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Tune Out to Tune In


It seems I’m always meditating these days.


I’m triggered by anything violent, unjust or untrue. As you know, there’s

just too much of it.


Being human, I might react with a negative thought or outburst. (Not

good for the blood pressure.) Being a writer, I can share my anguish

with my fictional characters and teach them how to cope. Sometimes

we learn together.


In my book, Inn Lak’ech: A Journey to the Realm of Oneness, Elm Sunday had to complete many challenges before she could earn her coveted pink

aura. Practicing awareness, developing compassion, and learning how

to control her negative thoughts were key to her success.


Below is an excerpt from Chapter 38, “The Bubble Room.” It’s a perfect

example of how I allow myself to be free and have fun with my writing

(while exploring my Inner Hippie):


Up floated her thoughts and the word DAMN showed in a bubble, which crashed into STUPID and splattered angry red goo over Love Child.


Surprisingly, the old hippie did not flinch, but continued his chain-making and humming, “I’d Like To Teach The World To Sing.”


“Sorry, Mr. Love Child!” Elm cried, dismayed that she was the only one getting thought bubbles.


Love Child nodded. “You’ve got to tune out what everyone else is doing or receiving and do your own thing, Baby Soul Sister,” he instructed. “If you want a groovy pink aura, you’ve got to free yourself from your own negative vibes. Even curse words can hold you back. It’s poison, dig?”


The hippie’s comments made no great impact because Elm was more interested in controlling her restless pillow, which was stillsmashing into walls and souls.


Unable to keep her balance, she fell off the pillow and released a string of profanities for all to enjoy. Her punishment was swift, colorful, and extremely messy because every one of the pillow people was covered in goo.


“Oops! Sorry! Darn! My fault! Sorry again!”


At that moment, a movie screen appeared on one of the black walls. Clutching her pillow, Elm floated to a space in front of a projected image of three puppies in an Easter basket. She immediately brightened.


Aww, puppies! Aren’t they cute.


The word CUTE became a thought bubble and floated over the first man whom Elm accidentally shrank. It showered him with colorful posies and he returned to his full height.


I think I’ve got it now. Someone gets clobbered every time I think of something bad and gets flowers when I’m thinking something good.


Elm watched thousands of images. Whether they were friends, family members, neighbors, celebrities, politicians, food, places or animals, she had an opinion about each and her thought bubbles acted accordingly. It was like being a contestant in some rapid-fire quiz show, except there was no new car or dining room set if she won. Just flowers.




La la la, I’m not listening

In real life, there aren’t any red goo bubbles, so you’ll need to develop

your own “bad vibes blocker.” Here are my suggestions:


Step One: tune out the “downers”

  • Turn off the news. (Then write a chapter or story.)

  • Turn off your phone. (Then write a chapter or story.)

  • Walk away from negative conversations with negative people.

(Then write a chapter or story.)

  • Turn on your favorite music. (Then write a chapter or story.)

  • Visualize you are in a protective bubble. (Then write a chapter or

story.)


If you’re still agitated, imagine you’ve escaped to a beautiful island. Or

to the moon, if you prefer. (Elm Sunday had an experience there, too.)


For fun, you can always stick your fingers in your ears and walk around

your home chanting “I don’t hear you!” Seriously, it might help. Then go

write that new chapter or story!



Step Two: tune in to your groovy self

  • Mentally scan your body, noticing what thoughts are stressing you

out.

  • Practice my Blue Sky Color Breathing meditation or the 4-7-8

breathing technique for peace and clarity. (Inhale for 4 seconds,

hold for 7 seconds, exhale for 8 seconds.)

  • Take a walk in the woods, in a park, by a lake or along the beach.

Absorb the beauty of the green leaves, the blue sky, the purple

flowers, and the white seagulls, thanking the Universe with every

step.

  • Listen to uplifting songs like Walking on Sunshine (Katrina & The

Waves), Top of the World (The Carpenters), Don’t Worry, Be Happy

(Bobby McFerrin), Here Comes the Sun (The Beatles), and Good

Vibrations (The Beach Boys).

  • Skip, jump, climb, sing or dance. Feel the joy of being alive!


Pretty far out, right?


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