New Years Resolutions History

by

Gary Ryan Blair

The tradition of the New Year's Resolutions goes all the way back to 153 B.C. Janus, a mythical king of early Rome was placed at the head of the calendar.

With two faces, Janus could look back on past events and forward to the future. Janus became the ancient symbol for resolutions and many Romans looked for forgiveness from their enemies and also exchanged gifts before the beginning of each year.

The New Year has not always begun on January 1, and it doesn't begin on that date everywhere today. It begins on that date only for cultures that use a 365-day solar calendar. January 1 became the beginning of the New Year in 46 B.C., when Julius Caesar developed a calendar that would more accurately reflect the seasons than previous calendars had.

The Romans named the first month of the year after Janus, the god of beginnings and the guardian of doors and entrances. He was always depicted with two faces, one on the front of his head and one on the back. Thus he could look backward and forward at the same time. At midnight on December 31, the Romans imagined Janus looking back at the old year and forward to the new.

The Romans began a tradition of exchanging gifts on New Year's Eve by giving one another branches from sacred trees for good fortune. Later, nuts or coins imprinted with the god Janus became more common New Year's gifts.

In the Middle Ages, Christians changed New Year's Day to December 25, the birth of Jesus. Then they changed it to March 25, a holiday called the Annunciation. In the sixteenth century, Pope Gregory XIII revised the Julian calendar, and the celebration of the New Year was returned to January 1.

The Julian and Gregorian calendars are solar calendars. Some cultures have lunar calendars, however. A year in a lunar calendar is less than 365 days because the months are based on the phases of the moon. The Chinese use a lunar calendar. Their new year begins at the time of the first full moon (over the Far East) after the sun enters Aquarius- sometime between January 19 and February 21.

Although the date for New Year's Day is not the same in every culture, it is always a time for celebration and for customs to ensure good luck in the coming year.

Ancient New Years

The celebration of the New Year is the oldest of all holidays. It was first observed in ancient Babylon about 4000 years ago. In the years around 2000 BC, Babylonians celebrated the beginning of a new year on what is now March 23, although they themselves had no written calendar.

Late March actually is a logical choice for the beginning of a new year. It is the time of year that spring begins and new crops are planted. January 1, on the other hand, has no astronomical nor agricultural significance. It is purely arbitrary.

The Babylonian New Year celebration lasted for eleven days. Each day had its own particular mode of celebration, but it is safe to say that modern New Year's Eve festivities pale in comparison.

The Romans continued to observe the New Year on March 25, but their calendar was continually tampered with by various emperors so that the calendar soon became out of synchronization with the sun.

In order to set the calendar right, the Roman senate, in 153 BC, declared January 1 to be the beginning of the New Year. But tampering continued until Julius Caesar, in 46 BC, established what has come to be known as the Julian Calendar. It again established January 1 as the New Year. But in order to synchronize the calendar with the sun, Caesar had to let the previous year drag on for 445 days.

Global Good Luck Traditions

With New Year's upon us, here's a look at some of the good luck rituals from around the world. They are believed to bring good fortune and prosperity in the coming year.

AUSTRIA - The suckling pig is the symbol for good luck for the new year. It's served on a table decorated with tiny edible pigs. Dessert often consists of green peppermint ice cream in the shape of a four-leaf clover.

ENGLAND - The British place their fortunes for the coming year in the hands of their first guest. They believe the first visitor of each year should be male and bearing gifts. Traditional gifts are coal for the fire, a loaf for the table and a drink for the master. For good luck, the guest should enter through the front door and leave through the back. Guests who are empty-handed or unwanted are not allowed to enter first.

WALES - At the first toll of midnight, the back door is opened and then shut to release the old year and lock out all of its bad luck. Then at the twelfth stroke of the clock, the front door is opened and the New Year is welcomed with all of its luck.

HAITI - In Haiti, New Year's Day is a sign of the year to come. Haitians wear new clothing and exchange gifts in the hope that it will bode well for the new year.

SICILY - An old Sicilian tradition says good luck will come to those who eat lasagna on New Year's Day, but woe if you dine on macaroni, for any other noodle will bring bad luck.

SPAIN - In Spain, when the clock strikes midnight, the Spanish eat 12 grapes, one with every toll, to bring good luck for the 12 months ahead.

PERU - The Peruvian New Year's custom is a spin on the Spanish tradition of eating 12 grapes at the turn of the year. But in Peru, a 13th grape must be eaten to assure good luck.

GREECE - A special New Year's bread is baked with a coin buried in the dough. The first slice is for the Christ child, the second for the father of the household and the third slice is for the house. If the third slice holds the coin, spring will come early that year.

JAPAN - The Japanese decorate their homes in tribute to lucky gods. One tradition, kadomatsu, consists of a pine branch symbolizing longevity, a bamboo stalk symbolizing prosperity, and a plum blossom showing nobility.

CHINA - For the Chinese New Year, every front door is adorned with a fresh coat of red paint, red being a symbol of good luck and happiness. Although the whole family prepares a feast for the New Year, all knives are put away for 24 hours to keep anyone from cutting themselves, which is thought to cut the family's good luck for the next year.

UNITED STATES - The kiss shared at the stroke of midnight in the United States is derived from masked balls that have been common throughout history. As tradition has it, the masks symbolize evil spirits from the old year and the kiss is the purification into the new year.

NORWAY - Norwegians make rice pudding at New Year's and hide one whole almond within. Guaranteed wealth goes to the person whose serving holds the lucky almond.

Chinese New Year

Except for a very few number of people who can keep track of when the Chinese New Year should be, the majority of the Chinese today have to rely on a typical Chinese calendar to tell it. Therefore, you cannot talk of the Chinese New Year without mentioning the Chinese calendar at first.

A Chinese calendar consists of both the Gregorian and lunar-solar systems, with the latter dividing a year into twelve month, each of which is in turn equally divided into thirty- nine and a half days. The well-coordinated dual system calendar reflects the Chinese ingenuity.

There is also a system that marks the years in a twelve-year cycle, naming each of them after an animal such as Rat, Ox, Tiger, Hare, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Boar. People born in a particular year are believed to share some of the personalities of that particular animal.

About the Author:

Gary Ryan Blair is known throughout the world as The Goals Guy. He helps business owners, corporate executives and sales professionals manage their time, set their priorities, and stay focused so they can achieve their goals, grow their business, and be more successful.

His handbooks, training programs and coaching services are used by more than 60% of the Fortune 500 and over 4,000,000 people worldwide.

He is also the inspiration behind the 100 Day Challenge.

To learn more, visit http://www.goalsguy.com

Gary can be reached for media requests, television or radio appearances and speaking services at 877-462-5748 or by sending an email to Gary@GoalsGuy.com

Silent Night

Happy Christmas One and All!

If you celebrate Christmas, I hope you and your family are enjoying this wonderful day.

But whether or not you celebrate Christmas, I would like you to take just a few minutes out of your busy day to watch this moving video:

Simon and Garfunkel wanted us to experience the incongruity of our celebration of Goodwill and Peace to All against what was really happening in the world.

But it doesn't have to be that way!

I believe passionately in the power of visualization.  So on this day of Goodwill and Peace to All I am going to visualize exactly that: Goodwill and Peace to All.  Taking all the feeling that has built up in the days leading up to Christmas.  The emotions triggered by the tear-jerker movies I have watched.  The feelings that have welled up as I have sung about peace and love.  I am taking all of this and pouring it into a 2 minute visualization for Goodwill and Peace to All.

Please join me in this right now.  No matter whether you are Christian or Muslim, Buddhist or Hindu, Sikh or Jain, Shinto or Wiccan.  No matter whether you believe in God or not.  It simply does not matter.  All that matters is that we all join together, all over the world, and visualize Goodwill and Peace to All.

As we visualize, so shall it be.

Thank you one and all, and may you enjoy the remainder of the festivities!

Goodwill to All

For many of my readers we are now very close to Christmas.  For those of you who are not Christians, don't worry.  I am not about to start talking about the birth of Christ or trying to "convert" you, and I would also remind you that the origin of Christmas is not Christian anyway.  In case you are interested in the actual origin of many of the things that happen in the Christmas holiday, I wrote an article about this last year, and you can find it here.

What I want to focus on today is the feeling of goodwill we should all have at Christmas.  Well, to be honest, the feeling we should have all year round!  But we have to start somewhere, and if we can elevate our goodwill during this season then that is a great start for spreading the same positive emotion through the rest of the year.

Charles Dickens gave us good reason to do this in his immortal story "A Christmas Carol".  My favourite quote from that lovely novel is "I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future. The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me. I will not shut out the lessons that they teach!"

Spend some time in the next few days reading something Christmassy.  You could do far worse than reading "A Christmas Carol" itself.  Watch some of the tear-jerkers that tend to appear on television this time of year.  Virtually all of them have good and powerful messages if you will only open your heart and listen to them.

Begin this way to work on yourself, improving your own character.  Only by each of us changing and improving ourselves can we change and improve the world around us.  In fact, not just the world around us, but the whole world.  When we change ourselves we are changing the whole world.  As the poet John Donne said in the early 17th century "No man is an island, entire of itself, every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main."  So what happens within us also starts to happen within the world.  Make what happens something good, an increase in goodwill for all men (and women).

On Christmas Day I will post another short article around this theme.  But in the meantime can I ask you to do this one thing for me, whether or not you are able to log in and read my article then.  Remember how I asked everyone on Remembrance Day to spend two minutes visualizing world peace?  Well this time I want you to visualize goodwill.  It is actually the same thing - peace can only come from the goodwill of all people and all nations, and if there genuinely IS such goodwill there can only be peace.

Do this visualization for just two minutes on Christmas Day.  I know it is a busy day for most of us.  We have family around us, perhaps young children busy playing with their presents.  A big Christmas meal.  Yes, we are very busy.  But all I am asking is two minutes.  Just 120 seconds.  Is that really too much to ask?  You will find the time if you try.  And the more of us who try, the more goodwill we will spread throughout the world this Christmas Day.

Please do this even if you are not a Christian.

If you are a muslim for example, you will not be performing some infidel rite.  You will just be doing what the Qu'ran bids you, spreading peace.  "And make not Allah, by your oaths, a hindrance to your being righteous and observing your duty unto Him and making peace among mankind." (Qu'ran 2:224)

Whatever your religion I am sure it welcomes the spreading of goodwill and peace throughout the world.  So spread it on 25th December, when all of us who have read this will be doing the same in unison.

If you have access to the internet on Christmas day, visit my blog again and you will find a further article expanding on this and repeating my plea for a visualization for peace and goodwill.

Peace be with you!

Asking the Universe For Help

by

Nick Grimshawe

Ask and be prepared to receive. Notice I didn't say receive, I said prepare to receive.

One of the most exciting aspects of joining the throngs of pilgrims on the great wide way is the knowledge we acquire about the astounding nature of the universe and its generosity.  Once you believe magic can happen...magic will.  The sad truth is...so many people don't believe in magic anymore it's just kids stuff.

This links back to my purpose to inspire people to take the plunge...to throw away the old conventions, and live out loud in an abundant and magical place full of the energy of God.

Magic is really simple.

If you ask and you honestly believe...without resistance...without too many self doubts... you will get an answer.

(Oh I am so excited.)

I get really passionate about this....with just a tiny little bit of work we can have the universe open it's secret heart to us.  Once that happens we are given access to the wonderful mystery of god.

For instance, a week or so ago I had a problem with uprising anger than seemed to come from nowhere.  When I finally just plain out and asked for help with this...an insight came almost immediately!  It can happen in a flash of a moonbeam...or it can take a little while.

Here is an example of waiting for awhile.  I am writing a book...and using a working title which didn't really thrill me...and when nothing seemed forthcoming, I asked.  I asked quite awhile ago...but today...just as I said down to write this newsletter...and I opened myself up for the message to come....well out popped the title for my book "A Walk in Quiet Places: Inspiration for Your Quiet Moments"

I have a few rules that seem to help the process of asking and here they are.

1. Ask for answers.

Sounds simple right?  It is, but we love to complicate things in the belief that if it isn't complicated it's not true.  We think simplicity is the lie but its complication that holds the lie...for in this universe everything is ultimately simple.  The most elegant solutions are always the simple ones.

Asking for answers negates asking for things like a million dollars, because a million dollars does not require an answer.  Don't confuse the process of manifesting with the act of seeking answers: (that is a whole other [huge] topic).

2. Be prepared to receive the answer.

So what's the big deal about that?  It's like tuning in a radio station on a crowded dial, if you don't know the frequency of the station you want...your focus shifts to finding the station...not listening for the music.

The answer you are seeking can come in many forms: Out of the words in a book, on the soft morning breeze, while you gaze out to sea....while you are driving.  But if you are not prepared...by being watchful...by having your ear tuned for the answer you could miss it altogether.

And if you get impatient... if you throw up your hands in disgust and say "this doesn't work for me!" it of course...won't work.

And nagging for an answer won't work either.  Just let the question go...but stay alert, stay aware...the answer is seeking you.

3. Be prepared to record the answer.

I carry a note book with me everywhere!!!!!!!!  I also have a small recorder I am trying to make more use of.  As soon as you can...once the answer pops into your mind....write it down.  Just imagine if Mosses hadn't written down the Ten Commandments....and you see him a few days later, struggling to recall God's words....opps...don't want to go there.

Finally, how do you get into the groove, so that the magic begins to happen?

Daily practice....there is no other way.  Meditate, read, listen, ask, seek...learn...share...give. 

"Practice means to perform, over and over again in the face of all obstacles, some act of vision, of faith, of desire. Practice is a means of inviting the perfection desired."  Source: Martha Graham

With Love 

Nick Grimshawe 

The SunShine Guy

About the Author:

Mr Grimshawe has been writing most of his life.  Currently he publishes two blogs, teaches list building and produces Beautiful Summer Morning Inspirational Quote of the Day, which is highly valued.  You can subscribe to the service at http://www.nickgrimshawe.ws/BSMone.html

The Power of Self-Coaching

by

Tamara Baruhovich

Coaching is becoming more popular than ever, simply because it works. Just take a look at the achievements that the Winter Olympic athletes attained and you'll clearly see what I mean. And this is no different with Life Coaching. Think about the times when you had to solve a problem all by yourself versus a time when you got the help and guidance of a friend or co-worker... which scenario was easier? In fact, your friend and/or co-worker acted as a coach even without knowing it.

However, even when you have a Life Coach guiding you through the process, there is something you can do to make your experience 100% infallible. You must commit yourself to adopt certain traits that will aid in propelling you towards your destination more efficiently. By this I mean that since your Life Coach cannot be whispering in your ear 24/7, or patting you on the shoulder every moment throughout the day, you must learn to self-coach yourself.

Self-coaching is related to positive self-talk, but it's much more than that. Follow these steps to self-coach yourself to realize your goals faster and easier...

1. Determine your purpose - You must not only know what you want to accomplish but WHY. This surely seems obvious, but for some reason the WHY keeps on getting forgotten or dismissed altogether. Knowing what you want and why you want it is the primary starting point for achieving the results you want, for it you don't know where you are going or what your motivation is, you will never get 'there'.

2. Write your action plan - Don't rely on your memory alone. Self-coaching involves writing the steps to reach your goal. Jotting down every step is powerful because it serves you as a map. Once you have it, proceed to give yourself commands that will prompt you to act. Keep track of your written goals. Modify them if they are not working for you. Nothing has been written in stone, so use them as guideposts and correct the aim if needed. One step at a time you will get to your destination.

3. Auto-suggestion - Self-Coaching incorporates positive self-talk. First, you must know and feel that you are capable of accomplishing your goal. Then, tell yourself you can do it and give yourself the reasons as to why this is so. Creating positive affirmations is helpful too. Craft and memorize a handful of positive affirmations that you can repeat as needed to feed your mind with positive thoughts every time you need a lift.

4. Self-advice - We have all 'heard' that critical voice in our head when we make mistakes... why not use this voice for self-advice? If you are between two or more decisions, 'ask' your inner voice for advice. Treat yourself 'as if' you were talking and listening to a friend that has the best in mind for you. Take a nature walk or meditate. Then ask, be silent, listen... An excellent time to do the 'asking' is right before you fall asleep. Let your subconscious mind search for the right answer and whisper it into your ear as you wake up.

5. Self-encouragement - When the going gets tough, take some time off to remember the times in your life when things seemed close to impossible and somehow you were able to overcome the obstacles. Remember what you did and how good you felt. Self-coaching encompasses recognition. Allow yourself to live the experience all over again. Use that positive feeling as a springboard to encourage yourself, as you have proven in the past that you can accomplish difficult tasks. Remember your "why" and think of new reasons that can support your determination and resolve.

6. Adopt a positive attitude - This may sound like a 'cliche' but I can't tell you how important this is to change your state at any given moment. You can feel positive any time you choose to by focusing on the good you already have in your life. Regardless of your circumstances, you do have many things to feel grateful for and thus, to encourage a positive attitude. The fact that you are reading this should be one reason to make you feel positive for you are seeking new ways to improve your life.

7. Get self-inspired - Self-Coaching involves finding motivating stories that serve you as inspiration. Read about people that have accomplished major goals related to what you want to achieve. They become your role models. Use their stories to inspire you to reach new heights.

8. Be relentless - One famous phrase says that "Success is a journey not a destination"... be persistent and don't forget to enjoy the process. After all, you are moving towards your goal, and that is what matters.

9. Be patient - Anything worthwhile takes time to come into fruition. Just keep on keeping and believe in the unseen... patience is the mother of all virtues.

Life Coaching is a wonderful option to support and guide you towards achievement of your goals, but when you add Self-Coaching to the mix, you will experience faster and better results while you learn a helpful skill that will last a lifetime.

About the Author:

Tamara Baruhovich is a Life Coach, Health Educator, Parent Educator, and Counselor. Tamara has dedicated over 25 years of her life to the health field, teaching, counseling, coaching and writing about common health topics, self-help and personal growth. You can reach Tamara with your questions at her website. She always takes the time to reply personally as her passion is to help others achieve their best.

"Discover Your Potential" is a powerful, self guided coaching eProgram that offers you the one-on-one assistance of a Life Coach. Complete details at http://www.Discover-Your-Potential.net

Making Friends With Fear

by

Meredith Hines

When I was in drama school the great American actress Annette Bening came to speak to my class. A student asked her how she "overcame" her stage fright. She laughed, and said she hadn't. Instead she described a mindful awareness and acceptance of the anxiety she experiences before a scene. She said she would have a peaceful conversation with herself, something like: "Oh my, my hands are shaking, my heart is pounding, and I am really nervous right now. Interesting. Good to know. Alright nervous Annette, let's go to work!"

Like so much of our suffering, fear itself is not innately destructive; it is our rigid reaction to fear that keeps us imprisoned. Unlike Ms. Bening, most people's conditioned response to fear is to resist and contract. Like wincing with your body when you stub your toe, rather than feeling our fear, we tense around it and defend against it. Some of us run from fear by self-medicating with drugs, sex, food, or another anesthetizing distraction. Some of us fight fear like a shaming drill sergeant, forcing ourselves to "muscle through" and "conquer" our fears.

Not only do these responses often fail to adequately process and resolve fear, they are depleting on a physical, emotional, and psychological level. When we fight against it, or flee from it, we make fear an enemy. By cultivating a compassionate, rather than aggressive approach to fear, we can befriend it, soothe it, and learn from it. It certainly seems to have worked for Annette.

Here are 5 ways to make friends with your fear:

1. I've said it before, I'll say it again! Just Breathe: Our conditioned response to fear is to speed things up. Your breath is the most powerful tool you own to slow down your inner rhythm and achieve relaxation. When we are anxious the breath contracts into quick and shallow inhales with incomplete exhales. Consciously try to deepen your breath into the abdomen. Use your breath as a way of compassionately communicating with yourself and your fear. Imagine each full inhale providing nourishment and care, and each complete exhale providing relief. A skilled mind-body therapist can help you to cultivate essential self soothing technique.
2. Don't Time Travel: The mind is an incredible time machine. A fearful mind is obsessed with the pain of the past, or the anticipation of pain in the future. As you sit watching your breath notice the mind's desire to be anywhere but here. As each worrisome thought comes through your head file it under "past" or "future" and then come back to your breath. The breath, like your life, is happening right now, which is where your power lies.
3. Ground into your body: Like the breath, the sensations in your body are also happening right now, and paying attention to them can anchor you to the present moment. When we are frightened we leave our bodies. Cultivate practices to re-inhabit your physical being. Notice where fear lives in you. Breathe into those places. Drop your attention out of the head where everything is spinning and into the body where you can observe sensations without being consumed by them.
4. How old is it? After you have achieved a level of present centered awareness, you might ask yourself how old this fear feels. If you experienced trauma in childhood, a stressful event can trigger us right back to the age when we were hurt. In recognizing the activation of an earlier wound you gain insight into where there is "unfinished business" in your psyche that is asking to be seen, heard, and healed.
5. Remember Rilke: One of my favorite quotes, by one of my favorite poets, Rainer Maria Rilke, states: "Perhaps everything that frightens us is, in its deepest essence, something helpless that wants our love." If you can identify how old your fear is, you must then learn how to parent that pain. Rather than scolding fear as though it were a shameful failing, soothe it as though it were a wounded child. Ask the fear what it needs. Working with a therapist can help you cultivate self-care techniques to respond to those needs. Fear is a part of being human, when we take Rilke's advice (always a wise move) and befriend it with love and compassion, we can harness its energy and information to bring forth greater authenticity and creativity in our lives.

Copyright Meredith Hines MA 2011

About the Author:

Meredith Hines MA is a Los Angeles based psychotherapist, yoga and meditation practitioner and instructor, and a proud puppy mama. She specializes in working with anxiety, trauma, creativity, and spirituality. http://therapistmeredith.com

Why The Law Of Attraction Fails

by

Wyn Nathan Davis

As a recruiter, everyday, I meet people who are making an effort to change the circumstances of their lives - some will succeed most will not.

The Law of Attraction is the concept that we attract into our lives what we think about most of the time - that thoughts are things and thinking about things (good or bad) will bring those things into our life.

We are all aware that when we decide to buy a new car or a new mobile phone that all of a sudden we see those very same objects everywhere. It seems almost magic that the car we never noticed is all of a sudden on every street. This is, of course, not magic it is simply that our conscious mind filters out 99.9% of all of the events and sensations that enter our brain. Our subconscious mind is aware of about 70,000 events per second, however, our conscious mind is aware of only about 7 events per second. We filter how we see the world and we will see what we expect. After all, there is good, bad, ugly, beautiful, failure and opportunity around us all the time. We will 'filter' the world we want to see.

The Law Of Attraction is a process of conducting a 'mental trick'. If we use mantras, pictures of what we think about, or acting 'as if' we already have the things we want that we will change the filter and start to see the things and opportunities that we want. This is a good short-term strategy and does work for many people in changing their lives - at least in an area or two. The problem is that these changes rarely last and rarely affect enough areas of our lives to change our real life experience.

What is missing from the Law Of Attraction?

The problem with The Law Of Attraction is that consciously choosing to think a certain way does not change our subconscious and our subconscious drives most of our actions. Our subconscious mind is not really affected by our conscious thoughts but instead by our deepest values based on our past experiences.

We cannot truly change our thoughts until we truly change the way we think!

For example, for most of us choices like murder, incest, or extreme violence have no part in the way we think. When we hear of extreme acts in the news most of us have no ability to comprehend making such a choice. However, when we think about over-eating, managing money, cheating on our partners most of us can fully understand these desires or even struggle with them on a daily basis.

Until the changes in our lives that we seek - wealth, career performance, and health become the only possible choice - because the alternative seems simply impossible - we will struggle.

When you change your values the entire way you think changes - instantly. When this happens massive change is possible in your life because your world is actually, completely different. Imagine if the choice of over-eating seemed as abhorrent to you as murder? Losing weight would be easy!

To change the way you think you don't need another book, another seminar or more time. It can happen in an instant simply by changing the way you think by first changing your values.

When a person can choose their thoughts by a process of choosing their values they instantly lose all doubt and fear and become - a mastermind.

Dare to Be Different

by

Stephen C Thomas

Do you want a life change, but you also want to be like everybody else? I am here to tell you that I don't think it will work very well. If you want true life change, you have to dare to be different.

People will think I'm weird!

They might. One of the things that stops most people from changing their lives is that they are afraid someone will make fun of them, criticize them. It is a possibility, but probably not as big as you think. Many people will admire you for having the courage to be different.

When I was in high school, I remember a new kid coming to school in our senior year, a time when it was most important to fit in. John was a strange kid. He didn't really fit into any of the cliques and he was friendly to everyone. He made no attempt to change who he was in order to fit in.

Just about everyone admired and liked John. Several people started acting like him. He became one of the most popular kids in school.

Some people might think you are weird, but many will admire you and wish they had the nerve to be different.

I will lose all my friends

You might. Your friends might think that you have gone over to the dark side or something. They might think that you have started taking drugs or that you have become mentally unstable. Most likely, they will be intimidated by your change and your courage to be different. They may make noises like they think you are strange, but in reality, they will be jealous.

The question I have for you is this. Do you want to disappear into who your friends think you should be, or do you want to be the person you long to be, dream of being? If these are really your friends they will understand.

I won't know how to act!

Who cares? You are doing this so that you can change your life, change who you are. You are not doing it so that you can remain the same. It will take some getting used to, but you will find your way.

Learning to be the new you, the one who dares to be different, may take some time, but you will find that if you accept it, it will soon become fun. You will find new ways of being, new ways of behaving that are more fun than the old ways.

Why not start now?

Why wait? Why not start being different now, right now. Be the person you always wanted to be. Change your life to what you know you should be; what you are created to be. Dare to be different! Dare to change your life. Dare to live the life you want!

About the author:

Stephen C Thomas is a minister, spiritual guide, speaker, motivator, yoga and meditation instructor, Reiki practitioner, and writer. His purpose in life is to help people create the life they were meant to have. Life change is possible!

Life Change for You is a web site designed to help you change your life. If life change is something you want, if learning about positive thinking and creating your life interest you, you can visit Stephen at http://lifechangeforu.com/

Scarcity versus Abundance

by

Meredith Hines

The phone rings. It's a friend of yours who just booked a recurring role on a big television series. She is ecstatic; her voice sings and screams in a high pitched excitement. She is so grateful to share her moment with you. Despite your genuine desire to be happy for your friend's good news, a pang of anxiety erupts in the pit of your stomach. Your heart begins to race, your breath becomes shallow, your face burns red, you even feel like crying. Worst of all you feel shame at your inability to enjoy your friend's success.

When you have a visceral, full bodied response to hearing of another's achievement, it can be indicative of a deep psycho-spiritual conditioning known as the scarcity mentality. The scarcity mentality is a worldview rooted in the belief that there is not enough. There is not enough success, not enough wealth, not enough love for everyone. The dictum of the scarcity mentality is that someone must lose in order for you to win.

This mentality is often encoded early in life. If we experienced childhoods where there was in fact "not enough", where our physical, emotional, or spiritual needs went unmet, scarcity can easily become the lens through which we see the world. This worldview often motivates tremendous drive, but also leaves us hyper vigilant, incessantly comparing and competing with those around us, and rendering us fundamentally distrustful of life.

The opposite of a scarcity mentality is an abundance mentality. An abundance paradigm views the world in terms of boundless potential, where there is the possibility of enough for everyone. If you identify with a scarcity mentality you may view the previous sentence with skepticism and dismissal, or equate an abundance perspective with a deluded utopian vision. Yet rather than a Pollyannaish denial of injustice, an abundance mentality views the inequities of the world as stemming from scarcity consciousness on an individual and collective level. World hunger is not a result from a dearth of food, it's a product of national and global policies rooted in greed and scarcity. While there may be a finite amount of oil on earth, there is an abundance of alternative energy available.

An abundance mentality rests on the spiritual principle of interconnectedness. Abundance allows us to experience ourselves as more than separate animals at war with one another for the last scrap of food, but as part of a collective where everyone has a vital role to fill, and we are in this together. While competition still plays a natural role in daily life, when an expectation is disappointed--- when someone else gets the job, the sting is not so immense that your core is shaken. It does not become a herculean task to wish someone well because you have an innate trust that you too will be taken care of.

What is so pernicious about a scarcity mentality is it's a self-fulfilling prophecy. When you see the world as scarce and perceive the success of others as threatening, you project an air of desperation that is off-putting towards opportunity. The old adage of "don't network, make friends" comes to mind. When you enter a situation from a scarcity mentality, all you see is what others can do for you. This agenda is transparent and usually makes people run! When you can rest in a place of abundance you open yourself to be of service. You are able to authentically connect with others and you radiate an attractive, positive energy. Wisdom traditions throughout the ages reiterate that you only get what you give away. This does not mean martyrdom, nor does it mean feigning philanthropy, or repressing jealousy or shadow. It means doing the internal work of dismantling scarcity conditioning, and re- aligning yourself with an abundance mentality which can foster inspiration and generosity for yourself and others. Ultimately, it's a much easier way to live.

© Meredith Hines MA 2011

About the Author:

Meredith Hines MA is a Los Angeles based psychotherapist, yoga and meditation practitioner and instructor, and a proud puppy mama. She specializes in working with anxiety, trauma, creativity, and spirituality. http://therapistmeredith.com

How to Listen With Your Heart

by

Flo Li

"The first duty of love is to listen." -- Paul Tillich

Love is tricky. Without communication, love is not sustainable. A huge part of communication is the ability, willingness and the act of listening. How you truly listen to your partner determines the depth of your conversation and the meaningfulness of your communication. There are two major ways to listen -- one is with your head, another is with your heart.

Listening with your head requires little concentration, awareness, or compassion. It is a mechanical process that most of us have mastered quite nicely. You simply listen to the words been spoken, pay little attention to tonality or body language, but you do pay a lot of attention to your internal dialogue that formulates what you will say next. The conversation becomes a ping pong game with great technicality but lacks soul.

Listening with your heart requires more focus, sympathy, and love. It is an artistic process that only the gifted few have charismatically obtained. Throughout history, the best leaders are those who truly sympathized with their troops. The most effective executives are the ones who understood their employees at a deeper level. The most intimate love relationships are the union formed between individuals who practiced heart centered listening.

Luckily for us, listening with your heart is a trained process. It simply takes practice to become more compassionate, charismatic, and loving. There are several steps you can follow to fine tune the art of listening with your heart.

1. Be glad. Start the conversation with the willingness to connect and appreciate the opportunity to connect.
2. Set your agenda aside when it is your time to listen. Your objective is to listen and to listen only. Clear your mind of what your agenda is and what you would like to gain from the conversation.
3. Listen to the words, sense the tonality behind the words, and watch the body language without a single ounce of judgment. Remember, there is no right or wrong in what might appear in front of you yet your own interpretation can make anything seem right or wrong.
4. Listen to the underlying message underneath the words by staying open. Your unconscious mind is able to pick up inferential statements which can often get clouded by the judgment of the conscious logical mind.
5. During a pause, do not jump in but take time to open your heart. By opening your heart, you are automatically connected to the other person while sympathy, love, and compassion are also expressed naturally.
6. Ask for clarification. If you do not understand something, ask for more explanation. Do not accuse of the other person for not being clear. It takes two to communication, so please take responsibility for yourself.
7. Most importantly, listen slowly. Listening with your heart requires your mind to slow down or stop in order to truly listen to another. It requires you to be more in your body and less in your head.

Practice listening with your heart as a healthy way of being. It will improve all of your relationships in a miraculous way. Remember, "the first duty of love is to listen."

About the author:

Flo Li http://floli.com/

During a physical death experience she touched the face of the infinite divine and gained spiritual freedom...Flo Li has a masters in Bioengineering and an MBA in entrepreneurship. Born a skeptic with a keen sense of scientific mind, she found herself waking up to the undeniable truth of Divine Love and Ancient Wisdom. A passionate speaker, she shares her crossing over experience and lessons learned through public talks and profound writing.

How to Develop Your Intuition

by

Melissa Kitto

You've heard the idea about developing your intuition, but why would you want to? Your intuition is a very practical tool to have in your life. If you are not using it, you are missing out.

My son Liam is 5 1/2 months old and I have found that my intuition comes in very handy when dealing with a baby who is not old enough to communicate verbally yet. When I trust my intuition I can take a lot of the guesswork out of parenting an infant. I have an answer for all those questions: "Is he hungry? Why is he cranky? Is he ready for a nap yet?" Etc etc!

In fact, your intuition is your best asset for success in all areas of your life. Your intuition guides you to be in the right place at the right time, doing what is right for you and your family.

So, how do you improve your intuition and learn to trust it more? Here are some tips to get you started.

1. Listen to the still, small voice inside.

You know the one. It's that really quiet inner voice you have within. If you are very busy and very rushed, you won't be able to hear your inner voice. It's the part of you that knows what's best, and is always speaking to you. You just need to slow down enough to hear it. This doesn't mean you need to stop and meditate for 30 minutes. Who has the time? You just need to stop for a second in the midst of your day and take a deep breath. Re-connect to your inner truth. Listen to what your inner voice is saying to you.

2. Pay attention to your hunches and impressions

You are a soul with a body, not a body with a soul. You are energy. Because you are energy, you are like a radio transmitter constantly picking up thoughts, feelings and impressions all day long. Many of these hunches and impressions come from your team of spiritual helpers or angels. There is a lot of wisdom in these impressions that you receive. You could pick up a feeling, a thought, a knowing or a vision.

These impressions are very subtle. So subtle in fact that if you don't take the time to pay attention to them, you will probably not notice them, or dismiss them very quickly.

Become more observant and more aware of your inner communication. When you get a hunch, write it down. Consider if that's a good idea for you. Follow through and take action on your hunches and you will be amazed what can unfold in your life. You just need to pay attention.

3. Feel - Think - Act!

As a soul, when you are in balance you naturally go through the cycle of Feel - Think- Act. First you feel something, or pick up a hunch or inspiration. This impression will just come to you, you don't need to create it or make it up. It's more about observing what is present within your feelings.

Next comes Think. This is where that logical, thinking mind comes in and starts organizing you to take action on the feeling you had. If you're out-of-balance, this is where you start over-thinking! If you tend to analyze and dissect everything, or talk yourself out of things, then you never follow through on your intuitive impressions.

Use your thinking mind to get your organized and directed, not to talk you out of your ideas. Do you have a running mental dialogue of self-criticism? Thoughts such as "I'm not ready" "I'm not good enough" or "I'm worried about what others will think" do not serve you. All they do is put you in a stuck place. Start to notice when those negative thoughts run through your head and replace them with positive, encouraging thoughts about yourself.

Once you're organized, then comes the Act. It's time to follow through and take action on the ideas you have organized for yourself. This is where you experience the fun and fulfillment of accomplishing your goals.

4. Stay Relaxed

The key to being more aware of your intuition is to be relaxed. If you are tense, stressed and trying to get too much done you will not be aware of what your intuition is telling you. As a Mom, there is no doubt you are busy and you have a lot on your plate. But you don't have to be still to be relaxed. As you complete your daily activities, practice feeling relaxed and still within. Know there is always a solution to any problem you face, and if you stay relaxed enough an answer will come to you through your inner voice.

Any time you feel stressed, take a deep breath, close your eyes and feel the love and peace that is in your heart. It will bring you right back to the present moment.

About the Author:

Melissa Kitto, the Angel Guidance Coach, will show you how to tune in and communicate directly with your angels and experience the JOY of living your unique life purpose. Visit http://www.CommunicateWithAngels.com to receive your FREE Special Report, the 3 Secrets to Communicating with your Angels.

Imagine

Imagine there's no heaven
It's easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today...

Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace...

You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will be as one

Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world...

You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will live as one

As I write this article people all over the world are getting ready to mark Remembrance Day in a couple of days’ time.  Remembrance Day was instituted to remember the sacrifices of the many young men who gave their lives for their country during the First World War, which ended on the 11^th hour of the 11^th day of the 11^th month in 1918.  Nowadays it is extended to remember all who have sacrificed their lives for their country in war, both men and women.

During the 2 minutes silence at 11 am on the 11^th of November this year I will be imagining something John Lennon and Yoko Ono imagined early in 1971.  A world without war.  Or to put it in a more correct, affirmative way, a world filled with peace.  This is something I have always done on Remembrance Day since I was a child.

I do not imagine a world without religion though.  Religion has its place.  As long as it is not divisive.  It was the divisiveness of man-corrupted religion that made Lennon and Ono want to throw it away.  As Lennon himself said, he wanted a world “without this my-God-is-bigger-than-your-God thing”.  I imagine a world at peace, where we each seek the Truth in our own way, some of us by following a particular religion and others finding that Truth in a different way.  All of us recognizing and respecting the differences between us.

Nor do I imagine a world without possessions.  I believe the Universe wants all of us to enjoy the possessions we have and to provide us with even more.  It is simply not true that there is a limit on those possessions and that if I possess something it means someone else cannot possess what they want or need.  So there is nothing immoral about wanting more and going out and getting it.  But I also believe we are intended to use those possessions for good, using them to help all those around us.  In that sense my thinking is perhaps not so far apart from John Lennon’s as it might at first seem.

Probably most of you reading this believe in the immense power of visualization.  I certainly do.  If you do believe in this power, or even if you are not sure but are prepared to agree it may exist, and if you believe a world at peace is much preferable to a world at war, I would ask you to join me in a 2 minute visualization for peace.  Visualize everyone, regardless of country, race or religion, working together, living together in peace, being happy together.  Let us all do this visualization together for 2 minutes at 11:00 am on the 11^th November, this year, next year, and every year.

Imagine the power of that visualization!  Let’s do it!

Magic Spells - The Key to Success

by

Sarah T White

What is the key to success with magic spells?  In one word: visualisation.

Visualisation is a very powerful thing, and an important part of succeeding with magic spells. The mind is where your power comes from, and visualisation is one technique for unlocking that power and using it in your magic. Your inner spirit and mind control your emotions, your motivation, your success and happiness. Proper visualisation helps to focus your mind on your goals, and helps you to achieve them without realising you're doing anything different.

But what's the difference between visualisation and just daydreaming or an active imagination? And how can we apply visualisation to witchcraft and magic spells?

The main difference is that visualisation has purpose. It has a goal. It should also be more concentrated, controlled and directed (by you) than day dreaming. When you visualise in your spell casting, the visualisation itself is a big part of the magic spell. Without that section, your spell would not be so effective. So here's some tips:

• Make sure you start your spell completely relaxed, with time to spare. You don't want to rush a magic spell, that way you won't be able to devote the proper concentration and attention to it. Maybe play some soothing background music or neutral sounds, and dim the lights.


• Start your visualisation carefully and slowly. Practice making pictures in your head and holding on to them. Don't let them run away from you - you're in control. Start with black and white blurry pictures, then progress through sharpening the picture, adding colour, making it brighter and stronger and then adding detail.


• Block out all background noise and outside distractions. You should be able to "retreat" into your imagined world during the magic spell and become completely absorbed by it. The better you can do this, the more real it will be, and the better results your spell will achieve.


• Don't try to visualise a video - stick to still freeze-frames and photo-like pictures. Once you've practiced switching between these photos you can gradually start to introduce short moving sections.


• Successful visualisation in magic spells is about more than just the picture. You have to place yourself inside the scene. Hear what people will be saying to you and around you, smell your surroundings and the perfume of the people near you, touch the ground under your feet and the wind in the air, feel the emotions that you would feel if what you can see was really happening.

Take it slow, immerse yourself and pay attention to the small details that make the scene real. Successful magic spells all use visualisation as a core component of the spell, and magic and witchcraft would not be the same without powerful mind techniques such as visualisation. This is one way of opening the door to your inner power, and using that power to bring about positive change in the world.

Magic spells are easy to learn and simple to do. If you use them properly, you can do incredible things. Click here to learn more about successful spell casting, witchcraft and real magic spells.

Discovering and Celebrating Hidden Talents

by

Kristen Clark

Projects we enjoy doing at the office or hobbies we carve out time for during the weekends are good indicators of our talents - natural or learned. These are the activities that help us feel good about ourselves. When we experience the results of using our talents in these areas, we begin to recognize and believe more deeply in our abilities. If you want to boost your self-esteem, follow these four simple steps for discovering and using your talents.

1. Identify current interests. Make a mental note of the activities you currently enjoy and why. Ask yourself what it is specifically about these activities that inspires and satisfies you. Assess your interest and your skill. The things you already like to do are probably things you are also good at doing. Keep doing those things and if needed, find a way to do them more often.

2. Ask others about their interests. Talk to friends, family members, and colleagues about how they discovered their passion and what they did to sharpen their skills. Perhaps you'll find that you have similar interests; if so, you can pursue those interests together. Or, temporarily borrow their interests; try their passions on for size and see how you feel about them. You might feel a little out of your comfort zone, but it may be a worthwhile experience in identifying new and exciting talents of your own. If you decide you don't like something once you've tried it, you will still have gained some great insight into yourself.

3. Research interests online. The Internet is a great way to explore new ideas and opportunities without investing significant time or money in the experience. Explore various online courses to see if anything peaks your curiosity. Check out interest groups, forums, and chat rooms and search for conversations that appeal to you. Identify why the conversation appeals to you and assess if you have the skills needed to participate. If not, take a class and learn how. If so, dive right in.

4. Take community classes. Community classes are an excellent way to discover talents and passions. Most classes are usually local and easily accessible. Many classes are affordable and require little additional knowledge or training. Some classes are offered frequently during the year so you can attend one at your convenience. Once you've chosen a class to attend, you'll get a good idea about the subject over the span of the course. At the end, you can decide whether or not it's right for you. If not, you can move on and try a different course until you find an interest and corresponding hidden talents that meshes well with your needs and desires.

Whatever you do, don't give up. The goal is to build self-esteem by identifying hidden talents. Make an investment in yourself by uncovering your own hidden talents and nurture those talents to your heart's content. Doing so will lead to deep fulfillment and personal satisfaction. And, you might even have some fun in the process.

Negative feelings about ourselves are often the result of low self-esteem, which can impede our efforts to be successful. I am Kristen Clark. Please join me at http://www.hissideofthelookingglass.com, where you'll find Christian resources designed to help you change your mind about yourself, discover WHO you are and WHOSE you are, and build the confidence you need to not only accomplish more but reach your highest potential.

Wicca, Magic, and Spells

by

Sarah T White

Magic spells have fascinated us for thousands of years. People are intrigued and obsessed in how spells could work for and against a person's interest and desires. Magic spells are not only performed to achieve personal gain, they are also practiced as part of a religious belief system such as Wicca.

Wicca is deeply rooted to ancient pagan beliefs which emerged hundreds of years ago. Gerald Gardner claimed that the practices and beliefs of Wicca were based from a secretive group that had accepted him as a member. Wiccan spells are often referred to as "magick" rather than the common "magic." This differentiates real magic from common conjuring and illusion tricks practiced by stage performers in shows.

When Wicca was first developed, the government and public society at large was scared by it and so persecuted witches and wizards, putting them to death. Even now although witch-hunting no longer occurs it is common for Wicca followers to practice their arts in secret so as to avoid scrutiny or ridicule from unbelievers. All Wiccans agree that Satan-worship is not part of their practices.

Nature and its elements: earth, air, fire, and water, are loved and revered in Wicca. Wiccans consider themselves "at one" with nature. Harming nature would cause nature to harm them back, so all Wicca spells are white magic and are intended for good purposes only.

All who practice magic spells do so in strict accordance with "The Wiccan Rede." This deep rooted law of Wiccan magic states, "do what ye will, harm ye none." This simply means that magic spells can be used freely as long as no one gets hurt in the process. A related commandment is "The Law of Three" which states that "harm will be returned three-fold", further encouragement to only use magic for good.

Magic is similar to Christian prayers. Spells are part of Wiccan rituals although not all Wiccans cast spells. Spells can be both used to help or hurt and manipulate other people, but Wiccan followers are strictly prohibited from using spells that will harm other people in accordance with "The Rede."

Before a Wiccan performs any magic spell, incantation or ritual, they first reflect on their intentions and the consequences and repercussions of the act. All its possible effects are thoroughly considered to make sure the spell is good and pure. Most spells are followed precisely as they are written, although there are times when the spells can be modified to fit the witch or wizard's power, personality and situation.

Some people may show wonder, disbelief, or even fear of the powers that Wiccans possess. But understanding the basic beliefs and principles of Wiccans shows us that what they do is not against the fundamental principles of all moral and wise teachings for human beings, which is to share life and embrace nature without harming others.

The author is a lifelong white witch, Wiccan and practitioner of magic spells. Visit her website to learn more about different types of white magic and Wiccan spells - http://www.allmagicspells.com/in/arcoh

Seven Ways To Grow Your Own Success

by

Elaine Bailey

"Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

When I decided to start my own business I was fired up and ready to go! I bought all the books my mentor (and other people) recommended and signed up for numerous online programs and packages.

Then I drowned in an ocean of self-help modules and leadership resources! I felt overwhelmed and scared because I had so much stuff to learn. I had no plan so the learning tools gathered dust on a shelf as I got busy doing coaching and trying to be successful!

My personal development stopped. I'd get stuck with some of the basic business challenges because I wasn't growing. Others around me seemed to be growing faster and getting more success, this hurt!

Here's what I realized...

Buying learning won't help you to learn - You have to READ and APPLY the tools consistently! This is where most of us fall down.

I was trying to grow my business without growing myself.

This also applies if you work in the corporate world. You get promoted and take on a leadership role and there's a whole new set of responsibilities placed on you!

Whether you work in corporate or for yourself, one of the minimum requirements of being successful is your ability to grow. The "Future belongs to learning." Active continuous personal development separates the successful from the mediocre... and the gap between the two is wide!

Here's my personal development success formula...

You have to INVEST in yourself on three levels:

1. Invest money (I was good at buying the books, mentors and resources!)
2. Invest time (I didn't invest the time because I was too busy doing!)
3. Invest attitude (I invested in a growth mindset and take my personal development very seriously)

All three need to be present...

I know individuals who have ignored these and it has destroyed their careers by developing fixed mindset and relying purely on status, ego and past experience to solve future problems. Learning is seen as a weakness by these people!

If you stop learning, you stop leading. You stagnate and you will fail.

Successful people invest time, money and attitude in their own personal development and it pays off. They take learning seriously because they recognize its real value.

Here's how to grow your own success from the inside-out:

1. Start from where you are now - You may have loads of resources backed up. Just choose ONE! Commit to working through that one resource, then move onto the next. Begin today.

2. Read for an hour a day - Wake up an hour earlier each day and read each morning first thing. If you do this 5 days a week - that's five hours of reading! Just think how many books you could read in a year and the advantage you would have over your peers! Make notes and apply one thing you've read during the day (Start with 30 minutes and build up. Turn the TV off and read for an hour each night if you 'don't do' mornings!).

3. Listen to audio books on the move - I listen to learning while I'm working out at the gym! I find the gym boring! Now I learn as I workout and time flies by. I make a few notes back in the changing room! You can also listen as you drive, fly or take the train!

4. Have an ATTITUDE for learning - Is your passion and commitment for what you do greater than any inconvenience in timing or traveling? I travel thousands of miles for my own personal development it's not always convenient - I look beyond discomfort because I'm passionate about being the best I possibly can be. Get out from behind the convenience of your computer and look beyond the discomfort of traveling! Take your personal development seriously - Mean it! Activity seek out specific events and trainings that will help you grow. Group learning can expand your mindset and your skillset. Go to the source of the expertise and learn from the best if you want to be the best!

5. Plan your personal development time - Schedule dates and times for each week and show up! Look for opportunities to learn - Carry a book or IPad with you! Read while you wait for appointments (Instead of wasting time on Facebook!).

6. Apply what you learn - Reading is only a small part of the process. Growing involves USING what you've learned and is critical for success. I know hundreds of managers who have read: The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey, but only about 15% have actually applied any of the content to their life.

7. Work with a mentor - If you want to run a million pound business, then you want to learn from someone who has first hand experience and can provide wisdom, intuition and support. Working one on one will help you to: stay focused, be accountable, keep your commitment and create the discipline and persistence to make things happen. A coach or a mentor can help you to maximise your potential and be the best in your career or business.

Are you passionate enough about your success to seriously INVEST in your personal development?

How much do you REALLY WANT to be successful?

About the Author:

Elaine is founder of Elaine Bailey International Ltd. a company devoted to coaching busy and successful women and men into their best lives. Elaine spans the Atlantic from the UK to the USA in her life and business coaching. She is a sought after motivational speaker, whose topics include "Business or Busy-ness? Four Ways to Get Your Life Back on Purpose. Please visit http://ElaineBaileyInternational.com.

Healing Through the Law of Attraction

by

Alexander Lynch

Almost everyone faces health issues in their every day life, and they could stand to have a little help with them. Whether you deal with stress, anxiety or have low energy levels, there are ways to promote healing through the law of attraction.  This simple method utilizes your body's energy flow to direct your healing process to the areas that you need it most.  It doesn't require any special skills, instead it can be done by just about anyone with the right preparation.  Give this process a chance and you're bound to see results.

One of the first steps towards harnessing the power of healing through the law of attraction, will be to establish a meditative routine in your daily life.  Just set aside a short block of time towards meditation.  This may sound strange, but many have found that relaxing and concentrating your mental energy can be a highly effective method of promoting the healing process.

Most experts in meditation advise that you only do the process when you can devote all of your mental energy to this process.  Try to seclude yourself in a quiet room where you won't be interrupted by outside noise.  You might want to cancel out these distractions by playing some gentle and soothing music during your meditation routine.  This will allow you to focus on the issue at hand and maximize the rate at which you heal your body.

There are many signs that you're making progress with your meditative practices.  Some people may not be sure that they're doing things right, but here are a few key steps to keep in mind:

•  Take deep, shallow breaths 
•  Close your eyes 
•  Relax your thoughts 
•  Focus your mental energy 
•  Use your imaginative powers to direct that energy

The key to healing through the law of attraction is that you're going to want to imagine yourself being healthy and capable of doing something you couldn't otherwise accomplish.  So if you suffer from arthritis and you'd like to be able to sew a pattern again, you would meditate and focus your mental energy on this task.  The law of attraction predicts that if you prepare your mind for this task, you will be provided with the health and energy necessary to perform the action in real life.

There have been many attempts to explain why this phenomenon occurs in real life.  Some people suspect that the Universe is naturally capable of directing energy resources to individuals who need it.  This energy may be called upon by exerting mental effort and imagining our bodies doing the action.  This comes naturally to athletes and others who are active, because they do it constantly throughout their lives.  But once we lose our health, we may also lose our confidence to focus our mental energy on these tasks.

Whatever the ultimate reason, the fact remains that it is possible to heal your body through the law of attraction.  It has been demonstrated many times over, and there are people everywhere who will swear by this methodology.

Considering how easy it can be to simply try the meditation stage out, there may be nothing to lose by giving it a shot.  If you find that it works for you, it may become gradually easier to harness the powerful capacity that the law of attraction holds.

Claim a free law of attraction subliminal MP3 (http://instantlawofattractionsuccess.com/loasubliminalmp3.html) to help you put the law of attraction into practice in your life.

And check out instant law of attraction success (http://instantlawofattractionsuccess.com/) to find out how you can help your body to heal itself with the law of attraction.

Mind Games and Self-Sabotage - Getting Out of Your Own Way

by

Tao De Haas

While you have great potential waiting to be unleashed there is something opposing it that is even more powerful. It stops you from being successful; it prevents you from putting things into action, it hinders your chances of achieving those goals that are important to you. It is so powerful that it can even paralyse you. So what is it that prevents so many people from reaching their potential? What could be even more powerful than the desire to achieve your goals?

Excuse me, you're in my way!

There is 'someone' who wants to stand in the way of your progress, like an overzealous bouncer standing at the door blocking your path to the world of success and achievement. But rather than it being someone external, it is an aspect of you, a sub-personality. It is the part that sabotages you through playing mind games. It tells you to 'start tomorrow' to 'do it later'. It finds more urgent and important things to do than stepping onto your path to success. When it sees others getting on and achieving the things that are important to them, this part will come up with justifications as to why you are not, by letting you believe that you're not as talented, not as capable, not as smart etc. Whatever mind game this part plays, it is often very effective in stopping you from flourishing and being successful.

So what's this mind game?

So what is the game? The game is called self-sabotage. Like in the game of chess it is equivalent to the powerful King. When it comes to self-sabotage, procrastination is King. This King stands in the doorway that leads from intention to action. Just like the game of chess is a process, so is self-sabotage. It is a complex process already started in early childhood. Unfortunately this process is a game that pitches people against themselves. It pitches their desire and intention against their impulses and seduces them not into action, but into stagnation.

Emotional not logical

Perhaps that sounds illogical, and this process is exactly that. It is a process that is emotionally driven and not driven by logical consideration. For the part of the brain that is concerned with protecting you, it seems safer not to act but to 'stay safe' where you are right now. While this is most useful for survival we humans are not merely programmed to survive, we are also programmed to evolve.

This is a perfect dynamic for the mind playing games. The game plays out with the various parts of your brain vying with each other, competing to get your focus and attention; the survival part versus the thriving part. Of course whatever part you favor with the most attention and energy wins the game!

Don't give it power

Sabotage can only thrive when you give it power. You need to stop giving 'King Sabotage' your focus and attention. While at its core sabotage might be there to protect you, your courage, determination and desire needs to be greater. While protection based on fear often does a great job, in many cases it does its job too well standing in the way of your progress, your success and ultimately achieving the things you most want to achieve.

Feel the fear

The game can be most effective, the 'voices' can be convincing and seductive if you allow them to be; 'do it tomorrow, you are too tired today, 'wait till you feel more motivated', 'you won't be good at it', 'you will never really succeed' etc. The more you listen to these voices the more power you give them. It is not about not feeling trepidation or uncertainty, but as the saying goes; feel the fear and do it anyway!

Get out of your own way!

Remember Marden? Deep within us dwell slumbering powers; power that would astonish us, that we never dreamed of possessing: forces which revolutionize their lives if aroused and put into action.

You will be amazed at your own capabilities when you get out of your own way. You will automatically evolve, flourish and grow as this is what nature has programmed you to do. The part of you that has been programmed to excel will win over the part that will try to hold you back. There is a very simple principle I call the seed and brick principle. Once you remove a brick that lies on top of a seed it will grow, flourish and evolve. Then, all you need to do is make sure you 'water it' (by focussing on it) and keep the soil 'nourished' (through nourishing your mind with positive and encouraging thoughts) and weeding out negative and limiting thoughts by not giving power to them.

Get out of your own way. When you stop self-sabotage and procrastination in one area of your life it will positively affect all other aspects. There is nothing more satisfying than disempowering self-sabotage and procrastination through empowering yourself.

Numerous studies have shown that people who set goals consistently achieve more in life than those who do not. Yet there is so much more to goal setting than most people think. Not only do people need to be clear about what they want, they need to create an environment for success and achievement; an environment that guides and supports them, keeps them focused and on the right track.

Just think about New Year resolutions. Despite having the best intentions, most people don't make it past the 7th day of January! At Minds with Integrity we have developed a unique and personalized system that will help you move from hoping and wishful thinking to living your life according to what is really important to you. Experience immediate and tangible outcomes with a system that gets results.

The Life Navigation System is your own personal GPS; an easy and practical online DIY coaching system. It puts you in the driver's seat and more in control of your life and where you are heading.

Sign up for your free trial and test drive The Life Navigation System today. Take your free test drive now. https://www.mindswithintegrity.com/Home/Mi_Community.aspx