The first step in creating powerful affirmations is to decide specifically what you want.
Think about the major areas of life: Self-esteem Health Wealth Career Relationships Take some time to make a list of what you want in each area.
Examples: Self-esteem: I want to accept myself completely. I want to be more self-confident in social situations. I want to express myself more effectively.
Health: I want to exercise regularly. I want to heal ________. Wealth: I want to increase my income. I want to have $______ in my savings account within six months. Career: I'd like to be in a career where I feel fulfilled. I want to know my life purpose. Relationships: I want to improve my current relationship by communicating better. I want more friends. I want a better relationship with my parents.
As you list what you want, be as specific as you can! My friend Norma in England was doing affirmations for job interviews, and she got the interviews but no job! She had to change the affirmation to having a job interview that led to her getting hired.
I've used affirmations to create the wonderful career I have now as an author, trainer, and workshop leader; to increase my income dramatically; to heal some health challenges; and to attract a fantastic relationship. And so can you, once you know the principles and practice them daily!
Another part of creating great affirmations that will change your life is to be AWARE of how you are talking about those areas now. For the next few days, notice how you think and speak about these different areas. Do you hear yourself telling friends that you "never have enough money" or "there are no good men/women out there" or "I hate my job."
What you say and think is continually attracting situations and people to you. If you continue to talk about what you DON'T want, what you DO want is kept away! Even though you may not have what you want in several areas of your life right now, you can begin simply by thinking "I am on a wonderful path of self-discovery and learning how life works. From now on, I do my best to think and speak positively." So, you can say to yourself and tell your friends, "I'm getting better at managing my money" or "I'm confident there is a good relationship for me" or "Right now, this is the job I'm in, so I'll do my best. That way, I'll be ready for the better job when it shows up!"
Over the next few days, DECIDE what you want in different areas of your life, and BE AWARE of how you think and talk about those areas now. Remember, the Cosmic Kitchen WANTS to bring you everything you desire, but you need to be specific.
Holding a vision for your joy and happiness, Patricia
P.S. Have you listened to my Cosmic Kitchen audio introduction? If not, it's only five minutes. Go to: http://www.orderingfromthecosmickitchen.com While there, you can also read some great Cosmic Kitchen success stories!
Session #2
I hope you've had an opportunity over the last two days to make a list of what you want in life and to become more aware of how you are thinking and speaking about your life. Now it's time to start actually writing some affirmations.
Cosmic Kitchen orders are always positive, present tense, and personal. You write and state them as though they have already happened. Say, "I have... I receive.... I am..."
I'll use some of the examples from Session #1:
Self-esteem: I accept myself completely. I am self-confident in social situations. I express myself effectively.
Health: I exercise regularly. My body is healthy and energetic. Wealth: My income is constantly increasing. I have $______ in my savings account. Career: I am in a career where I feel fulfilled. I know my life purpose. Relationships: My current relationship is improved because I communicate well. I have friends. I have a good relationship with my parents.
When starting with affirmations, sometimes people feel strange saying something that isn't true- yet! However, remember that your subconscious mind can't tell the difference between the reality "out there" and the one you create inside. So by saying affirmations in the present tense, you are creating a new reality inside. Think of this like an inner compass. Just like the compass on a ship, when you reset it to a new direction, the ship gradually shifts to the new heading. Likewise, your behavior will gradually shift to the new reality.
Another principle for ordering from the Cosmic Kitchen is to include words that convey positive, energetic feelings. Let's use our examples again and add in some words that convey emotion:
Self-esteem: It feels wonderful that I love and accept myself completely. I am delighted to be self-
confident in social situations. It feels powerful to express myself effectively. Health: I am so happy to be exercising regularly. My body is vibrantly healthy and filled with energy. Wealth: It is fantastic that my income is constantly increasing. It feels terrific to have $______ in my
savings account. Career: I am delighted to be in a career where I feel fulfilled. It is so powerful to know my life
purpose. Relationships: My current relationship is so wonderful because I communicate well. I have fabulous
friends who love and support me. It's super to have a good relationship with my parents.
Practice FEELING as though your affirmations are already true. Even try singing them with gusto, and dancing them with joy. Stand in front of a mirror with your arms open and declare:
"I welcome the fantastic life of my dreams! I am healthy, wealthy, and wise, with wonderful relationships and a fabulous career!"
Holding a vision for your joy and happiness, Patricia
Once you've begun saying and thinking your affirmations, it's important to practice patience. Trust the Cosmic Chef to deliver your order at exactly the right time. One of the biggest mistakes people make when using affirmations is giving up too soon! This would be like not watering your garden because the seeds didn't become grown plants overnight!
Think of yourself as a gardener of your own life, heart, and soul. You cultivate the soil, water, weed, and fertilize to grow a beautiful soul. To grow a wonderful life takes releasing the past, learning to think more effectively with affirmations, and trusting that your beautiful garden will blossom fully in time.
Returning to my playful image of the Cosmic Kitchen, cosmic orders require different amount of preparation. Some have many ingredients that must come together to complete the dish, while others have only a few. Trust the timing for the delivery of your order!
Using meditation and visualization can actually speed up receiving your orders because these practices take you to a more powerful connection with your subconscious mind and Universal Energy.
Meditation is simply a process of focusing your attention on your breath or on a short phrase. This procedure will take you to a quiet and relaxed state. This allows you to balance emotionally, physically, mentally and spiritually. If there were a pill that did that, it would be the most popular one available! When you're in that quiet place, your heart and mind are connected, so doing your affirmations at this level is even more powerful than simply repeating them when you are in your usual conscious state.
Try these methods for meditation: - Sit comfortably and relax. Focus your attention on your breathing. As you breathe in, think to
yourself, "I am...." And as you breath out, think to yourself, "relaxed." - Count your breaths from one to four. Simply count mentally each time you exhale, starting with one
and going to four. Repeat the counting over and over. - Think to yourself, "calm and serene" with each breath, or any other phrase that is relaxing for you - Imagine yourself in a beautiful, peaceful setting
Once you are relaxed, gently think your affirmations.
Visualizations are imagining, seeing, feeling, or describing something you would like to create. They bring in all of the senses along with affirmations to give your subconscious mind the EXPERIENCE of the reality you are creating. Your subconscious mind doesn't know the difference between the reality "out there" and the one you create inside, so visualizations create a new "inner landscape" that in turn produces results on the outside. Many people say they cannot visualize, yet they can always describe their backyard or kitchen. That is a form of visualization. When we can somehow picture or feel what it is we want, then we're visualizing. It's really that simple. The feeling part is actually more important than really "seeing" the new reality, as the Universe responds most quickly to the feelings you send out.
Again, once you are in a relaxed place, think your affirmations and visualize what your life would be like when they have already happened! Visualize as many details as you can!
Holding a vision for your joy and happiness, Patricia
P.S. I've created a Lifetime Learning Center which has more on affirmations, how to create wealth from the inside out, a weight loss program, and how to meditate. To find out more, go to http://www.changeinsideout.com.
Session #4
Why don't affirmations always work? Actually, they do always work, but here are some reasons why the results you want may not show up in your life:
-You say your affirmations in the morning, but then during the day you continue to talk and think negatively. The Law of Attraction is always working, so if you are sending out contradictory messages, your affirmations won't manifest. Do the best you can to be CONSISTENT in your thoughts, words, and feelings about what you want!
- If you don't feel deserving of what you want or you have inconsistent feelings about what you want, the Law of Attraction will give you the order with the strongest feelings. Let's say you are affirming for a new job paying a lot more than you're making right now. But the order isn't completely clear, because you're also thinking you'll have to work a lot harder at the new job, and you don't want to do that. Until you get clear, the new job can't be delivered. You could affirm "I have a fabulous new job making $_______ a year, working less than I do now, and having more fun."
- Psychologists tell us that most of our ideas about life were formed between three and five years old, so you may need to clear some old menu items before your affirmations manifest. Often, these old ideas aren't even conscious and that is why they are so powerful.
Here are some examples of old menu items: I'm not a lovable person. I don't deserve a great life. I'm not smart enough to be successful. I'm not attractive enough to be acceptable. There's never enough money. Relationships are difficult. I can't have my dream job. I have to work hard at a job I don't like and not earn what I'm worth. Health is a matter of genetics and chance.
If these old menu items are lurking, they are contradicting your affirmations. The more aware you can be of the old ideas, and consciously affirm to release them, the faster the life of your dreams will manifest.
Here are two techniques to help you release the past:
The mirror technique: Say your affirmations to yourself looking into a mirror, really looking into your own eyes. Especially say positive affirmations about loving and approving of yourself and how deserving you are. Popularized by author Louise Hay in her best-selling book You Can Heal Your Life, many people have found this technique provides a quantum leap in feeling good about themselves and enhances their self-esteem.
Talk to your Inner Child: Close your eyes and imagine yourself as a child of five or six. How does the child feel? What does the child need? What comforting and encouraging words from you does the child need to hear? Your consciousness carries all the positive and negative memories from your childhood. There isn't really one "inner child." There are numerous experiences that shaped your ideas about yourself and all of life from every age that are still a part of your conscious and unconscious minds. The inner child exercise is designed to help you remember more of the unconscious beliefs that are limiting you. In-residence workshops are often an excellent way to do healing work with the inner child.
Until your next session, continue saying your affirmations with enthusiasm! At the same time, think about any negative messages you received in childhood that might be negating what you want now. Then use the mirror technique and talk to your Inner Child to let go of the past conditioning.
Holding a vision for your joy and happiness, Patricia
Mentioned on the Oprah show about The Secret...see P.S. below
As you saying and thinking your affirmations with enthusiasm, let go of deciding HOW they will manifest. Let the Cosmic Chef decide how you will receive your order. Trust that the Chef has the best combination of ingredients to put together. If you try to decide how, you may be limiting yourself!
As an example, I had completed my master's degree when I started affirming for a teaching job. If I had "outlined," I probably would have called the local community colleges to see what job openings they had. As it happened, the Cosmic Chef arranged for me to teach at the university level, a result that was better than expected, since I had no idea I could teach there without a Ph.D.
Once you have created the affirmation that expresses the result you want, focus lightly on the result, not the process to get there. Shakti Gawain, author of Creative Visualization recommends that you add the phrase "this or something better" at the end of your affirmations.
Here's the difference between intentions, goals, and affirmations: An intention sets you in a particular direction. A goal is a measurable event that tells you when you've achieved your goal. An affirmation declares that you're already there, setting that inner compass.
Example: At New Year's, people often decide they want to lose weight.
Intention: I want to lose weight. Goal: I am going to lose 10 pounds in January. Affirmation: I am delighted to be at my goal weight! It feels fabulous.
When people set goals, they usually set tasks that will enable them to reach their goals.
Goal: I want to lose 10 pounds in January. Tasks: I will start exercising at least 3 times a week. I'll go on a low carb diet and purchase only food that fits that diet.
It's a good idea to do affirmations along with tasks: I love exercising 3 times a week! It's easy for me to fit exercise into my schedule. I truly enjoy the delicious, healthy low carb meals I am making for myself.
Also visualize yourself exercising, eating healthy, and wearing clothes a size smaller.
Stay focused on what you want. So, even if you don't get to exercising one week, or your food choices aren't as healthy as they could be, DON'T CRITICIZE YOURSELF. Simply continue with your affirmations and visualizations, KNOWING that your inner compass is being reset.
Holding a vision for your joy and happiness, Patricia
P.S. When Rhonda Byrne, author of The Secret, was on the Oprah show, she mentioned that The Science of Getting Rich book was the first one she read about how we create our reality. Rick and I have recorded this ebook on 3 CDs and included two bonus CDs with the set. The 5th CD is for your computer and includes the ebook so you can read a chapter daily. Visit our website, http://www.scienceofgettingrichnow.com to learn more about how to increase your prosperity. Let your subconscious guide you to wealth as you listen to the CDs on a regular basis.
Session #6
When you're practicing affirmations, there is a tendency to want to do something to make them happen. As you learned in the last lesson, this is a function of goal setting, where you set a goal, list all the tasks you need to do to reach the goal, and then complete each task. In contrast, when you are doing affirmations, you want to allow your inner wisdom to guide you in the right balance between action and allowing.
In my book there are many personal stories from myself and others, where we said our affirmations and the results just "fell into our laps."
Here are some examples: While working as an administrator for a large worksite wellness project, I began affirming for a teaching position. A few months after I started this affirmation, I received a phone call from a university professor I'd never met asking me to take his position when he went on a year's sabbatical. A mutual friend had given him my name. I taught at the university for eight years.
Elizabeth and John-Paul were affirming for their perfect home. They didn't feel like doing a lot of looking. One day they saw an Open House sign and spontaneously stopped in. This was the only house they looked at, and later bought.
My friend Sue, a lawyer, wanted a new position, but kept resisting completing her resume. She began affirming and a few months later received a phone call "out of the blue" for a new position.
Does this mean you never take action toward the fulfillment of your affirmations? No! It means you ask for and listen for GUIDANCE in when to act and when to just let things happen. Regular meditation will help you HEAR the inner guidance.
Practicing visualizations regularly for what you want will also speed up the process of receiving your good. One of my mentors offers some remarkable information about visualization: For every 17 seconds that you visualize clearly, you save 20 hours of work (all the doing stuff.) For every 34 seconds that you visualize clearly, you save 20o hours of work. Wow! For every 68 seconds that you visualize clearly, you save 2,000 hours of work Incredible!
Now, given the choice, would you like to commit to at least 68 seconds of visualization a day to save 2,000 hours?? The key word here is CLEARLY visualized. Keeping your mind clearly focused for even 68 seconds can be challenging. That's why it 's important to do several minutes of visualization daily.
When I wake up in the morning, I immediately start a gratitude list in my mind. I thank Spirit for all the wonder in my life, and yes, even the challenges, as I know they are a part of my growth. Then I meditate and visualize, along with my affirmations. Often, I will do some additional visualization during the day.
Commit to starting a routine where you consciously spend time daily with your affirmations and visualizations. And remember to FEEL them as strongly as you can.
Holding a vision for your joy and happiness, Patricia
Many people have difficulty BELIEVING they deserve a wonderful life because of old beliefs from childhood. So they start using affirmations, and may have some initial success, but then the old unconscious beliefs show up and it seems as though their affirmations aren't working. When this happens, it's simply a sign that there is more clearing out to do!! In fact, clearing out the limiting beliefs is an ongoing process. Our conscious minds are actually very small compared to the unconscious, where everything that has ever happened to you, along with the feelings, are stored. The analogy of an iceberg is often used for the comparison of the conscious and unconscious minds. When you see an iceberg above the water that is only a small amount of the total iceberg, as most of it lies hidden underneath the water.
Believing that you DESERVE a wonderful life is a foundation for all your other affirmations; so it's important to take time to really clear out any feelings of not deserving. Here are some additional ideas for clearing the past:
The clustering technique: To use the clustering technique you take a blank piece of paper and write a topic in the center of it with a circle around it. You might write, "What I believe about myself" or "money and material things" or "relationships" or "my perfect career." Then you quickly write as many associations as you can around the topic. Do this quickly so you don't start thinking logically about it. After about ten minutes, stop and review what you've written and then start creating affirmations for the associations you want to change. For example, if "money and material things" was in the center and one of the ideas you wrote was "never enough," then you would write out an affirmation like: "I ALWAYS have enough money to pay my bills ahead of time and have plenty left over for fun."
Write the affirmation and response: This process helps you identify the reasons a part of you is telling you why you can't have what you want. It really brings out some of the unconscious blocks. Take a piece of paper and make two columns. In the first one, write your affirmation. In the second column, write the immediate response that pops into your mind. Write the affirmation again, and then the response. Usually, as you write the affirmation over and over, the negative responses shift into positive ones. You are reinforcing the new belief, and your subconscious is accepting the new belief.
Example: AffirmationResponse I deserve to have a wonderful life You're kidding- with your background? I deserve to have a wonderful life No way. You're not smart enough. I deserve to have a wonderful life Why you? I deserve to have a wonderful life Well, maybe I deserve to have a wonderful life It's a possibility I deserve to have a wonderful life I'm willing to believe it I deserve to have a wonderful life Yes, Yes!
Important: To accomplish the clearing out, you need to actually DO these exercises, not just read about them. Yes, I know you're busy. But if you are REALLY serious about having a wonderful life, you will love yourself enough to set aside time to do the inner work. Especially if you feel stuck in some area, the affirmation/response exercise is excellent for discovering what your unconscious mind is holding onto.
Holding a vision for your joy and happiness, Patricia
P.S. Are there days when you feel stressed? Go to my website, http://www.takingabreather.com and relax with beautiful music, positive words, and lovely photos. Breathe...........
Cultivate the attitude of gratitude and you will experience miracles. Be grateful for everything in your life right now, yes, even the challenges. At any one moment, there is probably more RIGHT with your life than is wrong with your life. But where do most people focus? Yep- on what's wrong.
Although I had been studying the principles in this course and applying them for some time, after my separation and divorce I was feeling sad and lonely (even though it was my decision to separate.) I wasn't feeling loved. Every morning I was waking up feeling mildly depressed. Then I began a daily ritual of gratitude as soon as I woke up. I expressed gratitude for the loving friends in my life, my family, the co-workers in my office, the love I felt for myself, the lovely little apartment I had found, the fact that I lived just a few miles from the beach, my good health, and on and on! Within a very short time, I was feeling happy and excited about life again. The simple act of taking a few minutes to express gratitude created a wonderful shift in my attitude.
Remember, the Universe brings you more of what you focus on. So when you practice gratitude and focus on the good, the Universe brings you more of that.
Can you feel gratitude even for the challenges? Yes, because you know the challenge is offering you an opportunity to go deeper with your own healing process. Since you don't want more of the challenge, however, your focus is on gratitude for the learning it is bringing you, not on the problem itself. You an also express gratitude that Spirit is providing the perfect solution to create a shift.
Holding a vision for your joy and happiness, Patricia
P.S. Have you read my book yet? If not, I encourage you to order it. It will serve as your guide every day for using affirmations and placing your cosmic orders effectively. http://www.orderingfromthecosmickitchen.com
Session #9
Persistence, Trust, Detachment, and Fun!
At this point in the e-course, I hope you have written out many affirmations for yourself, practiced meditation and visualization, and begun to see some results for your efforts. If you haven’t seen results yet, don’t be discouraged! A challenge people often have with practicing affirmations and visualization is that they don’t practice regularly or they give up too soon. Persistence is a very important part of the practice! Think about how many years you’ve spent thinking in negative ways! Fortunately for us, it doesn’t take an equivalent number of years to turn things around. By FEELING your new reality, you can neutralize the past quickly. If you’re having difficulty setting aside the time for your practice, affirm? I EASILY find time to practice my affirmations and visualizations. I deserve a wonderful life. I love myself enough to take the time to practice my new skills.
Listening to affirmations while you’re driving or engaged in other tasks that don’t require full attention is an excellent way to help your subconscious mind absorb the new ideas you want to embrace. Tape your affirmations (with enthusiasm!) and listen to them often. Or purchase my audio CD set and listen to it often. The more you can reinforce the new beliefs, the more quickly your life will change.
Cultivate a sense of trust while you are waiting for your orders to be fulfilled by the Cosmic Kitchen. If I told you that you would receive a check for $1,000 next week, or the relationship of your dreams was only 2 months away, or your ideal career would materialize next year, or your health would improve very soon, how would you feel? Practice feeling that way now! The Universe really does want you to be happy and fulfilled in every area. When you trust that the best for you is going to happen, you stop worrying about? When? When you stop worrying, the Law of Attraction can bring you what you want more quickly because there is no resistance in the form of negative energy. Practice vibrating in the energy you want.
Ironically, detaching from the outcome of your affirmations is also important. Detachment is a part of the trusting process. Detachment means to give up caring about whether you will get what you want. Why? Because your conscious mind will stop trying to figure out HOW you can get what you want, and this again allows the Law of Attraction to act in the best way for you. So after you write down your affirmations for a wonderful relationship and visualize and feel it being a reality, let go of ANY concern about whether or not it will show up. Do the same for any other affirmations. Be happy right now.
In addition to being happy, have fun with all of these ideas! Affirm for fun things like vacations, weekend activities, whatever you want. Affirm for things you really don’t care whether you get them or not, because when they show up easily, it helps you develop more trust in the Universe. You may have already read the story in my book about how I affirmed for flowers on Valentine’s Day one year when I wasn’t dating anyone. The flowers didn’t show up exactly on Valentine’s Day, but they did a few days later from an unexpected source.
Holding a vision for your joy and happiness, Patricia
P.S. Let your subconscious mind absorb these ideas by listening to CDs. My book is now on audio CD, www.orderingfromthecosmickitchen.com. Or if you’re most interested in increasing prosperity, read about our Science of Getting Rich Prosperity Training System at www.scienceofgettingrichnow.com.
Session #10
Affirmations and visualizations are not just an individual process. You are a part of the universal whole. The ripples of joy and laughter you create when you practice the techniques literally flow out across the world- even the cosmos! There is a saying that when a butterfly flaps its' wings in Japan, the weather around the world changes. Along the same lines, when you change your thoughts, the change affects everyone. Thus, working with affirmations and visualizations helps the world raise its vibration. We are at a time in history when the world could certainly use more peace and love. So as you practice these techniques on a daily basis, know that you are helping everyone.
I started this e-course asking you to become aware of how you think, feel, and speak about the different areas of your life. It's important to continue the process of being aware, especially in times of challenge, when it's easy to slip back into negative thinking. Remind yourself on a daily basis to pay attention to your thoughts and whether they are attracting what you WANT or what you don't want. This doesn't mean you ignore your feelings, but if you are experiencing negative feelings like anger or frustration, acknowledge them and then say to yourself, What thoughts could I choose right now to feel happier and more peaceful??
Affirm: I am a being of light and love. I now choose to focus on thoughts of peace. I welcome more joy into my life. I am so grateful to the Universe for providing an abundant life for me. I know that Spirit has the solution to any challenge I might face in my life. I am guided by Spirit in the perfect unfolding of all situations.
Look in the mirror, open your arms and joyfully say your affirmations. Write them with pens of different colors. Sing them in your car and around your house. The vibration of joy is so powerful; the Universe will shower you with good.
Thank you for signing up for this course. I truly hope you enjoyed it. I would appreciate your feedback about it. Write to me at patricia@heartinspired.com. Also, please visit our main website, www.heartinspired.com.
And if you'd like to continue your work with affirmations and other techniques to change your life, go to www.changeinsideout.com. This is our Lifetime Learning Center. For one affordable fee ($49) you gain LIFETIME access to ALL our courses! Right now there are four: Weight Loss, Ordering from the Cosmic Kitchen, Creating Wealth from the Inside Out, and Meditation and Guided Imagry. We will be adding another course every six weeks or so. It's an incredible value that will keep giving you opportunities to grow!
Holding a vision for your joy and happiness, Patricia
P.S. If you would like to work with me individually by telephone, email me for more information at the above address or call (800) 969-4584 in the US and Canada, or (760) 728-8783 from other countries.
http://www.heartinspired.com Inspiring people the world over to a higher level of thinking about who they are, what they've got, and how to have a more powerful positive impact on the world around them. Patricia Crane, Ph.D. and Rick Nichols Heart Inspired Presentations PO Box 1081, Bonsall, CA 92003 USA 800-969-4584 or 760-728-8783
Achieve Your Dreams
By: Patricia J. Crane, Ph.D.
Step 1
BE HAPPY NOW
*****Be happy with who you are and where you are right now.*****
Abraham Lincoln once said, "A person is just about as happy as he/she makes up his/her mind to be."
Too often, people want to achieve something because they think the achievement will make them happy, or others will finally respect them, or they can finally say, "I'm OK after all because I did this." The exact opposite is true. While there are a variety of blocks that may keep people from achieving their dreams, the primary one is looking to something "out there" to validate you as a person and make you happy. Happiness comes from the inside.So the first step to achieving your dreams isn't an action step at all- it's a "being" step. You are a human being, and your most important task is to be happy right here, right now.
You've no doubt heard this refrain in other ways: learn to love yourself, develop high self-esteem, recognize that the grass is green right where you are, stay in the moment. And no doubt you intellectually agree whole-heartedly. But the question is: do you actually live as though you believe it? When asked, most people will admit that they don't. It's another concept that's easy to agree with, but not so easy to actually live. Why the discrepancy?
The discrepancy happens because the old beliefs about what you need to do or be to be OK are so deeply ingrained. In our society, the doing and achieving are highly valued. But when you truly accept yourself, you release an enormous energy that was tied up in worrying about whether you were good enough! Many people have achieved their dreams by doing something that is contrary to what society dictates. For example, a harried executive who dreams of a more peaceful life and takes a pay cut to follow that dream.
A few years ago while traveling in England, my partner Rick and I encountered the happiest bus driver in the world. (OK, there may be a happier one, but it would be hard to imagine.) Actually, he was the ticket taker. In England, they have assistants on buses that take the tickets and bring around beverages and snacks (which you pay for.) This man was so happy that some of the passengers looked at him as though he were crazy because it was so unusual to meet someone so jolly in a job most would consider lowly. However, this man really made our day, and reminded us that happiness is a state of being and mind.
Sometimes people worry that if they're happy right where they are, there won't be any impetus to do something else. Again, the opposite is true. The happier you are right now, the more energy and creativity you have for more.
From my perspective, achieving your dreams isn't limited to career and success. What are your dreams for a relationship, friendships, prosperity, health, and traveling? Truly following your dreams in heart-based, not ego based.
While you're in the process of creating and taking action steps toward your dreams, ask yourself: How can I be of service today right where I am? What can I do to love/respect/accept myself more today? Am I willing to choose happiness today? How can I make the world a kinder, gentler place today?
There are thousands of processes, techniques, and workshops available to help you change your life. The ones you need will come into your life at the right time. .
For this first step, learning to be happy with who you are and where you are right now, I recommend you use a technique called "mirror work," popularized by best-selling author Louise Hay in her book, You Can Heal Your Life. Go to the mirror every day and look into your eyes, and tell yourself, "I am willing to love and accept you right now. I am willing to be happy with myself right now. I'm willing to be happy where I am right now. I am OK just the way I am right now!" Say this from your emotional level, and be willing to believe it!
Step 2 LETTING GO OF LIMITATIONS Argue for your limitations and they're yours. -Richard Bach, Illusions
growing up, we all receive comments on our self-worth and abilities. We also have experiences that leave us with beliefs about every area of life- relationships, health, success, prosperity, and ourselves and our own value as a person. These comments and experiences, whether positive or negative, shape our beliefs about what is possible for us in life. Do any of the following sound familiar?
- You're a good girl (or boy.) - You can't draw. - You're good in sports. - You sing off key- just mouth the words. - You'll never amount to anything. - Relationships are difficult - There's never enough money. - You certainly have a gift with words. - What makes you think you could be successful?
So now you're an adult, and you want to achieve your dreams. But all the old limiting experiences still exist inside, telling you all the reasons why you can't do what you want. You may also have other limitations, like being too aware of other's opinions, not trusting yourself and Spirit for guidance, or being more concerned with security in life than passion in living. Perhaps you have discovered that "instant transformation" in a weekend doesn't often happen. The process of understanding and working with those apparent limitations takes time and patience. Imagine that you are weeding the inner garden of yourself, lovingly and patiently releasing the old to plant the new seeds. Step by step, you CAN recognize the beliefs that limit you and change them.
How often have you said things to yourself or out loud such as: - I'm stuck. - I'll never get past this one. - It's hard to change.
So- guess what- what you claim is what you get! When you say words like this out loud or to yourself, you are continuing to claim your limitations. The words say that you don't believe change is possible or that you're actually not willing to change! Pay attention to your words, and start by changing the way you talk to yourself. Tell yourself you are willing to change and grow. Affirm that you are guided to any help you need in releasing the past. Go to the mirror and tell yourself all the positive, encouraging messages you wish you'd received in childhood. Talk to your Inner Child in a loving way. Be committed to choosing thoughts that build you up and nurture you rather than criticizing.
I call this "clearing the old menu items." Clear the past and create new items for the Menu of Life! Use some of these affirmations to assist you:
-I have clear insights that assist me in releasing the past. -I am willing to believe that I deserve a wonderful life. -I begin my new life in this moment. -I am willing to open my arms and claim the wonderful, fulfilling life I deserve. -I choose to believe it is easy to clear the menu items I no longer want. -Any resource I need for my emotional and spiritual healing comes to me quickly and easily.
Ironically, even positive messages can be limitations. As I child, I was quiet and shy, but also a good student, especially in math and science. I was verbally praised for being "good" and told repeatedly that I had a talent for science and "should" become a medical doctor. So I (unconsciously) tried to live out others' ideas and spent 4 years in college as a science major and started graduate school in a chemistry program. Boring!! In the middle of the first semester of graduate school, I realized that my passion was in working with people to improve their lives. So, much to the chagrin of my parents, I quit graduate school, became a social worker, and returned to undergraduate school for a psychology major. Ultimately, I did become a doctor- of psychology! And yet it still took many years to arrive at my greatest passion- leading workshops.
Be patient with yourself as you focus on the changes you want to make. Resist the temptation to "should" on yourself and create more stress! Take time to journal and meditate and visualize the changes you want. Give yourself lots of support and praise for the changes you do make, however small.
Step 3 FINDING YOUR PURPOSE What is Your Purpose?
Here is a test to determine if your mission here on earth is finished. If you're still here, it's not. -Richard Bach, Illusions
At some point in life, we all ask the same questions: Why am I here? What am I supposed to be doing? How can I live a life with purpose, passion, and meaning? "Life purpose" is about more than just your work. It is an overriding philosophy of life that guides you in every area. Remembering your life purpose is just as important in the grocery store or on the freeway as it is in your work. For many people, it is connected with their spiritual life. I believe that everyone shares the same life purpose: to be of service and share unconditional love.However, there are many different ways of expressing that purpose. Some people may express their purpose in a "big" way, like Mother Theresa of Calcutta, and others is a "small" way, as a bus driver who simply greets all passengers with a smile. Truly, there are no "big" and "small" ways, just ways to bring more love and joy to people. Each one is important. You don't even have to have a spiritual belief to choose a life of service.
In my teens I was involved with a religious group and then attended a religious college. While at the college I experienced people talking about unconditional love, but few seemed to be living it. With the wisdom from this part of my life, it's clear that living from that place all the time isn't possible, but I was distressed at the lack of congruency I experienced in college. It was also a turbulent time in the US, with rising consciousness about women's rights, race relations, and war. I began to question my life and what it meant. I decided then that I was an agnostic (not knowing if God existed) and that my life would be about service to people on the planet. I left graduate school to become a social worker in a rough part of Los Angeles. While the experience provided me with a view of life very different from my "middle class" upbringing, ultimately I realized that the way I could be of greatest service was to assist people in changing inside, which would lead to outer changes. Eventually, I found my spiritual connection again through meditation, even though I started meditating just for reducing my stress! Over the years, I've had many different jobs, but almost all of them had a common theme- they were focused on service to people in some way.
You can start living from a sense of purpose today. If you want to experience peace, be peaceful with others. If you want to experience love, share love with others. If you want to change the experiences you've been having at work or in a relationship, BE the change you want. Waiting for others to change before you can be happy will result in eternal waiting!
To get more in touch with your own sense of purpose, set aside a half hour or more when you won't be disturbed. Have a journal nearby to write in. Put on some relaxing music and meditate for several minutes. Then begin to write spontaneously about your purpose. See what emerges after writing for about 10 or 15 minutes. You can also use a technique pioneered by author Lucia Cappachione, right hand- left hand dialog. We have access to "right brain" wisdom by using our non-dominant hand to answer questions posed by the dominant hand (the one we normally use.) So, to have a dialog with your Inner Wisdom, with your dominant hand, write: What is my purpose? Switch the pen or pencil to your other hand, and without thinking, let it write and answer. Continue going back and forth with your questions and answers. You may be surprised at the wisdom and direction that emerges!
Step 4 LIVING YOUR MISSION WITH PASSION
"When you are inspired by some great purpose, some extraordinary project, all your thoughts break their bonds; your mind transcends limitations, your consciousness expands in every direction, and you find yourself in a new, great and wonderful world. Dormant forces, faculties and talents become alive, and you discover yourself to be a greater person by far than you every dreamed yourself to be." - Patanjali, 1st-3rd century, BC
"Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it." Goethe, 19th century
"Who are you? What did you come here to learn? What did you come here to teach? We all have a unique purpose. We are more than our personalities, our problems, our fear, our illnesses. We are far more than our bodies. We are all connected with everyone on the planet and all of life. We are all spirit, light energy, vibration, and love, and we all have the power to live our lives with purpose and meaning." Patricia J. Crane, Ph.D., still here and living with passion.
Do you remember a time in your life when you experienced the energy in Patanjali's quote? A time when a new vision for your life or a desire was born and suddenly your energy expanded and synchronistic events occurred to move you ahead? Many people have this experience when they step out to begin really pursuing their passion in life. Think about people you know that you enjoy being around. Are they bored with life or excited about it? Most likely they are excited about life and the activities they are involved in. When you're around them, YOUR energy increases. On a daily basis, begin to notice when you feel energized and when you feel drained.
If you already know your passion and mission, and are pursuing them, wonderful! If you know them, but are hesitant to take a step, read on. If you are still discovering them, read on!
Think back to your childhood. Were there dreams you had then that you would still like to pursue? What was exciting and fulfilling to you as a child? Often the seeds of a mission are in events from childhood, sometimes long forgotten.
Too often people wait to pursue their passion because they think. "I'll have to quit my day job- how will I support myself?" Not true! You can start in small ways. Just take a step at a time. Your mind may pop up with excuses- "I'm not smart enough. I'm too old. I don't know where to start. I need a degree." Blah, blah, blah.... Excuses are just that! One acquaintance of mine became the oldest graduate at California State University, Long Beach. She was 74, having gone back to school after her husband died. She said the young students energized her, and I'm sure she gave them a new image of "old age!"
Ask yourself- how can I start sharing my passion? You might find an organization or group that is doing something related to your passion. If it's helping women, call a shelter and volunteer. If it's teaching people about organic food and gardening, gather some friends for an informative evening or write an article for the local paper. Take some step, and as Patanjali says, "Dormant forces.... become alive."
Set aside quiet time out in nature. Go to the beach, the mountains, or a beautiful garden. Set an intention to discover your mission or to know how to get started (if you're already clear about your mission and pursuing it, you can set an intention to know more about the next step.) Meditate for as long as feels comfortable, then open your eyes, and just observe your surroundings. What does nature have to tell you about your mission? What insights are there? Write in a journal, just letting it flow, about your passion and mission. Trust that it is revealed to you. If you don't receive clarity immediately, be patient. Keep setting your intention to gain clarity and it will come. It's never too late, you're never too old, and you ARE smart enough and good enough.
Our two anthology books, Pearls of Wisdom, are filled with stories of people who overcame challenges to live they life they wanted. You can, too! Go to http://www.heartinspired.com/books/index.htm There is one story online for each book you can read at no cost.
Love and blessings, Patricia (c) Heart Inspired Presentations Feel free to forward with the copyright intact
Heal Your training based on the philosophy of Louise Hay: http://www.hylteachers.com http://www.heartinspired.com Inspiring people the world over to a higher level of thinking about who they are, what they've got, and how to have a more powerful positive impact on the world around them. Patricia Crane, Ph.D. and Rick Nichols Heart Inspired Presentations PO Box 1081, Bonsall, CA 92003 USA 800-969-4584 or 760-728-8783
Step 5
WHAT'S WONDERFUL ABOUT YOU?
"You must love yourself before you love another. By accepting yourself and joyfully being what you are, you fulfill your own abilities, and your simple presence can make others happy." - Jane Roberts, The Nature of Personal Reality
In a minute or less, list 10 things about you that are wonderful! Are you caring and compassionate, a good listener, have a quick wit, generous with others, a good communicator, etc., etc. If you are resisting doing this, what's so tough about saying what's great about you? Did your parents tell you (as mine did) - "Don't get too big for your britches?" That is, don't brag about yourself or let your ego get too big or think you're the best thing since sliced bread! Well, I advocate, "bragging" about yourself, but not in an egotistical way. Rather, brag about yourself in a way that recognizes you have some terrific qualities and skills. OK, if you're still having trouble with this, you can tell yourself, "In my own humble opinion, I am wonderful because....."
It may be difficult to claim the positive qualities and skills you have if you were given a lot of negative messages as a child. It's quite sad how many people were told as a young age that they would never amount to anything, or weren't smart, etc. These messages aren't always from parents- they come from teachers and other authority figures. One young man told me that the first day of school in first grade he was told by a teacher that he was stupid! It's important to take time to talk with your inner child to counteract these old limiting messages. Close your eyes and imagine yourself as a child. Talk to the child, telling him or her that it's time to let go of limiting ideas, that the adults who gave the negative messages made a mistake. Say very specifically the new beliefs you want to instill on an emotional level: "You are smart. You can do anything you want. You are attractive. You are important. I love you. You are lovable." At first, you may find that the inner child part has difficulty accepting the new beliefs. Just continue talking and doing this exercise as many times as necessary so you can feel there is an inner difference.
If you haven't made that list of 10 things about you that are wonderful, DO IT NOW!! (Please...) You can also call your friends and ask them what's special about you (be sure to call your positive, encouraging friends for this one.) Remember positive comments you've been given from family, friends, employers, etc., about your personal qualities and your skills and abilities. What do people say you're good at that is so easy for you it doesn't even seem like a talent or skill? Become comfortable with knowing your own special qualities and skills, and feeling confident about them.
Set aside twenty minutes to a half hour to write about your past accomplishments. Divide your life into 10 year segments: 0 -10 years old, 11 - 20, 21- 30, 31- 40, etc. In each 10 year period, list as many accomplishments as you can. Give yourself time to remember. (For example, from 0 - 10 years old, they might include learning to tie your shoes, learning to ride a bike, achieving something in school, etc.) For each accomplishment, write down where you were, who you were with, and how you felt. When you're all done, look for patterns. Look for skills or talents you used to enjoy expressing, but aren't now. Is there anything from the past you could start doing again that would add more joy to your life? (In doing this exercise myself, I remembered being in the debate club in high school, and how much I enjoyed that. Yet after high school I didn't do any public speaking for over 20 years and now that's one of my favorite activities.)
When you've completed this process, decide how you can express more of the skills and abilities you discovered. For example, my life partner, Rick, realized that he enjoyed being in front of an audience. He went and auditioned for a community play and got a part! It was a small part, but it was a great step for him to participate more fully in life rather than being a spectator. He went on to develop his skills as a speaker and now gives motivational workshops for hundreds of people.
The Achieve Your Dreams newsletters are meant to assist you in achieving your dreams in every area. To do that, you must learn to identify and express the unique and wonderful being that you are. Think about a huge jigsaw puzzle- each piece fits perfectly in a particular place or the puzzle isn't complete. Each piece has a unique shape and design. And each of us has a unique place to fill on this planet. Unfortunately, we often go around for years trying to fit in places that really don't fit us! Are you ready to find YOUR place in the Big Jigsaw Puzzle of Life? Go for it- the world is waiting for you!
Love and blessings, Patricia
P.S. Rick and I lead two types of workshop leader training programs: one is a 7 day intensive based on Louise Hay's philosophy. It is a powerful personal growth program in addition to providing professional training. You receive complete scripts and outline for workshops based on Louise work. More info: http://www.hylteachers.com http://www.heartinspired.com Inspiring people the world over to a higher level of thinking about who they are, what they've got, and how to have a more powerful positive impact on the world around them. Patricia Crane, Ph.D. and Rick Nichols Heart Inspired Presentations PO Box 1081, Bonsall, CA 92003 USA 800-969-4584 or 760-728-8783
(c) Heart Inspired Presentations Feel free to forward with the copyright intact
Step 6 POSSIBILITY THINKING
"The greatest revolution of our generation is the discovery that human beings, by changing the inner attitudes of their minds, can change the outer aspects of their lives." - William James, psychologist and author, early 20th century
Imagine the scene in 1492 as Columbus sailed away from the shores of Spain. Hundreds were probably there to see him off, some laughing at his fool hardy journey, others sad that he and his sailors would soon "fall off the earth," and still others (just a few) who sensed this journey would open new vistas for the world.
Columbus himself had a vision few others held. And so, as a result of that journey, a dramatic new view of the world emerged. It's not flat- it's round! Revelations like this have occurred at many points in history. Galileo determined that the world is not the center of the universe, but chose to recant rather than be put to death.
The Wright brothers proved that we can fly- with the right equipment! Einstein demonstrated new mathematical realities.
When I bought my first computer in 1984- a portable that weighed 40 pounds- I had no idea that by 2002 there would be a vast set of connections that would link me to people all over the world instantaneously!
"Flat world" beliefs not only occur in societies, they occur in us as well. Where in your life have you suddenly discovered that a "limitation" you had accepted for yourself was only a belief, and that belief could be changed? Where in you life now do you limit yourself?
Letting go of flat world beliefs means opening to the incredible possibilities for your life! What are the dreams you have? What lofty goals do you imagine achieving? Those desires are in your heart for a reason. They are not "too big" for you, they are waiting for you to take action. As a child, I never had a specific career that I wanted, but I did want to "help the world." That desire has unfolded in ways I couldn't have imagined then. Earlier this year, life partner Rick and I led a workshop leader training in Florida. One morning, participants were asked (unexpectedly!) to speak in front of the group for two minutes each, introducing themselves as though they were speaking to a group back home. Most of them had the "flat world" beliefbefore we started, "I can't speak in front of groups!" But each one did, and they were terrific! Sometimes you need to be pushed beyond your comfort zone by others, just as a mother sparrow coaxes her babies out of the comfort and safety of the nest so they can fly.
While you are letting go of your flat world beliefs, spend time around people that are making a difference in the world. They will inspire you to go for your dreams! Quite a few years back, Mark Victor Hansen (Chicken Soup for the Soul books) was speaking at a group Rick and I belong to, the Inside Edge (go to insideedge.org.) The first Chicken Soup for the Soul book had been out for a while. Mark asked, "how many have read the book?" Only a few hands went up! Now, if that had been me at the time, I would have been devastated that my peers were not reading the book. Instead, without missing a beat, Mark said, "Great- there's still a market!" That is possibility thinking!
To access our own inner wisdom, try this: stand in front of a full length mirror. Look at yourself, remembering that you are unique. There has never been, and will never be, anyone exactly like you on the planet! Open your arms and say to yourself, "I am magnificent!" If that seems difficult, just keep saying it, and be willing to believe it. Then say to yourself, "The way I want to be of service in the world is....." What comes out of your mouth? (If nothing at first, be patient, there is a special place for you to share your talents.) Then ask your "wisdom self," still looking in the mirror, "Where do I start?" and listen for the answer. Then take some time to write down what you experienced. And then go for it!
Love and blessings, Patricia (c) Heart Inspired Presentations Feel free to forward with the copyright intact
"Expect your every need to be met, expect the answer toevery problem, expect abundance on every level, expect to grow spiritually." -Eileen Caddy
Read Eileen Caddy's' quote several times and really FEEL yourself shifting from expectations of lack to expectations ofabundance in every area, from a sense of overwhelm in your life to a sense of trust in the outcome. Doesn't that feel comforting?Perhaps you even noticed that your body and mind became more relaxed.
So often our minds are filled with "monkey chatter" that dwells on all the negative expectations we have. We expect (worry) a new love relationship to end, just like all the others. We expecttoo little money in the checking account at the end of the month, just like always, We focus on a problem, going over and over it in our minds, rather than affirming for a solution.
There is a wonderful story about Edgar Cayce, a world renowned psychic who lived in the last century. He became famous because of his ability to diagnose illnesses at a distance. Cayce didn't charge for this service, but he always trusted that whatever was needed would be provided. Once the rent was due and his wife was getting anxious about having enough for the payment. Cayce assured her they could trust the Universe. Sure enough, the money came in from a grateful client. But instead of paying the
rent, Cayce went out and bought a fishing rod! Imagine the frustration his wife felt! He assured her they could trust. And yes, another donation came in that covered the rent.
Where in you life do you need to expect the solution or expect your needs to be met? The Universal Energy that energizes our cells and is the substance of all there is, from the smallest particle to the largest star, is abundant in every sense of the word. Because you are a part of that energy, YOU are entitled to all abundance.
From now on, EXPECT miracles, EXPECT to be loved and appreciated, EXPECT the answers, EXPECT whatever you want.
Changing your expectations (your way of thinking about life) takes practice. Would you go out on a tennis court and expect to play perfectly the first time? No, but you could expect to learn quickly and play well! Have you ever watched the Olympics and heard the personal stories of the athletes and how they practice and focus? Pretend that you are in the mental Olympics, and you are going for the gold in your own life. Your task is to be aware of the meanderings of your own mind and continually correct the course when it begins to go down the train track of old expectations. Ask yourself: What thoughts would I like to choose that are nurturing and inspiring to me? If not, what thoughts could you consciously CHOOSE that do feel better? You are in choice, moment by moment. Choose thoughts that nourish your heart and mind, and you will experience wonderful changes in your life!
Love and blessings, Patricia (c) Heart Inspired Presentations, 2006 Feel free to forward with the copyright intact.
http://www.heartinspired.com Inspiring people the world over to a higher level of thinking about who they are, what they've got, and how to have a more powerful positive impact on the world around them. Patricia Crane, Ph.D. and Rick Nichols Heart Inspired Presentations PO Box 1081, Bonsall, CA 92003 USA 800-969-4584 or 760-728-8783
Step 8
TAKE A RISK
"And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom." Anais Nin (1903 - 1977)
Is there a longing in your heart to for some activity you want to do or some dream you want to achieve? What have you been waiting for? Be honest with yourself about the hesitation to act. Perhaps you fear rejection. Perhaps you fear success. Or you're waiting until you lose the weight or have the money, or.... so many reasons for hesitating. There is always uncertainty when you make a change, but if you keep feeling that longing in your heart, it is there for a reason. Each of us has a special talent or gift to express. We are ALL special in some way.
Think of it this way: it is actually selfish of you NOT to step out and share your gifts. People are waiting for YOU to be their teacher and guide. Even if you have a big dream, you can get started in some small way. The longer you suppress what you are being called to do, the less energy you feel for life.
A great book to read when you feel fear about moving forward is Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway, by Susan Jeffers. The title says it all! Susan says that if you are waiting for all the fear to be gone before you take action--- you will always be waiting and not acting!
In the process of blossoming from the bud to the flower, it helps to have supportive people to encourage you. Form a support group, a say yes to your dreams group. Meet in person or on the phone and share your dreams. Brainstorm on ways to move forward, and encourage each other with growth. Rejoice with each other in the triumphs and the challenges.
What is the new story you want to tell about your life? Give up the old one--- all the reasons why you can't. Embrace a story of possibility, of joy, of living life to the fullest. There was a movie several years ago, Living Life Out Loud. Not the best movie, but one with a great message about taking risks and living life fully. It's always a risk to go in a new direction. Will you regret it if you don't try? Are you going to stay a bud when it's time to blossom?
I've often spoken to women who are afraid that they will lose their relationship if they go for their dreams. While that could be a possibility, I suggest that they hold a different vision: "My relationship becomes even stronger as I go for my dreams!" Truly, energy and passion about something you want are very attractive!
Perhaps you need to clarify your dreams or envision them more clearly. Use the following exercise to help you in that process.
Take some quiet time by yourself. Relax and breathe. Tune into your inner self. Take your journal and spontaneously finish these statements: Wouldn't it be fun to_______? My dream is to_______. I feel alive when I _______________. My greatest satisfaction is _______________. I feel really in tune when___________. What scares me about going for my dream is_______. Keep writing. Let the wisdom within you emerge and guide you.
Go for it!!
Love and blessings, Patricia (c) Heart Inspired Presentations Feel free to forward with copyright intact.
http://www.heartinspired.com Inspiring people the world over to a higher level of thinking about who they are, what they've got, and how to have a more powerful positive impact on the world around them. Patricia Crane, Ph.D. and Rick Nichols Heart Inspired Presentations PO Box 1081, Bonsall, CA 92003 USA 800-969-4584 or 760-728-8783
Step 9
SHIFT YOUR FOCUS If you're not getting the results you want in life, it's time to shift your focus!
You may already know and understand that whatever you focus on expands. However, knowing that are actually practicing it are two different things! Right now, think about some area of your life where you feel challenged. How do you normally think about that area? For example, perhaps your prosperity isn't as great as you would like it to be. And perhaps you are already doing some affirmations that claim you ARE prosperous. But what are you thinking the rest of the day when you aren't doing your affirmations? Or perhaps you have a health challenge. Are you dwelling on the dis-ease? While it seems "normal" to focus on the problem, in fact this perpetuates and expands them! . If you focus on the challenges, they never get solved. And yet our human "monkey minds" seem to delight in going 'round and 'round with the challenges.
A Course in Miracles tells us that the "problem" is never solved on the level of the problem. And guess who else said that- Albert Einstein! So trying to solve a relationship issue on the level of the issue (he said-she said) doesn't work. Solving financial problems on the level of finances doesn't work. Becoming more healthy by focusing on the illness doesn't work. What does work is to shift your consciousness. Go to a place of trust, a place of inner connection, where the answers are found. And if you have difficulty doing that by yourself, find a spiritual counselor to help you. Affirm that you are guided to the right person.
Years ago I heard a wonderful saying that I repeat to myself whenever there are challenges in my life: "Don't tell God how big your problems are, tell your problems how big God is!" This reminds me that no matter is going on in my life, the energy of Spirit/Universe/God/Goddess (whatever you call the it) is greater than the "problem" I seem to be facing. Immediately, I can relax, because I remember that my consciousness is a part of Divine Consciousness, and that the answer is available, if only I take the time to be still and listen. I let go of trying to "figure it out" on the level of my limited consciousness. I affirm: All is well. I am perfectly guided by Spirit in the solution for this challenge.
From now on, when you face challenges, remind yourself that Divine Wisdom is bigger than they are. Choose to listen to that inner wisdom rather than the monkey mind. Take time to be quiet and receive the guidance that is available.
Do you have challenges with finances and prosperity?
Wishing you health, wealth, wisdom, and happiness. Patricia (c) Heart Inspired Presentations Feel free to forward with copyright intact.
http://www.heartinspired.com Inspiring people the world over to a higher level of thinking about who they are, what they've got, and how to have a more powerful positive impact on the world around them. Patricia Crane, Ph.D. and Rick Nichols Heart Inspired Presentations PO Box 1081, Bonsall, CA 92003 USA 800-969-4584 or 760-728-8783
Step 10
CHANGE YOUR STORY, GO PAST THE FEAR
What is the story you have about your life? What if that story were just one you had learned to believe, and right now you could choose another story?
Silently, in a long straggling line, the 27 workshop participants climbed over and around rocks, moving upward toward an unknown destination. Staying in silence was part of the exercise. There were places along the way where one could motion for help and other places where one had to receive help to traverse the uneven terrain safely. Hiking along about a third of the way from the front person, I became aware of how difficult it was for me to ask (even silently) for assistance. My father's voice rang in my head, "If you want something done right, do it yourself." How many times had I heard him say that? Dozens, perhaps hundreds. Suddenly I realized how limiting that idea was, the demands I had placed on myself because I believed it.
The group continued hiking upward in the warm California sun. Having never been much of an outdoor buff, I was aware that my leg muscles felt some strain, but the pace was slow enough that I could manage. And then suddenly we came to the top of the climb- a large flat outcropping, overlooking a valley at least 2,000 feet below, with the splendor of the Sierra Mountains in the distance. It was spectacular. "Definitely worth the climb," I thought. We all stood in awe of the scene in front of us. I waited for the workshop leader to signal that we were starting down again.
Instead, Richard spoke. He was standing at the edge of the outcropping. As he spoke, my heart began racing wildly. "I'm going to invite each of you, one by one, to come out on this rock and stand silently looking out over the valley." I looked at the rock he was pointing to- from where I stood, it looked like a very small flat rock jutting out from the large flat piece where we were all standing. Fear flooded my body. If I went out there, I could fall to my death! But already, someone in the group had moved to the small rock. This person stood there for several moments, then moved back. One by one, other participants went out on the rock and moved back safely. Although I had been in the first third walking up, my feet now seemed glued to the back section of the large rock.
Suddenly I remembered- I know about affirmations! I know how to use my mind! (Strange how we forget in stressful moments.) I began saying to myself, "My feet are sturdy and safe on the rock. I am safe. I am balanced and comfortable." Thinking these affirmations to myself, I consciously breathed more slowly. Finally, number 23 out of 27, I stepped forward and moved out onto the rock. Amazingly, the rock jutting out now seemed quite large and perfectly safe. I felt exhilarated looking out over the valley. There were some timeless moments, and then I stepped back onto the larger section. It was then I realized how often in life I had let my mind tell me something was fearful, and I held back from doing it. How often I made up a scary story about something.
Walking back down the mountain, over and around rocks, it was easier, even enjoyable to ask for help. A higher level of energy pulsed through my body, a greater sense of joy.
How often have you let fear stop you from going for your dreams? Are you afraid you'll fail, or look silly? At the end of their lives, people usually regret what they DIDN'T do. Today, take some step, however small, toward a dream you have. Go to the mirror and look in your own eyes and tell yourself, "The world is waiting for what I have to offer. I'm willing to go for it!"
Love and blessings, Patricia (c) Heart Inspired Presentations Feel free to forward with copyright intact.
http://www.heartinspired.com Inspiring people the world over to a higher level of thinking about who they are, what they've got, and how to have a more powerful positive impact on the world around them. Patricia Crane, Ph.D. and Rick Nichols Heart Inspired Presentations PO Box 1081, Bonsall, CA 92003 USA 800-969-4584 or 760-728-8783
Step #11 LOVE AND ACCEPT YOURSELF JUST THE WAY YOU ARE
Loving yourself is the foundation for change.- Louise Hay
What if--- you could accept yourself and be happy with everything in your life EXACTLY AS IT IS RIGHT NOW? Wouldn't that be a relief? You could stop tying up your energy with worry and judgments, thus accessing more positive energy for the things you really want to accomplish. Each moment, you have a choice about how to respond to events and people in your life. Making the choice to be happy when things aren't going your way isn't always easy - it does take awareness and practice. Now, I'm not suggesting that you stifle your feelings, especially at times where there is a significant loss, like a job or loved one. But isn't it true that most of the time where you're not choosing happiness, it's because of some minor annoyance during the day or some judgment about yourself? Many years ago I learned the power of being happy and accepting myself just the way I was- and experienced an almost instant behavior change. It happened like this: When I was 19 years old, I had a wonderful opportunity to participate in a student work program in London. I spent the whole summer there, working in a tea shop during the week and touring around on the weekends. While there, I picked up the habit of smoking. I thought it made me look older and more sophisticated! By the time I flew back to the US, I was addicted. And then spent years trying to quit! Several years later, I began a meditation practice to reduce the stress I was feeling, but also because I had heard that people who started meditating had an easy time quitting smoking. Well, it partially worked! In a short time, I had cut my smoking in half. But I couldn't seem to quit. I'd go on weekend meditation retreats, smoking that "last" cigarette before I went, only to stop at the first store on the way home to buy another pack. I was very judgmental of myself that I couldn't CONTROL this behavior and quit. I kept making myself very unhappy because of the judgment. So, on yet one more course, I'd smoked that "last" cigarette. But after a day, I was craving a cigarette, so I asked my then husband (who had no intention of quitting) if I could smoke some of his. I felt so angry and disappointed with myself. I went back to my room and cried and cried, feeling helpless to change this behavior. And then, from somewhere deep inside, I suddenly decided, "I'll just have to accept myself as a smoker. I can't quit. I'll just accept myself with this behavior." This understanding was a gift from Spirit, as I had not read anything at that time about loving and accepting yourself. Suddenly, I felt peaceful. I finished out the meditation course, and that pack of cigarettes, no longer judging myself--and quit smoking easily and effortlessly! Years later I read a passage in A Course in Miracles that said, "Guilt holds the behavior." How true! When you're feeling guilty, you prevent yourself from changing. Today, the most important decision you can make is to love and accept yourself unconditionally. You will gain great happiness and peace of mind from that simple decision. And miraculously, it will be easy to change the habits you want to change. Accept yourself, accept yourself, accept yourself today! Love and blessings, Patricia
Step #12 HOLD THE VISION
"Learning is finding out what you already know. Doing is demonstrating that you know it. Teaching is reminding others that they know it just as well as you." --Richard Bach
Within all of us there is connection with Divine Wisdom, and we have access to that wisdom whenever we're willing to be quiet and listen. A Course in Miracles tells us, "you have received many answers you haven't heard yet!" Spirit is there whispering, and our ego voice is drowning it out! Meditation is a powerful method for retraining your mind to be quiet and listen. I began meditating in the '70's. After a while, I began to notice that I would think about something and it would happen! Following one startling event, where I was offered a job I hadn't even applied for, I knew I had to understand what was happening. The book I discovered was Seth Speaks, by Jane Roberts. It was with this book, as Bach says, that I discovered what I already knew! As I read about the way that we create our reality with our thoughts, I knew this was true for me, even though the ideas were "new" to my conscious mind. I wondered why no one had taught me these ideas growing up! Once you remember what you know, it's time to start demonstrating that you know it. And that takes retraining your mind, over and over, to focus on what you want to create, rather than claiming what you don't want. Think about some area of your life where you'd like a change. How often are you feeling frustrated that it's not different? How often do you tell others what's wrong? The more you focus on the current situation, what you DON'T want, the more you are holding that experience in your life. The Universe responds to thoughts AND feelings, and it seems that people are often more passionate about what they don't want than what they do want. My partner recalls a time when his mother asked him to repay a loan she'd given him, and he didn't have the money. After getting off the phone with her, he stomped around the house saying loudly, "I don't have any money! I don't have any money!" Having just started learning about affirmations he suddenly realized what he was doing, and the energy with which he was doing it. No wonder he had no money! Practice claiming what you DO want with passion and energy. Forget appearances and hold your vision to the reality you are creating. Focus on the results you want, regardless on how out of reach they may seem. Remind others (in a gentle way!) to do the same. Then you are teaching what you also want to know in a deeper way. Your life is your message, so you are continually teaching, regardless of the work you do. With your energy and words, you communicate your beliefs about life every minute of every day. Achieving your dreams takes courage, persistence, patience and gratitude. Some of them may take years to unfold. Spirit will guide you at the right pace. When I affirmed to be an international workshop leader, it was two years before that happened. But in the meantime I was leading workshops, constantly grateful for everything I was learning, and polishing my skills. At the right time, the opportunity appeared. And so, dear reader, you now have the twelve steps to achieving your dreams. Go for them with great joy! Rick and I are dedicated to helping people live their best life. We invite you to attend one of our workshops or purchase one of our products to help YOU life your best life! To see what we are doing over the next several months, go to http://www.heartinspired.com/media/calendar.htm
Love and blessings, Patricia (c) Heart Inspired Presentations, 2006 Feel free to forward with copyright intact.
Heart Inspired Presentations PO Box 1081 Bonsall, California 92003 US
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