Archive for Self Empowerment
Adaptability – Essential Skill for a Joyful Life
Posted by: | CommentsYou have most likely heard that metaphor of life being like a roller coaster — a veritable wave of ups and downs — mostly occurring in an unpredictable order. Can you relate to that — do you sometimes view your life as a dramatic series of twists and turns, highs and lows?
Unless you are a true psychic — and a completely accurate one — you can’t easily see what’s beyond the next curve of the road of life. However, you can embrace an attitude of stability, that can help keep you centered, grounded and in the peaceful flow of life, to more easily navigate your own personal “reality road.”
The concept of adaptability is so essential in dealing with life effectively and sustaining you in a more joyful place. Being adaptable means truly being flexible. Think of that strong, huge tree that bends in the high winds, but doesn’t break. If you can sway with the “gusts” of life, and keep your roots firmly planted in the ground, then you can weather any storm.
Those who face circumstances with an outlook of high-level resistance sometimes have the most trying of times. When you are filled with resistance in a situation that you have minimal control over, it can negatively impact both your emotional and physical health, especially if these feelings continue for an extended period of time.
To some, adaptability comes naturally. To others, inner work is needed to cultivate this positive skill. Through my own life experience I have learned some wise lessons about meeting challenges in an open-minded way and persevering by learning to tap in to my inner guidance. It took me a long while and some turbulent obstacles that stretched me to my emotional limit to finally awaken me to the knowing that adaptability was crucial to my mental and physical health.
You are stronger than you know. Though challenges can seem insurmountable and nobody willfully chooses them, they are always the harbinger of clear life lessons. But it’s no fun living through extreme discord. When you really learn and understand your inner strength, your overall life perspective is transformed. And when you’ve survived the tough times, smaller bumps in the road will not seem to daunting and be much easier to navigate.
The next year is foretold by many to be filled with potential upheaval in terms of shifting of consciousness and spiritual awakening and enlightenment. Ultimately, this should prove beneficial and healing for our planet, but meanwhile the ride along the way may be a little uneven and challenging at times. So if this proves to be your own experience, just hold on, tap in to your inner strength and know that the road will eventually become easier and more peaceful to travel…
Affirmations:
- Being flexible and peaceful with my world and its challenges helps see me through trying times.
- I am adaptable and open-minded — I flow peacefully with the ever-changing stream of life.
- I embrace the adventure of life and strive to find pleasure and appreciation in each moment.
Do What You Love – Lessons from Steve Jobs
Posted by: | Comments“The only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle.” ~Steve Jobs
The world lost a profound visionary and creative genius this last week with the passing of Steve Jobs. Personally, I was quite saddened to hear the news, as I admired this man who had achieved the harmonious life balance between his passion for work and his love of family. He was a man who basically changed the world. And he was, in all respects, a good man — one who was admired and respected by all. This became emphatically clear from all the statements made by the captains of technology, as well as major political figures, including the President, upon hearing of his passing.
On a personal level, Steve Jobs impacted my own life — as his invention of the Apple computer basically brought to me my original career as a graphic designer. The Mac made it possible to do wonderful creative design (and what used to be called desktop publishing) from the ease of a keyboard and mouse. And I have been delightedly using a Mac computer for over twenty years now.
Of course, adding the iPod changed the way we listen to music and the iPhone changed the way we use our mobile devices and connect with the world from wherever we may be.
The lessons we learn from such a man are profound. He empowered people with the concept of following your passion, doing what you love. He walked his talk. He showed us what perseverance, persistence and little bit of magical thinking could do! He was the epitome of “stick-to-it-ness.” Even battling his disease, he lived way longer than is normally possible with such a diagnosis. His will to live was so strong and by willing those additional years, he was able to continue to contribute toward furthering the technology of the world as well as having more time with his beloved family.
On all levels, he loved the work he did. He loved life. He lived life as if each day were his last. Can we take away these same lessons for ourselves?
Can we find the joy and passion in what we do? For me, my life path shifted after many years of graphic design as I found myself fascinated and engaged with the field of holistic healing. I discovered that the healing profession truly ignites my passion. My graphic design background comes in handy to help me create and maintain my healing and positive living websites. But healing and coaching around the concept of mind, body and spirit connection are now my focused life journey…
So, seek your bliss and find the life path that truly resonates with your heart. And as Steve Jobs encouraged, “don’t settle.”
Live each day deeply and richly, as if it were your last. Because truly, who knows exactly when their time in this physical plane will be over? Make it a priority to reach for joy and to focus on all that you love. And spend time with those who love you.
Affirmatons:
- I utilize my inner guidance to pursue a life path that resonates with my genuine heart.
- It is my profound intention to seek joy in all facets of my life.
- Spending time with those I love creates uplifting, good-feeling moments and memories.
Self Love – Essential for Well Being and Healthy Relationships
Posted by: | CommentsThere is always great focus and much written about love and compassion for others, and how the world will be a better place if we can all mobilize this lavish wave of love for others. And of course… that’s probably true. But the most critical step in this altruistic process is to first honor, respect, value and love yourself. For many people, that is no easy task. Often self-love is so very low on the hierarchy of priorities — and yet, it should undeniably get top billing.
In an article by coach and therapist, Darlene Lancer, she describes the three progressive stages of caring about oneself: self esteem, self acceptance and finally self-love. These stages/feelings build on one another and begin at the basic “self-esteem” which is the foundation of what you think of yourself. This can change depending on circumstances and life’s roller coaster of ups and downs.
Self-acceptance is a step above, where your good feelings about yourself are quite constant despite life’s challenges and changes — and despite what others may think of you.
Self-love is the pinnacle point of honoring oneself — a combination of both feeling and actions. It is at this stage that your emotional health and sense of self are in excellent balance and you are at peace with both yourself and your outer world.
People often feel guilty about caring for themselves, nurturing themselves. This may be particularly true of women — who often feel that in the traditional and classical sense, they must be the nurturers of others first. It might be a natural instinct to care for, protect and nurture one’s young and one’s family.
However, in today’s modern times, there is no excuse not to be able to take care of yourself — your needs, your joy and your health along the way while still being a compassionate caregiver. In fact, I believe it is essential to be in the place of self-love to be a better and more empowered care-giver. For if you are deprived of feeling good about yourself, how can you possibly be there — in an attentive, genuinely caring way for others?
There is always much angst surrounding the line between being selfish and self-caring. Sometimes when people tell us WE are being “selfish,” it is out of their own unhealthy, short-sighted need to have to control over us. It takes some soul-searching sometimes to sort that out and be clear about our own needs and how to be kind to ourselves and “self-responsible.”
Margaret Paul, Ph.D., bestselling author and relationship expert, spells out the following significant points to keep in mind about when we are being self-responsible, as opposed to being “selfish:”
- “We are being self-responsible, not selfish, when we do what brings us joy, with no intent to harm another — even if another person doesn’t like it.
- We are being self-responsible, not selfish, when we support our own highest good, even when someone wants us to do something other than what we are doing.
- We are being self-responsible when we are considerate of others’ wants and needs without giving ourselves up.”
The bottom line is that it is so necessary to honor your life with kind and appropriate self-care. Having that healthy balance between treating yourself compassionately, and nurturing and caring for others, is the key to better well-being. And it is essential for more harmonious, loving relationships.
If more people would be of this mindset, this might help with the healing of the rest of the world in a more global way. For healing begins within… and genuine love begins and flourishes first within you…
Affirmations:
- I treat myself with kindness and make time to do things I enjoy.
- By cultivating self-love, it is easier for me to be nurturing and compassionate toward others.
- Healing and well-being arise from my inner thoughts and feelings, so I consciously choose joyful ones!
Please let me know your thoughts about this and leave a comment here. Do you feel a sense of self-esteem or self-love? Or do you mostly put others first and yourself last?
Positive Attitude – Greet Each Day With Joy
Posted by: | CommentsIf you wake up in the morning with dread, thinking of all that will be wrong with the upcoming day, what do you think will happen? Yes, the day will turn into that self-fulfilling prophecy and end up as a “bad” day.
The Law of Attraction suggests to us that what we give our attention to expands, and grows to become our reality. So why should we give our attention to apprehension of a bad day when it is simple enough to give our attention to anticipating a good day?
Many people admit to me that they find it challenging to greet the day on an upbeat note. Sure, we all have trying days which hold hurdles for us — dental work, a doctor’s appointment or medical test, a tough exam we need to pass, a tight deadline, a meeting with the supervisor, etc.
Yet most days are just… days. Twenty-four hour chunks of time that we have the choice to either fill with good-feeling vibrations — or bad-feeling ones. The way we first begin our day is critical as to how the rest of the day will play out.
So it’s worth the extra effort and the personal work to reach for that pleasant, good-feeling thought upon first awakening. If you wake up surrounded by a cloud, figuratively “shake” it off and DECIDE to reach for a positive thought.
Yes, we all have days that we just get up on the grumpy side. I had one of those days recently, but as I came more into focus, the little voice in my head reprimanded me “You can do better than this. What kind of tone are you setting for the day?” So I quickly decided to affirm, “Okay, I can do it. I will greet this day with joy!” And once I made that state quick statement to myself, I could feel my whole demeanor shift. And it ended up being a glorious day!
Here are some tips to help you reach for morning joy:
• Find something — anything — that you can focus brightly on in the waking moment — even the softness of your pillow, the comfort of your blanket, the sun peeking in through the curtains, the sound of a bird chirping a pleasant melody. These are incredibly simple things, but can start a good-feeling mood flowing in.
• Appreciate your way to joy — as you come to awareness in the morning, remember to be grateful for the glory of awakening and being part of the breath of life. Feel gratitude for whatever blessings you can summon happily to mind.
• Say an affirmation: I am grateful for this new day. I will plan something joyful for today. I will find something exciting in my day today. I look forward to all the possibilities that will open to me. (Or, keep a few affirmations on index cards on a nearby table to reach for first-thing.)
• Enjoy a morning shower — really immerse yourself in the soothing, cleansing feel of it. I find this time extremely inspirational as ideas just seem to flow to me during this morning ritual. (Maybe it has to do with the flow of the warm, soothing water…) And if you like that classic “singing-in-the-shower” idea, go for it! Greet the day with song!
• Look forward to breakfast. Science has shown how essential those morning nutrients are to jumpstart the energy within our physical bodies. Have a nutritious meal (or item, such as a healthy smoothie/drink), whatever that is for you personally, but make sure it doesn’t include too much sugar. When you make breakfast a regular part of your day, you will feel better both physically and psychologically.
• Look ahead to some bright spot in your day. Surely there must be ONE thing that will stand out as being more positive for you, something you can look forward to — even if it is just taking your dog for a walk, posting on social media or trying that new restaurant during your lunch hour at work. Let that one positive aspect become your optimistic focal point. It can make a huge difference in the way the entire day unfolds…
Affirmations:
- Each day holds something exciting for me, along with bold new opportunities.
- I greet each morning with an optimistic thought to set the tone for the day.
- I consciously choose thoughts that cause me to feel joyful and inspired.
Inner Guidance – Effectively Connecting With Your Higher Self
Posted by: | CommentsCan one really tap into that “raw” and powerful form of inner guidance that resides deep within? And how can you actually access your Higher Self?
I wholeheartedly believe that everyone has that innate ability to connect with the higher, more knowing aspect of their being, which we have come to know as the “Higher Self.” Sometimes we refer to it as the Higher Consciousness. Your Higher Self is theoretically your connection to Source, to the Universe and to the infinite knowledge and wisdom that abounds in that ethereal and all-knowing place.
And connecting is only one piece of it — it is really listening to that inner voice, and following your own guidance that is also essential. As humans, we tend to second guess ourselves too much. We have often come so far away from our innate intuitive natures that we often fail to heed the best guidance that comes from the feelings in our heart and our psyche.
One recent personal experience of not listening to my inner guidance involved the hiring of a Realtor to sell our house. We narrowed the choice to three agents and interviewed (or should I say “grilled”) all of them, with a long list of questions. My husband was very strong on wanting to use the one who sold his friend’s house and I believe that was the basis of his choice. She was very pleasant, armed with a whole slew of written recommendations and professional designations. However, there was something about her that did not resonate with me, something I felt in my heart and my energetic vibration.
The bottom line is that within the four months (contract length), our house did not sell (and we truly feel it had been priced fairly according to market.) There were many actions along the way that were not very savvy on her part, and a number of omissions. Furthermore, she acted unprofessionally toward the end of the contract. It was a disheartening experience.
Several nights ago, I was up tossing and turning (not the norm for me) reflecting on how could I have been so wrong in choosing this salesperson. As clear as day, the scene of her original interview replayed across the screen of my mind, bringing me back to one red flag — a moment of clarity where my inner guidance had sprung to attention. And that was her statement, “Oh I don’t have to show your house, I just have to post it on the internet.” Why had I hired a real estate agent who had no plans to ever personally show the house?
My inner guidance had noted this blip in her statement and her energetic vibration, yet failed to register the importance of it. (Of course, everything is so much easier to see in hindsight.) I had sensed something so strongly about her, yet just ignored it. And I was quite upset with myself for that.
Which brings us back to the question: how do I know if it is truly my Higher Self? Here are some suggestions:
1) Let your ego step aside. For those who do Reiki, part of our understanding is the quest to let our egos and personalities step aside, so we can be a clear channel for the energy. For anyone to connect with your Higher Self, it’s helpful to get into a similar mindset. Consciously make an effort to really let go of the ego part of yourself, even for a short time, to allow a more crisp, tight connection to the inner voice of wisdom.
2) Hear that inner voice. You may need to strive for a few moments of quiet, tuning in, but ASK for the guidance within. And LISTEN.
3) Recognize that insistent good-feeling voice as opposed to those panicked “what am I going to do” sensations of anxiety. Your Higher Self communicating with you results in your feeling good about your plan, idea, etc. When dealing with challenges, you will feel a palpable sense of relief, a stepping up to the next level of the emotional scale. It can be almost a feeling of “ahhhhhh” or “ah-hah!” If you are feeling very mixed emotion, great turbulence or just not feeling good or clear about a decision or an observation, then it is probably your ego speaking and not your Higher Self.
4) Trust. It’s essential to release any doubts or negativity surrounding this. Trust that you are deeply and profoundly tapping in to the most high-vibration, wise aspect of yourself.
5) Tune in consistently and regularly. Personally, I believe we have access to our inner guidance all the time, not just on special occasions or through particular challenges and obstacles. We just need to recognize and acknowledge that connection. And then of course one must really “listen” and follow through with appropriate action.
Affirmations:
- I consistently tune into the wisdom and guidance of my Higher Self.
- I listen to my inner voice and know that my intuitive sense is powerful.
- It is easy for me to make decisions that are highly beneficial for me.
Living in the Now – Capture the Bliss of the Moment
Posted by: | CommentsOn my recent vacation, I lounged on the steps of the outdoor pool, enjoying the coolness of the water in contrast to the hot midday sun, my husband, Michael, next to me. A cute young tow-headed boy (we later learned he was six years old) was practicing his swimming by propelling himself from the pool steps into the outstretched arms of his dad. It was fun to watch the pleasant father/son interaction. I leaned toward my husband, musing “Of course they are really enjoying this time, but neither one realizes that in the grander perspective, how really significant these moments can be.” My husband nodded knowingly.
Recently, my husband’s cousin had transferred 8mm movies of various childhood times onto DVD. My husband received a copy of the DVD, and we both watched it nearly spellbound, riveted to the ancient footage of Michael, perhaps just four years of age, playing in a pool with his dad. He, too, was perfecting his swimming skills in the same way. His dad eagerly opened his arms, catching my husband, who gleefully clasped his arms around his father’s neck. The moment was heartwarming and intensely moving, as it was a glimpse back in time into my husband’s close and loving relationship with his father.
When Michael was an older teenager, his father was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, beginning a lengthy and prolonged deterioration in his dad’s health. He changed from a vital young man to a dependent invalid before passing away after many years. I never had the chance to meet Michael’s dad, but viewing the videos was so amazing and touching, and gave me a clear sense of the affectionate bond he and his dad had shared.
At least some of these precious childhood memories had been captured on video, but even if they had not, Michael’s joyful memories remain strong and clear in his heart.
So fast forward to my recent poolside observation — the dad probably had not given any thought to the significance of capturing the moment and freeze-framing it in the “camera lens” of his mind and heart. But by carving out this moment of interconnectedness, he was creating a very powerful emotional and visual memory for his young son that will likely remain crystal clear throughout the son’s lifetime, perhaps long after his dad is gone.
So, as it is said, seize the moment. Even those everyday ones that may seem insignificant at the time. You don’t need to assess these times or try to decide whether or not they are important — just immerse yourself in the pure bliss. However simple that bliss might be. For they impact our lives as well as those around us, sometimes in very grand and far-reaching ways.
Affirmations:
- I make every effort to immerse myself in the joy of each moment.
- I focus on the bliss of simple pleasures — and feel empowered.
- I know that relaxed and affectionate times spent with loved ones can create powerful bonds and memories.
Relaxation Techniques – Calming Your Mind Chatter At Bedtime
Posted by: | CommentsMy stepson, who I rarely see due to a heavy work schedule, was having dinner with my husband and me. In the course of the conversation, he shared that he has a tough time getting to sleep at night. He said his mind is busy talking to him in an overloaded sort of way. “You mean ‘mind chatter’?” I asked of him. He nodded, “I guess that’s what it is. My mind can’t quiet down.” Working a 60-hour week in the hectic restaurant business, it’s no surprise that his adrenalin and his thought streams have a difficult time calming down to a rhythm of sleep — even though he is usually exhausted by the end of the day.
Mind chatter, monkey mind (one that jumps from thought to thought like a monkey jumps from tree to tree), incessant head talk — these are all terms that refer to the concept of minds that can’t sooth, focus, or fall into a peaceful rhythm.
Have you personally ever felt this way? Maybe once in awhile — or perhaps quite often?
The other night, as I was working on my next day tweets, going through emails, corresponding with some of my students — multitasking to the max — my mind was on overload. It was late at night, the day had been fast-paced and scheduled, and I was experiencing a far-from-peaceful moment as I stared at my computer screen, my fingers busily flying across the keyboard.
However, the Universe must have literally taken “note” of my state of busy-mind-chatter and through the little boost of a message from a new Twitter friend, sent me to a music-sharing website where this man’s musical compositions were posted. And voila – I was transported to an ethereal moment of mindfulness and harmony. These lilting streams just captivated me in a totally unexpected way, drawing my focus toward the very essence of the music, and away from the tense mind chatter that had been running through my brain. I felt a huge and welcome gush of “aaaahhhhhh” just wash over me as I relaxed.
Of course, the Universe works in unexpected joyful, purposeful and sage ways, but we don’t always have to wait for the little nudge from a wise Universe. We can actually take our own steps to quiet our hectic head talk, particularly in the evening hours when our bodies need to relax and wind down in preparation for the rejuvenation of sleep. Really embracing mindfulness and being in the moment are so helpful for this.
It’s important to curtail extreme multitasking late at night. When our brains are so busy with parallel streams of information for each task and activity, we remain in an adrenaline rush that is not conducive to sleep. So if you have to finish something — give your attention to that one thing. And then FINISH it and set an intention to now enter the mode of CALM.
Before bed, engage in a peaceful few moments when you consciously prepare for sleep and let the concerns of the day just wash away.
Focusing on your breathing and deliberately slowing it down are a way to begin the relaxation process. Take slow, deep, cleansing breaths and intend for your body to release stress and tension on the exhale. Imagine that all the “toxic” emotions of the day are flowing out of your body, leaving you far more tranquil. Spending just a few minutes doing this can have a wonderful result.
A classic way to relax is simply picking up a book and reading – or use a Kindle or similar device. But make sure you are not caught up in a novel that is too intense.
Meditation or guided imagery is also benefical. Use any meditation techniques you have learned, or simply sit in quiet still-time for ten minutes or more. Just let your mind drift, with absolutely no thought agenda.
Listen to a guided imagery mediation by using an iPod or mp3 player with headphones, or a CD for those not yet into the iPod technology. There are even many apps for the smartphones that are also quite effective. Some of these have soothing binaural rhythms that work with the natural body rhythms to relax you into sleep mode. There are also many guided imagery meditation apps as well. Or, just listen to relaxing music, as I found myself doing that one particular evening.
Of course, one very practical tip is to not sit up too late with the blinking, interactive computer screen (I admit, I am often guilty of this.) It keeps the mind and adrenalin flowing. Another practical tip to those who are coffee drinkers: maybe it’s a no-brainer, but it’s best to refrain from caffeine in the afternoon and evening. This will allow your body to wind down at night.
At the very end of the day, take a few moments to re-frame each day with gratitude — offer heartfelt appreciation for the high points, accomplishments and special joys of the day, as well as for the blessings in your life! By that time you should be ready to drift off toward a tranquil slumber…
Affirmations:
- I take time to focus on my breathing to relax my mind and body.
- Creating peaceful moments at night helps bring overall balance and harmony into my life.
- I spend time reviewing my day to highlight those things for which I am truly grateful.
What are your suggestions for calming the mind before bedtime — please feel free to share your thoughts here!
Adaptability and Change – Flowing With the Tide of Life
Posted by: | CommentsDo you flow with life or do you flail against it? Do you take change in stride or do you stride in the opposite direction, overcome with resistance? Resistance is the stress that manifests negatively in your life. It is that feeling of swimming against the tide or upstream against the current of the river.
I remember as a child spending days at the beach. I loved walking out into the waves as far as I could safely go, then turning around and letting the waves gently carry me back to the shore. It was sometimes tough to get through the strength of the waves and I would dig my toes in to the sand, pushing myself further out, one determined step a time, as the waves broke across me. Of course, I never ventured out far and there were always lifeguards present. I do remember how joyful and exhilarating it felt to be washed ashore in the lilting arms of the ocean.
I draw upon this memory to crystallize my thoughts and feelings about the way we “ebb and flow” through changes in our lives. Doesn’t it feel better during the times we glide with the waves of change rather than fight against them?
The more we strain and struggle, the more stress and discord we invite into our reality. And even look at those words: strain, struggle, fight. Feel the negative and resistant vibrations of these words.
The changes that I am referring to here are changes that occur around us, in our environment, not changes that we willingly initiate. Here are some ways to cope and persevere effectively through the energy of change:
- Change is inevitable. Yes, change happens. And happens. And happens. One of my observations is that well-being consists of balanced, free-flowing energy on all levels, as well as being adaptable to the natural component of ongoing change in one’s life. The better we are at facing change and tapping into our skills of adaptability, the more harmony we will experience and the more well-being we will invite into our physical and emotional state.
- Change can be rapid or a process. It can be fast and furious, completely catching us unaware. Or it can be a lengthy process that occurs over time. Either way, it is better to try to look at it as a non-judgmental observer. Embrace the mindset (and even use this as an affirmation) “Yes, I clearly see this happening. But I am going to adapt my thinking and my emotions to deal with this in the best possible and most positive way for my own highest good.”
- You are in charge of your reaction to change. Though you may not be able to control aspects of your environment, you can certainly control your response to these external events and situations. Keep focused on that particular concept, for it is quite powerful and will help keep your cool.
- Embrace an attitude of adaptability. Put a positive spin on your thoughts and say to yourself “I am flexible — I bend and adapt to the changes that come my way.”
- Inner Strength – Dip into the wellspring of your inner strength – yes, everyone has this. Know that you can move through changes (even some of the toughest) and become more experienced, stronger, wiser.
- Keep in mind the distinctions made by that classic Serenity Prayer – “May God grant you the serenity to accept the things you cannot change; the courage to change the things you can; and the wisdom to know the difference.” Learn to trust your inner guidance and KNOW the difference.
Sometimes changes that we originally perceived as unwanted and negative may turn out to be figurative “blessings in disguise” and may shine greater light and wisdom onto our personal life paths.
Affirmations:
- I accept change as a natural part of life.
- My attitude of adaptability helps keep me focused along my life path.
- I tap into my inner guidance and strength to help navigate through challenging times.
Healing Attitude – Focus on Balance and Well-Being
Posted by: | CommentsIt is the usual greeting to ask someone “How are you doing?” or “How’s it going?” How many time do you get the elongated response: “Oh, I pulled my back out. I’ve been in pain. Now my knees are hurting me. I have arthritis in my hands” and so on? As humans, we love to tell our story — sometimes in great and emotional detail. But what happens when our story gets repeated over and over to everyone we come in contact with, and we get stuck in that place of sickness?
Often it leads to more sickness, as we find ourselves in an emotional cavern of ill health and body/mind imbalances. The more we focus our attention on the details of our stresses, symptoms and ailments, the more they expand and multiply. Repetitive emotional stress and prolonged negative thinking can lead to physical symptoms — this has been shown through scientific studies.
Intellectually, most of us DO have a clue about this, but sometimes our human nature prevails — and if we are hurting, we want to tell the world, simply because we believe that might help us feel better. And perhaps for a moment, it does. Additionally, we tend to like the attention that our “sickness stories” bring us. And we always welcome support from others.
But overall, isn’t it more beneficial to embrace well being, to take as many powerful steps to return to balance and positive health? Practically speaking, part of that may require excellent medical care — both traditional and holistic. But another powerful part of that may include quieting the negative story about our ongoing list of ailments and all that is wrong in our lives.
Shifting the way you think about health, even a little, might have remarkable results. Start to connect to a sense of BALANCE, of harmony — consciously make that change in your thinking. So yes, it’s okay to acknowledge your ills — your feelings are your feelings. But don’t marinate there. Always envision yourself moving forward in the flow of well-being. Make it your intention to accept powerful and complete healing in your life.
Transformation – Making Positive Shifts in Your Life
Posted by: | CommentsTransformation, change and shifting one’s beliefs, one’s energy and one’s life are common goals these days. Many are seeking to be a more enlightened, confident, joyful and balanced version of themselves.
When we think of transforming, we usually are referring to radical change, dramatic change, not just something slight. So by focusing on this concept, does that mean we are not good enough the way we are?
Of course, it’s important to accept our genuine selves, the way we truly are — both good and bad, both conflicted and peaceful, both egotistic and altruistic. Because everybody is multi-faceted and quite complex. But I’ve yet to meet a person who will proclaim, “Oh, yes, I’m truly perfect, there’s not a thing about myself that I wish to change.”
Perhaps, in a spiritual way, we are all perfect in the eyes of the Divine, and though we can sometimes truly embrace that, here in the physical plane, we always seem to have something about ourselves that we would like to improve. Sometimes we perceive just a little change — and other times the change we seek is monumental.
So keep in mind the following thoughts:
1) Change is a PROCESS. When one is seeking to truly leave behind negative thinking and difficult life patterns to adapt more positive, joyful ones, it is so essential to accept the knowing that making shifts is a journey, not an instantaneous, miraculous happening. But depending upon the person, the motivation and focus, rapid changes are possible.
2) Always maintain a sense of love and acceptance of yourself. Be kind to yourself and have patience. But also, hold on to that knowing that you CAN change in wonderful ways.
3) Be steadfast and determined — stick to your resolve regarding personal goals. Not everyone will be supportive of your changes. Sometimes those close to you will be confused or challenged by some of the changes in your own path — or possibly just not quite understanding. Keep the lines of communication open.
4) Be aware of the paths of change. Recognize that change must first arise solely from within you, born of the yearnings of your authentic heart. These desires can become amplified from reading, personal research, and social interaction in real life and on the internet.
5) Find a champion/mentor to support your goals, if that feels right to you. This can be a teacher, coach, counselor, family member or friend.
6) Transformation never reaches a stage of completion. You’re never done. You are always growing, changing, and evolving. It is key to just enjoy the exhilaration of the journey!
Affirmations:
I boldly embrace positive changes in all aspects of my life.
I shift my beliefs to resonate with the inner strengths and rhythms of my heart.
As I allow my life journey to unfold, I create plans and goals that feel right to me.