The Junk Heap That Heals

How many of you have heard the term emotional baggage? That's the negative notions and emotions we carry around with us. Some people try to justify it with statements of a dysfunctional family. Others blame poor schooling. Fate gets a bad name too. As I was going through one of my folders on self-esteem, I rediscovered an article published by Sunshine Magazine in September 1990. If I like an article, it gets clipped or copied and I actually have a good filing system for all sorts of topics. I've had a couple of issues in my life recently that I need to dump so this article caught my attention. The old saying of teaching what you most need to know is so true. Perhaps it will help you or someone you know. It was taken from the Kleinknecht Gems of Thought Encyclopedia. "Good, like truth, is the same yesterday, today, and forever. In addition to doing a good deed, junk something every day. Junk your fears, junk your worries, junk your anxieties, junk your little jealousies, envies and hatred. Whatever interferes with your getting up and getting on in the world - junk it! Every night before you go to sleep, put upon the junk heap all your disappointments, all your grudges, your revengeful feelings, your malice. Junk everything that is hindering you from becoming a big, strong, vibrant character. The trouble with most of us is that we have no junk heap of this sort. We pull all our mental enemies, all our handicaps, our discouragements, our losses, our troubles and worries and trials along with us every day. That consumes more than 50 percent of our vitality and energy, so that we have only the smaller amount left for the great task of making our lives a success." ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ BUILDING UP or TEARING DOWN The second item I'm sharing are excerpts from an article written by Michael Angier who publishes The Success Digest e-zine and hosts the site named successnet.org. This material was in the August 7th, 2000 issue. "It would probably be fair to say that most social problems are the result -- directly or indirectly--of someone's low self-concept. Not too many years ago, I was going through a dark time in my life. So what changed? Was it outward circumstances? Did my environment change and with it my inner experience? No. Somehow I knew that for things to change it would have to be me who would have to change. It would be an inner transformation that would eventually alter the outward experience. Some of the things I did unconsciously. Others were done with deliberation." Mr. Angier goes on to state that he removed himself from people who had been critical and found he gained a better perspective. He read books of inspiration which gave him hope. He saw a therapist. He focused on his strengths, talents, and knowledge. When he felt negative thoughts coming on, he'd redirect his mind to something else. No more pity parties were indulged. He kept busy, not knowing what his future would bring - he took one day at a time. "And each day I did what I could to clean up my messes, make things better, keep my focus forward instead of backward and keep the faith. It was my faith in Universal Spirit that helped me get through this 'winter of discontent'. I believe that everyone has a unique purpose and I was determined to discover mine. God doesn't make junk." Michael ends the article with this: "You're either building yourself up or tearing yourself down. There is no status quo when it comes to your self-image." I hope that these two pieces have opened up your thought patterns and will encourage you to release negativity, junk, or emotional baggage you may be harboring and lugging around. Release it into your visualized nightly junk pile, or write it down and then burn or rip to shreds the piece of paper, or go outside and vent it verbally while letting the breeze carry it away. May you find peace and increased energy.