A 360-degree view of the holistic life

Looking at one’s spirituality and how it impacts each area of one’s life is not necessarily something I think about a lot.

But as I launch headlong into inspiring people to thank five people a day, I am researching and learning more and more about the impact this can have in every area of our lives: personal, family, business and community, and perhaps even the planet too.

I have just listened to Dandapani, a meditation teacher and former Hindu monk, at the Entrepreneurs’ Organization conference share his practices and tools of living a fulfilled life.

He posed the question: “Where is your sacred space – the place you can go to find yourself – over and over again?”

I considered my life – sometimes I feel I am racing so much – juggling between all of my priorities and the last thing on the list is me. Dandapani urged us to reconsider this. Even if it is just for a minute a day every day – time to sit, and really get to know yourself. If you do this, you will be in a much better position to serve others.

“If you don’t know where you are then you don’t know where you are going,” he said. We must manage our energy. He asked us to consider “who is uplifting?” of those people who surround us.

Me, myself and I

1. Spend time by yourself every day; be still and ask yourself “am I okay?” Go to your space of reflection – sit quietly and listen to yourself.

2. Understand how your mind works – know that there is a difference between your awareness and our mind. We often allow others to impact where our awareness goes. Keep your awareness on one thing at a time – concentrate and be present. It takes practice.

3. Use the power of affirmation:

• Create a mantra of concise positive words and say them over and over again – this creates an impression in your subconscious mind.
• Create visual supports for these affirmations – powerful images that reinforce your mantra.
• Say the mantra always with feeling and emotion – believe it truly, deeply.

Be kind, gentle, patient and loving with yourself.

The mind does not discriminate between what’s good for it and what’s not. Choose carefully what you say, as it is impressing upon your subconscious mind.

You could take on this power of affirmation not just personally but with your relationship, children, or your colleagues.

Family life

Spouse:

• Resolve all differences before going to bed at night. Arguing is okay – but it needs to be completed before you sleep. If it is not, it stays in your subconscious unresolved. ‘Time does not heal’ – unresolved issues simply get pushed deeper into the subconscious and they build up.
• “Give her everything she needs and everything she wants – and the loving wife will never ask for more than the husband can provide”. When the woman is happy it binds the family.

“The greatest gift a man can give his children is to love their mother.” – Oscar Wilde.

So there may be something in the saying, ‘Happy wife; happy life.’ Dandapani shared vivid stories on how and why this works so magically.

Children:

• Children have endless energy…you don’t. It is important to set the parameters on energy management. For example, between 1pm and 2pm it is quiet time, with no interruptions from children. Teach them that you need space too. Be thoughtful about where you give your energy.
• Teach children responsibility – a family is a team and all need to contribute to the running of the household. It is not about being paid pocket money to do some household chores. They must learn that these chores are things that just must get done.

Business matters

• Teach your team about awareness – and get them to focus on just one thing at a time.

“Where awareness goes energy flows.”

Every time you get distracted it takes energy to come back to what you were doing. Be an example of doing one thing at a time.

• Give your team your undivided attention. Be truly focused on whatever you are doing, including if you are meeting with someone; have nothing present that could distract you.

In the community

• Use your successes, strengths and talents to give back to the community.
• It is important to create abundance so that you can assist others. It is very hard to make a difference to others when you are poor.

Many of the thoughts shared by Dandapani were reinforcements of concepts I had heard before. The trick is, of course, to create them as a practice.

Only if we use the tools we are given will it make a difference. As business leaders, parents and contributors to community – with all the very many roles we play – we don’t get to play any roles unless we have looked after ourselves, are healthy, happy and have energy and awareness for others.

Being grateful and taking on the practice of saying five thanks a day will support this journey too.

Naomi Simson is considered to be one of Australia’s Best Bosses. An employee engagement advocate, she practises what she preaches in her own fast growth business. RedBalloon was named as one of only 13 BRW Best Employers in Australia in 2012 for four years in a row with an engagement scorecard of over 90% in each of those years – the average in Australian businesses is 54%.

One of Australia’s outstanding entrepreneurs, Naomi regularly entertains as a passionate speaker, a blogger and a published author, most recently publishing Five Thanks a Day. She has received many accolades and awards for the business she founded, RedBalloon.com.au including the 2011 Ernst & Young National Entrepreneur of the Year – Industry.