone’s negative attitude or actions, but making an effort to distinguish between what someone does and who they are in their humanity. I usually find that when I appeal or respond the latter instead of reacting to the former, it often changes the other person’s attitude. The truth is that hurting people hurt others.

I challenge you to learn to practice these principles and see how they change your life and add to your sense of well-being – peace and contentment.

TTK EVENTS

TRANSFORMATION CHAT

There will be no Chat this month as my calendar is rather full with me doing an accredited Life Coach course in a few weeks time that requires 60 hours of pre-study as well as attending classes for eight full day.

TRANSFORMATION BREAKFAST TALK SATURDAY 26 MAY

See attached flyer. Please note the new date.

TRANSFORMATION COACHING AND MENTORING PROGRAMMES

I conduct Life Transformation coaching and mentoring programmes for individuals wanting to make some positive changes in their lives. Programmes are also available substance abuse and addiction recovery.

For further information you can contact me at the details below.

TRANSFORMATION TRAINING

Transformation Training Courses are available in order to qualify as TTK Representatives, Facilitators and Trainers with an opportunity of earning some money. This will also enable us to expand on the work of TTK by increasing our number of staff. For further information you can contact me at the details below.

TTK WEBSITE

We have upgraded the website and encourage you to log on to www.ttk.co.za and register as a user.

QUOTE

I have always thought the actions of men the best interpreters of their thoughts.
John Locke

RECOMMMENDED READING

How to Create your Future

Christopher Westra (Free e-book)

More news in June.

Kind regards
John