OK, so I'm being put to the test.
I said a few days ago that it is important to focus on the positive. It definitely is. And I am being challenged in that area, perhaps because I know how important it is.
Yesterday, a friend of mine died. Now, normally that would be hard enough. However, Frank's death is one in a string of loved ones. It all started with my father's death in April. Since then I have lost one person every month.
Frankly, no pun intended, I am ready for this to end!
I do feel so blessed that I have been able to talk to these lovely people shortly before their deaths. For half of them, it was actually the day before. Please note that only one of these people was "ill" and knew that death was coming. The others were "older" but still vibrant, wonderful, healthy human beings. I am grateful they did not suffer. I am very grateful that I knew them. Yes, I am sad that I will no longer hear their voices nor will I see their faces, except when I close my eyes. I am glad to have been a part of their lives, and they mine.
Life is such a wonderful gift. We do not know how long we will be here, nor do we know (at least consciously) with whom we will connect. So let's make the most of it, shall we? Smile often (it is free and gives a great return!) Love openly. Laugh out loud. Enjoy the birds, the trees, the mountains, the streams. Give of your own heart. Be true to YOU, not what others expect of you.
Enjoy life. Each of us brings something wonderful to the world. And if you get a sudden "feeling" that you should call or visit someone--please do. Listen to that inner voice. You will be glad you did.
And, thanks for sharing your life. I really appreciate it.
Today, the toast is for Frank!
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Friday, July 13, 2007
Friday the 13th, Oh Lucky Day!
In a real life example of everything is how you think about it, consider today. It is Friday, the 13th. Are you one of those who believes this is an unlucky day? Not I. I have always chosen to believe it to be one of the luckiest of days.
When my classmates cringed at taking tests on these days, for fear of bad results, I revelled in it, knowing my results would be better than ever. They were afraid and proved to themselves that they were right by actually getting poor grades on their tests. What they didn't realize was that it was their very fear of the day that brought them poor test results. The proof of this is that I always had terrific results on these days! If one person can have great results, then anyone can!
The lesson for me is to remember to look at the places where I hold on to fears. These may be big or small, rational or not. As I look at them, I take a deep breath and release the fear and am no longer victim of dire consequences, instead I am the creator and receiver of multitudinous blessings.
When my classmates cringed at taking tests on these days, for fear of bad results, I revelled in it, knowing my results would be better than ever. They were afraid and proved to themselves that they were right by actually getting poor grades on their tests. What they didn't realize was that it was their very fear of the day that brought them poor test results. The proof of this is that I always had terrific results on these days! If one person can have great results, then anyone can!
The lesson for me is to remember to look at the places where I hold on to fears. These may be big or small, rational or not. As I look at them, I take a deep breath and release the fear and am no longer victim of dire consequences, instead I am the creator and receiver of multitudinous blessings.
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
How's that Workin' For You?
It is easy for us to see the negative in situations. That is what most of us do. As Dr. Phil would ask "how's that workin' for you?" For most of us, not so hot.
The Law of Attraction is very clear about this. If we notice the negatives and forget to see, appreciate and be grateful for the positives, we will continue to get the negatives.
Challenge yourself to find the good in every situation. Then feel the gratitude for the experience. This skill alone will turn your life around because you will now get more and more of the things you can be grateful for.
I'll be the first to admit, when I'm in the depths of the "challenge" (ha!) this is not always easy to do. I have found that with practice and effort it becomes easier. So, what have you got to lose by giving it a go?
I know that my divorce was extremely painful and I had a very hard time seeing "the good" in that. I felt like a failure, as do many others in that situation. Now, I know that it was the best possible outcome for me. Yes, it allowed me to be available when my perfect partner came along, but it also taught me things and allowed me to grow so that I would be attractive to that person! I am not the same person I was then (and isn't that a good thing!) I can honestly say that I am grateful for the marriage, and the end of it, and that I wish my ex well.
Take every experience and be grateful. It is what makes you who you are today. And what you are is a wonderful, deserving, growing human being.
The Law of Attraction is very clear about this. If we notice the negatives and forget to see, appreciate and be grateful for the positives, we will continue to get the negatives.
Challenge yourself to find the good in every situation. Then feel the gratitude for the experience. This skill alone will turn your life around because you will now get more and more of the things you can be grateful for.
I'll be the first to admit, when I'm in the depths of the "challenge" (ha!) this is not always easy to do. I have found that with practice and effort it becomes easier. So, what have you got to lose by giving it a go?
I know that my divorce was extremely painful and I had a very hard time seeing "the good" in that. I felt like a failure, as do many others in that situation. Now, I know that it was the best possible outcome for me. Yes, it allowed me to be available when my perfect partner came along, but it also taught me things and allowed me to grow so that I would be attractive to that person! I am not the same person I was then (and isn't that a good thing!) I can honestly say that I am grateful for the marriage, and the end of it, and that I wish my ex well.
Take every experience and be grateful. It is what makes you who you are today. And what you are is a wonderful, deserving, growing human being.
Sunday, July 8, 2007
Don't be a Lemming!
When we do what we are "supposed to" or "should" do we are listening to others. I suggest we learn to listen to ourselves. Listen to your instincts. The quiet voice inside you will tell you the direction of your unique path.
In other words--don't be a Lemming and follow everyone else off the cliff. I know, I know. We heard things like this from our parents "if everyone else jumped off a cliff, would you?" Generally in response to our lame justification for wanting something or wanting to do something because "everyone else" had it/was doing it.
What our parents didn't want us to know, is that they would have been pretty darn happy if we followed what THEY did...or at least what they told us they did!
Don't get me wrong--my parents (and yours too I suspect) did the absolute best they could. They wanted the best things for me. What they thought were the best things for me. And my parents loved me 100 million percent. Even when I drove them absolutely bonkers.
The thing is, we are all individuals. As such we have different likes, dislikes, needs and wants. So what is best for one of us is not necessarily best for anyone else. Although we all tend to think we know what is best for our friends and relatives, we can only truly know what is best for ourselves.
So if we know what is best for us, why do we make such mistakes as drinking too much, going out in public in that outfit, and marrying the wrong person?
Perhaps it is because we are not listening to our own inner voice. Sometimes we are trying so hard to be "the good girl" (or guy), or the "proper" person, or the one that society/our parents/the neighbors will be proud of, that we forget to stop and get really quiet and listen to our own hearts and what we really want out of life.
Decide today to get quiet and really listen. Don't talk. Just listen. Don't even pray. Just listen. This takes some practice--most of us aren't all that comfortable with the silence. But it is worth the effort, for it is in the silence that our soul will whisper to us. It might be in the wee hours of the morning, or late at night. It might be while you are sitting on the bed, or going for a walk. Leave the iPod at home once in a while when you go for your walk. Give your inner voice a chance.
Then when you hear it, listen--and don't be a lemming.
In other words--don't be a Lemming and follow everyone else off the cliff. I know, I know. We heard things like this from our parents "if everyone else jumped off a cliff, would you?" Generally in response to our lame justification for wanting something or wanting to do something because "everyone else" had it/was doing it.
What our parents didn't want us to know, is that they would have been pretty darn happy if we followed what THEY did...or at least what they told us they did!
Don't get me wrong--my parents (and yours too I suspect) did the absolute best they could. They wanted the best things for me. What they thought were the best things for me. And my parents loved me 100 million percent. Even when I drove them absolutely bonkers.
The thing is, we are all individuals. As such we have different likes, dislikes, needs and wants. So what is best for one of us is not necessarily best for anyone else. Although we all tend to think we know what is best for our friends and relatives, we can only truly know what is best for ourselves.
So if we know what is best for us, why do we make such mistakes as drinking too much, going out in public in that outfit, and marrying the wrong person?
Perhaps it is because we are not listening to our own inner voice. Sometimes we are trying so hard to be "the good girl" (or guy), or the "proper" person, or the one that society/our parents/the neighbors will be proud of, that we forget to stop and get really quiet and listen to our own hearts and what we really want out of life.
Decide today to get quiet and really listen. Don't talk. Just listen. Don't even pray. Just listen. This takes some practice--most of us aren't all that comfortable with the silence. But it is worth the effort, for it is in the silence that our soul will whisper to us. It might be in the wee hours of the morning, or late at night. It might be while you are sitting on the bed, or going for a walk. Leave the iPod at home once in a while when you go for your walk. Give your inner voice a chance.
Then when you hear it, listen--and don't be a lemming.
Friday, July 6, 2007
Does "The Secret" Focus Too Much on Money?
As a huge fan of the movie "The Secret" I have told hundreds (if not thousands) of people about the film. Several people have mentioned that they feel there is too much emphasis on money and getting rich in the movie.
I confess, this surprised me. I felt (and still do) that the movie does a great job of exploring The Law of Attraction and how we can use it in many, many facets of our lives.
Relationships, health, career, and yes, money. One of my favorite points is made by James Ray when he mentions real wealth is not just about money...money is a part of it, but it also includes your physical, emotional and spiritual health as well.
So money is a part of real wealth, then why does it bring up such strong feelings of animosity and angst? Does anyone get really emotional at the suggestion that optimum health is part of being truly wealthy? Or that wealth includes a deep connection with other people and God (the universe, source, however you see that spiritual connection)?
Money is a tool. It is neither good nor bad. Money just is. And if we are honest with ourselves, it is pretty necessary in today's world. So if money is necessary and not inherently evil, why not have more of it?
Is it a virtue to be poor? Not on your life! As Oprah Winfrey says, "one of the best things you can do for the poor is not be one of them".
With much money I can do much good for more people than I can if I have just a little money.
When we have little money there is more worry--about how to pay the bills, feed the family, put shoes on the kids, keep the car gassed up so we can get to work. There is little time, energy or money for getting ahead much less sharing with others. Have you ever felt like you were barely keeping your head above water? Maybe you have felt like you were "going down for the third time". Where is the virtue in that?
Money doesn't solve every problem. It isn't magic. But it does make life more enjoyable. If you had "more than enough" money, what would you do with it? How would you contribute to your family, your community, the world, in ways that you are unable to now? How do you feel when you think about doing those things? Do you feel good? THAT is what having money can do!
Being rich means to me living the best life I can. That takes money. That is a fact of life in every part of the world that I know about. Does that make you uncomfortable? Then think about your kids. If you have kids, you want them to have a great life. That is what all parents want for their kids. For them to live their best life they need education, food, clothing AND they need their parents around them, giving them love.
So live your best life and help your kids do the same. Help the world to be a better place. Know that you can be rich, in all areas of your life. Money is one of those ways. With your money, help others who have less. Learn about the world and how to help protect it. Like any tool, when you know how to use it, it becomes more and more useful and valuable. Learn to handle money. Learn to use it. Learn to be rich.
I confess, this surprised me. I felt (and still do) that the movie does a great job of exploring The Law of Attraction and how we can use it in many, many facets of our lives.
Relationships, health, career, and yes, money. One of my favorite points is made by James Ray when he mentions real wealth is not just about money...money is a part of it, but it also includes your physical, emotional and spiritual health as well.
So money is a part of real wealth, then why does it bring up such strong feelings of animosity and angst? Does anyone get really emotional at the suggestion that optimum health is part of being truly wealthy? Or that wealth includes a deep connection with other people and God (the universe, source, however you see that spiritual connection)?
Money is a tool. It is neither good nor bad. Money just is. And if we are honest with ourselves, it is pretty necessary in today's world. So if money is necessary and not inherently evil, why not have more of it?
Is it a virtue to be poor? Not on your life! As Oprah Winfrey says, "one of the best things you can do for the poor is not be one of them".
With much money I can do much good for more people than I can if I have just a little money.
When we have little money there is more worry--about how to pay the bills, feed the family, put shoes on the kids, keep the car gassed up so we can get to work. There is little time, energy or money for getting ahead much less sharing with others. Have you ever felt like you were barely keeping your head above water? Maybe you have felt like you were "going down for the third time". Where is the virtue in that?
Money doesn't solve every problem. It isn't magic. But it does make life more enjoyable. If you had "more than enough" money, what would you do with it? How would you contribute to your family, your community, the world, in ways that you are unable to now? How do you feel when you think about doing those things? Do you feel good? THAT is what having money can do!
Being rich means to me living the best life I can. That takes money. That is a fact of life in every part of the world that I know about. Does that make you uncomfortable? Then think about your kids. If you have kids, you want them to have a great life. That is what all parents want for their kids. For them to live their best life they need education, food, clothing AND they need their parents around them, giving them love.
So live your best life and help your kids do the same. Help the world to be a better place. Know that you can be rich, in all areas of your life. Money is one of those ways. With your money, help others who have less. Learn about the world and how to help protect it. Like any tool, when you know how to use it, it becomes more and more useful and valuable. Learn to handle money. Learn to use it. Learn to be rich.
Wednesday, July 4, 2007
Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness
I am so grateful to live in this land where I have the liberty to live as I choose and do the things that bring me so much happiness.
Gratitude is one of the best ways to continue to receive all the good that can possibly flow to you, so remember to always be grateful for what you have.
I know that I am. Even when events don't seem to be positive, I know down the road I will see the good in them. Working the SGR program really helps me to see the good in the situation NOW! Remember, NOW is all we have!
Thank you to all the wonderful people in my life. Those who helped make me who I am by being in my life in the past; those who are coming to me in the future; those who share my life experiences now. I am fortunate to have so many wonderful "family" members--by blood, marriage, and mutual agreement!
Be safe. Be happy. Be grateful. Be love. Be peace.
Happy Independence Day!
Gratitude is one of the best ways to continue to receive all the good that can possibly flow to you, so remember to always be grateful for what you have.
I know that I am. Even when events don't seem to be positive, I know down the road I will see the good in them. Working the SGR program really helps me to see the good in the situation NOW! Remember, NOW is all we have!
Thank you to all the wonderful people in my life. Those who helped make me who I am by being in my life in the past; those who are coming to me in the future; those who share my life experiences now. I am fortunate to have so many wonderful "family" members--by blood, marriage, and mutual agreement!
Be safe. Be happy. Be grateful. Be love. Be peace.
Happy Independence Day!
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