I attended a workshop this month on issues of self-esteem. One of the preparation assignments was to read about Dorothy and her adventures in the land of Oz, in the original children's book "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz".
It was a nice change from the more academic journal articles that are the reading matter for my current hypnotherapy training course!
Some of the practical exercises involved analysing the principal characters in terms of their self- esteem i.e. from a "self-esteem" perspective.
It certainly showed there is often something to glean from simple stories that can be reflected in our everyday lives. Wisdom and insight can come from the simplest sources not just from teachings of learned philosophers!
And so it is with Winnie-the-Pooh. Within the pages of A.A. Milne's well-loved children's stories, we can find a wealth of simple but wise sayings we could see as guidelines for living. Perhaps you've shared stories of the bear and his buddies with a child, or remember reading them in your own childhood....
Each character's personality reflects for the reader a unique view of the world: Owl through his quest for knowledge. Eyeore as the unrelenting pessimist. We learn about bravery from Piglet. And the need to believe in ourselves from Tigger. Milne's Winnie-the-Pooh may be a bear with "very little brain" but I think you'll agree he sometimes comes out some rather surprising wisdom, and tells some insightful truths.
Here are some of my favourites:
- On believing in yourself:
"Promise me you'll always Remember:
You're BRAVER than you believe,
and STRONGER than you seem,
and SMARTER than you think."
Confidence in our own abilities and judgement is often undermined by negative self-doubt. We can develop our belief in ourselves by knowing and "remembering" that we are greater than the thoughts and beliefs that try to convince us otherwise; those thoughts and beliefs that sow the seeds of fear, doubt, and negativity. Sometimes we need to actively remember.
"What day is it?"
"It's today," squeaked Piglet.
"My favorite day," said Pooh.
How would it be if you lived your life as if "today" was -or at least could be- the best day of all: living each and every day as if it was your favorite day?
What might happen if you try starting each day with the thought, "This is going to be my best day ever." Or going to a meeting with the thought, "This will be a fruitful, harmonious meeting."
-
On taking time 
"Don't underestimate the value of doing nothing, of just going along, listening to all the things you can't hear and not bothering."
In these hectic times, what a gift it is to take time to relax, and to "do nothing" with awareness.
"How do you spell 'love' ?" asked Piglet.
"You don't spell it. You feel it," replied Pooh.
And you live it. You can live it through giving your time and attention to the people and activities that are important to you. Who or what have you been neglecting?
"It's more fun to talk with someone who doesn't use long, difficult words
but rather short, easy words like 'What about lunch'?"
How about having lunch with someone you care about this week? Giving time to our friendships, to conversation and laughter, nourishes us and helps keep our lives in balance.
"Rivers know this: There is no hurry. We shall get there some day."
Practice staying present with whatever is flowing through your life, on a daily, moment by moment basis. Enjoy being where you ARE, now, as you "go with the flow".
