May 27, 2009 - Vol. 8, No. 11:
Do You 'Rehearse for the Worst' (and Thus Energize It?)

Do you 'rehearse for the worst', or 'prepare for' worst-case scenarios -- you know, think about, imagine, and ruminate on those things you fear or would like to avoid?

Many of us are taught to 'prepare for the worst', with the thought that if we plan for the worst-case scenarios we'll be somehow more ready for whatever arises. Though we've been led to believe this is smart or even necessary, it isn't always the ideal strategy. In fact, there are many cases where it's the poorest strategy of those available to us!

I was surprised -- kind of shocked, really -- earlier this year, when I observed myself habitually rehearsing various worst-case scenarios and interactions, and realized that in using my creative, visioning, and imaginative powers in this way I was actually energizing the worst-case scenarios. In short, I was co-creating the very outcomes or experiences I'd prefer to have less of, not more of. Yikes!

Needless to say, this was a big 'aha' moment for me. I shared this observation with several friends and family members, and they said they often did the same, much to their surprise! But in noticing it, we find the power, and the opportunity.

Of course, there are times and circumstances when it's wise to do 'contingency planning', but this has, for many, become a predominant orientation -- we move in and live from negative expectancy, using our powers of thought, language, and envisioning or imagining to rehearse for worst-case scenarios in many, or all, areas of life.

As you might suspect, , we're taught to orient this way -- preparing for the worst -- as a way of keeping ourselves safe and protected, or, ironically, 'avoiding the worst'. We might give a little bit of thought to 'positive thinking' and 'the vision thing', but find ourselves really focusing on the worst-case or undesirable, the things we fear or want to avoid.

In fact, we might even notice that we have an easier time thinking about and imagining the 'worst-case' or undesirable situations than we do truly desirable, joyful, prosperous, 'best-case' ones! And we wonder why certain undesirable patterns persist, or circumstances drag on?

Given what we know now about the power of thought and visualization, we can choose to use these gifts more wisely lest we empower the very situations or outcomes we'd prefer to avoid.

This is a bigger deal than we might like to think, because it does affect what we tend to notice, expect, energize, and yes, co-create or attract, individually and collectively.

As we look to create a more positive quality of experience for ourselves and collectively, the wonderful opportunity we have is to notice, and retrain, our patterns of thought and how we use our power of vision and imagination, so that we're energizing and empowering desirable outcomes.

There's no doubt that a strong, compelling vision and making use of practices for using our powers of thought and vision-imagination makes a big difference, not just in the quality of the outcomes, but in the quality of our experience along the way.

Thankfully, there are long-standing traditions of practices that we can use to shift our habitual thought-and-visioning patterns so that we're using these gifts -- and they are gifts -- in truly conscious, creative ways to bring about more visionary, positive ideas and experiences for ourselves and others.

At Ivy Sea - we share a variety of approaches and practices for moving from limited or 'rehearsing for the worst' vision to awakened imagination and intuition, conscious thought and language, a sense of positive and energized expectancy, and a more authentic expansive vision and expression.

Start with 'About Jamie and Ivy Sea' or "Programs & Services' for connection to tailored individual tele-sessions, organizational project consultations, online self-study resources, and audio- and tele-classes and other inspiring offerings.

Wishing you very well -- I'll look forward to hearing from you, and helping you to clear the blocks and expand your vision of what's possible!

Jamie Walters,
Clarity & Inspiration Catalyst, Transformation-Guide, Author, and Founder, Ivy Sea

PREVIOUS EDITIONS OF IVY SEAZINE

The 'Limited Vision' Problem (and the Antidote)

Healing Magic, Reclaiming Your Mojo, and Other Wonders

Individual & Organizational Project Consultations

Words, thoughts, beliefs, and intentions are all much more powerful than we've realized. They literally bring experience to life. That's positively magical. Or it can be.

It's a very powerful alchemy to shift your perspective, clarify your vision, refine your communication and authentic-marketing, and power-up forward-momentum -- and it's an alchemy that we at Ivy Sea are very familiar with, not just from 'intellectual knowledge' but from our own real-world experience.

Send us an email at info 'at' ivysea 'dot' com or leave a voicemail message at 415 - 752 - 6317 to explore and schedule a tele-consultation, an insight-session or mentoring-series, or arrange for a more indepth project consultation.

Until next time...

May you find the courage of your convictions, follow the 'still small voice within', dive into the Well of Wisdom, and find treasures beyond your most delightful imagining!

If we can support you on your path and provide the lantern of illumination to guide and inspire you, let us know.

Wishing you very well.

Sincerely,
Jamie S. Walters
Founder, Ivy Sea
Creatrix and Publisher, Ivy Sea Online & the Sophia's Children Blog
Author, Big Vision, Small Business (Berrett-Koehler Publishers)