INTRODUCTION

Most of us know how important it is to exercise our bodies, but how often do we exercise our souls? It is easy to get lost in our daily routines and lose touch with the things that are meaningful to us. We become human doings instead of what we are supposed to be human beings. If this continues, eventually our true self will begin to die. By exercising our souls, however, we enhance our ability to live and love with enthusiasm and vigor, and increase our ability to overcome any difculties or obstacles we encounter along the way. Every performer and athlete knows that if you want to get to Carnegie Hall or the Olympics you must practice, practice, practice. If you dont work out regularly, you will never achieve what you are capable of. This is true of the soul as well. And one thing that can help you achieve a gold medal in soul growth is to have a competent coach. Its hard to practice alone. For over thirty years Ive counseled people with life-threatening

1 p

101 Exercises for the Soul

illnesses, and my patients have been my most important teachers and coaches. In this book, let me be your coach. At least, give me a try. I will do my best to encourage you to reach your goals and to help guide you in your souls journey. I have written this book in a simple format so that you can sit down anywhere, anytime and nd the means to add value to your life. Each chapter focuses on a particular area for soul growth, from improving your attitude to nding inner motivation. Chapters begin with a coaching tip, which introduces the underlying concepts and purpose of the ve exercises that follow (exercise 101 is a nal exam). The exercises are where your workout really begins. You may nd some of the exercises more challenging than others. Feel free to begin anywhere in the book. Consider starting with a chapter that applies to your life right now, one that seems to offer immediate assistance. Begin with the rst exercise you are drawn to. No warmup is needed; you can dive right in. However, since I cant personally be there to remind you to practice every day, try to keep the book in a place where you will see it often and remember to respond to the needs of your soul. Before you know it you will begin to notice how your life has taken on more meaning and how much better you feel. The change may be small at rst, but as we improve ourselves, we make an increasing difference in both our individual lives and the world. The greater our desire and intention, and the more we practice, the greater the results. We can make a positive difference in the world by what we choose to do.

Introduction

Our body and soul are intended to work together. To accomplish this we must respect our bodies and keep them t, and we must also understand, respect, and care for that which lies within us. Before you begin, take a moment to look at your soul. What kind of shape is it in? Has it been allowed to express itself to be exercised properly? Is it underdeveloped in certain places and more developed in others? Imagine that your soul is a muscle that will become stronger, leaner, and more exible the more you work it. To create a healthy soul, we must rst let it speak to us and stop editing it with our fears and our concerns about what others think. We need to trust the divine direction our soul is leading us in and allow it to enhance our life. Now it is time for you to embark upon your soulful journey. The Force is with you. Believe me. Your Coach, Dr. Bernie S. Siegel

CHAPTER

ATTITUDE IS EVERYTHING
Dont sweat the small or the large stuff (and save on the cost of deodorant)

Others can stop you temporarily, you are the only one who can do it permanently. ZIG ZIGLAR

Coaching Tip One

Maintaining a positive attitude, no matter what your circumstances, increases the likelihood of your nding future happiness and fulllment. Why is this true? Well, if your attitude is negative and your mind is lled with worry and fear, it takes its toll on your body, mind, and spirit. In fact, by spending all your time creating a vision of an unhappy future, you help create that future. Remember, your thoughts guide your decisions, and negative thoughts lead to negative decisions. Nothing is solved by visualizing the worst outcome, but much can be accomplished when you desire and intend to achieve

5 p

101 Exercises for the Soul

the best possible result. Optimists may not be more accurate about life whether interpreting the past or predicting the future but they live longer than pessimists. Over Gods desk there is a plaque that reads, If you go around saying Ive got a miserable life, Ill show you what miserable really is. And if you go around saying Ive got a wonderful life, Ill show you what wonderful really is. A positive attitude can open many doors for you and help create the life you desire. A negative attitude affects you rst by ruining your moment-to-moment happiness. This truth was brought home to me many years ago. One of our children, then aged seven, had an X-ray that revealed a bone tumor. The odds were that it was a malignant tumor and that he would not see another year of life. I was very depressed by what I thought was going to happen, and my attitude showed it. I also tried to get my wife and his four siblings to understand and develop the proper depressing attitude. After all, how can you laugh and play when someone you love is going to die? One day our son walked into the room where I was sitting and said, Dad, can I talk to you? I said, Sure, what is it? He said, Dad, youre handling this poorly. With his talk, my son reminded me of what every child and animal knows instinctively: Today is the only day that exists. And as for my son, I was wrong about what was going to happen; he survived and is very much alive and happy today. The future is unknown, and we should never let our fears, worries, and negative

Attitude Is Everything

attitudes prevent us from enjoying the day and nding fulllment, no matter what tomorrow seems to hold. When disappointments and setbacks occur, learn to view them as events that will redirect you to something good. My mother taught me this, and it creates a positive shift in your attitude and your view of the future. Cultivating a hopeful approach to life is an important part of your soul workout. The following exercises, when practiced on a regular basis, will strengthen your outlook and help you to create the life you desire.

101 Exercises for the Soul

Exercise 1
GRATITUDE LIST
Something to Remember

Why are you living this life? Do you ever stop to think about it? Or are you too busy complaining and whining? Gratitude is one of the best ways to improve your attitude and feel better. You cant be troubled and grateful at the same time. This exercise can be repeated often and will always obtain the same results. Get a pen and paper and sit down in a quiet place where you wont be interrupted. Start by making a list of at least twenty things you are grateful for in your life. You might start with basic necessities like having a roof over your head, a chair to sit on, food to eat, a warm bed at night, and so on. Then continue with the more meaningful and personal areas of your life, such as your friends, family, work, pets, and health. When you nish, display the list where you will see it often, especially when troubling thoughts start surfacing. Keep adding to your list over the next several weeks, and take the time every day to read it to remind yourself of all the things in your life you are grateful for.

Attitude Is Everything

Exercise 2
AFFIRMATIONS
What You Say to Yourself Counts Your intentions and desires shape your future. When you create afrmations about what you desire, and stop visualizing what you fear, your goals are far more likely to manifest themselves. This is because you are preparing yourself and your life for the results you desire. Take a sheet of paper and draw a vertical line down the middle of the paper. Then take a few minutes to think about all of the major aspects of your life, such as your body, your job, your mate, and so on. Note any negative thoughts, even if they are just momentary, and write them down in the left column. When youve nished your review, read through the negative thoughts youve collected. Now take these thoughts and turn them into positive statements in the right column. For instance: I am very tired today I wish I didnt have to work today I hate the way my body looks I wish I were a better parent I feel alive and energized today I look forward to a productive day at work I am grateful for my body Every day Im the best parent I can be

10

101 Exercises for the Soul

Post your favorite afrmations where you will see them every day on your bathroom mirror, on your refrigerator, on your desk, and so on. For thirty days, read them aloud or repeat them silently to yourself several times a day and before bed. Every month re-create your list and choose new afrmations to focus on. As your attitude improves, your body and life will become what you afrm.

From the book 101 Exercises for the Soul. Copyright 2005 by Bernie S. Siege. Reprinted with permission of New World Library, Novato, CA. www.newworldlibrary.com or 800/972-6657 ext. 52.