21.Start being attentive to your stress level and take short breaks. – Slow down. Breathe. Give yourself permission to pause, regroup and move forward with clarity and purpose. When you’re at your busiest, a brief recess can rejuvenate your mind and increase your productivity. These short breaks will help you regain your sanity and reflect on your recent actions so you can be sure they’re in line with your goals.
22.Start noticing the beauty of small moments. – Instead of waiting for the big things to happen – marriage, kids, big promotion, winning the lottery – find happiness in the small things that happen every day. Little things like having a quiet cup of coffee in the early morning, or the delicious taste and smell of a homemade meal, or the pleasure of sharing something you enjoy with someone else, or holding hands with your partner. Noticing these small pleasures on a daily basis makes a big difference in the quality of your life.
23.Start accepting things when they are less than perfect. – Remember, ‘perfect’ is the enemy of ‘good.’ One of the biggest challenges for people who want to improve themselves and improve the world is learning to accept things as they are. Sometimes it’s better to accept and appreciate the world as it is, and people as they are, rather than to trying to make everything and everyone conform to an impossible ideal. No, you shouldn’t accept a life of mediocrity, but learn to love and value things when they are less than perfect.
24.Start working toward your goals every single day. – Remember, the journey of a thousand miles begins with one step. Whatever it is you dream about, start taking small, logical steps every day to make it happen. Get out there and DO something! The harder you work the luckier you will become. While many of us decide at some point during the course of our lives that we want to answer our calling, only an astute few of us actually work on it. By ‘working on it,’ I mean consistently devoting oneself to the end result. Read The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.
25.Start being more open about how you feel. – If you’re hurting, give yourself the necessary space and time to hurt, but be open about it. Talk to those closest to you. Tell them the truth about how you feel. Let them listen. The simple act of getting things off your chest and into the open is your first step toward feeling good again.
26.Start taking full accountability for your own life. – Own your choices and mistakes, and be willing to take the necessary steps to improve upon them. Either you take accountability for your life or someone else will. And when they do, you’ll become a slave to their ideas and dreams instead of a pioneer of your own. You are the only one who can directly control the outcome of your life. And no, it won’t always be easy. Every person has a stack of obstacles in front of them. But you must take accountability for your situation and overcome these obstacles. Choosing not to is choosing a lifetime of mere existence.
27.Start actively nurturing your most important relationships. – Bring real, honest joy into your life and the lives of those you love by simply telling them how much they mean to you on a regular basis. You can’t be everything to everyone, but you can be everything to a few people. Decide who these people are in your life and treat them like royalty. Remember, you don’t need a certain number of friends, just a number of friends you can be certain of.
28.Start concentrating on the things you can control. – You can’t change everything, but you can always change something. Wasting your time, talent and emotional energy on things that are beyond your control is a recipe for frustration, misery and stagnation. Invest your energy in the things you can control, and act on them now.
29.Start focusing on the possibility of positive outcomes. – The mind must believe it CAN do something before it is capable of actually doing it. The way to overcome negative thoughts and destructive emotions is to develop opposing, positive emotions that are stronger and more powerful. Listen to your self-talk and replace negative thoughts with positive ones. Regardless of how a situation seems, focus on what you DO WANT to happen, and then take the next positive step forward. No, you can’t control everything that happens to you, but you can control how you react to things. Everyone’s life has positive and negative aspects – whether or not you’re happy and successful in the long run depends greatly on which aspects you focus on. Read The How of Happiness.
30.Start noticing how wealthy you are right now. – Henry David Thoreau once said, “Wealth is the ability to fully experience life.” Even when times are tough, it’s always important to keep things in perspective. You didn’t go to sleep hungry last night. You didn’t go to sleep outside. You had a choice of what clothes to wear this morning. You hardly broke a sweat today. You didn’t spend a minute in fear. You have access to clean drinking water. You have access to medical care. You have access to the Internet. You can read. Some might say you are incredibly wealthy, so remember to be grateful for all the things you do have.
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
Monday, August 26, 2013
10 (more) Things to do for YOU
11.Start giving your ideas and dreams a chance. – In life, it’s rarely about getting a chance; it’s about taking a chance. You’ll never be 100% sure it will work, but you can always be 100% sure doing nothing won’t work. Most of the time you just have to go for it! And no matter how it turns out, it always ends up just the way it should be. Either you succeed or you learn something. Win-Win.
12.Start believing that you’re ready for the next step. – You are ready! Think about it. You have everything you need right now to take the next small, realistic step forward. So embrace the opportunities that come your way, and accept the challenges – they’re gifts that will help you to grow.
13.Start entering new relationships for the right reasons. – Enter new relationships with dependable, honest people who reflect the person you are and the person you want to be. Choose friends you are proud to know, people you admire, who show you love and respect – people who reciprocate your kindness and commitment. And pay attention to what people do, because a person’s actions are much more important than their words or how others represent them.
14.Start giving new people you meet a chance. – It sounds harsh, but you cannot keep every friend you’ve ever made. People and priorities change. As some relationships fade others will grow. Appreciate the possibility of new relationships as you naturally let go of old ones that no longer work. Trust your judgment. Embrace new relationships, knowing that you are entering into unfamiliar territory. Be ready to learn, be ready for a challenge, and be ready to meet someone that might just change your life forever.
15.Start competing against an earlier version of yourself. – Be inspired by others, appreciate others, learn from others, but know that competing against them is a waste of time. You are in competition with one person and one person only – yourself. You are competing to be the best you can be. Aim to break your own personal records.
16.Start cheering for other people’s victories. – Start noticing what you like about others and tell them. Having an appreciation for how amazing the people around you are leads to good places – productive, fulfilling, peaceful places. So be happy for those who are making progress. Cheer for their victories. Be thankful for their blessings, openly. What goes around comes around, and sooner or later the people you’re cheering for will start cheering for you.
17.Start looking for the silver lining in tough situations. – When things are hard, and you feel down, take a few deep breaths and look for the silver lining – the small glimmers of hope. Remind yourself that you can and will grow stronger from these hard times. And remain conscious of your blessings and victories – all the things in your life that are right. Focus on what you have, not on what you haven’t.
18.Start forgiving yourself and others. – We’ve all been hurt by our own decisions and by others. And while the pain of these experiences is normal, sometimes it lingers for too long. We relive the pain over and over and have a hard time letting go. Forgiveness is the remedy. It doesn’t mean you’re erasing the past, or forgetting what happened. It means you’re letting go of the resentment and pain, and instead choosing to learn from the incident and move on with your life.
19.Start helping those around you. – Care about people. Guide them if you know a better way. The more you help others, the more they will want to help you. Love and kindness begets love and kindness. And so on and so forth.
20.Start listening to your own inner voice. – If it helps, discuss your ideas with those closest to you, but give yourself enough room to follow your own intuition. Be true to yourself. Say what you need to say. Do what you know in your heart is right.
12.Start believing that you’re ready for the next step. – You are ready! Think about it. You have everything you need right now to take the next small, realistic step forward. So embrace the opportunities that come your way, and accept the challenges – they’re gifts that will help you to grow.
13.Start entering new relationships for the right reasons. – Enter new relationships with dependable, honest people who reflect the person you are and the person you want to be. Choose friends you are proud to know, people you admire, who show you love and respect – people who reciprocate your kindness and commitment. And pay attention to what people do, because a person’s actions are much more important than their words or how others represent them.
14.Start giving new people you meet a chance. – It sounds harsh, but you cannot keep every friend you’ve ever made. People and priorities change. As some relationships fade others will grow. Appreciate the possibility of new relationships as you naturally let go of old ones that no longer work. Trust your judgment. Embrace new relationships, knowing that you are entering into unfamiliar territory. Be ready to learn, be ready for a challenge, and be ready to meet someone that might just change your life forever.
15.Start competing against an earlier version of yourself. – Be inspired by others, appreciate others, learn from others, but know that competing against them is a waste of time. You are in competition with one person and one person only – yourself. You are competing to be the best you can be. Aim to break your own personal records.
16.Start cheering for other people’s victories. – Start noticing what you like about others and tell them. Having an appreciation for how amazing the people around you are leads to good places – productive, fulfilling, peaceful places. So be happy for those who are making progress. Cheer for their victories. Be thankful for their blessings, openly. What goes around comes around, and sooner or later the people you’re cheering for will start cheering for you.
17.Start looking for the silver lining in tough situations. – When things are hard, and you feel down, take a few deep breaths and look for the silver lining – the small glimmers of hope. Remind yourself that you can and will grow stronger from these hard times. And remain conscious of your blessings and victories – all the things in your life that are right. Focus on what you have, not on what you haven’t.
18.Start forgiving yourself and others. – We’ve all been hurt by our own decisions and by others. And while the pain of these experiences is normal, sometimes it lingers for too long. We relive the pain over and over and have a hard time letting go. Forgiveness is the remedy. It doesn’t mean you’re erasing the past, or forgetting what happened. It means you’re letting go of the resentment and pain, and instead choosing to learn from the incident and move on with your life.
19.Start helping those around you. – Care about people. Guide them if you know a better way. The more you help others, the more they will want to help you. Love and kindness begets love and kindness. And so on and so forth.
20.Start listening to your own inner voice. – If it helps, discuss your ideas with those closest to you, but give yourself enough room to follow your own intuition. Be true to yourself. Say what you need to say. Do what you know in your heart is right.
Friday, August 23, 2013
10 Things to do for YOU.
1.Start spending time with the right people. – These are the people you enjoy, who love and appreciate you, and who encourage you to improve in healthy and exciting ways. They are the ones who make you feel more alive, and not only embrace who you are now, but also embrace and embody who you want to be, unconditionally.
2.Start facing your problems head on. – It isn’t your problems that define you, but how you react to them and recover from them. Problems will not disappear unless you take action. Do what you can, when you can, and acknowledge what you’ve done. It’s all about taking baby steps in the right direction, inch by inch. These inches count, they add up to yards and miles in the long run.
3.Start being honest with yourself about everything. – Be honest about what’s right, as well as what needs to be changed. Be honest about what you want to achieve and who you want to become. Be honest with every aspect of your life, always. Because you are the one person you can forever count on. Search your soul, for the truth, so that you truly know who you are. Once you do, you’ll have a better understanding of where you are now and how you got here, and you’ll be better equipped to identify where you want to go and how to get there.
4.Start making your own happiness a priority. – Your needs matter. If you don’t value yourself, look out for yourself, and stick up for yourself, you’re sabotaging yourself. Remember, it IS possible to take care of your own needs while simultaneously caring for those around you. And once your needs are met, you will likely be far more capable of helping those who need you most.
5.Start being yourself, genuinely and proudly. – Trying to be anyone else is a waste of the person you are. Be yourself. Embrace that individual inside you that has ideas, strengths and beauty like no one else. Be the person you know yourself to be – the best version of you – on your terms. Above all, be true to YOU, and if you cannot put your heart in it, take yourself out of it.
6.Start noticing and living in the present. – Right now is a miracle. Right now is the only moment guaranteed to you. Right now is life. So stop thinking about how great things will be in the future. Stop dwelling on what did or didn’t happen in the past. Learn to be in the ‘here and now’ and experience life as it’s happening. Appreciate the world for the beauty that it holds, right now.
7.Start valuing the lessons your mistakes teach you. – Mistakes are okay; they’re the stepping stones of progress. If you’re not failing from time to time, you’re not trying hard enough and you’re not learning. Take risks, stumble, fall, and then get up and try again. Appreciate that you are pushing yourself, learning, growing and improving. Significant achievements are almost invariably realized at the end of a long road of failures. One of the ‘mistakes’ you fear might just be the link to your greatest achievement yet.
8.Start being more polite to yourself. – If you had a friend who spoke to you in the same way that you sometimes speak to yourself, how long would you allow that person to be your friend? The way you treat yourself sets the standard for others. You must love who you are or no one else will.
9.Start enjoying the things you already have. – The problem with many of us is that we think we’ll be happy when we reach a certain level in life – a level we see others operating at – your boss with her corner office, that friend of a friend who owns a mansion on the beach, etc. Unfortunately, it takes awhile before you get there, and when you get there you’ll likely have a new destination in mind. You’ll end up spending your whole life working toward something new without ever stopping to enjoy the things you have now. So take a quiet moment every morning when you first awake to appreciate where you are and what you already have.
10.Start creating your own happiness. – If you are waiting for someone else to make you happy, you’re missing out. Smile because you can. Choose happiness. Be the change you want to see in the world. Be happy with who you are now, and let your positivity inspire your journey into tomorrow. Happiness is often found when and where you decide to seek it. If you look for happiness within the opportunities you have, you will eventually find it. But if you constantly look for something else, unfortunately, you’ll find that too.
2.Start facing your problems head on. – It isn’t your problems that define you, but how you react to them and recover from them. Problems will not disappear unless you take action. Do what you can, when you can, and acknowledge what you’ve done. It’s all about taking baby steps in the right direction, inch by inch. These inches count, they add up to yards and miles in the long run.
3.Start being honest with yourself about everything. – Be honest about what’s right, as well as what needs to be changed. Be honest about what you want to achieve and who you want to become. Be honest with every aspect of your life, always. Because you are the one person you can forever count on. Search your soul, for the truth, so that you truly know who you are. Once you do, you’ll have a better understanding of where you are now and how you got here, and you’ll be better equipped to identify where you want to go and how to get there.
4.Start making your own happiness a priority. – Your needs matter. If you don’t value yourself, look out for yourself, and stick up for yourself, you’re sabotaging yourself. Remember, it IS possible to take care of your own needs while simultaneously caring for those around you. And once your needs are met, you will likely be far more capable of helping those who need you most.
5.Start being yourself, genuinely and proudly. – Trying to be anyone else is a waste of the person you are. Be yourself. Embrace that individual inside you that has ideas, strengths and beauty like no one else. Be the person you know yourself to be – the best version of you – on your terms. Above all, be true to YOU, and if you cannot put your heart in it, take yourself out of it.
6.Start noticing and living in the present. – Right now is a miracle. Right now is the only moment guaranteed to you. Right now is life. So stop thinking about how great things will be in the future. Stop dwelling on what did or didn’t happen in the past. Learn to be in the ‘here and now’ and experience life as it’s happening. Appreciate the world for the beauty that it holds, right now.
7.Start valuing the lessons your mistakes teach you. – Mistakes are okay; they’re the stepping stones of progress. If you’re not failing from time to time, you’re not trying hard enough and you’re not learning. Take risks, stumble, fall, and then get up and try again. Appreciate that you are pushing yourself, learning, growing and improving. Significant achievements are almost invariably realized at the end of a long road of failures. One of the ‘mistakes’ you fear might just be the link to your greatest achievement yet.
8.Start being more polite to yourself. – If you had a friend who spoke to you in the same way that you sometimes speak to yourself, how long would you allow that person to be your friend? The way you treat yourself sets the standard for others. You must love who you are or no one else will.
9.Start enjoying the things you already have. – The problem with many of us is that we think we’ll be happy when we reach a certain level in life – a level we see others operating at – your boss with her corner office, that friend of a friend who owns a mansion on the beach, etc. Unfortunately, it takes awhile before you get there, and when you get there you’ll likely have a new destination in mind. You’ll end up spending your whole life working toward something new without ever stopping to enjoy the things you have now. So take a quiet moment every morning when you first awake to appreciate where you are and what you already have.
10.Start creating your own happiness. – If you are waiting for someone else to make you happy, you’re missing out. Smile because you can. Choose happiness. Be the change you want to see in the world. Be happy with who you are now, and let your positivity inspire your journey into tomorrow. Happiness is often found when and where you decide to seek it. If you look for happiness within the opportunities you have, you will eventually find it. But if you constantly look for something else, unfortunately, you’ll find that too.
Finality
Everything is fine and nothing is final.
Most people are afraid of things being "over." This is a misconception that often leads people to feelings of fear, guilt and resentment. Life gives all of us lessons in things so that we can take them and grow into stronger, more fulfilled Spiritual beings. We must take life's hardships, challenges and troubles as opportunities for growth. Only when we see things in this way will we be able to be at peace with things that have happened in our lives. Only then, will we be able to look at things as having happened for us and not to us.
Affirmation for today:
I embrace the learning and growth opportunities provided to me by my life's path. I am grateful for the challenges afforded to me so that I might gain insight and knowledge necessary to be of the highest good.
Prayer for today:
Thank you, Spirit, for allowing me to let go of my past and move on to a better future. Thank you for helping me to cope with feelings of fear and for allowing my faith to carry me through hard times.
Most people are afraid of things being "over." This is a misconception that often leads people to feelings of fear, guilt and resentment. Life gives all of us lessons in things so that we can take them and grow into stronger, more fulfilled Spiritual beings. We must take life's hardships, challenges and troubles as opportunities for growth. Only when we see things in this way will we be able to be at peace with things that have happened in our lives. Only then, will we be able to look at things as having happened for us and not to us.
Affirmation for today:
I embrace the learning and growth opportunities provided to me by my life's path. I am grateful for the challenges afforded to me so that I might gain insight and knowledge necessary to be of the highest good.
Prayer for today:
Thank you, Spirit, for allowing me to let go of my past and move on to a better future. Thank you for helping me to cope with feelings of fear and for allowing my faith to carry me through hard times.
Purpose
There is a purpose for each of us - and every individual has a different one in this life. Some people are here to figure out how to love themselves, some to appreciate others more. There are also those here to teach, and those here to learn. To figure out what your life's purpose is, you have to dig deep. A lot of soul searching will help you to come to a realization about what it is that you are on this earth for and intended to do. Through meditation, a conscious contact with God and other methods of self realization, you will be able to find what your intentions are and what drives you. There were certain gifts bestowed unto you at birth and being aware of what these are will also help you to find your soul's purpose. It takes channeling your talents to really know what your purpose is.
What comes easy for you? Knowing this enables you to become familiar with your tools that will assist you in getting to the bottom of your life purpose. Now, what is difficult for you? Are you emotionally unavailable? Are you self-centered? Do you struggle with self-esteem? Is it difficult for you to relinquish control? Figuring out these difficulties will provide you the insight needed to root out what it is you are here to do. Learning and growing towards acceptance of others, yourself or finding ways to simply let go are all ways that we can grow towards our soul's spiritual journey on this life plane. Life is filled with unanswered questions, but it is the courage to ask enough of the right ones that ultimately leads you to an understanding of yourself and your purpose.
Affirmation for today:
I have a Divine purpose and am a living execution of it. I am easily able to understand my next step in life that will help me to achieve inner-peace.
Prayer for today:
Thank you, Spirit, for guiding me and for making my purpose clear to me. Thank you for allowing me to use my talents and gifts to help myself and my loved ones realize our true purpose in life.
What comes easy for you? Knowing this enables you to become familiar with your tools that will assist you in getting to the bottom of your life purpose. Now, what is difficult for you? Are you emotionally unavailable? Are you self-centered? Do you struggle with self-esteem? Is it difficult for you to relinquish control? Figuring out these difficulties will provide you the insight needed to root out what it is you are here to do. Learning and growing towards acceptance of others, yourself or finding ways to simply let go are all ways that we can grow towards our soul's spiritual journey on this life plane. Life is filled with unanswered questions, but it is the courage to ask enough of the right ones that ultimately leads you to an understanding of yourself and your purpose.
Affirmation for today:
I have a Divine purpose and am a living execution of it. I am easily able to understand my next step in life that will help me to achieve inner-peace.
Prayer for today:
Thank you, Spirit, for guiding me and for making my purpose clear to me. Thank you for allowing me to use my talents and gifts to help myself and my loved ones realize our true purpose in life.
Thursday, August 22, 2013
Fear
So many of us live in fear and react to unrelated situations because of the emotions associated with our fears. You have to disconnect yourself with the feelings that associate themselves with fear such as anger, jealousy, resentment, anxiety and distrust. One you pinpoint what the underlying issue that is causing you to live in dis-ease, discomfort and unrest, you will be able to work on taking new leaps towards joy and serenity.
The journey lies in turning over your perceived problems to the universe and allowing yourself to live in gratitude. Be aware, that this is a life long process and will take constant effort. We all have stumbles, issues, dilemmas and provocations pop up routinely, but it is about how you deal with your own reactions to them that will increase your level of happiness and reduce your anxiety.
Stuff happens. You can manage whatever life throws at you, so long as you remember that it's happening with purpose and to help you in your journey. When you find yourself in a moment of fear, take a few moments to think about all the good in your life before you address the issue head on. By doing so, you will be equipped with a more positive attitude - and this will make all the difference in your world.
Affirmation for today:
I freely release my fears and anxieties so that I may be of the most good to myself and to others. I am able to let go of things that are unnecessarily troubling me in order to grow spiritually.
Prayer for today:
Thank you, Spirit, for helping me to turn over my fears and distrust to you. Thank you for allowing me to have faith that you will always take care of me and my loved ones.
The journey lies in turning over your perceived problems to the universe and allowing yourself to live in gratitude. Be aware, that this is a life long process and will take constant effort. We all have stumbles, issues, dilemmas and provocations pop up routinely, but it is about how you deal with your own reactions to them that will increase your level of happiness and reduce your anxiety.
Stuff happens. You can manage whatever life throws at you, so long as you remember that it's happening with purpose and to help you in your journey. When you find yourself in a moment of fear, take a few moments to think about all the good in your life before you address the issue head on. By doing so, you will be equipped with a more positive attitude - and this will make all the difference in your world.
Affirmation for today:
I freely release my fears and anxieties so that I may be of the most good to myself and to others. I am able to let go of things that are unnecessarily troubling me in order to grow spiritually.
Prayer for today:
Thank you, Spirit, for helping me to turn over my fears and distrust to you. Thank you for allowing me to have faith that you will always take care of me and my loved ones.
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
Divine Timing
Some people call it fate, destiny or Divine timing - but whatever the words, it all amounts to the same concept. That is, that all things happen for a reason; be it to teach us a lesson, help us to grow, change our perspectives and so on.
Trusting in divine timing takes an incredible amount of faith - especially when we are going through difficult times. Remember, that sometimes you fall down - because there is something at the bottom that you are meant to find. There are also certain people put in our lives because we need them there in order to continue on our path. These may even be people that hurt us which is very difficult to get past. Keeping in mind that the motivations of God, the Universe and your Spirit Guides are always pure, accepting the good with the bad becomes easier.
Affirmation for today:
I am always growing and expanding in my life journey. I am a product of God's Divine timing and always making forward progress.
Prayer for today:
Thank you, Spirit, for putting the pieces of my life together in such a way that affords me the maximum number of growth opportunities. Thank you for guiding me through rough times with grace and ease.
Trusting in divine timing takes an incredible amount of faith - especially when we are going through difficult times. Remember, that sometimes you fall down - because there is something at the bottom that you are meant to find. There are also certain people put in our lives because we need them there in order to continue on our path. These may even be people that hurt us which is very difficult to get past. Keeping in mind that the motivations of God, the Universe and your Spirit Guides are always pure, accepting the good with the bad becomes easier.
Affirmation for today:
I am always growing and expanding in my life journey. I am a product of God's Divine timing and always making forward progress.
Prayer for today:
Thank you, Spirit, for putting the pieces of my life together in such a way that affords me the maximum number of growth opportunities. Thank you for guiding me through rough times with grace and ease.
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
30 Day Challenge
Challenge: For 30 days, write down two things that you are grateful for. Then write an affirmation to invite more of these things into your life. Lastly, write down a prayer that thanks the world, God, Spirit, or whatever you believe in for allowing you to enjoy these things.
An example:
I am grateful for breath.
I am grateful for sight.
I can fully see and appreciate all of the beautiful joys in the world. I breathe in all the goodness of the Divine and breathe our all of my anxieties.
Thank you, God, for giving me the gift of sight so that I can take in the wonders of the world. Thank you for the breath you breathe into me each and every day - helping me to remember that I am alive.
Monday, August 19, 2013
Slowing Down
Rushing, speeding, flying, barreling, and moving through life with increasing haste? Stop it. What's your hurry?
So many of us are so focused on what's next in life. Hurry up to that next promotion at work. Race your way home after work. Propel yourself to the next activity or function. It's time to take time - to breathe, to enjoy, to... relax. Our society moves at a hundred miles an hour, and we are caught up in the whirlwind of movement. This inhibits you from enjoying the little things in life - but these are the things that mean the most. In the flurry of running this perceived race, you are missing out on so much happiness and love around you. Life is a series of moments woven together to create our experience, but it is necessary to remember that you are creating your own moments. If you choose to slow down and enjoy as many of these moments as you can, when you look back at the end of your life, you will remember being happy. Happiness is a choice.
Pause for a moment today, and send a little message to someone you love. Not a text message on your phone. Do something more personal, something special.
Affirmation for today:
I freely give myself permission to stop and enjoy the small joys of today. I am comfortable with taking my time to focus on the good in my life. I am grateful for the little things.
Prayer for today:
Thank you, Spirit, for helping me to slow down and for showing me the power in relaxation. Thank you for the beauty of the world and the opportunity to take it all in.
So many of us are so focused on what's next in life. Hurry up to that next promotion at work. Race your way home after work. Propel yourself to the next activity or function. It's time to take time - to breathe, to enjoy, to... relax. Our society moves at a hundred miles an hour, and we are caught up in the whirlwind of movement. This inhibits you from enjoying the little things in life - but these are the things that mean the most. In the flurry of running this perceived race, you are missing out on so much happiness and love around you. Life is a series of moments woven together to create our experience, but it is necessary to remember that you are creating your own moments. If you choose to slow down and enjoy as many of these moments as you can, when you look back at the end of your life, you will remember being happy. Happiness is a choice.
Pause for a moment today, and send a little message to someone you love. Not a text message on your phone. Do something more personal, something special.
Affirmation for today:
I freely give myself permission to stop and enjoy the small joys of today. I am comfortable with taking my time to focus on the good in my life. I am grateful for the little things.
Prayer for today:
Thank you, Spirit, for helping me to slow down and for showing me the power in relaxation. Thank you for the beauty of the world and the opportunity to take it all in.
Sunday, August 18, 2013
Breaking News
All of you faithful readers, Soul Purpose has a new home at www.soulpurpsedaily.com!
Thank you for your continued support. The blog posts will continue to be posted here, but please visit the website for more extensive content.
Much love,
M
Thank you for your continued support. The blog posts will continue to be posted here, but please visit the website for more extensive content.
Much love,
M
Self Actualization
A lot of us spend too much time trying to manage other people's perceptions of ourselves, when - if we had a better sense of self actualization - we would be okay to just... be. When you learn to self actualize, and create a mindset of your true version of self, it will open you up to transcend to another level of being. You will have more confidence, avoid the captures of social pressures, and you will be able to readily welcome the unknown and embrace change. This all comes down to your level of self-esteem and self-worth.It is not easy, because a lot of us are programmed from childhood to feel like we need to impress other people and gain validation from their approval. In order to break this habitual thought process, we must look within ourselves for the authentication we are seeking and to be our own source of endorsement when it comes to our appearance and awareness.
Many of the greatest leaders and thinkers of the world were champions of this concept. Through this notion, people like Einstein, Newton and similar minds found the power to look around in the world and within themselves to think outside the box. And, more importantly, to share these ideas without reservation. To that affect, when you begin to attain a better concept of yourself, you will be more comfortable with your own perceptions and not expend so much energy pondering about other people's. Remember, you own your thoughts. It is time to stop trying to think for other people because it is theft of your consciousness, life force energy and of your own being.
You do not have to try to be perfect. You already are.
Affirmation for today:
I am perfectly made by the hands of God. My individuality and purpose are in the forefront of my mind and I am driven by both. I am always in exactly the right place at exactly the right time.
Prayer for today:
Thank you, Spirit, for taking extra care in my creation to make me whole, perfect and blessed. Thank you for believing in me and for helping me to believe in myself.
Many of the greatest leaders and thinkers of the world were champions of this concept. Through this notion, people like Einstein, Newton and similar minds found the power to look around in the world and within themselves to think outside the box. And, more importantly, to share these ideas without reservation. To that affect, when you begin to attain a better concept of yourself, you will be more comfortable with your own perceptions and not expend so much energy pondering about other people's. Remember, you own your thoughts. It is time to stop trying to think for other people because it is theft of your consciousness, life force energy and of your own being.
You do not have to try to be perfect. You already are.
Affirmation for today:
I am perfectly made by the hands of God. My individuality and purpose are in the forefront of my mind and I am driven by both. I am always in exactly the right place at exactly the right time.
Prayer for today:
Thank you, Spirit, for taking extra care in my creation to make me whole, perfect and blessed. Thank you for believing in me and for helping me to believe in myself.
Friday, August 16, 2013
Making Mistakes
It is okay to make mistakes. We can learn, grow and change through our experiences of things that have happened due to our own undoing. Now, the challenging part of this is to take our mistakes and walk away, without regret, and continue to progress through the power of forward movement. When we unwittingly fault through misinterpretation, lack of wisdom, or from inexperience - these are the times to polish up and really shine. The beneficial outcome from these hardships is the chance to gain new found awareness, perspective and knowledge - all things that should never be taken for granted.
When you fall down, take that chance to look around for what you need to find. Oftentimes, through our slips and stumbles, we come across a bounty of information we never knew we needed. Also, these are the circumstances that afford us the greatest growth opportunities so that we can come out of the fire of turmoil into a new understanding and with a different perception.
Affirmation for today:
I accept the gift to make my own perfect mistakes. I embrace them as a learning experience and am grateful for the opportunity to grow.
Prayer for today:
Thank you, Spirit, for allowing me the chance to pick myself up when I fall down. Thank you for the gift of courage to start over and for helping me to understand when and how to best do it.
When you fall down, take that chance to look around for what you need to find. Oftentimes, through our slips and stumbles, we come across a bounty of information we never knew we needed. Also, these are the circumstances that afford us the greatest growth opportunities so that we can come out of the fire of turmoil into a new understanding and with a different perception.
Affirmation for today:
I accept the gift to make my own perfect mistakes. I embrace them as a learning experience and am grateful for the opportunity to grow.
Prayer for today:
Thank you, Spirit, for allowing me the chance to pick myself up when I fall down. Thank you for the gift of courage to start over and for helping me to understand when and how to best do it.
Forgiveness
Forgiveness is one of the toughest and most necessary things that we have to learn how to do.
Lily Tomlin gave us an impeccable summary of forgiveness: To forgive is to give up all hope for a better past.
Letting go of hurt, helplessness and anger will help you to increase your confidence, happiness and serenity. Through forgiveness of ourselves and of others, we can attain a level of inner-peace that cannot be achieved without releasing resentments, guilt and other frustrations. To forgive is to release. To let it go. It is also the act of freely and wholeheartedly granting freedom and blessing for your own actions and those of others. We have all sat around stewing about what someone has done - or worse, not yet done! - to us, but until we choose to forgive them, our feelings will be muddled with an anxiety that will prevent our own happiness. After all, it's not about what has happened to you, it's about how you choose to handle it. Remember this as well: you do not have to trust another person in order to forgive them, because you are doing this for you - not for them! Forgiveness is simply a decision to let go of our regrets and our own view of what is just.
Another consideration about being forgiven:
Have you ever deflected an apology? Have you ever told someone who was apologizing to you "Oh,don't worry about it?" or "It's no big deal." Those kinds of responses take away from their necessary and healthy process of redemption and renewal. Apologies are serious stuff. They should always be heartfelt and genuine. And, when you extend forgiveness, it has to be real also. Forgiveness in order to avoid or quickly end an uncomfortable moment is not pure. The seeking and the granting of forgiveness are profoundly serious acts. They demand full attention and deep sense of reality. It is often through heartache and redemption that we discover new reasons and rhythms for life.There are lessons in hurt and freedom through forgiveness. When we do another human being wrong, an apology and plea for forgiveness is essential to avoid infection in the relationship and to keep clear consciousness.
Affirmation for today:
I am ready to forgive myself for everything that is wearing on my mind.
I fully forgive everyone who I perceive to have wronged me in any way.
Through forgiving and being forgiven, I am able to be of more use to myself and to others.
Prayer for today:
A BUDDHIST PRAYER OF FORGIVENESS:
If I have harmed anyone in any way either knowingly or unknowingly through my own confusions I ask their forgiveness. If anyone has harmed me in any way either knowingly or unknowingly through their own confusions I forgive them. And if there is a situation I am not yet ready to forgive I forgive myself for that. For all the ways that I harm myself, negate, doubt, belittle myself, judge or be unkind to myself through my own confusions I forgive myself.
Lily Tomlin gave us an impeccable summary of forgiveness: To forgive is to give up all hope for a better past.
Letting go of hurt, helplessness and anger will help you to increase your confidence, happiness and serenity. Through forgiveness of ourselves and of others, we can attain a level of inner-peace that cannot be achieved without releasing resentments, guilt and other frustrations. To forgive is to release. To let it go. It is also the act of freely and wholeheartedly granting freedom and blessing for your own actions and those of others. We have all sat around stewing about what someone has done - or worse, not yet done! - to us, but until we choose to forgive them, our feelings will be muddled with an anxiety that will prevent our own happiness. After all, it's not about what has happened to you, it's about how you choose to handle it. Remember this as well: you do not have to trust another person in order to forgive them, because you are doing this for you - not for them! Forgiveness is simply a decision to let go of our regrets and our own view of what is just.
Another consideration about being forgiven:
Have you ever deflected an apology? Have you ever told someone who was apologizing to you "Oh,don't worry about it?" or "It's no big deal." Those kinds of responses take away from their necessary and healthy process of redemption and renewal. Apologies are serious stuff. They should always be heartfelt and genuine. And, when you extend forgiveness, it has to be real also. Forgiveness in order to avoid or quickly end an uncomfortable moment is not pure. The seeking and the granting of forgiveness are profoundly serious acts. They demand full attention and deep sense of reality. It is often through heartache and redemption that we discover new reasons and rhythms for life.There are lessons in hurt and freedom through forgiveness. When we do another human being wrong, an apology and plea for forgiveness is essential to avoid infection in the relationship and to keep clear consciousness.
Affirmation for today:
I am ready to forgive myself for everything that is wearing on my mind.
I fully forgive everyone who I perceive to have wronged me in any way.
Through forgiving and being forgiven, I am able to be of more use to myself and to others.
Prayer for today:
A BUDDHIST PRAYER OF FORGIVENESS:
If I have harmed anyone in any way either knowingly or unknowingly through my own confusions I ask their forgiveness. If anyone has harmed me in any way either knowingly or unknowingly through their own confusions I forgive them. And if there is a situation I am not yet ready to forgive I forgive myself for that. For all the ways that I harm myself, negate, doubt, belittle myself, judge or be unkind to myself through my own confusions I forgive myself.
Thursday, August 15, 2013
Meditation
The act of meditation allows you to make conscious contact with Spirit and to regain the power of intention. It is through meditating that we open ourselves to what is in our hearts. Meditation itself is the practice in which we train our minds into realization and focus our thoughts inward to develop our abilities to forgive, love, give and to have patience and compassion. It can also be useful in recharging our life force or energy levels. Through thoughtful breathing and concentration, you can relax your mind and let go of feelings of anger, resentment, sadness and anxiety.
Meditation does take a lot of practice, so it is usually easier to start with guided meditation audio or videos. Also, putting on calm music, lighting candles and trying to sit still are good ways to start out.
Affirmation for Today:
I sit in the calm and focus on my inner most thoughts. I am at peace within myself and seek to balance my energy so that I may be of the highest good to myself and to others.
Prayer for today:
Thank you, Spirit, for helping me to sit in silence and to have the patience to just be for a few moments. Thank you for allowing me to recharge my intentions through the power of prayer and meditation.
Meditation does take a lot of practice, so it is usually easier to start with guided meditation audio or videos. Also, putting on calm music, lighting candles and trying to sit still are good ways to start out.
Affirmation for Today:
I sit in the calm and focus on my inner most thoughts. I am at peace within myself and seek to balance my energy so that I may be of the highest good to myself and to others.
Prayer for today:
Thank you, Spirit, for helping me to sit in silence and to have the patience to just be for a few moments. Thank you for allowing me to recharge my intentions through the power of prayer and meditation.
Tuesday, August 13, 2013
Love
What is love? Love is sprinting, struggling, fighting, crawling, kick-boxing, climbing, leaping into the thick of the battle for your own -- and someone else’s -- happiness. It's something worth fighting for. This goes for self-love, love for a partner, and love for everyone around you. When we are love focused, rather than fear focused, we are able to do things for ourselves and for others without the risk of feeling guilt or resentment afterwards. This leads you to a path of freedom from negativity and will reduce stress in your life. Guaranteed.
Love is powerful, scary, pure and mighty. It is the one thing that each and every one of us are born capable of doing - just make sure to be one of the people who do it well, and wholeheartedly. Love is a choice - and never a bad one. It is a gift that can be given every single day that you live. When you are focusing on the good in others and yourself, you will surely experience peace, love and comfort in your heart and soul.
After all - like the Beatles said - all you need is love.
Affirmation for today:
I love and accept myself exactly as I am.
When I love myself, I am more open to give love to and accept love from others.
Prayer for today:
Thank you, Spirit, for allowing me to love myself and those that surround me. Thank you for putting people in my life who love me and teach me the lessons I need to learn in order to progress.
Love is powerful, scary, pure and mighty. It is the one thing that each and every one of us are born capable of doing - just make sure to be one of the people who do it well, and wholeheartedly. Love is a choice - and never a bad one. It is a gift that can be given every single day that you live. When you are focusing on the good in others and yourself, you will surely experience peace, love and comfort in your heart and soul.
After all - like the Beatles said - all you need is love.
Affirmation for today:
I love and accept myself exactly as I am.
When I love myself, I am more open to give love to and accept love from others.
Prayer for today:
Thank you, Spirit, for allowing me to love myself and those that surround me. Thank you for putting people in my life who love me and teach me the lessons I need to learn in order to progress.
Gratitude
grat·i·tude -
noun
\ˈgra-tə-ˌtüd, -ˌtyüd\
: the state of being grateful : thankfulness
Gratitude is truly the key to happiness. Spending time being thankful for what you have will help you appreciate those things so much more. Humble yourself and make an effort to look around and you will be in awe at all that you do have. Are you breathing? Be grateful for that - because it means that your work here is not yet done. Is your heart beating? Be grateful for that - because it means that you have love to give and to receive.
Sitting and being in gratitude will remind you of what's important. Even things that appear to be "bad" or "challenging" in your life are things to be grateful for. These seeming obstacles are your chances to grow, change and learn. If you are having a hard time being grateful for these things, turn your focus to what they offer. Although you might not feel better right away, eventually you wont be able to help but be thankful.
Affirmations for today:
I give thanks for all that blesses my life and my being. I open myself up to more of the abundance that I already have. Every step I take in my life increases my gratitude for all things in it.
Prayer for today:
Thank you, Spirit, for all that you have blessed me with. Thank you for helping me to see the bounty of my world and for the ability to see and appreciate it all.
: the state of being grateful : thankfulness
Gratitude is truly the key to happiness. Spending time being thankful for what you have will help you appreciate those things so much more. Humble yourself and make an effort to look around and you will be in awe at all that you do have. Are you breathing? Be grateful for that - because it means that your work here is not yet done. Is your heart beating? Be grateful for that - because it means that you have love to give and to receive.
Sitting and being in gratitude will remind you of what's important. Even things that appear to be "bad" or "challenging" in your life are things to be grateful for. These seeming obstacles are your chances to grow, change and learn. If you are having a hard time being grateful for these things, turn your focus to what they offer. Although you might not feel better right away, eventually you wont be able to help but be thankful.
Affirmations for today:
I give thanks for all that blesses my life and my being. I open myself up to more of the abundance that I already have. Every step I take in my life increases my gratitude for all things in it.
Prayer for today:
Thank you, Spirit, for all that you have blessed me with. Thank you for helping me to see the bounty of my world and for the ability to see and appreciate it all.
Monday, August 12, 2013
Starting Over
Starting Over
Every day, we are given the gift of the possibility to start over and freshen our perspectives. Take a moment and sit with yourself. Ask “What is it that I need to leave behind?” and “What is it I want to move towards?” Today is the best day to start over. So is tomorrow. Remember, that it is never too late to begin a new journey and now is the time to take action.
Affirmation for today:
I wholeheartedly accept the gift of newness and welcome change into my life.
Prayer for today:
Thank you, Spirit, for the chance to begin anew and thank you for giving me the courage to take the next step.
Every day, we are given the gift of the possibility to start over and freshen our perspectives. Take a moment and sit with yourself. Ask “What is it that I need to leave behind?” and “What is it I want to move towards?” Today is the best day to start over. So is tomorrow. Remember, that it is never too late to begin a new journey and now is the time to take action.
Affirmation for today:
I wholeheartedly accept the gift of newness and welcome change into my life.
Prayer for today:
Thank you, Spirit, for the chance to begin anew and thank you for giving me the courage to take the next step.
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