The Awakening will allow you to thrust yourself into the journey of self-discovery. Here you will learn about momentum, irrational beliefs, illusions, inner sentences, obstacles, happiness, gratitude, success, effective decision making strategies, congruency, selfishness vs. self-interest, avoidance, behavior impact plans, hope vs. expectations, self-encouragement, enrichment plans, reframing and effective problem solving techniques. Charge into your future! Learn how to apply momentum and leverage towards goal attainment. Decipher illusions and create a reality full of unlimited possibilities by utilizing tools and techniques for overcoming obstacles. Awaken yourself today!

THE AWAKENING

By Lawrence A. Liebroder D. Anne Liebroder

AuthorHouse

Copyright © 2009 D Anne Liebroder and Lawrence A Liebroder
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4490-2971-5

Contents

Chapter 1. Momentum..............................................................................1Chapter 2. Obstacles.............................................................................8Chapter 3. Congruence............................................................................15Chapter 4. Charting Your Course..................................................................26Chapter 5. Encouraging Conviction................................................................33

Chapter One

Momentum

Moving Past Illusions, Myths and Personal Scripts

So often people tell themselves they want more, but they don't believe they deserve more. People are the way they are because that is how they want to be. They are where they are financially, spiritually, and emotionally, because they either believe that they don't deserve better or they don't know better.

It is our desire to inspire and help you to become someone who attracts experiences that are outward manifestations of your inner beliefs and desires. Once you know better, you do better. Once a mind is enlightened it can never turn back. You can choose to go back to sleep and live in the manner you did previously, but your experience will never be the same. You will be forever changed. This is your day. It is your choice to do something different ... and become someone different! Bon Voyage ...

SEARCH FOR SILENCE

Change is always precious, comes slowly, and has a high cost. It can give the appearance of having occurred at one breathless juncture, but on the way to every peak moment are plateau stretches where it will seem to us that we work without any return for our labor. Those stretches make possible the specific occasions we can pinpoint as places of change.

So often the resolve to do better meets with consistent failure. The outcome is discouragement. We despair that we can ever be different, and may grow to dislike ourselves. Actually our broken resolves offer material germane to meditation ... Acceptance leads to understanding, and understanding to change ... Meditation on our responses to persons and events can be a powerful tool in our striving to be free persons ... The practice of meditation can give us a feeling of separation from what we are observing in ourselves. The gate is then opened for the comprehending that transforms feelings, or that takes them and returns them to us as manageable forces.

Elizabeth O'Conner- "Search for Silence"

L.I.F.E. CHALLENGE

Does this quote resonate with you?

How do you feel about change?

How have you handled change in the past?

L.I.F.E. CHALLENGE IRRATIONAL BELIEFS

It is suggested that in the belief system each of us has about ourselves and the world around us, there are usually some illogical beliefs resulting in disempowerment rather than empowerment. Circle the number that best describes how close

1 = always 2 = most of the time 3 = sometimes 4 = seldom 5 = never

1. Everyone must love me or approve of what I do. 1 2 3 4 5

2. I am a failure as a person unless I'm perfect and do everything extremely well. 1 2 3 4 5

3. It is catastrophic if things are not the way I would like them to be. 1 2 3 4 5

4. I have no control over whether fm happy or sad. 1 2 3 4 5

5. If something is dangerous or fearsome, I am terribly concerned and constantly worry about it happening. 1 2 3 4 5

6. I am usually dependent on and need someone stronger than myself. 1 2 3 4 5

7. Responsibilities and difficulties are easier to avoid than to face. 1 2 3 4 5

8. My present behavior is determined by my "past" and will always be that way. 1 2 3 4 5

9. I am easily upset over other people's problems. 1 2 3 4 5

10. It is a disaster if the perfect solution is not found to a problem. 1 2 3 4 5

11. I can't help myself or change the way I behave because, "that's just the way I am." 1 2 3 4 5

Key Code:

11-22 This person can be fearful, stagnant, passive, rigid, hyper-critical and seen as a victim.

23-38 This person can be conforming, safe, complacent, compliant, and non-confrontational.

38-55 This person can be fearless, optimistic, inventive, courageous, and has strong leadership capabilities.

L.I.F.E. LINE - Go to www.lcslifecoach.com and log-in to your account, type the word "BELIEFS" to find more information about belief systems.

The Irrational Trinity By Albert Ellis

There are perhaps 10 to 15 supreme necessities that people commonly impose on themselves and others. These can be reduced to three dictates that cause immense emotional difficulties.

The first dictate is:

"Because it would be highly preferable if I were outstandingly competent, I absolutely should and must be. It is awful when I am not. I am therefore a worthless individual."

The second irrational (and un-provable) idea is:

"Because it is highly desirable that others treat me considerately and fairly, they absolutely should and must do so, and they are rotten people who deserve to be utterly damned when they do not."

The third impossible dictate is:

Because it is preferable that I experience pleasure rather than pain, the world absolutely should arrange this and life is horrible, and I can't bear it when the world doesn't."

L.I.F.E. CHALLENGE

How do you feel about the first dictate?

How do you feel about the second dictate?

How do you feel about the third dictate?

Which best illustrates you and your experiences? Why?

L.I.F.E. CHALLENGE ILLUSIONS AND RISKS TO GETTING WHAT YOU WANT

Courage is not the absence of fear; it is taking action in spite of fear. Life itself is the supreme risk. If we are to truly live and live with purpose, we must be willing to risk more and live fully aware - D Anne Liebroder

RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH GETTING WHAT YOU WANT

LOSS

Illusion is:

"If I risk and lose I might lose everything and that would mean I am not good enough. That would be unbearable."

Situations where I believed this Illusion and protected myself:

GROWING UP Illusion is:

"I have to be responsible if I get what I desire. Others will demand too much of me and I can't bear that."

Situations where I believed this Illusion and protected myself:

COMMITMENT

Illusion is:

"I will lose my freedoms if I get what I desire and I will be tied down."

Situations where I believed this Illusion and protected myself:

Pick one of the three areas above you believe has been a challenge for you to overcome. Write briefly about how you protect yourself (behaviors) and how you buy into the illusion (thoughts). Please focus on your current desires.

L.I.F.E. LINE - Go to www.lcslifecoach.com and log-in to your account, type the word "RISK" to get more information about types of Risk and Illusions.

THE INSIDE JOB

Why do we find beliefs and values to be so powerful? Why will a person willingly surrender comfort, safety, even their own life so they will not be found guilty of wrong doing? Beliefs may be subjective and arbitrary. They are also often erroneous, but the motivation for believing in them comes from the deepest of human drives.

Most of our beliefs were formed in response to some basic need or drive. Your first beliefs came out of the need for you to feel loved and approved of by your parents. In order for you to feel safe and cared for, you adopted their beliefs. You learned rules and beliefs from them surrounding things such as working, anger, mistakes, pain, sexuality, openness, self reliance, goals, and marriage. Most of the rules you learned were based on your parent's values. They were promoted and instilled by your parents through their value-burdened words such as commitment, honesty, generosity, dignity, intelligence, courage or strength. Certain positive words and negative words were used by your parents as a way to measure behaviors. Many of their labels were applied to you. Most of us have learned to accept these labels unconsciously. You may have even accepted these labels unquestioningly. Such negative terms may have included selfish, stupid, weak or lazy. Your need to need to please your parents was much stronger than your need for self-actualization.

Because most beliefs and rules are formed out of our basic needs, most of them have nothing to do with reality or truth. Most beliefs and rules are formed in response to parental, cultural, and peer expectations. Your beliefs are also developed out of your need to feel loved, to belong, to feel safe, and to feel good about yourself. This whole developmental system creates and generates a long list of things we should do and has absolutely nothing to do with fact or literal truth. These beliefs depend on the illusion of truth for their power. When people do not live up to what we feel they should do, we judge them to be bad and undeserving. For this reason people continue to torture themselves with guilt and self blame. When forced to choose between unbending rules and genuine desire, most become paralyzed.

To tell whether your beliefs, rules and "shouds" are healthy or unhealthy apply the following criteria:

1. Healthy values are flexible. Allowing for exceptions and slop factor.

2. Healthy values are realistic, or based on an assessment of positive vs. negative consequences.

3. Healthy values are life enhancing rather than life restricting.

HEALTHY UNHEALTHY

Flexible (exceptions & quotas) Rigid (global, no exceptions) Owned (examined & tested) Interjected (unquestioned acceptance) Realistic (based on consequences) Unrealistic (based on being right) Life-enhancing (acknowledges your needs/feelings) Life Restricting (ignores your needs and feelings)

L.I.F.E. BITE - More detailed information on belief systems can be found in The Quickening available from L.I.F.E. Coaching Systems.

EXAMPLES OF PERSONAL INNER SENTENCES

"If things go the way I think they should, I can be really successful and everything runs smoothly"

"I refuse to be kind and nurturing unless the other person proves to me first it is worth my time."

"Good things will happen to me if I do everything right and live right."

"I must be really good at what I do or what I know In order to feel good about myself."

"I am known by my occupation."

"I am working for the day when I have no more problems."

"If I am I'm comfortable, I can be successful."

"Problems and hardships should be avoided at all costs."

"Life stinks. It is just a series of illusions."

"I must have people respond in ways I think are best in order to be successful,"

"I should have my spouse back me up in all situations."

"If I were really successful I would have more money."

L.I.F.E. CHALLENGE INNER SENTENCES

Think about some of your inner sentences. List at least five of them:

What is the impact of each of these upon you?

Do they act as obstacles or help and support your desires?

1. Obstacle Support

2. Obstacle Support

3. Obstacle Support

4. Obstacle Support

5. Obstacle Support

L.I.F.E. BITE - More detailed information on inner sentences and discovering your own personal inner sentence is found The Quickening available from L.I.F.E. Coaching Systems.

Chapter Two

Obstacles

Getting What You Want

If a car were to hit a tree, would it be the tree itself or the speed at which a car was travelling that would determine the level of impact to the car? The velocity at which the car is travelling would determine the level of impact. Imagine a car going 5 miles per hour hitting the tree? Now imagine a car driving 100 miles per hour hitting the same tree? Which do you feel would cause the most damage? 1t seems obvious the car travelling 100 miles per hour would create the higher level of impact. Think of yourself as an energetic being. You need to only apply velocity to create the level of impact you desire for your life.

People often ask "how do I get there from here?" "How can I get what I want?" "Why does it seem that I can't get what I want when I want or need it?"

It is not because you are not smart enough.

It is not because you are not talented enough.

It is not because you are not good enough.

It is not because karma is against you.

It is not that someone already got there first.

We live in a vibrant and abundant universe. There is nothing that someone else has that you can't have. There is nothing the universe has to offer that you can't make yourself the recipient of. The only thing restraining you from attaining your current desires is how you think. It is your thinking that leaves you resistant to receiving those things which you desire. When you focus on what you don't have or what you don't want you are actually attracting these exact things. Changing how you think will re-align your attitudes and experience. By adhering to this philosophy you are now ready to receive your wants and desires.

L.I.F.E. BITE - More detailed information on specific happiness and success strategies can be found in Answering The Call available from L.I.F.E. Coaching Systems.

L.I.F.E. CHALLENGE HAPPINESS/SUCCESS ASSESSMENT

Take your time, think through and answer the following questions. Be introspective using your life experiences. Which seems to resonate with you more - happiness or success?

1. I am the happiest/successful when____

2. I am least happy/successful when____

3. In order to be truly happy/successful a person must____

4. When I am around people that seem really happy/successful, I feel____

5. When I showed happiness as a child my parents' would____

6. I define happiness/success as____

7. I would be more happy/successful more often if____

8. These things would change in my life if I were more happy/successful____

9. The people that would be upset if I were happier/successful are____

10. I am most afraid of being happy/successful for the following reasons____

11. I would change the following to be happy/successful if I only had 30 days left to live____

12. What prevents me from being truly happy/successful is____

13. My happiest time was when____

14. If I were happier/successful, I would experience____

EFFECTIVE DECISION MAKING STRATEGIES

Before making any decision, ask yourself the following questions:

1. IS IT "GOOD FOR ME", OR "DOES IT HELP ME REACH MY GOALS?"

To use this technique simply ask yourself the following: Is the decision being made so you can feel good, or is the decision being made to enrich your life by helping you to reach your goals? Example: You want $10,000,000 so, you rob a bank. This may help you reach your goals, but it isn't good for you.

2. HOW WILL THIS EFFECT ME 5 YEARS FROM NOW?

Some decisions are neutral and will not have any long term effect. For example what you eat for lunch today, a hamburger or pizza probably won't have any impact 5 years from now. However, most of our decisions will have an impact 5 years from now. For example: If you chose to purchase a home, not fulfill your credit obligations, get married or divorced, these choices will have a dramatic impact on your life 5 years from now.

3. IF THREE PEOPLE WHO REALLY CARE FOR ME WERE HERE, WHAT WOULD THEY SAY?

Just imagine that you have a team of advisors. These advisors are people who truly care for you. Their only motive is to suggest what is in your best interest. The next time you have a decision to make imagine ` your team " around you and listen to what they would recommend.

(Continues...)

Excerpted from THE AWAKENINGby Lawrence A. Liebroder D. Anne Liebroder Copyright © 2009 by D Anne Liebroder and Lawrence A Liebroder. Excerpted by permission.
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