I was at Yoga tonight, lying on my back preparing in one of the awesome spinal twists. As I looked to my left, with legs to my right, I read a sign on the cabinet: “Do Not Move the Tables. Thank You.”

Then I curled to my right, reaching with leg outstretched, coming close to the end of class. I saw on the wall: “Do Not Scrap Chairs Along the Floor. Thank You.”

Both signs with the same theme: do NOT do something.

I smiled to myself, thanking my Yoga evening, for the insights to what I would write about tonight.

Our culture is heavily negative. Even when we are trying to be positive- like in this case, with not dragging chairs along the floor in an attempt to avoid scrape marks- we are negative. Most signs in public places, in schools, in restaurants, in bathrooms- they will all tell us what NOT to do.

“Don’t curse. Don’t get bad grades. Don’t be rude. Don’t shout. Don’t run.” Children growing up here don’t, don’t, don’t.

And what about us as nurses. Don’t be late. Don’t miss that order. Don’t talk back. Don’t make a mistake. Don’t call out. Don’t, don’t, don’t.

Don’t do anything wrong or you’ll be (oh no! the worse thing ever) a ‘bad’ nurse.

Let me tell you something. There is no such thing as ‘don’t’. The world (universe, subconscious, energy, source) does not understand not / no / the negative. So if you say: “Don’t drag the chairs” the universe only hears and understands “Drag the chairs”.

Think about your own thoughts, feelings, beliefs, perceptions, and actions. Where do you hear yourself think, feel, or speak a ‘don’t’? With respect to work? With respect to your body? With respect to your relationship? With respect to your money? Where do you think or say “I don’t want…”?

In some visualization/meditation workshops I’ve been to I’ve heard the instructors say: “Don’t think of a purple elephant.” And what typically happens? Well, if you are able to visualize and picture things in your head (not me for some reason, HA!)- you will absolutely picture a purple elephant. We just don’t process ‘don’t’.

Instead of “Don’t Move the Tables. Thank You.” the sign could read: “Please Keep the Tables Where They Are. Thank You.” Instead of “Don’t Scrape the Chairs Along the Floor” the sign might say: “To Move the Chairs, Pick Them Up.”

Same thing- just different tone, feeling, and energy.

Where do you ‘don’t’ in your life? How can you lose the don’t and open up to the desire? Let’s hear a comment, reaction, or question below. Or don’t comment below. LOL… Maybe that will have you sharing your thoughts with me!