THE FINGER REVOLUTION

Walking into a Wal-Mart to do errands for my mother-in- law on a recent trip to Oklahoma (visit my blog) we were given wooden clothes pins. On one side was written "Save Energy." Turn it over and it said, "Hang Your Clothes Out to Dry."

It was April 22nd.

Earth Day.

Strange, I thought. Here they are giving out pieces of trees as a way to honor the planet.

I wanted to tell you about it but couldn't figure out where the story went as far as an article.

Taking a walk today I got it. I get to tell you about The Finger Revolution.

What, you may ask, is a finger revolution?

Great question. You see I was pointing my finger at the folks giving out the wooden clothes pins to honor earth day. My mind was thinking how foolish, how wasteful, how out of alignment with what Earth Day is about, etc.

I must admit I was feeling a bit righteous and better than.

But on my walk, when I was enjoying the mild spring air and the green pastures filled with bright yellow dandelions I realized there are plenty of things I do that are wasteful and incongruent.

That's the Finger Revolution. It's taking the finger that is pointing at something out there and turning it back upon oneself with a question: "I wonder how I resemble what I am pointing at?" or "Hmmm, how is it I show up in ways that are similar to that which I am judging?" Or, "How might this be in my life in this very way to serve me?", or "What is available for me to learn right now?"

I call this the FINGER REVOLUTION. And it literally can revolutionize the quality of your life.

If you're sincere about the question you will be surprised at what you discover.

Let's do this together. Point out there at something and say out loud, "I'm upset because of X," (X being something 'out there' that has triggered a reaction in you).

Ready,

"I'm upset because of X."

Great work.

Now turn that pointing finger back at yourself. This is the revolution part.

You can gently place it on your chest, or against your cheek, or even at your temple.

Try it now and find out which place feels better.

Okay. Say aloud, "Hmm, I wonder how this is about me?"

Ready, together, "Hmmm, I wonder how this is about me?"

And take time to listen for a response.

An example: Years ago I was very eager to 'help' my husband (he hadn't asked for help) to clean up his office. He continually declined my offer, no matter how many ways I suggested to him he would be served by my generosity.

One day I had the wit to do the Finger Revolution and discovered that it was easier to get into his business and fix up his office than to deal with my own. I made a commitment right then to focus on my office and take care of my own business.

You might guess the quality of our interactions improved as a result - and you would be correct.

I encourage you to be a revolutionary and change the quality of your life for the better. Take that finger and turn it around. You will find yourself empowered to make a positive difference in your life in a way that really counts.

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Blog for photos of Oklahoma and more: http://www.lesliesann.com/LivingByDesign/Leslies_Blog/Leslies_Blog.html

QUOTE

"I believe that lasting revolution comes from deep changes in ourselves with influence our collective life." 
   ~Anais Nin~

"You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today." 
   ~Abraham Lincoln~

LET THERE BE PEACE ON EARTH

Watch this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D85yrIgA4Nk&feature=related

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Copyright 2008 by Leslie Karen Sann, Living by Design
Visit this link for contact information:
leslie@living-bydesign.com

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Copyright 2008 by Leslie Karen Sann,
Living by Design. All rights reserved. 
Web site. http://www.living-bydesign.com