Evolving Magazine
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JOURNEY TO WHOLENESS - April 2018 - Kansas City
The Power of One
By Jude LaClaire, Ph.D.
As human beings we are immersed in our physical environment. Today that reality is affected in many challenging ways by climate change and environmental shifts. These changes affect our mental and physical health in myriad ways. Locally, we have been spared the most severe weather and environmental disasters that other parts of the country, and world, have endured, and are presently experiencing. This challenges us to think about how we, individually and collectively, will live healthily in each moment and how that moment may affect others.
Power as defined by Webster is 1, ability to do, act or produce 2. a specific ability or faculty 3. great ability to do, act or affect strongly; vigor, force, strength 4. a source of energy. With that in mind, let’s think about how you, individually, can affect change. As the saying, “Think globally, act locally” indicates, we can acknowledge global issues but the local, personal experience is our reality and starting point.
In teaching problem solving I created an alphabetic reminder of the steps in the process. They are: Aware, Breathe, Connect, Direct, Energy and Focus. Using this device let’s think of other ideas or actions we could include.
Once we become Aware of any problem or issue, we are more awake, alert and ready to think of action. I also thought about thinking of applauding others or ourselves for what we have done or are doing. We can affirm the values, thoughts and feelings of others in this process. We can learn to live more in awe of each moment. Do you ever have that moment of ‘awe’ or ‘aha’ when you see the bright full moon, flakes of snow, a soft rain, a gentle breeze or whipping wind? What about the new baby of a friend’s daughter you just held that took your breath away? Or the comedic behavior of your cat or dog or the crazy cat videos that made you smile and laugh out loud?
The second step is to Breathe! Taking that deep, diaphragmatic breath helps us to balance our physical and emotional energy. It also helps activate feel good brain chemistry. Then we may be more aware of beauty, seeing it in others, ourselves or the world around us. As we see the blooming crocus, daffodils or tulips, we may be reminded of our ability to bloom and grow, and see it in others. It may also enhance that sense of belonging to the earth, to each other, and this constant cycle of birth and re-birth.
Thinking of Connecting to the inner and outer resources in the continuum of consciousness, there may be a greater feeling of calm. This sense of control will connect us to our experience of competency. Hopefully, this may trigger us into caring more for others and our environment. This clarity and clearness continues to reinforce the physical, mental and emotional calm. Knowing we have resources within us and around us and accessing them puts limitless energy at our fingertips.
Directing your Energy; giving your energy Form, awakens that sense of accomplishment. Having purpose or goals helps make your energy productive. That direction helps develop actions. Engaged in action, our brains are again energized and more positive.
I was having some fun thinking of word connections to help express important ideas and how to express them. I hope you can do the same, thinking of some of your own. Develop your own fun semantic ways to remember what to do when you feel weighed down by the issues thrown at us in our present environmental situation.
Take some time to think of the power of one thing. Think of the one breath, action or activity, thought or prayer, laugh or cry, single step or new habit. There is a saying, “It is better to light one candle than to curse the darkness.” I hope you can find one thing to do in any given moment that empowers you and, just maybe, changes you and the world in amazing ways.
Evolving Magazine
Kansas City
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Jude LaClaire, Ph.D., LCPC, is a counselor, educator and author. For counseling appointments, seminars, training, speaking engagements or information on Neurobehavioral Programs or Imago Couple therapy call 913-322-5622. For more information about Jude LaClaire or the Kansas City Holistic Centre go to