My Blog

Living Consciously

02/20/2012 01:01:00

Most people go through their daily lives in rote mode; going through the motions of life without giving it a second thought. However, a growing number of people have become aware of the value of being conscious of life and they are the ones who are enjoying it to the fullest.

Auto-pilot was never intended for our conscious mind but rather for controlling an aircraft or other vehicles without constant human intervention. But somewhere along the way, as life began to take shape between puberty and adulthood, with its responsibilities and demands, adults learned how to shut off the switch to their thinking mind in order to find reprieve. The problem with this state of mindlessness is that we miss the things in life that feed our soul and create memories which become our life’s treasures. We miss the beauty of life and the positive vibrations that it has to offer when we gaze upon its wonder.

Have you ever had the experience of driving your car and suddenly realizing that you went from being stopped at a red light to driving once the light turned green without being aware of it happening? You were on auto-pilot if your answer is yes. It’s common and everyone experiences it from time to time.

There is an easy solution to going from being functionally comatose to experiencing the decadence of life and it only takes approximately 30 seconds. All you have to do is take a few deep cleansing breaths when you become cognizant that you are consciously disconnected from the moment. Once you take your cleansing breaths, state a few things that you are grateful for in your life, either audibly or mentally. Then feel how good it feels to be aware.

Life isn’t calling you to just experience the mountain top. Life is calling you to experience all that it has to offer including the baby crying, the dog barking, the car horn beeping, and the goodness that comes with being alive.

Other ways to experience life in a conscious state is to make the commitment to mediate daily, even if it’s only for a few moments. This will make you even more aware and in touch with your higher mind. Read a book, take a walk, and breathe deeply as often as you can. Soon you will discover how good it feels to be alive.

Master Your Thoughts

01/12/2012 17:20:00

I am the power to be conscious of my thoughts and in control of my thinking.

Albert Einstein was quoted as having said “You can never solve a problem with the same kind of thinking that created the problem in the first place.” When I heard this quote and realized that the consciousness of positive thinking dates back centuries, it makes me wonder why I was never taught such a valuable truth as a child. It wasn’t until 2002 that I learned the power of my thoughts and began to develop my belief and subsequent realities of the Law of Attraction in action.

How does the power of our thoughts create the current picture of our life? The answer is energy. The energy that is created by your thoughts acts like a boomerang (“what goes around comes around”) and brings back like images that you project through the energy of your thoughts. Eckhart Tolle gives a brilliant description of the energy that is produced by our thoughts in his book, A New Earth. He explains that all things are vibrating energy fields in ceaseless motion including the chair you are sitting on and the book you may be holding. “The items appear solid and motionless because that is how your senses perceive their vibrational frequency, that is to say, the incessant movement of the molecules, atoms, electrons, and subatomic particles that together create what you perceive as a chair, a book, a tree, or a body.” Tolle goes on to explain that what we perceive as physical matter is actually energy vibrating (moving) at a particular range of frequencies. He also says that thoughts consist of the same energy vibrating at a higher frequency than matter, which is why they cannot be seen or touched. “Thoughts have their own range of frequencies, with negative thoughts at the lower end of the scale and positive thoughts at the higher.”

Have you ever experienced your day getting worse as it progresses? If you were able to go back and rethink the day you will find that you thought, and even possibly verbalized, things that matched the downward spiral of the day. Common statements such as “when it rains it pours” or “could this day get any worse” are common thought patterns for those who create by default (not consciously aware that their thoughts have power).

The good news is that you have the power to be conscious of your thoughts and in control of your thinking. When you control your thoughts, you master your destiny in every way from small insignificant events to major transformations. The most powerful force in the human life is the ability to think. It is the force that manifests your desires and that which you do not desire. When you are the master of your thoughts you can then direct them towards those things that you want. The Law of Attraction (like attracts like) is the foundation of the Law of Manifesting.

Use quiet time each morning and before falling asleep to impress upon your subconscious mind that you are in control of your thinking. Repeat the statement above as often as you can and soon you will find yourself being cognizant when your thoughts are leaning towards the undesired which then gives you the ability to redirect your thoughts towards what you want. Master your thoughts and you will indeed manifest everything you desire.

Purposely Grateful

01/07/2012 10:27:00

What is it that saves the person who is in a desperate place? This question has been asked for centuries. Despair that plagues those subjected to such atrocities and tragedies such as imprisonment, major illness, death of a loved one, financial ruins, or being a victim of violent crime cannot be comprehended by those who have never experienced it. Our history books and personal stories depict those who have moved out of a place of sheer desperation into a place of peaceful acceptance and the ability to see beyond the tragedy.

According to Victor Frankl, author of Man’s Search For Meaning, it is man’s ability to hold to “faith in the future” that causes him to not only survive tragedy but to triumph over it. “There is nothing in the world, I venture to say, that would so effectively help one to survive even the worst conditions, as the knowledge that there is meaning in one’s life.”

If finding meaning to one’s life is what bridges the gap between despair and hope, then it is surely a sense of gratitude that bridges the gap between hopelessness and fulfillment. In the realization of life’s meaning and purpose, regardless of how meager or abundant it is viewed to be, it is the sense of thankfulness that can move a person into a sense of such profound happiness that they find an inner joy despite the conditions of their life.

Most intrinsically, happy people don’t even realize that they have an ongoing sense of gratitude about life because it’s just second nature for them to feel grateful. They are thankful when someone offers them a helping hand, the sun is shining, or a meal tastes delicious. However, those who struggle with feeling gratitude often find themselves feeling entitled which then gives them a negative bent towards life. They complain and grumble, “The help didn’t come fast enough”; “even though the sun is out the neighbor’s dog is still barking”; “the meal could have been better.”

The good news for the person who sees the glass half empty is that feeling gratitude is a conscious decision and not a genetic predisposition. A most interesting fact about gratitude is that it can become addictive. The more you express gratitude, either mentally or audibly, the more thankful you become.

“Also, faith is born of gratitude. The grateful mind continually expects good things, and expectation becomes faith.” – Wallace Wattles, 1910.

Intend Your Abundance

01/04/2012 23:21:00

Intention is the catalyst to having everything that you want in your life. Set forth your intentions through daily visualization and feeling positive which will then create the energy necessary to manifest your desires.

The distance between what you desire and what you lack is that of an intention - a thought. It isn't difficult to intentionally think specific thoughts that are supportive of your desires but often times we fall victim to mindless thinking and negative noise. However, if you become aware of the fact that your thoughts are the most powerful force that a person can experience and the easiest thing to control, you will become a manifestor of your destiny.

Make a conscious decision to be in control of your thoughts and soon you will find your life taking shape to that which you visualize. Whenever you remember, especially before going to sleep and upon waking, state the following; "I am conscious of my thoughts and in control of my thinking." By doing this simple exercise you will soon become instantly aware when you are pondering a negative thought or indulging in thoughts and mental chatter that don't support your intention.

Visualizing daily on your intention, combined with consciously being in control of your thoughts and choosing thoughts that are positive and support your desire(s), is all it takes to attract anything and everything that you want to appear in your life. Financial abundance, renewed relationships, restored health - anything can be yours if you intend it.

Choose Kindness

01/03/2012 18:10:00

Recently I watched the movie, “New Year’s Eve,” which is currently in theatres. I was deeply touched by a scene with Hillary Swank where she calls out to people across the country who were watching the annual ball-drop at Time Square. It was an appeal to them to be kind and to love each other. Although it was part of a script, it still had a beautiful message and a positive effect on all who were viewing the movie. I have always been a firm believer that kindness should always be the choice we make and goodwill should always be our intent.

There is a famous quote by George Washington Carver that offers a logical reason for kindness: "How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving, and tolerant of the weak and strong because someday in your life you will have been all of these." However, there is also a positive effect component that accompanies kindness. Being kind has a profound impact in the lives of others, but you may not realize the positive health benefits it delivers to you as well. People who perform acts of kindness would agree that being kind to someone else makes them "feel good,” and scientific research shows that being kind has a significant health benefit, both physically and mentally.

Allan Luks, the former executive director of the Institute for the Advancement of Health and executive director of Big Brothers/Big Sisters of New York City studied kindness and documents his findings in his book, The Healing Power of Doing Good: The Health and Spiritual Benefits of Helping Others. His study involved more than 3,000 volunteers and his findings concluded that, "Helping contributes to the maintenance of good health, and it can diminish the effect of diseases and disorders serious and minor, psychological and physical." He explains in his book that when someone engages in an act of kindness, a rush of euphoria, followed by a longer period of calm, occurs after performing the kind act which is referred to as "helper's high" and involves physical sensations and the release of the body's natural painkillers, the endorphins. This initial rush is then followed by a longer-lasting period of improved emotional well-being.

Making the decision to refrain from judgment of others and allowing yourself to express your personal gratitude for life by reaching out and showing either small random acts of kindness or getting involved in organizations that brings good to others is not only a way to enrich your life immeasurably but also a way to ensure your good health.

Source: Luks, Allan. The Healing Power of Doing Good: The Health and Spiritual Benefits of Helping Others. New York: iUniverse.com, 2001. www.actsofkindness.org

The Need to Interact With Positive Thinkers

02/19/2011 11:19:00

When I started the Positive Thinkers Network with Lisa Ryan neither of us expected the response that we got from the wide variety of business professionals who wanted to be a part of a networking group of positive thinking people. The testimonies that continue to pour in after our kick off meeting speak of feeling energized, positive and many are telling us that they saw an increase in business.

What is it about being around people who are positive that causes others to feel drawn and energized? Positive thinking people are like magnets, people are drawn towards them because their energy is contagious and it feels good to feel good! Happiness is an intrinsic need from the time we are born and everything that we do throughout our lives is to feed this single most important quest which is to feel happy.

There are of course other benefits to a positive attitude besides being a people magnet. Studies have shown that people who engage in positive thinking are healthier and are able to handle stress and problems better and more naturally than their negative thinking counterparts.

Having a positive attitude means having a healthy self image which then is magnified in self confidence which is one of the most attractive attributes that a person can have. When surveyed, people of all ages and walks of life listed "self confidence" as one of the number one things that they wished to possess personally as well as one of the top reasons that they found themselves drawn to others. Whether in business, social or dating setting, positive people are the ones that have the highest ratings of likability and success.

In today's society it's not always easy to keep a positive outlook. The news is full of tragic stories and we are surrounded by negative politics, frightening economic issues, and people are stressed out financially and in their relationships with others. There is a disturbing study that reveals that for every 14 things a parent says to their child only one is positive!

However, being around positive thinking people for even a few minutes shifts the negative energy and suddenly those who were stressed begin to feel less stressed. The "feel-good" component is a powerful thing and the reason that those who appreciate the good energy of a positive person tend to migrate towards them. It's no wonder that our group at PTN (Positive Thinkers Network) has drawn such a dedicated and hungry following. We all want to feel good and there is no better way to douse yourself with positivity then to be amongst a group of those who always see the "glass half full."

Gratitude

02/12/2011 20:54:00

The benefits of feeling grateful are astounding. The simple act of appreciation throughout your day can make a huge difference and relieve stress in even the most trying circumstances. Research has shown that consciously becoming aware of those things that we are thankful for, even small insignificant things such as a delicious meal, a beautiful song, or kind words can provide an energy boost and release endorphins in the brain that cause us to feel good and even lower the risk for heart attack. Check out this attached link which provides valuable information and be sure to count your blessings daily. Keep a gratitude journal and feel free to verbally share what you are thankful for with those around you including co-workers, friends and family.

Count Your Blessings - How Gratitude Improves Your Health.

How to Handle a Negative Mate

02/08/2011 22:33:00

It can be very difficult to be with a mate who "sees the glass half empty" while you are working at manifesting the life you want and maintaining a positive attitude. Just when you feel confident that you're vibrating on a frequency that is brought about by positive thinking, that person that you love and care about falls into his/her normal state of needing to complain about everyone and everything.

The first thing that you have to do in this situation, and what you should do in every situation that involves a person in your life who tends to be negative;don't surrender your power to be conscious of your thoughts and in control of your thinking! Since your ability to think a thought is the single most powerful force in the universe it should be protected without question. If you buy into the rantings of the other person, and you allow your thoughts to follow their lead and take a negative turn, you are freely giving them your power.

I recommend that you talk to your mate and ask them to respect your need to be free from listening to negative comments or grumbling and that you consider living the most positive life that you can to be paramount to your happiness.However, prior to this conversation be sure to visualize and feel good about it.

Lastly, keep in mind that regardless of your mates personal view point on the value of living a positive life, you must remain steadfast in your efforts to stay in a positive place and refuse to participate in negative comments, gossip and grumbling, .

Are You a Complainer?

02/07/2011 19:39:00

Most people don't realize the impact that negative comments have on the lives of those around them and on their own overall well being.When we fill our mind with positive thoughts the only possible outcome is that we will feel better - more positive, happy, encouraged.

Grumbiling is one of the most common habits that people have. Uttering annoyances and comments declaring your frustration at things, even silly incidental things is a certain way to drain the positive energy that is necessary to manifest that which you want in your life. Complaining because the person driving in front of you is driving too slow; the person who sits next to you talks too loud on the phone or maybe you are grumbling because you don't agree with the politics of our country, etc. No matter what it is that you are complaining about you are eliminating the energy that you need in order to be happy.

The good news is that all you have to do is be conscious. Be aware of the grumbling. Be aware of the internal dialogue and by doing so you will begin to manifest the things that you want. And, those around you will feel better. Your words and energy have more of an impact on those around you than you realize. You can choose to contribute to the joy that abounds when the energy is positive by choosing to not indulge in negative chatter.

Life is good.

Reduce Stress and Improve Your Life with Positive Self Talk

02/06/2011 20:11:00

Patterns of negative or positive self-talk often start in childhood. Usually, the self-talk habit is one that’s colored our thinking for years, and can affect us in many ways, influencing the experience of stress to our lives. However, any time can be a good time to change it! Here are some ways you can stop yourself from using negative self-talk and use your mind to boost your productivity and self-esteem, and relieve stress.

Notice Your Patterns:
The first step toward change is to become more aware of the problem. You probably don’t realize how often you say negative things in your head, or how much it affects your experience. The following strategies can help you become more conscious of your internal dialogue and its content.

Journal Writing: Whether you carry a journal around with you and jot down negative comments when you think them, write a general summary of your thoughts at the end of the day, or just start writing about your feelings on a certain topic and later go back to analyze it for content, journnaling can be an effective tool for examining your inner process.
Thought-Stopping: As you notice yourself saying something negative in your mind, you can stop your thought mid-stream my saying to yourself “Stop”. Saying this aloud will be more powerful, and having to say it aloud will make you more aware of how many times you are stopping negative thoughts, and where.
Rubber-Band Snap: Another therapeutic trick is to walk around with a rubber band around your wrist; as you notice negative self-talk, pull the band away from your skin and let it snap back. It’ll hurt a little, and serve as a slightly negative consequence that will both make you more aware of your thoughts, and help to stop them! (Or, if you don’t want to subject yourself to walking around with a rubber band on your wrist, you’ll be even more careful to limit the negative thoughts!)

Replace Negative Statements:
A good way to stop a bad habit is to replace it with something better. Once you’re aware of your internal dialogue, here are some ways to change it:

Milder Wording: Have you ever been to a hospital and noticed how the nurses talk about ‘discomfort’ instead of ‘pain’? This is generally done because ‘pain’ is a much more powerful word, and discussing your ‘pain’ level can actually make your experience of it more intense than if you’re discussing your ‘discomfort’ level. You can try this strategy in your daily life. In your self-talk, turning more powerful negative words to more neutral ones can actually help neutralize your experience. Instead of using words like ‘hate’ and ‘angry’ (as in, “I hate traffic! It makes me so angry!”), you can use words like ‘don’t like’ and ‘annoyed’ (“I don’t like traffic; it makes me annoyed,” sounds much milder, doesn’t it?)
Change Negative to Neutral or Positive: As you find yourself mentally complaining about something, rethink your assumptions. Are you assuming something is a negative event when it isn’t, necessarily? (For example, having your plans cancelled at the last minute can be seen as a negative, but what you do with your newly-freed schedule can be what you make of it.) The next time you find yourself stressing about something or deciding you’re not up to a challenge, stop and rethink, and see if you can come up with a neutral or positive replacement.
Change Self-Limiting Statements to Questions: Self-limiting statements like “I can’t handle this!” or “This is impossible!” are particularly damaging because they increase your stress in a given situation and they stop you from searching for solutions. The next time you find yourself thinking something that limits the possibilities of a given situation, turn it into a question. Doesn’t “How can I handle this?” or “How is this possible?” sound more hopeful and open up your imagination to new possibilities?

You can also help yourself develop more positive self talk by bringing more positive energy into your life.