Since 2002, GOGI has relied on the US prison population to figure out how to make positive decisions in a negative world. Now, as much of our world suffers from a wide variety of negativity, there is no better time to rely on the wisdom that has emerged from those who often wallow in a world of negativity while behind bars. I would like to share with you some very practical applications of the GOGI Life Tools.
The GOGI LIFE TOOLS are simple Tools that permit anyone, anywhere, to make the most positive decisions possible, irrespective of where they awake each morning. What I have learned from prisoners since my first day volunteering more than two decades ago is that what goes on inside one’s mind is under my direct control.
TOOLS OF THE BODY – When overwhelmed with news feeds pitting one type of human against another, I remember who is the boss. I use BOSS OF MY BRAIN to realize that the longer I focus on the negative, the more I will see, and generate negative in my life. Therefore, I quickly swipe past anything that does not make me a better person. When frustrated that a neighbor does not respect my point of view, I have BELLY BREATHING as a simple Tool to calm my physical body and return to a place of quiet power, unruffled by the yelling and blaming and finger pointing around me. And, when I feel a certain defensiveness bubbling up, I can use FIVE SECOND LIGHTSWITCH to redirect my focus to things that help me be a better person, a more helpful person, a kinder person, a more reliable/respectable/less irritated person.
TOOLS OF CHOICE – With all the negative thoughts, words and actions swirling around me, it is quite the task to remain in the place of positivity. But, when I am able to remain positive something magical happens; people around me become more positive and those who remain negative slowly move out of the way. The TOOLS OF CHOICE are powerful at cleaning house and letting all the negativity find a new place to ferment. POSITIVE THOUGHTS, POSITIVE WORDS, POSITIVE ACTIONS are a simple way to clear the path to positivity. For me, I simply turn down the volume of the negativity around me and turn up anything that helps me maintain my focus on being a better person, an inspiring person, a kind and helpful person that others can rely upon as an example of success.
TOOLS OF MOVING FORWARD – When my mind seems to get stuck in the present or the past, and it seems as if the sinkhole of problems is too deep to escape, I remember my GOGI Life Tools CLAIM RESPONSIBILITY, LET GO, FOR-GIVE. With CLAIM RESPONSIBILITY I know that today is MY creation. I am not the victim of circumstance, I am the creator of my experience of any and all circumstances. When overcome with emotions that take me off course, I have LET GO to help me toss those emotions out of my way. And FOR me to GIVE, I get a good distance from harm. Certainly the TOOLS OF MOVING FORWARD have been instrumental in my ability to remain positive during negative times.
TOOLS OF CREATION – And, truthfully, I am the creator of my life experience. I get to create how I feel, what I feel, what I think/say/do. This is MY LIFE and I get to design it to suit my desires. The TOOLS OF CREATION empower me with the simplicity of how to step into a positive situation during negative times.
There are 12 GOGI Life Tools in total. Each of them are useful in their own way, but singularly or as a group, the GOGI Life Tools help anyone, at any time, in any place, and in any circumstance remain positive in a negative world!