1. Participate in Your Health not Your Illness
Basic rule to health in every addiction: Acknowledge, Accept, Act. The same applies to whatever crisis emerges at all times. We first have to recognize that we are part of the problem. We then have to accept that we did what we did in the given time but now things have to change. And lastly we act, which means taking one small step at a time.
▶︎The Way: Ask yourself (and answer honestly)
1) How did I contribute to this?
2) What can I learn from this new reality?
3) What is one thing I can change today to make my life better?
► How to Live Long and Happy Like a Greek
2. The Body is the Messenger
Inner travel means being with yourself free of external “comfort creators” like social media, friends, books, movies, food, alcohol, the Internet and many other ‘safe and controllable’ distractions.
Find a moment to meet a new stranger… introduce yourself to You.
▶︎The Way – Ask yourself
1) How do I feel right now? Answer honestly and don’t shy away from the bad feelings… they too need to be freed.
2) Why do I feel the way I feel? Am I threatened in any way?
3) Am I well and in health right now, at this very moment?
4) If not, what can I do to change that?
3. Words We Use Reflect Our Inner Reality
You now have the time to pay close attention to the words you use to describe your experience of whatever is creating hardship and of every incident in your life. Very much like in writing, extreme adjectives are redundant and misleading. Just stick to the facts.
▶︎The Way – Ask yourself
1) What words can I avoid in my descriptions?
2) Why did I just say that?
3) Why do I need to use extreme adjectives?
4) What kind of reaction do I want to create using negative descriptions?
►Asclepius & The Ancient Wellness Centers of Greece
4. What We Think We Create
Scientifically speaking, energy flows can make something stronger or weaker. If you focus your energy on the “tragedy” and the “unfairness” of your predicament, you’re basically feeding it.
But if you choose to focus on the positive at this very moment, you are removing your “negative load” and adding it to the creation of a positive new reality. Plus you are taking that one step that will change how you experience life from now on.
▶︎The Way – Ask yourself
1) What one good thing happened today?
2) What can I do differently now?
3) Do I have a choice? Can I focus on something that makes me feel better?
5. Look for the Miracle
I know, most of us will cringe at this with that inner non-believing demon demanding proof and evidence to satisfy its need for absolute control, but the absolute truth is: We have no control. And in this moment in time, we have two choices… to suffer or to change. So that leaves us with one thing… faith and trust.
▶︎The Way – Ask yourself
1) Is the way I am reacting to my benefit? Does it make me feel better?
2) After realizing that I have no control over certain things, can I take anything for granted?
3) Can I say I am grateful for one thing in my life today?
6. Be Present
Being present means you are in the here and now and at this very moment have total control of the only thing you can have control over: yourself. It’s the free will each of us has been gifted with to imagine, create and experience the reality he or she desires.
▶︎The Way – Ask yourself
1) What is it that I truly desire?
2) Can I allow myself to dream of it as far-fetched as it may be?
3) Can I now experience it as if it has already happened? As if it’s my reality right now?
The Road Less Traveled
On September 17, in Greece we honor Agia Sofia (Wisdom) and her three daughters: Pisti (Faith), Elpida (Hope), and Agape (Love).
Religion aside, I chose to focus on the symbolism and meaning of this day which I believe is very relevant to our current reality. We can only ever achieve wisdom (sofia), when we have allowed faith (pisti), hope (elpida), and love (agape) into our lives. First, and above all, into our own hearts… hence the most important trip for any traveler: Destination Within.
We must in a very curious sense be grateful to Covid and to all crises, which although cause us to feel great suffering, fear, and insecurity, at the same time also give us a chance to identify where each of us – as individuals, societies, and nations – is at dis – ease, to put that very suffering part at ease, and to make things right. Then, our next travel adventure will be much more inspiring, rewarding and fulfilling.
