My Bali Experience ... being happy

I recently went for a holiday to Bali and posted facebook updates which created a lot of interest. When I came back many friends excitedly asked me how my Bali Holiday was expecting a happy tale. Oddly, I avoided answering that and switched topic to the troubles I was having getting back to work momentum. I realised their questions made me uncomfortable. Then the real issue dawned upon me ….  I can’t remember being happy or having a good time during the Bali Holiday and I came back just a day ago!!

Floating Temple, Bali - its on the back of the 50,000 Rupiah

OMG! What is going on? I tried to remember but it was difficult, I panicked and told Elango this. He in turn, was not surprised!! He then explained that my mind and the neurons formed are geared on finding faults, it is not programmed to remember the good times! Then he referred to a practical activity he did during the Be At Your Best training program that showed people are generally programmed to find faults and not take note of the good things. I remembered that activity and it made sense. I asked him in dismay, “What to do?”  He suggested that I look at the facebook postings again and photos I took and make a conscious effort to remember the good times … i.e. creating new programming and neurons to be in line with my goals to be happy.

I said okay and then … forgot about it. Elango reminded me again today.

Sunset at Potato Head Club, Bali

Beach Party at Potato Head Club, Bali

 As I was going through the photos, the first few I was picking faults and remembering the ‘bad’ experience. For an example, we went to this happening place called Potato Head. Really awesome beach party place where you can watch an amazing sunset. However, when we got there, all tables were full and we didn’t have reservations. Elango said he will definitely come there again. Hearing this, my mind immediately started going into a victim mode saying  but I will not be coming with him again and I can’t come to this place etc. I voiced out my mind chatter to Elango.  He said, “Your mind is programmed to find fault and turn this into an unhappy holiday with at least one or two things lacking. You can choose to entertain it or you can use your willpower to snap out of it and find solutions .” After a few minutes, I asked him if we could go for dinner to Hard Rock instead? He answered’ “okay” and we went to Hard Rock Café on Kuta Beach. All the while Elango was his usual self, as he would be back in KL, enjoying the sights and scenes, enjoying every moment, not the least affected by my change in mood. He was not reacting to my change in behaviour.

We had a nice dinner and enjoyed good conversation where I discovered a lot more about myself. Elango started explaining to me what was happening to me using SIEP. Using the Spirit to accept that nature was teaching me through the events that were taking place. He then asked me to use the intellect to think what the lessons were and went on to explain the real reason I got upset at Potato Head and how it was my deeper level subs plans to return me to my old cycles. My emotions were calm again and I was happy. Elango’s response to my change in behaviour using SIEP allowed me to see the works of my mind clearly. It also allowed me to switch back into a clear and happy state in a very short time. Previously, not too long ago, I would have continued to entertain the negative thoughts and become chaotic and go into an emotional tantrum for days!

Dinner At Hard Rock Cafe, Kuta Beach, Bali

However, when I first looked at the photos after I got back I only remembered not getting a place ; the nice dinner, conversations and learning in Hard Rock I am only remembering as I write this blog!

Going back to my photo review, I had to use lots of will power to continue looking for good memories. My mind was saying no need, there are no nice experiences this time and the holiday was boring and I didn’t really like many of the things we did and was comparing to previous holidays. Luckily for me, Harsha was with me in this mission and she kept insisting that I keep going on to tell her about the photos I took and my experiences.

Flower Garden Restaurant, Bali

Me having lunch happily

I went on to the next few photos of places I went to and described it as too hot and I was tired etc. Then suddenly I saw a photo taken during lunch at a flower garden restaurant. I really enjoyed the food and view there and my heart was very happy indeed! Even remembered Elango saying “You really enjoyed the food here, don’t you?” Looking at this picture the happy memories came back. Then I saw the photo of the view of The Kintamani Volcano and remembered us having sandwiches at the view point restaurant. More happy memories came back.

Sandwiches and breathtaking view of Kintamani Volcano

I wanted to go to Bali for a holiday and was very happy when Elango booked the tickets and said, “let’s go”. However, when I was on holiday in Bali, I kept thinking what am I learning here and how is this related to my goals? Now I realise, one of the big learning is for me to experience how my mind is wired on finding faults and storing only unpleasant or ‘bad’ memories and forgets the good memories. How can I ever be happy wired this way? I need to take conscious effort to remember the good things and count my blessings …. slowly but surely on a daily basis. Thank you Elango for getting me to experience it and become aware of it.

Lunch at Bebek Tepi Sawah