Barbara's Blog

Radio interview

Hi friends,

There's a new online service just launched here in Denmark where they interview writers about their new books and there's an interview with me talking about our new book The Awakening Human Being... so if you want to hear me (speaking Danish)... go to www.bogradio.dk...

Enjoy!

Byron Katies does the Work with Sauron, the Dark Lord by Tim Ray

My son, Tim Ray, wrote this hilarious spoof about Bryon Katie doing the Work with Sauron, the Dark Lord from the Lord of the Rings... and then he sent it to Byron Katie. Katie and her husband Stephen Mitchell loved it so much that they put it in their newsletter... so if you don't get Katie's newsletter, I thought I would share it with you! Enjoy!

Katie wrote:
Tim is my Danish translator. I hope you enjoy this as much as I did.

Tim wrote:
Dear Katie, I’m glad you like the spoof. Here’s how it came about. I’m a great Lord of the Rings fan and one night a few weeks ago I had this amazing dream. I dreamt that you were standing before one of the Black Riders (the Nazgul), who was looming ominously before you. Your response: ”Oh sweetheart, what a beautiful black dress! I love it!” The Black Rider then drew his big silver sword and advanced menacingly towards you. Your response: ”Oh wow, what a beautiful silver sword! And look at those beautiful symbols!” The Black Rider then pierced your heart with the sword, the blood came gushing out. Your response was: ”Oh wow, how wonderful, you’re killing me. So beautiful and all the blood… Oh sweetheart…” And then I woke up and wrote the spoof.
I guess The Work is really penetrating into the deepest reaches of my subconscious now. That’s what you get for translating A Thousand Names for Joy!
Blessings, Tim

Byron Katie does the Work with Sauron, the Dark Lord by Tim Ray

BK: So, sweetheart, read what you wrote on your Worksheet.
Sauron: This is really hard for me.
BK: I know, honey, and I admire your courage. So let’s hear it.
Sauron: I am frustrated and angry at all the Free Peoples of Middle-Earth - the elves, the dwarves, the men, and those annoying little hobbits, not to mention Gandalf the White and his fellowship - for consistently opposing my plans to become Lord of Middle-Earth. They should realize that I am the Master of the World and bow down to me. They should be my slaves. They should worship me and give me love, approval and appreciation. I want them to see that I am the greatest. They are weak, stupid, annoying, irritating. I never ever want to experience them rebelling against my plans again.
BK: So basically, that’s about it.
Sauron: [Laughing] I’m sure there’s more. But I ran out of space. This thing with the Free Peoples of Middle-Earth has been bugging me for thousands of years. In fact, ever since those blasted Numenoreans landed on the shores of Middle-Earth…
BK: I hear you. Okay, so let’s do the Work. Let’s look at what you’ve written, sweetheart. I heard you say that “they should realize that you are the Master of the World”.
Sauron: Yes.
BK: So “They should realize that you are the Master of the World” – is that true? [To the audience] See if you can find the place in yourself where you believe that someone in your life should realize that you are the Master of the World and bow down to you and worship you and do exactly what you want them to do. It could be someone you knew a long time ago or someone you know today. So, sweetheart, “They should realize that you are the Master of the World” – is that true?
Sauron: [Fuming] Yes!
BK: You answered so quickly.
Sauron: Yes, they should all bow down to me and realize that I am the Master of Middle-Earth!
BK: I hear you. And can you absolutely know that it’s true?
Sauron: [After a pause] Well…
BK: Well? What’s the reality of it, sweetheart? Do the elves bow down to you and say that you are the Master of the World?
Sauron: No.
BK: The hobbits? The dwarves? The Dunedain? And what about Gandalf the Wizard? Does he bow down to you and realize that you are the Master of the World?
Sauron: [sighs] No.
BK: So “They should realize that you are the Master of the World” – how do you react when you believe that thought?
Sauron: I get furious, angry, frustrated. I release my armies of darkness – the Black Riders, the orcs, the trolls, the werewolves and the bats on all the Free Peoples of Middle-Earth. I start a war and burn, hack, destroy, annihilate. It’s like my whole being is consumed by darkness. I get very focused and lose sight of everything else. It’s like I have only One Eye of malice, bent on destroying anything and everything that doesn’t do my will.
BK: Yes, sweetheart. The mind has a job. And that’s to give us all the stories that prove that what it thinks is true.
Sauron: It’s really quite horrible. I build all these defenses around myself, impenetrable walls of steel and mountains of horror. No one can get in or out. And yet all the time doubt keeps gnawing at my heart. What if someone really great and powerful, like Gandalf or Saruman or Aragorn or Galadriel gets a hold of the One Ring? That really worries me.
BK: Yes, I hear you sweetheart. So, whose business are you in when you believe the thought “They should realize that I am the Master of the World”?
Sauron: I can see that I’m mentally in their business.
BK: And how has that worked for you so far?
Sauron: It’s really quite hopeless. I’ve been trying for hundreds and thousands of years to bend them to my will. But they just won’t do it. I devised the One Ring to rule them all, but then they formed that blasted Last Allegiance of Elves and Men. And Isildur cut the Ring off my finger and I had to go into hiding for thousands of years. It was really depressing. And now the same thing is happening all over again. The One Ring has been found and I can’t seem to get a hold of it. The Riders of Rohan are proving more and more tenacious than I thought. Minas Tirith is still going strong. And the other day I realized that an heir of Isildur is still alive with the sword of Elendil reforged. That really worries me. I have trouble sleeping at night. I’ve started taking Valium. But none of it really works. It’s like a living nightmare.
BK: Yes. So can you find one stress-free reason to keep the thought?
Sauron: No.
BK: So, who would you be without the thought “They should realize that I am the Master of the World”?
Sauron: [After a pause] Hm. It’s… like a blank. I mean, I’ve been so used to that thought that it’s, you know, I really don’t know.
BK: So close your eyes for a moment. See Gandalf, Aragorn, the elves, the hobbits, the dwarves, the riders of Rohan, all the Free Peoples of Middle-Earth, just as they are. And you cannot believe the thought “They should realize that I am the Master of the World”. What do you see?
Sauron: [Taking a deep breath] Well, first of all I would realize that they don’t realize that I am the Master of the World. They just don’t. Never have and probably never will.
BK: I would drop the “probably”!
Sauron: Yes. And I would see that trying to get them to realize that I am the Master of the World is hopeless. So that would be a huge load off my back. Just seeing reality. And then I would be more realistic. I wouldn’t stress myself so hard all the time, constantly doing battle with reality. It feels more peaceful.
BK: So “They should realize that I am the Master of the World” – turn it around.
Sauron: They should not realize that I am the Master of the World.
BK: Okay, so give me three examples of where they should not realize that you are the Master of the World. Three genuine examples, and make them as specific as you can. [To the audience] I invite all of you to do this as well. [To Sauron] So, give me three specific, genuine examples.
Sauron: Well, at the Battle of the Pelennor Fields they sure as hell didn’t realize that I was the Master of the World! I mean none of them – the Dunedain of Gondor, the Rangers of the North, the Riders of Rohan, the sons of Elrond, I mean the list goes on and on.
BK: My goodness!
Sauron: And way back when the Valar, you know the Lords of the West, sent the Five Wizards – Gandalf, Saruman, Radagast and so on to help the Free Peoples in their struggle against me. The Valar sure didn’t think I was the Master of the World back then either.
BK: My goodness!
Sauron: And Saruman, that spineless worm, trying to get a hold of the One Ring himself and proclaim himself Master of Middle-Earth…
BK: That’s amazing.
Sauron: [Laughs] It’s amazing that I didn’t see something so obvious before!
BK: That’s what the mind does. It believes its story and then it finds all the proof. And in the end it can only see what it believes to be true, even though it isn’t. Okay, sweetheart, can you find another turnaround?
Sauron: I should realize that I am the Master of the World.
BK: Yes. And how are you doing in that department?
Sauron: [After a long pause] Well, I can see that actually I myself have some serious doubts in that department. Because, I mean hey, if I am really the Master of the World why can’t I get Gandalf and his lot to bow down to me and do what I want!
BK: Ah, you are good, sweetheart! So “You are the Master of the World” – is that true?
Sauron: [Starts to cry] No.
BK: And consider how you react when you believe that thought.
Sauron: It’s hopeless, hopeless. I mean I am totally in everybody else’s business, constantly trying to get them to do what I want. And it’s wearing me out. I don’t even have a physical body anymore. I’m just this one horrible lidless eye. I can’t sleep, I can’t eat. Mordor is a total mess – it’s no wonder they call it The Land of Shadow. All my employees have this total love-hate relationship with me. The orcs both worship and loathe me. Not to mention the elves and the dwarves. It’s pure hell.
BK: Who would you be without the thought “I am the Master of the World”?
Sauron: I would just give up. Give up the hopeless struggle to try to control other people. End the war. Close down the Dark Land of Mordor and Mount Doom. Let all the orcs and Black Riders and trolls go their own way. And then I think I would just go into retirement for a while. Walk in the fair woods of Lothlorien and smell the leaves and the wind, maybe go to the sea. Just watch and notice how I am not the Master of anything. How everything is doing just fine without me. But I have to admit I am little worried that after all the insanity, murder and destruction I’ve committed over the last thousands of years, it won’t be easy just to take a stroll in the wood or by the sea.
BK: Well, sweetheart, if you’re really serious about your freedom and peace of mind, there’s a quick route called “making amends”. Making amends means to right your wrongs. So turn the thought around.
Sauron: I am not the Master of the World.
BK: Could that be as true or truer?
Sauron: It seems much truer now.
BK: So, give me three genuine examples of how the turnaround is as true as or truer than your original statement.
Sauron: Well, I’ve tried for thousands of years now and I still can’t control the wind, the ocean, the sun and the moon. They just do what they do with or without my interference.
BK: Good, that’s one.
Sauron: Heck, I can’t even control my own slaves! You have no idea what a logistics nightmare it is to command tens of thousands of brain-dead orcs!
BK: Good that you’re noticing!
Sauron: And then there’s that slimy little creature Gollum. You have no idea how much I tortured him to get him to tell me the location of the One Ring, but he still wouldn’t budge. Talk about frustrating!
BK: Excellent, sweetheart. Make amends, make it right. And I see another turnaround.
Sauron: I am… the servant of the world?
BK: Yes. How are you the servant of the world?
Sauron: Well, what comes to mind is that without the thought “I am the Master of the World” I could actually be of service to the world. I mean, I am after all one of the Maia, at least as powerful or more powerful than Gandalf or Saruman or the Balrog or even Tom Bombadil. I can actually do pretty neat things when my mind is not hell-bent on destruction. You know, build things and make magic rings and stuff. I guess I could use those talents and skills for some more constructive purpose.
BK: It’s good that you’re noticing. So how can you use your specific talents and skills to serve the world – to serve the Free Peoples of Middle-Earth?
Sauron: Well, the first thing that comes to mind is that I have quite a bit of clean-up to do! You know, repairing the great gate and walls of Minas Tirith, cleaning up Osgiliath and Minas Morgul – or Minas Anor. There’s a lot of work to be done in Rohan as well and up north by the Lonely Mountain.
BK: Seems like you could be busy for quite a while making amends!
Sauron: Yes, And I could let Gandalf and the White Council destroy the One Ring, so that the other rings would no longer be enslaved to it and could do some more good in the world. Although that would probably mean the end of a lot of my negative power, since I put so much of that power into the One Ring.
BK: Well, what do you need all that negative power for if everything is going on quite fine without you?
Sauron: [Laughs] You have a point there. And it would be such a load off my shoulders.
BK: Yes. And isn’t that what you wanted to be Lord of the World for anyway? So you could sit down one day and take a deep breath and enjoy life?
Sauron: [Sighs deeply] Yes. You know I’ve never told anyone about this, but secretly I’ve thought a lot about joining D-Anon lately.
BK: D-Anon?
Sauron: Dictators Anonymous. I heard about it from Darth Vader. He’s been doing The Work and going to their meetings for quite a while. He says it’s really worked wonders for him. His breathing is a lot better now.
BK: Dictators Anonymous – I love it! Okay, sweetheart, let’s move on. Read the next statement on your Worksheet.
Sauron: The Free Peoples of Middle-Earth should worship me – and give me love, approval and appreciation. Man, that statement just seems totally absurd now! I mean, first I kill, murder, destroy and annihilate their people and their country – and then I expect them to give me love, approval and appreciation! Talk about insane!
BK: It’s good that you’re noticing. Turn the thought around.
Sauron: I should worship me and give me love, approval and appreciation.
BK: Yes, honey. That’s your job.
Sauron: It doesn’t feel like I’m doing a very good job.
BK: How can you? How can you give yourself love, approval and appreciation if you’re so busy minding every elf, dwarf and hobbit in Middle-Earth’s business?
Sauron: Phew. That one is a stinger. But so true. In a way I think that’s the reason why I tried to control them all along. Because I wanted their love, approval and appreciation.
BK: I often say that if I had one prayer it would be this: “God spare me from the desire for love, approval and appreciation”. Because this belief is the direct route to the hell of a false identity.
Sauron: It sure was for me.
BK: Let’s look at the next statement.
Sauron: The Free Peoples of Middle-Earth are weak, stupid, annoying, irritating.
BK: Turn it around.
Sauron: I am weak, stupid, annoying, irritating. That’s so true! I mean they’re all just doing fine minding their own business in Hobbiton and Minas Tirith and Rivendell and then I come raising hell. Saying that I am stupid, annoying and irritating is the understatement of the century!
BK: Yes, I can see that.
Sauron: And being such a control freak has definitely made me weak. I can’t sleep, I can’t eat, I don’t even have a body, I’m constantly worried, and I obsess.
BK: Yes. Okay, honey, the next statement?
Sauron: I never ever want to experience the Free Peoples of Middle-Earth rebelling against my plans again.
BK: So now, “I’m willing to…”
Sauron: I’m willing to…
BK: “… experience…”
Sauron: … the Free Peoples of Middle-Earth rebelling against my plans again.
BK: “I look forward to…”
Sauron: I look forward to the Free Peoples of Middle-Earth rebelling against my plans again. Whoa! That’s radical!
BK: Yes. Because when you believe and feel that – and feeling will let you know what you’re believing – then you can put your thoughts on paper and begin again to question your negative beliefs.
Sauron: Okay.
BK: Thank you, sweetheart, it’s been a privilege to sit with you. Nice Work.
Sauron: Thank you so much, Katie.
BK: For my part, you’re welcome. For your part, thank you.
 
 

New book out and launch party postponed!

Dear Friends,

The Danish edition of our new book The Awakening Human Being is out… and our publisher here in Denmark has really done a wonderful job in presenting the material. (Many thanks to Lindhart & Ringhof.)

And to celebrate, we wanted to invite everyone to a launch party here in Copenhagen, but I’ve been sick. So the party is going to have to wait until I get better! We’re not cancelling the party, we’re just postponing it! So it’s not going to be a launch party, but an “after” launch celebration… so we hope you will all come when I’m better. 

In the meantime, please send me all your prayers. I would appreciate it so much. In case you’re wondering, I have this ear condition. The hospital diagnosis for those who are interested is “perilymphatic fistula” and “BPPV” (benign positional paroxysmal vertigo). The result of this condition is that I am dizzy. I’ve had the condition on and off since 2003 and it’s flared up again. The hospital believes I’ve opened the fistula (a small tear in the inner ear) again when I went swimming in August. So now I have to sleep with my head up (sitting up) and keep still so the fistula can heal again. So yes, please send me love and light!

Also I just want to say to all the people who had sessions with me that I have had to cancel, I hope I’ll be back soon, but remember Tim does sessions too and I can tell you he’s a great  facilitator (he’s really helped me a lot with my issues).

Well friends, hope to see you soon at our party!

Love, Barbara

PS: About the book: The Awakening Human Being – A Guide to the Power of Mind is a presentation in written form of our basic teaching. When writing it, I tried to put down as concisely as possible the teaching that Tim and I have developed over the years. Tim likes to call the book “our greatest hits”!

What can you do with stressful thoughts or stories?

When you realize you are having stressful thoughts about something or someone or are caught up in thinking about something that is highly unpleasant, what can you do about it? In other words, when you can see that whatever you're thinking about at the moment is causing you to feel unhappy, afraid, or worried - what can you do?

Well besides believing your stressful thinking (and then experiencing the feelings that arise when you believe whatever it is you are worried about), there are basically 3 options:

1) Witnessing: You can just witness the thought. You can just step back and watch the thoughts come and go and realize since you are the one who is watching and witnessing these thoughts (or this story), you can't be the thoughts or the story. Meditation is a good way to do this.

2) Questioning: You can question the thought or story. Is it true? When you have thoughts that make you afraid or unhappy, ask yourself if what you are thinking is true. A good way to do this is to write the stressful thoughts down and then question them using the Work of Byron Katie. For more about the 4 questions see her Web site - www.thework.com

3) Change your focus: Since whatever you focus your attention on grows, you can deal with stressful thinking by changing your focus. In other words by substituting another thought or thoughts for the ones that are bothering you. Prayer is a good way to do this. Or you can read a spiritual text that you like such as something from the Bhagavad Gita or a chapter from Emmet Fox and then think deeply about what you have just read. And finally, if you are too freaked out to do this, you can go for a run, or watch a movie or do something to change the flow of your thinking. But whatever you do, don't dwell on the thoughts that are bothering you. (Because whatever you focus your attention on grows!)

I use each of the above - depending on the situation. I suggest you give each of them a try. They all work beautifully if you are persistant!

Good things to remember

In fact, nobody has ever bothered you. You’re just bothering yourself.

Just forget about who you think you are and it will disappear.

God is the Hassle-Free Boyfriend/Girlfriend.

Our incarnational agendas are different.

The Truth is true whether you demonstrate it or not.

You just have to calm down enough to calm down.

Do not put yourself in any situation that does not feel like Love.

Where are we evolving to? What is the Highest Thought in the final analysis?
The Christ Consciousness, God Realization, finding your Buddha nature.

We have one thing to give, namely, our attention.

Take it for granted that…
…the universe supports you
…that everything is Good for you
…that Good health is your natural state
…that prosperity is your Divine right
…that you are doing great service
…that everybody loves you

Dream a better dream… it’s all one big dream machine anyway.

 

Join our 5-day summer intensive in Copenhagen!

Dear friends in Denmark and Sweden,

Give yourself the best summer experience!  Go deeper with us and join our 10 Ways to Live a Happy Life - 5-day summer intensive. Please note, the workshop is in Danish so I'm sorry I can't invite everyone!

The summer intensive will be held here in Copenhagen from Monday July 20 to Friday July 24 from 1 pm to 5 pm each day. In this intensive 5-day workshop, we will be taking an in-depth look at all the things that are preventing you from a living happy life right now… whether it is your partner, your health, your job, your age, your weight, or the financial crisis. We also investigate many of the basic thoughts you might have about what you think you “should” do and what it takes to live a happy life. The human mind is really something so we will consider some of the many ingenious things we are thinking and doing that prevent us from living happily right now. We guarantee some eye-opening fun! And we can tell you that we have seen people get the most amazing, life-changing insights when working through the exercises we use during this intense process.

For those of you who have joined our 5-week 10 Ways to Live a Happy Life evening workshop series in Copenhagen – this summer intensive is an in-depth version of the evening series. We will be going even deeper and will have time for exercises we didn’t have time for in the evening series. Plus every day we will be meditating, going for “mindfulness” walks and more. So if you have attended the evening series, this is a great opportunity to go even deeper!

We will be using the 10 ways from my book Are You Happy Now? 10 Ways to Live a Happy Life as pointers to greater freedom and clarity in our daily lives. 

The’s 10 ways are:

No. 1: Accept what is
No. 2: Want what you have
No. 3: Be honest with yourself
No. 4: Investigate your stories
No. 5: Mind your own business
No. 6: Follow your passion and accept the consequences
No. 7: Do the right thing and accept the consequences
No. 8: Deal with what is in front of you and forget the rest
No. 9: Know what is what
No. 10: Learn to see beyond impermanence

 What you will get out of the Copenhagen summer intensive:

-         Greater insight into your own processes

-         A better understanding of how your mind works

-         Insight into all the things you are thinking, saying and doing that are preventing you from living a happy life right now

-         A glimpse of the difference between reality and your thinking

-         A better understanding of how your own expectations are blocking you from experiencing the good that you seek

-         Meet other people who are interested in the same things are you are

-         Concrete tools you can use in your daily life after the workshop

-         Suggestions for a daily program to use when you get home

-         Lots of fun

 For details and how to register, see our Web site - www.beamteam.com

So don’t miss this chance to really give yourself the best gift of all – the gift of insight!

Looking forward to seeing you!

Love, Barbara

How to lower your blood pressure

A dear friend of mine is very ill. She was in hospital and her blood pressure was very high. She was very afraid. I told her to turn her attention away from her body and meditate and think about God. This is what she wrote back to me:

"Interestingly I took my blood pressure before meditation and it was bad 170. 94. pulse 99. I sat down and thought of you and cried. And then I went into meditation, it took some time with the breathing and the mantra I am using (OM nama Shivaya). I bowed to my inner self, I bowed to the Lord who abides within... and suddenly I was there, deeper, and deeper, even though I am so tormented. I was in a split second in touch with God, or my inner adviser, or whoever it is. For me it is God, or the inner self, and I got the message: This will pass. And then after 20 minutes, I felt my blood pressure was lowering. I took a pause and measured my blood pressure and now it was 140, 80 and my pulse was 76."

And I wrote back to her: " This is fantastic news. I am so proud of you! This means you really and truly know what to do. It means you know how to take care of yourself. You have proved that by going into the silence and focusing on God – you can find peace and that then your body reflects back this peace. This is wonderful, wonderful news. You MUST do this regularly – 2 or 3 times a day… even when you start to feel better. Nothing is more important than this! You must turn your focus away from your body, away from the pain, away from your fears – and rest in the Love of God…  meditate and breathe and say your mantra and rest in the peace…"

This story shows that even though we cannot change our bodies directly - we cannot say - "blood pressure go down" and make our blood pressure go down. But we can influence our bodies indirectly by working with our thinking. In other words by turning our focus to God and to the things that give us peace and comfort. And then the body reflects back our change to us. This is a very important secret to understand.

Twitter with me!

My son Robin said I had to "twitter" so now I am! You'll find me at www.twitter.com/barbaraberger

Join me!

Love, Barbara

Bollum talks to Barbara about being sick

Bollum: This could be really serious Barbara.

Barbara: I doubt it.

Bollum: Well you shouldn’t. You should take it seriously.

Barbara: Well I think I am taking it seriously.

Bollum: You should be taking it more seriously.

Barbara: Really? Why?

Bollum: Well what if it’s major?

Barbara: Major?

Bollum: Yeah, you know what if you’re really sick. What if it’s like cancer or a brain tumour?

Barbara: Well that’s why I’m going to the doctor—to find out.

Bollum: But you should be taking it more seriously too.

Barbara: Like how? Isn’t going to the doctor taking it pretty seriously?

Bollum: No, that’s not enough.

Barbara: Well what more should I do?

Bollum: You should be screaming and crying and pulling out your hair! That’s what you should be doing.

Barbara: Oh, I see. And how will that help?

Bollum: Well it will mean you’re really taking things seriously.

Barbara: Really?

Bollum: Yeah. It’s important to be serious girl, you know that.

Barbara: Really? Why?

Bollum: Because you’ve got to get ready girl.

Barbara: Really? Ready for what?

Bollum: Ready for life silly.

Barbara: But I thought I was already living life.

Bollum: That’s not what I mean.

Barbara: Well what do you mean?

Bollum: I mean you’ve got to be prepared.

Barbara: Prepared?

Bollum: Yeah prepared. Because you never know what’s going to happen.

Barbara: I can see that.

Bollum: So you’ve got to be prepared!

Barbara: Well how exactly can I do that since we never know what’s going to happen?

Bollum: Well you can take care.

Barbara: Take care?

Bollum: Yes, take care.

Barbara: And how exactly should I do that?

Bollum: Well you know, eat good, get a good night’s sleep, drive carefully, pay the rent, go to work, make money, try to find a boyfriend You know, take care.

Barbara: Well aren’t I already doing all of that? And I still feel sick.

Bollum: Yeah and that’s why I’m afraid it’s something major. You’re probably doomed.

Barbara: Doomed?

Bollum: Yeah, you’re probably going to die soon.

Barbara: Oh you are cheerful today.

Bollum: Well to be honest, I don’t have much hope for you.

Barbara: That’s obvious.

Bollum: So I can’t see why you’re so cheerful…

Barbara: Well since I’m doomed and I’m going to die soon and there’s nothing I can do about it, I might as well be cheerful!

Bollum: No you should be crying and screaming and pulling your hair out like I said before.

Barbara: That doesn’t sound like a very good way to end my life. I think I’d rather be cheerful and go see a doctor first.

Bollum: AHHHHHHH! (Pulling out her hair)

Bollum talks to Barbara about improving this moment

Bollum: There are so many things you could do to improve this moment Barbara.

Barbara: Really? Like what?

Bollum: Well you could clean up the apartment and wash your hair and sort out the papers in your office and…

Barbara: Hold it, hold it, just hold it for a moment.

Bollum: And pay your bills and get ready for work tomorrow…

Barbara: Hold it, hold it… will you please!

Bollum: And exercise and …

Barbara: Will you please just give me a moment to say something.

Bollum: OK well what?

Barbara: OK well what does any of that have to do with improving this moment?

Bollum: Well improving yourself and your life is what this moment is for, silly.

Barbara: Really?

Bollum: Yes really. What else could it be for?

Barbara: Well what about enjoying this moment for what it is.

Bollum: Oh there you go again.

Barbara: What do you mean?

Bollum: There you go again with all your talk about enjoying the beauty of this moment.

Barbara: Well what’s wrong with that?

Bollum: A lot. I mean what’s so great about this moment?

Barbara: A lot.

Bollum: Like what?

Barbara: Like for example we’re alive and this is it.

Bollum: Well you’ll be alive in the future and then that will be it.

Barbara: Can you be sure about that?

Bollum: Well hopefully for your sake!

Barbara: You’re always pushing me and trying to get me to get all worked up about tomorrow. Why can’t you ever get all worked up about today?

Bollum: Because today is so boring.

Barbara: Really?

Bollum: Yeah. The now is so boring, but tomorrow – well tomorrow will be just great if only you’d get busy preparing yourself for it.

Barbara: Really? It seems to me I’ve spent my whole life preparing for tomorrow and now I want to enjoy today.

Bollum: But what about success? What about getting fit? What about making your home a showcase? What about finding a man? What about…

Barbara: Yeah what about it? And what about now? What about this moment? What about just slowing down a bit and breathing into this moment? What about noticing the abundance and fullness of this! And this. And this!

Bollum: Yeah yeah yeah, there you go again. What good is anything of this going to do us? Can you tell me that?

Barbara: What good, well this is the Good! This is the good I’m seeking. It’s right here.

Bollum: You are hopeless! Hopeless! What am I going to do with you?

Barbara: Hopefully nothing!

Bollum: Yeah… nothing. How can you be satisfied with so little?

Barbara: What do you mean? I have so much right now. In fact I have everything. All the wealth of the world belongs to me. You’re just so busy improving yourself that you never notice it!

Bollum: Look sweetheart, I just want you to be happy.

Barbara: But I am happy! That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you all along!

Bollum: But how can you be happy without a man and without being a success and without having money in the bank and without…

Barbara: What does any of that have to do with being happy?

Bollum: HELP!