Positive Attitude

How To Create Gold From Water

2005-10-18T23:51:00.000-07:00

By Wayne McDonald

Your mind is very powerful and yet many of us do not fully utilize the magic we can do. Everyday we are creating new experiences with our mind. Unfortunately a lot of us focus on our negative experiences and we are constantly in a stuck place.

Have you ever wished you had a magic wand that you could wave and make your problems disappear? Well you can by bringing your thoughts from the unconscious mind to the conscious mind.

This is the Creative Process of bringing subjective thoughts (ideas) to objective mind (results).

Life sometimes has challenges such as not enough paycheck at the end of the month, or meeting that special someone (or maybe just a date!), or finding a career that is fun, or dealing with co-workers or neighbors.

Believe it or not, you DO have the answers. The answer is to focus on the RESULTS and not the problem. If you focus on what you DO NOT want in a relationship, then that is all you will create. If you focus on bills and the lack of money, then your thinking will continue the cycle of debt. If you think about how people annoy you with constant complaining, then change yourself and stop complaining about your life.

There is nothing new here. But as humans, we tend to forget and need to be slapped in the head and reminded from time to time. To change the world around us, we must be willing to change our self first.

So what does that right relationship look like? What are the qualities you want in that person?

You can apply this Creative Process to any challenge you have. It only takes ten to twenty minutes a day to visualize and create a new reality. Now, sit quietly and clear your mind. Close your eyes and picture yourself with that special person. What are you wearing as you visualize this person? Where are you and what is the weather like - is it hot or cold? Is it a sunny or a cloudy day? As you create your picture utilize all your senses - smell, touch, taste and auditory. Continue breathing and relaxing, smile to yourself and really get your emotions charged to really feel and sense this picture.

Next, create a positive affirmation for yourself. For example, "I am in a happy loving relationship that fills more than my needs". Say this affirmation to your self ten times a day. Also, start a journal and write all the positive things about the relationship. Write this in present tense. For example, "Today we went dancing and afterwards we walked on the beach". Write five or ten sentences each night in your journal before you go to bed.

For the next 21-days read and speak aloud your affirmation. Do this for 21-days, saying your affirmation at least ten times a day. Write in your journal all the happy, loving, romantic and wonderful things that happened. Create in your mind that relationship that you want.

If you are starting to moan and complain about having to do some work, then ignore it. Our minds want to keep us safe. That is why we have all this chatter in our head. Our minds do not want us to get hurt again or have us be disappointed when nothing happens. Or even worse, what happen if we get into a relationship? If your mind is thinking "what if" this happens, then you are not living in the present or the now. What happens in the future is unknown and what the mind creates 98% of the time will never happen. And if the mind is thinking about the past, then that has already happened and it is old news and has no relevance on today. Live in the now and in the present moment.

Your goal is to create Water into Gold or to create thought into form. The Creative Process is based on scientific facts and the Laws of Nature. I would suggest you do this process yourself and NOT to share it with anyone else. Your mind wants to keep you safe and your friends will also try to keep you safe - why else would they be in you life. The Creative Process is about bringing thoughts from the unconscious mind to the conscious mind and to transform thought into form.

Yes, you can have a great, loving relationship. Yes, you can have abundance and prosperity in your life. Yes, you can have happy positive relationships with co-workers and neighbors. When you apply the Creative Process you must remember that you can only change yourself - not other people. People may stay the same, but we can choose how we relate to them and we can choose not to be bothered by their outer appearances of how they view the world.

Wayne McDonald is a licensed Life Practitioner and a Public Speaker. You can expand your Relationships, Finances, Business, Health, Life Purpose and Happiness, Love and Joy. To learn more visit http://www.123relax.com/lifepractitioner.html

Simple Eco-Logical Steps to Lessen the Burn of the Sun

2005-10-18T23:50:00.000-07:00

By Jennifer Rodriguez-Allen

At this moment in human history, one of our most controversial relationship is our natural and healthy relationship with our closest star, the Sun. We are caught between our need for sunlight to keep us healthy and happy and; a fear of the sunlight that penetrates the hole in our precious ozone layer.

How often do we find ourselves blinded by the Sun? How often do we turn to sunglasses to lessen its brightness on our eyes? How did we lose our ability to naturally adapt to sunlight? Could it be that we have spent too much time indoors under artificial light, too much time in front of television or the computer? How do we regain the ability to quickly adapt to the Sun’s brilliance that we had as children? What sort of misinformation is in our brains that is stopping us from doing so?

At Agoo Agii, we think in terms of surviving our present circumstances through a conscious relationship with the Nature. Our goal is to reclaim the human sense that is balanced with the values of the Nature and as we shall demonstrate in this article, with the Universe. We believe, very much, to know the Sky, we must first know the Earth and with each step we take closer and closer to the Earth, we find ourselves deeper in the mysteries of Creation and our place within in it, from the beginning of human history to today.

The Sun in Relation to the Universe

Unlike human beings, the components, the elements, the living spirits of the Nature do not have Egos. The Sun has been ascribed its importance to us by its proximity to us in the Universe. It is evident that we need the Sun but the Sun does not exist as a domineering tyrant to whom we must serve. In fact, ancient cultures that placed the Sun as a supreme deity (e.g. ancient Roman, Egyptian and Aztec) were cruel, imperialistic and domineering cultures.

The Sun lives in relation to the Universe and the forces of creation. It is just one of unimaginable number of stars that exist in the Universe and the Sun is as aware of that as you and I. From a distant planet, the Sun is merely another star in the sky and if you open your level of consciousness a bit more, this is a fact to the Sun. The Sun does not have an Ego; it has a responsibility to support the planets that revolve around it. To learn from the example of the brilliance of the Sun is to learn to let go of Ego and to accept our personal and collective responsibility to sustain life.

During daytime, we should not let the Sun make us forget about the Universe beyond the blue sky. The heat we experience during the day can be balanced through the conscious reminder that beyond the blue, there is a large expanse of dark coolness containing an infinitude of stars equally as important to us as the Sun.
The Sun in Relation to Darkness

Darkness is the force of creation whereas light comes from a fixed point, an object or subject of creation. Darkness is not evil for the people who fear darkness, believe the most in the manifestation of evil within our world. Our ability to live comfortably in darkness allows for us to demonstrate the illumination of our souls. Darkness is the furthest point beneath our feet, it is at our toes, over our head and it is through the darkness that our eyes search for the Creator. Creation is an unfixed expansive point that is always simultaneously in front us of and completely beyond our reach.

Darkness, or shall we say, Black Light is never obscured or eliminated. The Sun’s rays project themselves through darkness. It is this consciousness that allowed the pioneers of the physics of light to postulate ideas about the nature and the movement of light with their naked eyes. The next time you go outside, try to see the darkness to lessen the effect of the Sun’s brilliance. Do our eyes not weaken when we do not adapt to variations in light intensity? We need to learn to develop our eyes’ abilities to serve as their own sunglasses.

The Sun in Relation to Water

Our existence and the source of our own humility begins and ends with water. Water is the most important element of the Nature when it comes to living in balance with the Sun. As the Sun is hot, Water is cool. Here we cannot over emphasize the importance of cold/cool showers and baths. In the summer, cold showers lower the body’s surface temperature and help to make the heat bearable. In the winter, cool showers help us develop a resistance to the effects of the cold so long as we do not take cold beverages and foods in excess.

Cold water helps us reestablish and maintain a balanced ecological relationship with our local sources of water. It is very easy for us to distance ourselves from our natural bodies of water by dismissing them as dirty and/or polluted. However, dirty water is water with dirt in it, polluted water is water with pollution in it, yet water forever remains water and is always itself pure.

Hot water on the other hand, when used excessively, can produce an enormous amount of damage to the skin. Hot water decreases the amount of blood circulation to the skin causing it to become unusually dry. Hot water decreases our ability to retain and produce moisture. By decreasing our skin’s capacity to perspire when necessary and therefore cool itself when overheated, we are denying our body the ability to ease its own discomfort naturally. This results in a cycle of excessive use of air conditioning to relieve our body of heat and the use of air conditioning was originally one of the sources of the pollution that is responsible for the hole in the ozone layer.

Beautiful Historical Ecological Relationships

Water has long held an important spiritual status especially amongst women.
In the Hindu Legend, The Ramayana, the auspicious woman Sita emerges unscathed from the funeral pyre of her husband.

In the Book of Exodus, Moses’ mother turns to the waters of the River to save her son rather than turning to fire the Sun to demand its wrath to extract justice.

Images of Christian Saints often have halos on the back of their heads. These representations of the Sun demonstrate the coolness of the head brought by baptism.
One of the most misunderstood Indigenous American ceremonies is the Sun Dance. The older men who have prepared themselves to participate in this ceremony sacrifice a piece of the own flesh to make a deep prayer for the sake of all living things. They make this self-sacrifice with the belief that the only thing we rightfully own is our own body and it is only our own body that we truly have the right to sacrifice to the Creator.

In ancient pre-patriarchal African culture, the coupling of the Sun and the Water is considered to be a holy marriage. This union is considered so sacred that one is never mentioned without the other.
Horrible Historical Confusions

Some of the cruelest and most imperialistic cultures that have developed on this planet have worshipped the Sun as a supreme deity. They used the Sun to inspire wrath and terror amongst the people they conquered. This includes the use of human sacrifice to "appease" the Sun. Many of these cultures were also fond of using the Sun to justify their use of slavery.

Millions of women have been burned throughout history in the name of using fire, the earthly embodiment of the Sun, to determine their purity or as evidence to demonstrate their lack thereof. These self-proclaimed judges of female purity would have burned themselves had they set themselves on fire for those who would not burn are amongst the humble, not the arrogant.

The Sun in Relation to Local Plants

The plants that live in constant exposure to the sun’s rays can help us adapt to solar light and to changes in solar radiation that have occurred in our lifetimes. Plants that have quick reproductive/life cycles can adapt to changes in favor of survival much faster than we humans can. By turning to these plants for ecological and evolutionary help, we can begin to learn how to make changes in favor of our own survival.

For example, dandelion flower is extremely useful to control squinting and other reactions that we may have to solar radiation when we go outdoors. Because dandelion flower relaxes the face and skin, we can learn to control our reactions to the intensity of natural light.
As human beings, we cannot live in direct sunlight throughout the day as dandelions do. To find the amount of sun exposure that we can in balance with, we can turn to the shade dwelling violet plant. Violet leaf is excellent aid for after-sun exposure and for use as a night cream.

Timely and Conscious Adaptation

Eco-logical adaptation to the Sun is a lifelong exercise that is made with baby steps. Each day we must practice seeing the darkness with the light, consciously keep the Sun in its rightful place with respect to the Universe and use daily cleansing with cool/cold water. We must be aware of our own reactions and as we move closer to the natural world, we must be aware of the situations where our indestructible connection with the Nature is being compromised.
Sunscreen should be used intelligently rather than blindly. It is important that we have at least 15 minutes of direct sunlight each day as sunscreen decreases our body’s ability to produce vitamin D. If your sunscreen contains mineral oils, it can also decrease your skin’s ability to effectively produce and absorb vitamins A and C.

In any type of weather, it is important that your skin has an opportunity each day to feel natural. After spending a day in the Sun, you should clean off any residual chemical sunscreen. Our skin is responsible for 1/3 of the body’s elimination of wastes and it is necessary to allow our bodies to relax, detoxify and feel natural.

Finally, we must ask ourselves what contribution hot water has made to our decreased ability to handle the Sun. Is it a coincidence that the countries that have the highest rates of skin cancer also use the most hot water? Should this matter not be studied?

Legal Disclaimer—The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended to medically diagnose, treat or cure any disease. Consult a health care practitioner before beginning any health care program

Written by: Jennifer Rodriguez-Allen, B.Sc., Environmental Chemist and President of Agoo Agii, inc. Agoo Agii is a multi-ethnic women-owned grassroots company that specializes in skin and body care products made from plants you can find in your backyard. http://www.agooagii.com/

You Will be It, when You See It!

2005-10-18T23:47:00.000-07:00

By Arthur Buchanan

You will be it, when you see it!

How do we get from point A to point B? You must first see yourself at point B, yes I mean actually see yourself in your minds eye as Getting to point B and then moving on to the next level. Now stop and see if you can See yourself there, how would you feel, act, what would you be doing?

So the first step on our journey is to vision
Yourself as the person that you want to be or the Place that you want to get or the illness that you want to overcome, see yourself as healthy! You would feel great,Wouldn’t you? Say yes, you are so happy you have Finally made that first million dollars or you May have invented the cure for cancer. Now See yourself celebrating with your friends and Family, just think how proud you would be. Feel the
Mood in your mind; you are now looked upon as A hero. Feel how it would be to have saved Thousands of lives.

Picture that one person who was terminal and just got up and walked out of the hospital never to return. Feel the joy of That family whose father’s life you saved. Let’s Say you want to move to Florida and all your
Family tells you that you are crazy and you should Come to your senses and just stay put. What to Do? You need to see yourself at the beach. If you Must get some play sand and put it in your Office and put it under your desk, take your shoes off and rub your feet In the sand!

Do whatever is necessary to see Yourself in Florida. Picture the palm trees see the gentle waves coming to shore, put your feet in the water, feels good doesn’t it. Now see your self and your husband or wife walking down the beach on a summers night, feel the breeze in your hair and the sand coming up between your toes. The water is so warm you are tempted to jump in and go for a swim, you notice the seagulls flying around and you say to your wife or husband look over there, the sun is setting and it is the most beautiful sight you have ever seen!

Now do you see how this would help you to see the things in your mind? Once you see them replay them over and over until the dream becomes relativity, because if you want something bad enough you will surly end up getting what you are after.

Now when the vision you have now becomes a permanent fixture in your mind, soon after This your subconscious will start to work on Bringing the dream to life and this could happen rapidly or it could take some time, one thing is for sure the subconscious will bring the right people, thing, and circumstances into place to make

your vision a reality and then move on to The next vision, you and your spouse buying your First house in Florida, see every nock and Cranny in the house, all the furniture, where Everything is and how you and your spouse took Such care in putting everything just where you Want it. They give you the Nobel peace prize for
Your cure for cancer; see yourself at the podium Excepting your award. How would you feel? Feel These feelings see you in these situations,

make them a part of you! Now when you have this skill mastered things will start to happen in your life, we are far from done yet, but this is a vital point so please try and follow me here, see the things in your mind first, vision all the stuff you want until things start to come true and this will give you some confidence and surly you will start to believe that when you can see things in your mind, then you can inevitably produce results in the physical realm and this should excite you to no end. You have now moved one step closer to that magical place we call think & grow well. This step is an important one and you will use it with conjunction of the other steps, so please take

Your time and get this part down pat so there won’t be any chance at a set back or worse yet failure. I can assure you that if you don’t take all these steps you will not make it To the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. The choice is yours, this step is real easy once you get the hang of it and know the mechanics and how to do it, yet it is a vital part of the puzzle and you can use this in every aspect of life, until you see yourself thinking & growing well, then you know you have done it in one area, then you should be able to produce the same effort time and time again, in any area in your life. Let me state the twist that you may need to put on your effort

may need to be in a different way to accomplish your goal, there is no right way to do it or wrong way for that matter. You can actually form it to fit your style and your style may just be the best way to do it so you will literally be it when you see it!

You can use this article any way you want, send it to your list, give to a friend, or just send it to anyone you know this could help. All I ask is that you leave this footer intact, when you use it!

With Much Love & Compassion,

Arthur Buchanan

Out of Darkness

43 Oakwood Ave. Suite 1012

Huron, Ohio, 44839

567-219-8859 (cell Phone) Give a call and we'll see what we can do to help you :)

www.out-of-darkness.com (Go here and listen to my interview with Mike Littman!)

www.adhdandme.com (still working on)

www.biologicalhapiness.com (still working on)

"Art Buchanan's story of personal revival absolutely inspiring! He's one of the foremost experts in overcoming mental illness and what he knows can transform your life!" Mike Litman Host - Worlds #1 Personal Developmental Radio Show (http://www.out-of-darkness.com)

They are calling Arthur Buchanan's methods of recovering from mental illness REVOLUTIONARY! (MEDICAL COLLEGE OF MICHIGAN) 'Arthur Buchanan has given us a revolutionary blue print for recovery in these uncertain times, when Mental Illness at a all time high in the United States of America, yet if you follow this young mans methods, we assure you of positive results and I QUOTE 'If these methods are followed precisely, their is no way you can't see positive results with whatever illness you have' Dr. Herbert Palos Detroit, Michigan'

With Much Love,

Arthur Buchanan

Notable Thoughts: A Commentary on Positive Living

2005-10-18T23:44:00.000-07:00

By C. Bailey-Lloyd

I had just went online -- and what did I see? A news report scrolled across my screen: "Murder by Mother's Milk," compliments of the Associate Press. I try to keep up with the news as it informs me of my environment, the world around me and society in general. But when I look at a television or monitor screen and read horrific reports such as this one, I have to wonder to what this world is coming.

Purportedly, a 31-year old woman (who, by the way has 5 children) was an apparent methamphetamine addict and was breastfeeding her 3-month old son. According to the report, the fatal drug passed through the mother's breastmilk and caused the death of her tiny infant. Although the child can no longer be brought back to life, the mother was indicted and charged with second-degree murder. She could receive up to life imprisonment.

So, are you angry yet? What type of world are we living in when supposed, responsible parents are so high on drugs that they "accidentally" poison their children with methamphetamine?

Then I hear reports of a bride-to-be being buried today because of radical fundamentalists who get kicks out of bombing innocent people.

Of course, the focus of news reports is to make our modern, "civilized" public aware of current events, people, places and things. But does it really? If awareness is being raised to the potpourri of countless, violent reports then what has transpired? Yes -- more violence.

Like a flashing billboard of red lights, all the warning signs come barreling into our faces. However, how often are these ominous "news stories" going to be taken to heart? We sit back, view news reports, eat our dinners, do our chores, sit back down and watch a movie. No more talk about the 3-month old who was murdered. No more talk about the innocent young bride being bombed. Suddenly, the rose-colored glasses get put across our eyes and we've become desensitized to all the negative in our world.

We, as a people, coexist with modern neandrathal-like maniacs who care of nothing but self-satisfaction and egotistically charged, radical perspectives of life. A matter of fact, these nomenclatural fiends of society seem to marvel at their newfound notoriety by playing to society's camera view.

"I was abused as a child..."
"I didn't have a Nintendo..."
"My religion is better than your religion..."

"I couldn't help myself because nobody cared enough about me..."

I've heard just about enough excuses for irresponsible, childish and violent behavior. It's about time society take note of these news reports and become proactive.

People, in general, have been brainwashed by alleged leaders of independent cultures, schools, and even parents into thinking that whatever they do will ultimately be an excuse to do as they please. I'm here to tell you that life is not a bowl of peaches and cream. Life is not easy. Nothing gets handed to people on a silver platter without hard work, dedication and willpower.

If individuals want positive things to happen in their lives, they have to reinforce positive behavior and attitude. I am sick and tired of hearing people say the reason they act the way they do is because they had a hard life. Get over it. Jesus had a hard life and look where He is today.

I look at people like Susan Smith. This woman takes the cake; and is the poster child for what is wrong with society. Here is a young woman who one day decides that she would intentionally trade her children's lives in on a man who didn't even want her. She idly stood by and watched her helpless tots drown in a murky lake, then phoned police to say a "black man" had stolen her vehicle and abducted her boys. Sickening. "...but she was sexually abused as child..." screamed her defense attorneys. Amazing what antics defense attorneys can squeeze out in a courtroom. Yet it gets better. Now -- if you'd like, you can personally contact Ms. Smith and have a long-distance relationship over the Internet with her.

So, here are a few pointers to positivie living that I've come up with:

If you've had a terrible life and can't deal with it -- get counseling for God's sakes. You are your own person and need to take control of your actions by being in charge.

If you think your religion is better than the next persons, don't bomb innocent communities. This is not a positive way to prove your point.

If you don't use drugs, don't start using them. If you do use drugs, it's time for you to check into a clinic and get rehabilitated. Many are free and provide financial assistance to those who cannot afford to go to one.

If you decide that you no longer wish to raise your children, please contact social services and get some help. You've brought life into this world and that life is your responsibility. Period.

If everything in life has gone wrong and you're sitting there wondering if life is worth living, think of this: somewhere in the world -- children are literally starving to death; somewhere in this world, a person is dying from some god-awful disease; somewhere in this world, people don't have luxuries like clean, running water and a roof over their heads; somewhere in this world, there is another person going through the same thing you are experiencing.

Positivity is the key to all good things. Always focus your intentions on the overall good of humanity. Promote peace and live peacefully. Accentuate the positive, as positive energy attracts positive energy. Leave this world a better place than in which you came. In closing, I leave you with a quote from an incredible human being:

Mohandas Gandhi wrote, "Nonviolence is the greatest force at the disposal of mankind. It is mightier than the mightiest weapon of destruction devised by the ingenuity of man."

About the Author: C. Bailey-Lloyd/LadyCamelot is the Public Relations Director & Writer for Holistic Junction -- Your source of information for Holistic Practitioners; Massage Schools; Reflexology Schools; Hypnotherapy Schools, and Natural Healing Schools; Alternative Healthcare; Insightful Literature and so much more!

NOTICE: Article may be republished free of charge as long as Author Resource Box (above) is included, and ALL Hyperlinks REMAIN in tact and active.

The Power of Everyday Rituals

2005-10-18T23:42:00.000-07:00

By Jeffry Palmer

The performance of rituals in regards to manifesting a desired outcome relates directly to the principles of thought energy. Intent and belief are focused through the use of rituals and transformed into thought energy. Whether the rituals involved are prayer, the performance of intricate spells, the lighting of candles or incense before meditation, the effect remains the same. Ritual helps to focus thought energy.

We perform rituals every day, most of which take a less esoteric nature than the ones described above but nonetheless serve to focus energy on a desired outcome. The morning cup of coffee has become a sort of ritual. Many people, myself included, feel that a cup of coffee or tea in the morning helps to "start the day". Without the ritual, the day seems to start off in a bad direction. Caffeine addiction aside, the ritual serves a purpose which is missed when it is not performed. It helps to ease into the day, provides a bridge between sleep and complete alertness.

As a means of connecting to the higher or spiritual self, the performance of rituals provide a valuable route. Whether your daily rituals involve going for a morning stroll, reading quietly, exercise or meditation, finding the time to still the mind allows for the spiritual self to be heard.

The combination of intent and ritual creates a powerful tool for manifesting a desired outcome. Thoughts which are focused on a specific desire and united with the intentions of ritual create very strong thought energies, energies which have the power to shape reality.

Why not combine intent with the rituals that you already indulge in? Focus on a desired outcome every morning while you drink your coffee or tea. Visualize improvements in your life while taking the evening stroll. Look for solutions to your problems while working out at the gym. Take advantage of those simple, daily rituals by incorporating intent and positive thought energy into the routine.

Dr.Jeffry R. Palmer Ph.D. Is the author of "Judo for the Soul - The Art of Psychic Self Defence", as well as numerous articles and papers relating to metaphysics and the study of paranormal phenomena. Further information about Dr. Palmer and his books can be found at http://the-psychic-detective.com/Judo-For-The-Soul.htm

Motivate To Activate A Positive Lifestyle

2005-08-31T07:24:00.000-07:00

By Sonny Julius

What do you do when things in your life don't turn out to your
satisfaction? What do you do when your goal-setting plans go astray, or when you expect something special in your life to happen and it just doesn't work out?

What happens to you when you have a major financial crisis, a serious health problem, a family problem or anything that suddenly disrupts your whole life? Do you give up? Throw in the towel? Or do you say, "I knew things wouldn't work out I’ll
just give up.

I Hope this is not what happens to you! That is Not "The Cure"
No! No! No! Don’t let a little temporary failure get you down.Never give up. This is the time to develop a positive mindset to ward off those negative feelings.

Hurry!! Get some positive input before you DIE OUT ... FIZZLE OUT ... LOSE FAITH. Quick!! Get rid of that "STINKIN THINKIN" (the phrase that the famous Zig Ziglar uses) before it gets so bad that you can't stand it any longer.

OK! So what do you do now? What’s the answer to your problem? Here’s what I recommend you do when you have been dealt with any disappointments or major challenges in your life.

(1)STOP!! What you are doing immediately.

(2) Find a place to relax. Sit back in your favorite lounge chair or lie down in your bed or couch. If you are in your car pull off the road and find a quiet place to park.

(3) Close your eyes. Do not think of anything negative. In fact,empty your mind of any negative thoughts that you have right now. (It may not be easy but try hard anyway) And most importantly, put that recent failure completely out of your mind.

(4) Now, picture in your mind the last time you had the most pleasurable successes and/or positive experiences in your Life

For example:

* You won a big contest.

* You had the largest sales figure in your company.

*You got a company promotion you had been striving for years

*You won a two-week cruise package.

*You had a dramatic increase in your investment

* You solved a serious problem in your life you’ve had for a long time.

(5) . Now make this picture as vivid as possible. Give it color, texture, motion, the excitement it generated at the time. Do whatever gives you the most vivid picture of it.

(6)Think. What did you do before to make this success such a joyous experience? Did you cause it to happen or did someone else help contribute to the pleasant experience? If you caused it, exactly what did you do to make it come about? If someone else helped to make it happen, what did he or she do to help you make it realty?

(7)Finally dwell on these thoughts for a few minutes and see if you can apply any positive action to the goal or situation in your life that just failed.

Do you see a positive solution now? Will this exercise help you find the "cure all" for your "stinkin thinkin" in the future?.

Do you see what I’m trying to get you to do here? I want you to get some views of positive past experiences in your life. This will help you set up a strong determination so that nothing will prevent you from ever achieving the goals you so desperately want for yourself.

You see one of the biggest problems people face is that they are surrounded by all kinds of negative imput from other people, the news media, challenges that occur periodically, disappointments and a host of other things that happen to you daily.

So what’s the solution? You have to counteract by taking control of what goes into your mind. You don’t want negative imput to get you off track for achieving goals and handling challenges. You need to spent at least 30 minutes a day (preferably in the morning) flooding your mind with positive messages you find on CD’s, Audio’s, Video’s in Books.

By applying a simple 8 step formula you’ll be able to create a “Sunny Day” in your mind everyday no matter what the weather is outside. Because a “Sunny Day” really does start in the mind if you desire it.

Sonny Julius is the author of “Sunny Days Are Here To
Stay” It’s 8 easy-steps for creating your very own “Sunny Day” Grab your Free copy now and learn how to enhance your lifestyle Today!

http://SunnyDays.Sonnyj.com

Sonny Julius is a 74 year old retired sales supervisor. Prior to his sales career he spent 30 years in the family florist business. Becoming dissatisfied with that business he decided it was time to leave it and pursue a sales career. His interest in the internet eventually led him to write an ebook geared to senior citizens. The ebook is a guide for living the senior lifestyle.

In addition he offers a Free 20-minute no obligation phone coaching session to anyone interested in enhancing his or her present lifestyle. Email for more information: mailto:sonnyj@absolutelysenior.com

Sonny Julius, President of S A & Associates, is devoted to teaching senior citizens “How To Have The Time Of Their Life For The Rest Of Their Life” For more information go to: http://www.TheSunnySenior.com

Thoughts are Things

2005-08-31T07:22:00.000-07:00

By Jim Donovan

You've probably heard this idea at one time or another. You've probably nodded your head in agreement understanding that thoughts are in fact, things. You probably believe this and accept that your thoughts, being things, do in fact have power.

Have you really thought about this? Do you apply this to your day-to-day life? Hopefully you do, because you're every thought and word is contributing to your life experience.

For openers, your thoughts produce your emotions which, in turn, result in how you feel about a particular event occurring in your life. It has always amazed me how people can walk around feeling a particular way and not understand that it is their own thoughts, or more accurately what they are telling themselves that is producing the feeling in the first place. This is why two people can look at the exact same event and have opposite feelings about it.

You are creating your own reality, moment by moment, with the thoughts you choose to think and what you say, both to yourself and others.

Let's explore this a little further. Most people will agree, and science can demonstrate, that everything in our world is a field of energy and therefore has a particular frequency. The chair you're sitting on, your car, your cat, dog, you and everything else including thoughts, have a field of energy or vibration. Recent scientific work has identified particular ranges of frequencies and scientists are able to measure them. Interestingly enough, negative energies, like anger and rage, measure very low on the scale, while positive energies like those given off by prayer and meditation reach the highest measurements.

At this point you may be wondering what this has to do with your thoughts. Bear with me and I promise to connect the dots.

The second part of this equation is the universal law that states "like attracts like". This has been referred to as the law of attraction, law of similar and other names. What we choose to call it is not terribly important, what is important to understanding the part this plays in our lives.

Connecting the Dots

Let's supposing for a moment you're in a bad mood. You're feeling pretty negative. At that particular moment in time your personal vibration, the energy of your thoughts and words is in the lower frequencies. Let's call this particular mood, "Frequency X."

Now somewhere off in the distant universe, there is another negative experience. Maybe it's a flat tire, whose frequency happens to be "X" as well. By virtue the law of attraction, you will begin attracting that or some other undesirable experience to you. There are no accidents. The universe works on a specific set of principals that do not waiver. Like attracts like, whether we believe it or not.

The good news is that the opposite is also true. If, for example, you are feeling great, having invested time sitting and reading your goals and taking care to monitor your thoughts, intentions, and your internal and external dialog, you are now entering a high energy vibration and are in a place to attract other high vibrations, generally things that you want to have, into your life.

I'm not asking you to accept this blindly only that you begin to observe the world around you and see if this holds true for you. I'm sure you've noticed situations when, in a room full of people, one person seems to be the center of attention. Why do you suppose this is? I'll give you a hint, that's it's probably not her perfume.

Similarly, you probably know people who are always having undesirable experiences in their lives. These are the people who have a lousy time in even the best restaurant. They seem to travel with dark clouds over them and always experience things going wrong in their everyday lives. If you observe and listen to them closely, you will begin to see the connection between what they think and say and what shows up in their lives.

Your exercise for the next few days is to closely monitor your every thought and word. When you catch yourself dwelling in the negative, do something to interrupt your pattern and substitute a positive though in it's place. It has been said that any thought consistently held for about 15 to 20 seconds will begin to attract a similar energy. This is one of the reasons you want to read your life's vision and goals daily. This will hold your attention on thoughts of that which you want and help you bring it toward you.

For more articles like this one, be sure to subscribe to my free Jim's Jems newsletter.

Jim Donovan is the author of "Handbook to a Happier Life, a motivational speaker and coach. For a no cost bonus product & more, visit http://www.JimDonovan.com

If you had all the information and tools you needed to live your dream life, would you use them? Yes?
Click here ==> http://www.jimdonovan.com/ebookoffer.html

Understanding Visualization

2005-08-31T07:19:00.000-07:00

By Gabriel Foster

Visualization is the art of using ones imagination to influence his/her being and existence in many different ways. Such as: Healing one's self, increasing personal growth, influencing the outcome of circumstances, attracting wealth and love, changing habits and acquiring possessions.

Affirmations are also key to many of the successes in visualization. Affirmations are statements declared to be true; a positive statement or judgment. Example! "I am beautiful and stress free". That statement together with concentrated emotions behind it yields very powerful realities over time, like a planted seed growing into a full fledge plant.

Finally relaxation is the last key ingredient to the whole visualization process (or rather the first key). You see, the process works perfectly when you're relaxed, similar to the meditation and quiet prayer states.

The Power of Your Thoughts

How does it work is very simple. Thoughts are essentially energy and very very creative in their nature. When the mind focuses enough thought (energy) it will eventually travel to another mind. The inner most desires of the sender will influence unconsciously, the person (recipient) to help materialize the desires of the sender. It works the same way for improving on one's own health. Example, your thoughts will influence the healing processes within your body depending on what kind of visualization you are doing. Images of seeing yourself being healed from chronic pain etc. is not uncommon and can and will work depending on the visual technique you implore.

If you exhibit positive thoughts in your daily life and just be positive, you'll be surprised at how many people will be attracted to your positive attitude and are willing to help you yield positive outcomes to situations/problems whether consciously or unconsciously.

The way you think is absolutely important to achieving your goals in life, weather they are for money, success or just plain health reasons. For instance, thinking you can't do certain things or that a task or dream is too big for you is limiting your possibilities. The possibilities for visualization is not limited, but your thoughts may well be. Over time, you will overcome such closed minded thinking as you continue to use small visualization techniques to achieve your ever growing and bigger goals.

The Process of Visualization

Understanding your goals to better achieve them. For example! 1. Visualizing toward a specific goal, only to realize that it is not what you want, results in much wasted time and aggravation to yourself. 2. Absolutely do not pay heed to any doubts that your mind may whisper to you. 3. Think about your goals and make sure they do not harm other people. 4. Negative visualization will come full circle. 5. Secure a quiet and tranquil place for you to concentrate and visualize. 6. Relax your entire body imagining yourself fully relaxed, inhale and exhale deeply to help in the relaxation process. 7. Visualize the object or situation you desire. 8. Take your time and visualize all the details that are relevant, because an unclear or indefinite image will yield poorer results. 9. You must use all five of your senses (sight, sound, touch, smell and taste) along with your "emotions" to infuse the visualization process with energy in order for it to work for you. 10. Visualize at least twice a day about ten minutes per session. 11. Practice your visualizations each day until you succeed in your goals. Also! Remember to stay positive by exhibiting positive thoughts, emotions and affirmations (positive statements). 12. Throughout the day, the negative part of your being, may try to present you with negative thoughts and doubts, dismiss them and immediately replace them with more positive ones along with positive feelings.

Thinking Positively Works

I briefly discussed positive thinking earlier, now allow me to expand on what I said. Having positive thoughts in your mind does and will benefit you if you think them. At some point in your life, you've entertained negative thoughts to the point where it has disrupted your good mood, your behavior, the people around you and even certain situations. Here is a scenario: Alexander had an important exam that would allow him to graduate with a certificate, which in turn would automatically give him the promotion he sought within the company he worked for. Alexander studied all week and knew all of the answers to the exam of which he was preparing for. However! He thought to himself that he wasn't good enough to pass the class and that his classmates were all smarter than he was. His thoughts made him radiate negativity so much so, that he woke up late the morning of the exam. He also forgot to shave and take most of his class objects that were vital for the exam. During the exam, the professor noticed how dishevel he looked. The agitation in his behavior caused him to forget some of the answers he should have known. He also forgot the tools he needed at home to complete the examination. Nigel, another classmate and co-worker taking the exam, also studied all week and knew the answers to the questions. He visualized himself passing the test, acquiring the certificate and being promoted to the position he has always wanted. In addition! Nigel carefully packed all of the necessary tools the night before the exam, got up early the next morning, shaved, ate breakfast and attended class. The professor also noted how organized, well groomed, relaxed and prepared Nigel was. Due to Alexander's negative thoughts, he failed the exam and Nigel passed it securing the certificate and going on to achieve his goals within the company. Remember Alexander had the same knowledge as Nigel, but failed to shape his thinking in such a way that would have benefited him.

From that scenario I'm sure you can relate or identify to having a similar situation in your own life. Whether it be a job interview, a very important long awaited date with that special someone to be or even engaging in an important project.

The point I'm making here yet once again is your thoughts do control your actions and situations. How many times have you felt down about a certain situation and others would tell you to "think positive" about that same situation. Yet you would brush off those words without giving it a second thought.

Influence of Positive Thinking

Each of us affect the people we meet, positively or negatively depending on what thoughts currently govern our actions. If you smile and tend to think positively most times around people, they pick up on it and naturally want to be around you. If you have a tendency to be negative and pessimistic most times, they undoubtedly avoid you like the plague. Why? Because your thoughts make you react to situations and people negatively and that in turn causes them to also view and act negatively in their lives. Why would any rational person want to feel negative and down all the time. Solution! Change your thinking and you'll change your life.

Thoughts influence and shape our lives mostly subconsciously, but with the practice of visualization, thoughts can influence and shape consciously our day to day lives. The next time you begin to entertain the thoughts "I can't", quietly replace it with "I can" and feel the positive magnet take hold of your mind.

A Word About Affirmations

I mentioned earlier on that affirmations were key to the process of visualization. Guess what! I wasn't pulling your leg. Affirmations are the natural fuel systems that kick thoughts into over drive along with equally powerful emotions behind them. When using affirmations, it's important to use them in the present tense, instead of the future tense. Example, "The pain in my hands will be healed", implies that you intend for your hands to be healed sometime in the future rather than the here and now. The correct way to use it would be, "The pain in my hands have been healed" or "The pain in my hands are being healed". Believe me, the present tense affirmations are much more effective than one that makes references to an uncertain future.

Always repeat your affirmations for good effective results. Try to feel the emotions behind the affirmations to make them even more powerful and effective. Affirmations can also be used in a negative way, so be mindful of them. Example, "I'm too lazy to exercise" or "I'm stupid and can't do it". Those statements repeated regularly followed by their accompanying emotions, will result in the mind materializing what you wish your situation to be. Avoid negative affirmations like those that you may tell yourself subconsciously and replace them with more positive ones. Keep affirmations short, so concentration upon them are more stronger and eventually more effective.

Your Inspiration

Let visualization be your inspiration whenever you're feeling down or when things are not going your way. Your positive thoughts will uplift and show you another way. Let visualization aid in many of your health related issues. You'll be surprised as to how well it fosters your body's self healing.

Gabriel Foster is the editor for http://www.gabrielfoster.com, the online magazine for both vegetarians and natural health enthusiasts.

How Important is Attitude?

2005-08-29T00:40:00.000-07:00

By Dan Hudock

We have often missed the mark because we believe we set goals too high. In a moment of enthusiastic wishful thinking, we have stretched just a bit too far, too high, too tough. But did we? Probably not. Here is your proof...

Attitude is at the top of the Success Triangle (Attitude, Behavior, Technique) because attitude dominates all of the other functions of success. It's a safe bet that your performance is consistent with the way you view yourself conceptually. Your mindset, or your outlooks, controls your behavior, your use of techniques, your actions, tactics, strategies--everything that determines failure or success in your life.

You take your outlook with you no matter where you go in life. If, for example, you're one of the top producers in your company and you resign tomorrow, wherever you go you're going to reach the top again. You'll get the same training as your peers, and you'll sell the same product or service, and work from the same pool of leads, but you'll outperform most of the others simply because of your attitude. It's so predictable, it's frightening! Attitude determines results, good or bad.

Attitude is never non-existent. It's not like an illness which comes and goes. It's always present. Even in our sleep, attitude can be reflected in our dreams. However, it's when we awake in the morning that attitude shifts into gear and begins to control the rest of the day.

Dan Hudock is an owner of the Sandler Sales Institute in Pittsburgh, PA. He can be reached at (724) 940-2388 or dan@sandler.com. His web site is: http://www.dan.sandler.com

How To Gain Confidence Quickly And Effortlessly When You Feel the World is Against You

2005-08-29T00:37:00.000-07:00

By Rohan Cox

Have you ever felt the whole world was against you? No matter what you try, you just can't succeed, causing you to have a total lack of self-confidence. You may even feel that way now, but what I am about to share with you should pull you out of that place and into a mindset and feeling of total possibility and success to ensure you boost your self-confidence rapidly.

While you feel isolated from everyone else when you are going through this phase with no confidence, within the next few minutes you will learn that you are not alone at all. In fact you will discover that you have more support at your disposal than you thought possible guaranteeing you to build confidence.

While some people revert to eating, shopping, crying, screaming or even, hibernating from everyone, I’m sure you don’t need me to tell you that these reactions don’t help the situation or your self-confidence very much. Instead of running that “spit the dummy” routine when you are feeling like a failure, let’s transfer your focus and energy on something that may help your cause, instead of magnifying it.

The quickest way to do this is turning to your supporters. Firstly you need to know:

Who are your supporters?

Who can help pull you out of this emotional downtime?
Who can give you that confidence boost?

I call this emotional downtime, because, while you feel like a loser with no confidence, it’s only your emotions which are responsible for your results. Your actual knowledge and skills are good enough to succeed, but it’s your pessimistic focus that drives your negative emotions which in turn give you the disappointing results that you produce when in this state resulting in no confidence. When you are in such an emotional downtime, it’s virtually impossible to turn yourself around by yourself.

All you need to do is alter your thoughts and views which in turn will turn your emotions and results around 180 degrees. But it's very difficult to do by yourself.

Example:

You have been to five job interviews and failed to get the job on all occasions. Of course now you have a lack of self confidence and are starting to think negatively about the next job interview. You may start saying things like, "I'm a loser", "I'll never get a job", "I'm not good enough" and so on.

Now it will be almost impossible for you to walk into the next job interview with optimistic expectations and be upbeat. Instead you will be thinking "why bother".

Reading this now, I'm sure you will agree that it is all so obvious. But take yourself back to some similar situations that you have been in and remember that you too reacted in such a no hope attitude, shutting off the possibility of a positive outcome. It's very hard to turn it around by yourself!

But with the help of others, this can be done quickly and easily.

Just like any business person or athlete, whenever they question their ability to produce the necessary results, they turn to their coach to pull them out rather than trying to do it themselves because they know that at the time:

They are emotionally charged negatively to the situation, limiting possible outcomes and perceptions.

Their coach/supporter is not emotionally connected to the situation, and therefore can think logically.

Who is or can be your personal coach to pull you out of situations when you are feeling down with no confidence?

Think carefully here, you don’t want to choose the wrong coach.
Think of all your family members, friends, colleagues, neighbors, members of any clubs you belong to, shop owners etc. you have gotten to know.

Now all you have to do is contact them.

"Wait a minute" you might be saying. How am I supposed to contact them when I am feeling like this (as down as one can feel)?

Don’t worry, this is much easier than you think.

If you choose your coach wisely, you will have done it from the point of trust, love, respect and admiration. Chances are they feel the same way towards you, because over time you have both created an important and very strong friendship/relationship.

All you have to do is be open and honest and they will most likely accept your request with open arms.

You can simply say something like:

"I need your help. I am feeling really down right now and need someone to make me smile".

"I’m really lacking confidence right now and need someone to snap me out of these negative thoughts I’m having, do you mind helping?"

The more open and honest you are, the more likely they will accept and do everything they can to help you out. People love to help others. It makes them feel good to know they have contributed to someone and they get praised, which makes them also feel special.

So all you have to do once they accept to help is:

Make sure you are willing to listen, learn and change your points of view. All you want to achieve out of this is a snap out of your negative thoughts to alter your feeling as a confidence builder. It doesn’t matter so much if they are right or not with whatever they say, just be open and willing to accept a fresh point of view to make this transition successful. It won't help at all if you are in denial and every time they say something that goes against your beliefs, you snap back at them saying they are wrong. Right and wrong does not matter right now. Getting you out of your emotional downtime is the only issue.

Praise them like mad, but be genuine. That way, they will feel good, knowing that you really respect their time and words of advice and will be very willing to help you again should you fall into the same emotional downtime again.

Don’t forget, you are NOT alone when you feel the world is against you and you have no confidence. Go to your “coaches” and use them to pull you out of the emotional downtime and move on confidently.

Rohan Cox illustrates how anyone can improve their confidence by up to 237% in as little as 37 minutes with his Ebook, The Essential Steps For Total Confidence. Start gaining confidence now.

Motivate To Activate A Positive Lifestyle

2005-08-29T00:31:00.000-07:00

By Sonny Julius

What do you do when things in your life don't turn out to your
satisfaction? What do you do when your goal-setting plans go
astray, or when you expect something special in your life to
happen and it just doesn't work out?

What happens to you when you have a major financial crisis,
a serious health problem, a family problem or anything that
suddenly disrupts your whole life? Do you give up? Throw in
the towel? Or do you say, "I knew things wouldn't work out I’ll
just give up.

I Hope this is not what happens to you! That is Not "The Cure"
No! No! No! Don’t let a little temporary failure get you down.
Never give up. This is the time to develop a positive mindset to ward off those negative feelings.

Hurry!! Get some positive input before you DIE OUT ... FIZZLE
OUT ... LOSE FAITH. Quick!! Get rid of that "STINKIN THINKIN"
(the phrase that the famous Zig Ziglar uses) before it gets so bad that you can't stand it any longer.

OK! So what do you do now? What’s the answer to your problem?
Here’s what I recommend you do when you have been dealt with any disappointments or major challenges in your life.

(1) STOP!! What you are doing immediately.

(2) Find a place to relax. Sit back in your favorite
lounge chair or lie down in your bed or couch. If you
are in your car pull off the road and find a quiet
place to park.

(3) Close your eyes. Do not think of anything negative. In
fact,empty your mind of any negative thoughts that you
have right now. (It may not be easy but try hard anyway)
And most importantly, put that recent failure completely
out of your mind.

(4) Now, picture in your mind the last time you had the most
pleasurable successes and/or positive experiences
in your Life

For example:

* You won a big contest.

* You had the largest sales figure in your company.

* You got a company promotion you had been striving
for years

* You won a two-week cruise package.

* You had a dramatic increase in your investment

* You solved a serious problem in your life you’ve had for
a long time.

(5) OK. Now make this picture as vivid as possible. Give it
color, texture, motion, the excitement it generated at
the time. Do whatever gives you the most vivid picture
of it.

(6) Think. What did you do before to make this success such
a joyous experience? Did you cause it to happen or did
someone else help contribute to the pleasant
experience? If you caused it, exactly what did you do
to make it come about? If someone else helped to make
it happen, what did he or she do to help you make it
realty?

(7) Finally dwell on these thoughts for a few minutes and
see if you can apply any positive action to the goal or
situation in your life that just failed.

Do you see a positive solution now? Will this exercise help you find the "cure all" for your "stinkin thinkin" in the future?.

Sonny Julius is the author of “Sunny Days Are Here To
Stay” It’s 8 easy-steps for creating your very own “Sunny
Day” Grab your Free copy now and learn how to enhance your
lifestyle Today!

http://SunnyDays.Sonnyj.com

Quick Steps To Improve Your Performance Though Positive Self-Talk

2005-06-27T00:20:00.000-07:00

By Ed Smith

Want to improve your personal performance? Positive self-talk can help.

Edward W. Smith, motivational speaker, author and TV show host, who specializes in quick tips on how to move your life ahead even faster, offers the following advice.

What you say can and will be held against you, so make it work for you by putting a positive spin on everything you can. Your mind listens to what you say and goes along with whatever you say, accepting it as the truth and acting accordingly. If you talk positively about a project you are working on you mind will work to align its thought processes along that way, making the whole thing easier.

Here are some specific examples of the way to use positive self-talk. Instead of saying I failed because I did “x” wrong, say” next time I will do “Y”.” This focuses on you doing it right next time, reinforces the lesson learned and builds your morale. Another suggestion is instead of saying “I don’t know” when asked something you can answer, say “I am going to find out”. This motivates you to find the answer and builds positive expectations about the outcome. The word "yet" can turn your life around in a similar way.If you haven't solved a problem, say I haven't done it "yet". This creates the expectation you will solve it and increases the odds that you will.

Edward W. Smith is the author of Sixty Seconds To Success, hosts anbd produces the Bright Moment TV show, runs the Bright Moment Seminars and is a motivational speaker.

Define Yourself With Confidence

2005-06-22T23:39:00.000-07:00

By Melanie DewBerry-Jones

As a trainer of coaches I often teach my students to move beyond the skill of coaching into the skill of self-trusting. Having great mastery of a specific skill is important, but without self-mastery all we become are manipulators of open-ended questions. Coaching is much more than that.

One of the most important aspects of being a success in any career, but especially in an emerging career such as coaching, is the ability to “know thyself” without question or fear. It is vital that you trust yourself as you define yourself as a coach, whether this entails defining a particular niche or being a generalist.

Perhaps, like me, you have never had to represent yourself to the world on your own terms. My previous careers led me to the structured business place most people find themselves in: that nine-to-five venue with a boss, an HR department and all those things and people who tell you what to do and help create your identity for you. I was happy to leave all that behind to begin my work as a Spiritual Coach. Yet, I had some unsettling questions about this new life that kept me hidden under the sheets: Who was I now? And how would I get people to buy into spirituality as a means of fully accessing their own power and truth? Henceforth, whatever the world was going to know of me would depend on how I thought of and defined myself.

I completed my coaching training many years ago when coaching was still new and practically unheard of. With my mixed cultural heritage —African- and Native-American, and my chosen coaching niche — spiritual coaching, I managed to triple the population wherever I went within the coaching community. There were few African-American coaches, no Native-American ones, and even fewer spiritual coaches that I could discover. Alone and scared, I trusted little of what I knew to be true of myself and my abilities.

As a student back then I listened to all the dos and don’ts of coaching, tested my skills on my willing clients, poor things, but still remained frightened to death. My fear lay not in my ability as a coach — I was confident that my skill would grow — but in my ability to attract people to my niche. I am a spiritual coach. My passion for growing the adult to spiritual and emotional maturity is all consuming. Yet, at that time, I had little faith that anyone would value this kind of coaching. I certainly had not seen it modeled in any of the courses I had taken, and so I deferred to others to define for me what I should offer my clients.

I leaned heavily on other coaches’ opinions of the value of spirituality in coaching. When I would sheepishly mumble, “What do you think of spirituality in coaching?” their replies would always amount to some version of: “It’s great, just don’t use the ‘S’ word. Don’t be too woo-woo or touchy-feely, business people don’t like that.” Some would reply, “I bring spirituality into my coaching but I would never call it that.” Great!, I thought. Still too scared to challenge their opinions, my coaching practice and I suffered like a pre-pubescent girl — underdeveloped and straining to bloom. By being unwilling to take the risk of naming myself, I not only sold out myself but, ultimately, the clients whom I could have assisted.

For two years I allowed mind chatter to keep me in limbo. I had abandoned my own inner compass for gauging my truth while hiding my natural abilities. I relied on others to invalidate what I knew to be a valid and worthwhile offering.

Trying to hide that I was a spiritual coach was like trying to hide my I was a Black woman. I was only kidding myself. Finally, the Universe had had enough of my bellyaching. As I prayed about it one evening, I heard the smallest of voices saying very clearly, “Fine, we’ll find someone else to do it!” Well, that just pissed me off! How dare s/he pull the ultimate coaching tactic — “the take away” — on me?

That evening I called my friends and told them boldly to announce myself as a spiritual coach, and off I went. The very next day I got business cards with the title “Spiritual Coach” emblazoned on them. The following day I changed my voice mail to announce my newly embraced status to would-be callers.

The threat of having the option taken away was exponentially scarier than coming out of the spiritual closet. With each step forward, I knew there was no going back. I was out now, and I liked it. Today, I am successful. There are thousands of spiritual coaches with whom to keep company. Once I had named myself, it was easier for other spiritual coaches to find me. And those corporate types - they are my main client base.

Lessons Learned: Throughout life, there will be attempts by others to name you. Each moment that we are unwilling to name ourselves, we enable and facilitate the loss of a valuable resource to this world. Copying others or allowing ourselves to be recast in another’s mold is copping out — a form of resignation, an unconscious conformity that signals the refusal to learn something new. The world needs innovation not imitation.

It’s easier to surrender our identities to a corporation, culture or a community than to take the bold step of naming self and claiming yourself. When we reject another’s naming, we risk being excluded. And since, as social creatures, we all feel the need to belong; it seems risky to resist others’ attempts at naming us. Paradoxically, the act of self-naming sets us on the path of self-claiming, which announces to the world that we have chosen to be solely responsible for our own destinies.

In order to name ourselves, we must know ourselves. Often, in our quest to claim our holy grail we tread in deep, and sometimes murky, waters. We come to know ourselves only when we break out of the mold — our comfort zones — claim our space, take risks, fail widely, ask for help, stand and walk again.

The truth is that no one else can tell you who you are. Leaving the summation of your character, your spiritual identity, to another is, at best, to relegate yourself to acting the part chosen and bestowed on you or, at worst, to risk having none. This life is your journey! It requires that you name yourself as part of its navigation. As you courageously come to know and trust yourself, you will name and rename yourself with each new inclusion of lessons learned — that’s the beauty of the human experience!

As a coach, your ability to know yourself and to trust what you know is more important than any acquired skill. When you grant yourself permission to be fully available to yourself and others, you expand the bandwidth of niche possibilities that invariably creates room for others — including those clients just waiting to be found. When we love who we are, we have more available to love others and it is that self-love — not our skills alone — that will assist clients in navigating their own journeys along the path to becoming their greatest selves.

As emotionally and spiritually integrated adults, we know that external approval is a lofty goal without sustainable reward. We also know that, when we truly accept ourselves, others naturally gravitate towards us who seek the gifts we have to offer. And those who have no need of our particular soul offering inevitably move beyond our spheres of influence. When we trust ourselves, we trust that the world wants us, is delighted by our presence, laughs with us at our mistakes, helps us when we are down and always, always loves us. Because another’s measure of who you are changes in relation to who they are, it’s best that the acts of self-claiming and naming come from your most trusted ally — you!

Melanie DewBerry-Jones is a twice certified coach and a Senior Trainer for the Coaches Training Institute, a leading coaching school. She is a co-founder and regular contributor to Choice magazine, the first magazine for coaches. Melanie is a speaker, storyteller, and member of the National Speakers Association.

Source : http://ezinearticles.com/?Define-Yourself-With-Confidence&id=44624

Five Ways to Be More Encouraging

2005-06-20T00:34:00.000-07:00

By Kevin Eikenberry

We all need encouragement. Even the most callous, hard headed self made person needs encouragement to stay on track and move forward. This isn’t news – it is something we all know.

Unfortunately many times we don’t take action on what we know.

We can change our habits about encouragement – we can choose to become a more encouraging person. This will have a positive impact on our results and satisfaction in a variety of roles we play in life – from leader to co-worker to team member to parent to family member.

Below are five specific ways that you can become more encouraging starting as soon as you finish reading this article.

Encourage with your eyes. Don’t underestimate the importance and value of solid eye contact. Think about the people you know who always seem to make good eye contact with you. How do you feel about them? Do you feel that they support and believe in you? Do they seem to care more? This is a glimpse at how powerful good solid eye contact can be. Perhaps these people haven’t said anything to give you encouragement, but their presence and eye contact show you anyway. Use your eyes to be encouraging – make eye contact with people.

Encourage with your face. This is perhaps the easiest of all. Smile. A smile is a powerful encourager. It tells people that they are ok. It tells people that what they are doing is ok. For some people smiling comes naturally while others need to be more conscious to smile. You know which you are. Either way there are probably more opportunities and more situations where you can flash your pearly whites. Smile. You will be encouraging when you do and you will feel better yourself.

Encourage with your lips. Of course we can say encouraging things. In fact, when you started reading this list, I’ll bet you expected the whole list to be things to say or situations in which to say them. We all know how to be encouraging with our words. So do it. Be supportive. Give people specific comments and encouragement on who they are and what they are doing. Let them know that they matter. Let them know how their work adds value. Encourage with your lips.

Encourage with your feet. Encouragement can come in the form of being there. Sit in on the meeting someone asks you to attend, even if you know they can handle it. Go to the ball game. Your presence and attention can be powerful encouragers and motivators. Be aware that your actions in themselves can be encouraging, so act accordingly. First you must be there, and then you must behave in encouraging ways.

Encourage with your head. If all you see is what people are doing wrong, it is hard to be encouraging. The biggest barrier some of us have to overcome to become more encouraging is in our head – we aren’t looking for and therefore seeing the right things. We must focus on and look for the positive things. Look for the good. Then use your feet, lips,Y face and eyes to communicate those encouraging messages.

Ok, it is your turn.

Get up from your chair now. Pick one of these approaches and practice it right now.

Write these five things down on an index card and carry it with you for the next three weeks. Refer to the card often as a reminder to continue to use these approaches to becoming more encouraging.

You will be amazed at the new results you will see in those around you and in your life as well. ou can do it – you can make this choice.

Kevin is Chief Potential Officer of The Kevin Eikenberry Group
(http://KevinEikenberry.com), a learning consulting company that helps Clients reach their potential through a variety of training, consulting and speaking services. To receive your free special report on “Unleashing Your Potential” go to http://www.kevineikenberry.com/uypw/index.asp or call us at (317) 387-1424 or 888.LEARNER.

Negative vs Positive: The Ever-existing Battle In Your Mind

2005-06-16T00:18:00.000-07:00

By Lynne Dean

WE ARE ALL THINKING ALL OF THE TIME.

Can you believe that our thoughts never leave us.

Wow!

Silly thoughts, hungry thoughts, angry thoughts, melancholy thoughts, happy thoughts; that’s a bunch of emotions that has a significant impact on our lives. Physically, emotionally, it’s all there.

Every thought is connected to our body to create a response. Example: imagine a hot summer day. There is absolutely no breeze. You are sitting on a rock in the middle of your yard. Smell the earth, the heat. HEAR the crickets doing their thing. The sun is hot on your body. In your hand, you have an ice cold drink. You are thirsty. Put the glass to your lips. Drink. AHHHHHH. Wasn’t that nice? Were you there with me?

Thoughts influence our emotions. Try this other exercise. Think of something that makes you happy. Anything. Now think of something that you hate doing and that makes you feel miserable. Okay. Back to something that makes you smile. See. Thoughts rule our emotions instantly. Change your thoughts to happy thoughts and your emotions will change.

Well then, where do negative thoughts come into play? If you start telling yourself several times a day that you are an idiot, incompetent person what do you think you will act like? YOU WILL ACT LIKE an idiotic, incompetent person. It’s powerful stuff.

Positive thinking produce positive results likewise negative thoughts will have a negative impact on your life.

WHICH one do you choose?

Lynne D.
Team of Motivational Central
www.motivationalcentral.com

A mind stretched to a new idea, never goes back to its
original dimensions. – Oliver Wendell Holmes

Yesterday is not ours to recover,
but tomorrow is ours to win or lose. – Lyndon B. Johnson

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