Chillax - this is it!

Hello Everyone

A new word is gaining in power in the west and can now be heard in the sub continent. The word is chillax - a combination of ‘chill out’ and ‘relax’.  

It is interesting that English already has many, appropriate words for this state but yet a new word is gaining popularity. 

I believe the word is an indication of part of the wider spiritual paradigm shift taking place in the world.  The shift is drawing our attention on what is happening in the present rather than having our mind dwell on the past or worry about the future.

The increasing pressures of developing worlds, especially the impact of the global financial situation and consumerism are taking their toll.  A common greeting of professional people for example is the question “How are you? Busy?”   The answer usually reflects how extremely busy people are, and to admit to being busy is almost a badge of honour.

It is no wonder that books like Eckhart Tolle’s The Power of Now are such best-sellers.  There is a yearning and healthy need for people to just be in the present moment.  The following is some of the advice to be found in Tolle’s book.

Be present as the watcher of your mind -- of your thoughts and emotions as well as your reactions in various situations. Be at least as interested in your reactions as in the situation or person that causes you to react. Notice also how often your attention is in the past or future. Don't judge or analyze what you observe. Watch the thought, feel the emotion, observe the reaction. Don't make a personal problem out of them. You will then feel something more powerful than any of those things that you observe: the still, observing presence itself behind the content of your mind, the silent watcher.

Many children have the ability to chillax and live in the present.  However, as adults we have certain responsibilities which call us to acknowledge the past and honour the future.

The question is: how much of your thinking time is spent in the past, present or future?  And if you find that your mind is heavily dominated by the past or future then consider it could well be time to chillax.

Live! Love! Laugh!

Roz Townsend  roz@roztownsend.com

The Questionable Value of Narcissism

Hello Everyone
Do you or someone you know have an inflated or grandiose sense of themselves?  Do you, or others you know, think perhaps that you are special, unique, and entitled to better treatment than others?

Then perhaps you are part of the narcissism epidemic.  According to Twenge and Campbell in The Narcissism Epidemic.  The narcissism epidemic is happening at both the individual and cultural levels all around the developed world.

Narcissism is increasing and the book points out that there are many more highly narcissistic people now than just a decade or two ago.  It would appear highly likely that cultures are changing too. Increases in materialism, entitlement, public violence and aggression, self-promotion, and the desire for uniqueness are typical symptoms.

Some specific changes include an increase in: plastic surgery rates; credit card debt; the use of "my" in web addresses; the larger size of personal homes; reality TV shows; narcissistic song lyrics; and the fake paparazzi who can now be hired to experience what it’s like to be famous.

It is interesting to consider that the current economic crisis was, in part, caused by overconfidence and greed which are both key components of narcissism.   The global rebellion of ‘Occupy’ is a reaction to the greed of the wealthy with the emphasis on ‘what about me’.  Narcissism at both ends of the wealth continuum!

The costs of narcissism are high. As societies become more narcissistic there is an accompanying higher level of depression and disconnection.

Many  great philosophers and leaders have highlighted a paradox: we have more meaningful lives when we focus on the needs of others and take the emphasis off ourselves.   It is a concerning trend that whole cultures are becoming more narcissistic .  Narcissism is likely to become an insidious value of society, an addictive trait that might be so powerful that  we become blind to its impact on our true well-being.

Could we ever consider that we are just normal not special?  That we are no better –or worse than others?   Perhaps as the book suggests, we need to consider teaching our children not that "You have to love yourself before you can love others,” but rather you will be the happiest when you love others “If you love yourself too much, you won’t have enough love left for anyone else!”

Live! Love! Laugh!

Roz Townsend   www.roztownsend.com