Change starts with seeing things as they are

Sep 15th, 2010No Comments

It’s a paradox: in order to have things differently, you have to first see things as they are. As long as there is any delusion, denial, or fantasy- it is not possible to create positive change.

You do not have to agree with or condone the way things are. You just have to see and accept that right now that is how it is. It is only then that you can change it.

People get really stuck on this. They feel like if they admit or acknowledge that things are a certain way that they are supporting it or allowing it to stay that way. On the contrary, you are seeing it clearly- so you can change it.

When you are changing something inside yourself, it is usually about looking at things about yourself that you do not want to see and accept. Some Native American traditions call this “coyote medicine.” The coyote makes you look at the things that you do not want to look at. It is for this reason that he is the ultimate healer.

By accepting it to be true, you are in a position to release it away from yourself. You look at what it has done to you. That is, how it has affected you, the people around you, and the things that are important to you. Then you promise yourself to never allow that again. You commit to change.

As long as you deny it, it has control over you. It will blind side you until you see and accept it.

The same thing applies in changing the world and things outside of yourself. You have to acknowledge that right now, this is how things are. Then you have a foundation of truth and reality to create social change or intervention. It follows that sometimes we have to accept that things have become unhealthy or destructive.

It is only through seeing things as they are that we can create something new.

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About author:

Michael Hoffman’s passion is guiding people to connect with their natural gifts. He believes that we all have innate gifts that hugely benefit others and the world when we offer them. The purest example of these gifts is the Native American concept of medicine or the gift you offer your people. Michael defines your medicine or gift as the natural effect you have on other people when your heart is open. Unfortunately, the demands of our current culture to comply and fit in often distract people away from their inherent gifts and the natural expression of their being. Michael believes many of us have forgotten our dreams and what we are about. This sadly results in a loss of purpose, passion, and vitality. As an innate gift specialist, Michael offers retreats, classes, and individual sessions to allow people to reclaim their natural gifts. These venues allow people to identify, awaken, and offer their gifts. This experiential work incorporates Zen thought, Native American ceremony, rites-of-passage, and releasing limiting belief systems. Michael also maintains his meta blog to provide knowledge, skills, and awareness for unfolding your natural gifts. He is currently compiling this knowledge and research into a college class and book. Michael earned his Bachelor of Science in Psychology in 1987 and Master of Social Work in 1996. He is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. In addition to his formal education, Michael studied and apprenticed with a Zen Master and spiritual teacher for 22 years to learn how to guide people to understand themselves. He has worked with people professionally since 1986 as a psychotherapist and teacher. Michael currently resides in Oceanside, California.

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