I have been thinking of how we human/”sheep” are both complex and confusing, and predictable and programmed.
We do not like to think of ourselves as either predictable or programmed. In fact, many people do not really like to think of ourselves as being like “sheep.” In our 
culture, we tend to struggle with the concept of interdependence and interconnectedness with all people.
We like to think of ourselves as fiercely independent, self-governed (in control), spontaneous, intelligent, and adaptable. After all, we are creative, powerful, smart, intentional, industrious, fluid, and full of potential, aren’t we?
That is the point of today’s blog. As humans, we really are are both limited and limitless.
Truthfully, our subconscious brain is programmed and we act according to the values and opinions that linger there.
Our conscious brain, however, is always seeking adventure, knowledge, understanding, and improvement for ourselves and the world. Still, psychologists say we operate about 95 -97% of our time in the subconscious part of our brains.
How does that show up? Well, have you ever noticed that we are in a never ending dance between intentionally seeking change and subconsciously sabotaging that change? Remember our state of mind or emotional states greatly affect our behavior, both positively and negatively.
Far too often, just when we get a brilliant or freeing idea, our saboteurs, fear and anxiety, often come out of the basement and knock down our door to remind us of who we are and what our own family, religion, or schooling proposes as truth. These unwanted saboteurs are famous for dismantling many a dream. They also act like a cancer and have a feeding frenzie off our newly minted confidence and freedom! They negatively change our emotional state.
A few summers ago, I named my main Saboteur, Squelchela. She comes out of the basement at just the times I feel most creative. She thinks Her job is to squelch my dreams and keep me in check. And she seems to have a lot of offspring. I am not sure what to name them.
I am on a mission to learn new ways to communicate with all of our personal saboteurs. How we communicate with them affects how we live our lives! One technique is to ask ourselves (and each other) empowering, mind-expanding questions that help loosen the grip of those age old and well rehearsed voices that sabotage us.
And Solomon, that adorable TSJ mascot, a stuffed sheep with the sheep-ish smile sewn on his face, has come to help me banish my own saboteurs back to the basement. He sits on the stool in my office and he rides on the passenger side of my car quite often . . . to simplify the struggle and loosen the grip of Squelchela and her team. He makes me smile and quite frankly, his face reminds me that all is well. We are being shepherded ourselves.
So, just for today I encourage you to think about something you wish to change. Just one thing that is robbing you of your joy.
One effective and powerful way to change your state of mind to a more empowering position is to open your heart to anything (unless it is an addiction that is your saboteur in disguise) that brings a smile on your face. Laughter loosens the grip of your saboteurs too.
Whatever that is, I promise it will bring you closer to your Essence. Your soul. Your heart. Your destiny. Your freedom. Your God.
It can be a smile from someone happy to see you. It can be a quote from a book. It can be a bird on your feeder. It can be a silly looking stuffed animal, like Solomon, that speaks to your heart. Simplicity of spirit has a power to transform us.
Let any happy thought nourish you like the sun that draws a plant from the dark soil toward the light that warms it, feeds it, and sustains it. It will start the process of change for you.
Solomon gives his smile of approval!
