My client, Bill, called the other day for our scheduled coaching session.  He was angry and frustrated.  When I asked him what was going on he told me that he had purchased new carpet for his house.  He had saved the money for some time in order to afford exactly what he and his wife wanted.  They had the carpet just about a month when the dog tracked in some mud and stained the carpet.  The stain was not likely to come out.  Bill went on and on about the "bad" dog and the stained carpet.

After a bit, I pointed out to him that he was spending his coaching time -- our sacred time to work on his life and career goals -- focusing on "the stain."  The stain was coloring his attitude about everything and Bill felt nothing was going right.   I pointed out all the energy that he was expending on the stain, when, in fact, he had a newly carpeted house that he could be proud of.  "Take your focus OFF the stain," I said.  Bill listened and realized that his energy could be better spent focusing on gratitude for new carpet, a lovely home, a good wife, etc.  And then we were able to move on.

I wonder how often we spend our time focusing on the stains in our lives -- those things that aren't "perfect."  How about when we focus on those people in our lives who aren't "perfect"?  How often do we get caught up in the flaws that we see?  How often do we sabotage relationships because we do not look beyond "the stains"?

Have you ever bought a new car and then had it get scratched or dinged in a little fender bender?  It's disappointing, to be sure, (especially with the price of motor vehicles these days!) when the new car is no longer "perfect" in appearance.  It's helpful to remember that the car still runs though -- it still gets us where we need to go.  It still serves the purpose for which we need it.  When we focus on the things that are working we can shift our perspective. 

We all have "stains" and perfection is a fleeting illusion.  What stains do you need to put out of your mind?  What are you grateful for?  Who do you need to acknowledge for all the things he/she is doing right?  Shift your energy away from the stains and enjoy the abundance of all the things that are working well in your life!   Take your focus OFF the stains! You'll find much more happiness and peace -- and so will the people around you!

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Soul Restoration Tip

I offer you the following meditation from Dr. Andrew Weil's CD called Eight Meditations for Optimum Health.  Use this meditation daily and experience loving kindness radiating out from your heart and rippling throughout the Universe.  If you do not know how to meditate, simply sit quietly in a place where you will not be disturbed for a few minutes. Take several deep, cleansing breaths, close your eyes for a moment, and then open them to slowly read aloud. . . .

May my heart be filled with loving kindness.
May I be happy.  May I be peaceful.  May I be liberated.

May all beings in this vicinity be happy.
May they be peaceful.  May they be liberated.

May all beings in this state be happy.
May they be peaceful.  May they be liberated.

May all beings in this country be happy.
May they be peaceful.  May they be liberated.

May all beings on the planet be happy.
May they be peaceful.  May they be liberated.

May my parents be happy.  May they be well.
May they be peaceful.  May they be liberated.

May my friends be happy.  May they be well.
May they be peaceful.  May they be liberated.

May my enemies be happy.  May they be well.
May they be peaceful.  May they be liberated.

May all beings be free from internal strife.
May all beings be free from mental troubles.
May all beings be free from physical troubles.

If I have hurt anyone, knowingly or unknowingly,
in thought, word or deed, I ask their forgiveness.
If anyone has hurt me, knowingly or unknowingly,
in thought, word, or deed, I extend my forgiveness.

May all beings everywhere,  near or far, 
known or unknown to me, be happy, be peaceful, be liberated.