Master Your Storms, Master Your Life

Introduction The Master Your Storms; Master Your Life journal will show you practical ways to overcome challenges by identifying imbalances in thought and action which you come to recognize, contribute in some way to your storm. Though you may not have been the author of a particular challenge you face, you most assuredly are the master (or the slave) of your response. Accepting full ownership of your responses to all your interactions with the world leads to self mastery. Self mastery is not about conquering the world; it is about having dominion over all your personal affairs so that you are not living based on the opinions or mandates of others. This journal can help you observe and better understand all your reactions as you strive to develop successful strategies for responding that respect your needs and the needs of all others in equal measure. As your self knowledge grows by reflecting on a challenge and your reactions to it; (aided by the mindful writing and sketching process) you will become better able to eliminate ways of interacting that intensify your storms as you simultaneously cultivate ways that bring you a more peaceful, balance and joy-filled life. Walk your path as a Master. The "Master of the Storm" poem, which provides the framework for this journal, was taken from a series of tornado dreams I experienced throughout my life. These dreams and the life situations that spawned them called me to better understand myself and more effectively administer my affairs. The frightening storm dreams compelled my attention to them, and helped me recognize that whenever I sought to understand and address a challenge I awakened within myself my own inherent ability to be triumphant. My tornado dreams also helped me to see that my storm can only end when I take the helm, identify and correct those imbalanced thoughts, emotions and behaviors which gave my storm power. It was through this understanding that I embraced the truth that our challenges are, by design, ours to conquer. As was true for me, your ability to defeat your storms becomes real to you the moment you acknowledge that you are meant to master them. When you determine to overcome an obstacle and face a challenge head on, your inherent personal power ignites and blossoms to offer you support. Through these experiences, you may even surprise yourself by your ability to assert your needs and desires effectively. This innate self advocacy provides assistance the moment you embrace the truth that you are the author and shepherd of your every thought, emotion and behavior. As a child, you were taught by others what was the right and correct way to think, feel and behave. You were schooled on a book of rules that was specific to your family, cultural and (perhaps) religious norms. As an adult, if you wish to pursue a course of self determination, you must revisit these norms to see which of them prevent you from fully expressing your unique truth and valuable talents. This is especially significant to consider for those cognitive, emotional and behavioral norms that are unpleasant, painful, self-limiting; or a source of shame. It is valuable to acknowledge that though these old patterns may still be in play, they are not carved in stone. Though it is crucial to acknowledge your historic thoughts, emotions and behaviors, it is important to remind yourself that they need not define how you choose to respond to your current affairs. You do. You are the emoter not the emotion; You are the thinker not the thought.