improvement in relationships – especially family

 "Be transformed by the renewing of your mind"   …   I read it a long time ago, but HOW to do it was the question?  The great thing about Sandy MacGregor’s CALM "Life Skills" Seminar and "Creating Happiness Intentionally" seminar is it that it taught me HOW!
   I learned how to meditate, picture and imagine by using the senses and creating in my mind what Sandy calls a “Peaceful Place”.  I learned how to expand my comfort zone and release stress; how to respond instead of react; how to improve memory; achieve acceptance and forgiveness and how to identify any obstacles which may be obstructing me from achieving my goals.  And the really big one for me was how to deflect obstructions such as  negative self talk, worry and anxiousness, fears and doubt, resentment, envy, guilt, prejudice, blame, disbelief, non-forgiveness and hatred.  So many negatives, which I quickly recognised were baggage and in meditation could be released and replaced with positives such as love, peace and harmony.
   One practical example:  While cycling in Sydney, I happened to pass by the War Memorial and two very helpful Veterans helped me to find information about my grandfather's WW1 history which I didn't previously know.  On returning home, I got to thinking about the possibility of going to France and Belgium and locating his grave which I believe could help to bring closure to deep-seated grief in relation to my father and his father.  With this in mind, in December 2010 at the suggestion of a friend who has also done Sandy’s Seminar, I completed Term 1 of Beginners French at U3A which I absolutely loved, intend to continue and which is helping me to stay focussed on my goal.  A picture of the Eiffel Tower in my kitchen is also helping me to stay focussed! 
   The positive upliftment experienced from applying CALM techniques to all areas of my life cannot be understated …  improvement in relationships – especially family – achieving clarity, identifying priorities, a better understanding of unconditional love, more self confidence are just a few.  I know challenges of the future, seen and unforseen, will best be overcome using CALM methods. 
   Recently while cycling past a florist shop I saw a sign which read:
"we create our tomorrows by what we dream today"!
   I returned and bought it as a constant reminder, believing the best way to "dream" is in meditation. 
   Thank you so much Sandy for the life-changing experience of, and your continuing commitment to, the extraordinary work of CALM. M.M. Tas