Spring has sprung – the sun blesses the earth with longer days, daffodils and tulips sprout brilliant blooms, the sweet aroma of fresh grass lingers in the air. With a light heart and an eager spirit, you heed the calling of the new season as it beckons you to join in outdoor activities and parties on the lakeshore. Yet there are also the intermittent, accompanying dark and overcast days waiting to be filled with some kind of productive activity. These provide an opportunity to clean out closets, dressers, cabinets and storage units to “release” clothing and other things that no longer serve you. The spiritual law of circulation requires that all that has outlived its function and purpose be released.

   The coming of spring also brings an opportunity to consider other forms of releasing. This is the perfect time to “clean out” nonphysical elements of your life such as habits and limiting beliefs that hold you in bondage to your past. As a child, your parents, teachers or peers may have implanted beliefs – such as, “You cannot succeed,” “You never finish anything” or “You're no good,” – that have become underlying brain chatter for you. The limiting thoughts and words seem to come from within while the memory of having heard the words is probably long forgotten. Limiting brain chatter can be just as disruptive to your health as any natural agent, perhaps more so. How can you release the blocks to your initiative, imagination, action, focus and physical health?

   Release those blocks with more spring cleaning! The process works in the same way whether it be in your mind or in your house. First, take an inventory of what is present. Second, consciously sort out what is useful and appropriately retained. Third, identify that which has limited or blocked a better life and label it for release. This inventory process includes all habits, thoughts, attitudes, feelings and beliefs. Unlike spring house cleaning where the physical items are carried to curbside or packaged for pickup and possible use by charitable organizations, negative thought patterns are in no way recyclable. A different approach is necessary to “dispose of” the negativity.

    Begin by keeping a written record or journal of your thoughts. For seven days, write down the thoughts running though your brain. This practice in mindfulness will open the door to discovering your negative thoughts. Analyze your written statements and circle all the negative ones in red – especially those that are repeated. This is very important; these are the “brain chatter” thoughts that need most to be purged.

    Write positive statements in the present tense that are the exact opposite of every negative statement you have identified. These new positive statements are called affirmations. Now take a heavy black marker and strike out the negative statements in your journal. Choose three of your positive affirmations that seem to be the most unattainable to you. Now say and write these three affirmations several times throughout the day. Do this for twenty-one days. Over time, your conscientious effort in saying and writing these positive affirmations will recondition your mind. Your outer experiences will gradually change for the better as well.

   The next stage in the process is to begin monitoring what you say, especially the phrases that you are in the habit of using which may seemingly be true, but which are instructing your mind to have a negative experience. Phrases such as, “I am sick,” “I can't help it” or “I am tired” fall into this category. Defeat these phrases by catching them and instead saying, “Cancel.” Remember that whenever the words “I am” are partnered with a negative phrase, the power of your personal supreme being is being summoned to energize the negative outcome. Whatever you set as an intention, focus upon and give energy, will increase and become manifest in your life.
   
   When you gain control over your habitual thoughts and your spoken words, life takes on a new sweet flavor. Old reactions will cease to exist and optimal health will abound. Mindsets shaped by a “victim mentality” change to a new mindset filled with energetic purpose. New, healthier relationships reveal themselves and every day brings a deep sense of joy and happiness. The winter of unhappiness changes to a new spring of clear understanding.

    The thought of undertaking the process may be daunting, but if you put forth the effort your life will blossom – and you will be well on your way to sustaining a practice that will bless your health and improve your world in every way. Spring cleaning is useful – both for the physical environment and for the mind. Discard the items, thoughts and beliefs that no longer serve you, and enjoy the best year ever.

Reverend Stan Smith is Co-Minister of Unity Spiritual Center in Westlake. He has been a writer, teacher and minister since 1978, following a career as a Senior Marketing Executive at a Fortune 500 Corporation. A Master Teacher, Rev. Smith has instructed thousands of students in the mystical arts of meditation and spiritual practices leading to quantum leaps in their lives. Rev. Stan and his wife Barbara have six children, nine grandchildren and live in North Olmsted. Unity Spiritual Center is located at 23855 Detroit Road in Westlake and can be reached by calling (440) 835-0400 or visiting www.UnitySpiritualCenter.com.

Illustration by xrento.