Ground Rules:
An Introduction to the "Steps to ALL OF ME" (Version 041212)
"Defining Who I am through my Ground Rules!"
The essence of any game, organization, or relationship (with myself and or with others) is defined in its rules. Rules usually remain unconscious. However, conscious rules can have a power effect in one’s life. Conscious rules, or “Ground Rules,” identify boundaries, which can limit and/or challenge me in my behavior.
Using Ground Rules I can create “Safety Zones” in my life. A Safety Zone allows me to expand my Comfort Zones while I experience the maximum personal growth and fulfillment with the least amount of risk or danger to my person, to my values and/or to the person or values of others in my life.
Thus, conscious Ground Rules create a “space” where I can focus my attention. Once focused, I can become aware of every aspect of my experience, one event at a time. Once thus focused, I can now apply a process of steps that allow me to 1) inventory, then 2) observe, and then finally 3) choose a paradigm and/or a behavior that allows me to create “more value my life.” Thus, the axiom:
While I co-create the events in my life; I, alone, create value in my life.™
All this can happen one behavior at a time, one event at a time.
When Ground Rules are in place together with such a step-by-step process, I can experience increased awareness of:
1) my own internal process that enables automatic and/or chosen behaviors and become a chooser,
2) myself in relationship to myself as well as in relationship to another person or thing,
3) myself in community, with other people and things, and, ultimately,
4) my personal “purpose” in life, more exquisitely than I ever thought possible.
Therefore, how using Ground Rules is essential in developing depth, meaning and value in life.
Here are some guidelines for creating and using ground rules: CREATE ground rules that will help you
1) observe, test and choose hopes and fears as well as likes and dislikes; AND, at the same time,
2) serve others in my relationships to experience more peace and love. (Refer to M. H. Ghandhi excerpts, especially pages 4-5, 17,13, and 34.)
3) Always be gentle with yourself and others. Use Ground Rules to take small steps, gentle steps towards a more powerful, more disciplined and more loving you.
4) have a deadline or time limit for each Ground Rule. Ground Rules aren't "forever" unless chosen as such. And, then, have a renegotiation Ground Rule so that you are gentle with yourself and others.
5) Sometimes use "consequences" or "rewards" – just noticing your own process. These rewards can be applied at the end of the term of a Ground Rule, or intervals during the term of a Ground Rule.
Using ground rules this way, you can truly focus on your energy and patiently wait for your universe to support you in experience personal purpose and personal fulfillment, more love and patience than you ever thought possible.
