Stop Living Life Unconsciously

~ Do NOT be comfortable in your bondage. Don’t continue to live with the familiar rather than being free to experience the unknown! ~ talkswitheve

Choose conscious living. Live with intention. Stop living life unconsciously. Living life unconsciously is something we all do. We, however, do not just live life in our thoughts. We live in a real and physical world.

Whether we realize it or not, we do spend a large amount of our time in our thoughts – in our own world. We are mostly unaware of our surroundings, our present environment, as our thoughts are focused elsewhere – ahead for our future, or remembering the past.

Many studies show that we think somewhere between 60,000 and 80,000 thoughts each day. Many of these thoughts are both negative and repetitive often based on our deep-seated beliefs. You, however, do have control over your thoughts, and by paying attention to them, you can make changes.

Let us first talk about what exactly is happening in our unconsciousness.

Our unconscious mind

We have impulses and desires that we act on without any second thoughts. Why? As with Pavlov’s dogs, our actions are based on our past experiences stored in the unconscious. Hmmm, I wonder if that is why every time I see an ad for pizza it gets my saliva juices flowing?

We have a LOT going on in our unconscious mind and that is why it is metaphorically compared to an iceberg. The small tip above the surface is our conscious mind, but going deep below the surface is our unconscious mind.

How to access the unconscious mind is an ongoing debate, however, there is no dispute that the unconscious mind goes deep. I do not think anyone knows how deep (big) is the unconscious mind, but there is no question on its impact on our decision-making – our attitudes and behaviors.

Unconscious decision-making

We may think our decisions are made from our conscious thinking. However, research indicates that before we actually make a decision in our conscious mind, the outcome is already determined in the unconscious mind.

It is no wonder we are always being told to look within ourselves for the answers. It seems the answers are already deep inside our unconscious mind. We are not conscious of them and so we need introspection to find the answers we need – not looking outside of ourselves as many of us are prone to do.

Without thinking about it, you go inward to remember that you turned off the stove before leaving the kitchen – or that you locked the front door on your way out. Although they are pretty simple decisions, you made them automatically. Imagine just how many other decisions you have been making unconsciously?

Choosing conscious living

After years of just going through the motions – following the rhythm of life – I had a health crisis. Without any forewarning, I had a stroke. It was the first day of the year, and I had decided, for my new year’s resolution, to get on the treadmill.

Dizzy and short of breath, I got off after a few minutes and chalked it up to being out of shape. However, I was concerned that my vision was compromised as that day – and the next – I was viewing the world through shadows. I was not able to see clearly.

Not wanting to go to the ER, I waited to walk-in to the doctor’s office on January 3rd. Imagine my shock when he told me to go straight to the ER as I had suffered a stroke!

I have no visible reminder of what occurred that day but I no longer have any right peripheral vision. I consider I am Blessed and made the decision to begin choosing conscious living.

Everything I have done since then has been done as an intentional act. The very first thing I did – to the dismay of my family and friends – was to run a marathon! Encouraged by a co-worker, when I told her I did not know where to start in moving forward, I signed up with her to run a marathon. She suggested something I had never done. So I did it!

Training was for six months, and with no prior running experience, I ran my first marathon, the Marine Corps Marathon, in 6:29:56. My family or friends did not show up on the sidelines to cheer me on – they felt I was being reckless – but the cheers and yells of encouragement from thousands of people and marines along the way was exhilarating for this solo runner.

Although I have since been choosing conscious living, that will always be my greatest accomplishment. Even if I never run a second marathon (I always feel exhausted just thinking of running another 26.2 miles), I can forever say I am a marathon runner!

Transforming to conscious living

Transforming to conscious living begins with paying attention to all things – what is happening in your surroundings? How are you living your life? What are the choices you are making? What is the quality of your relationships – friends, family, business? There are many more questions but as you are a unique individual, your questions will be different for each of you.

Your intention to start living consciously is just the beginning but a great first step. Transforming to conscious living is not an overnight transformation, nor is it a one-time action – it is on-going.

How will you transform into conscious living? I started with just being present in each moment because that is all we have at any time. For example, while I am brushing my teeth, I focus on each tooth as I am moving around my electric toothbrush. My mind is not allowed to wander into thoughts about my plans for the day.

Remember your steps are unique to you but if you need some guidance, here are six steps to get you started. As you read through them they may trigger thoughts for developing your own journey to living consciously.

This is your path for life – so do not rush. Go slowly, taking time for self-reflection and self-discovery.

Enjoy your journey!