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

Why Read Self-Help Books

Today's article is by Yan Wei Chue, who ran a personal development blog http://www.livingthegreat.blogspot.com.  When I last checked there were no recent blog posts by Yan Wei, but I found this particular article so powerful I obtained permission to reproduce it here.

When you have read all about WHY you should read self-help books, if you want to get access to a regular stream of FREE personal development material, then join my Great Personal Development Material project!  You can join here:

http://beallican.com/gpdm/greatpdm.htm

Why Read Self-help Books and Attend Personal Development Seminars?

We live in a very competitive world. Any individual who wants a piece of pie in this world has to fight for it.

Today we go about getting a larger piece of the pie by increasing our self-worth through various means. For some, it means going back to school to pursue a higher education. Some continue to believe that sheer hard work is the practical way to success. Whereas a minority does nothing and hope that they can become better people.

There is an increasing trend where people turn to self-help books and seminars to improve themselves. And the results are extremely promising and encouraging.

To many of those who do not have the habit of reading, this alternative may seem boring and nerdy. Boring and nerdy would never be the words you or I would use to describe once we recognize the many benefits they have.

What is the magic behind these books and seminars? Foremost, they provide motivation. Massive and focused motivation in areas you are interested in improving on. Motivation is a crucial key to success in life. And the most convenient source of motivation comes from these books and seminars. Motivation empowers an individual with a positive mindset, the correct attitude: this greatly increases his energy, drive and productivity. We are constantly surrounded with negativity, from people, TV, radio, it's important that we get out of this negativity by reading uplifting and positive books.

Self-help books and seminars provide an array of specialized knowledge that is not available in the current education system. What is this specialized knowledge? What you seek is what you get. There are lots and lots of books in so many areas, all it requires you are some time, effort and maybe money to get your hands on the information you seek through the book. This specialized knowledge is extremely valuable and practical once you applied it. New knowledge opens the mind. You will be exposed to new ideas and perspectives from different schools of thoughts to improve yourself and to an extent for some, they suffer "information overload". My advice for you is to apply as many of the ideas you have learnt, discard those that do not work for you, keep those that are effective and see the positive changes take place in your life.

The acquisition of new knowledge is vitally important to remain competitive in today's world. However, knowledge alone is not sufficient to bring you to greater heights. What I have learnt from these books and seminars is that they have the ability to act as mentors in our lives. Mentors have valuable experience in their specialized fields to share that will provide any individual with insights and ideas never known to them. This can greatly shorten the learning curve and reduce any trial and error needed to achieve the outcome. However, everyone recognizes the many benefits of a good mentor but not many of us take the effort or are lucky enough to find such a mentor. Self-help books and seminars are an extraordinary source of accumulated experience of the authors and speakers. The essence of their experiences lies deep in these materials and is easily accessible to anyone who makes the effort to understand, learn and apply what is taught. For some, they never managed to see the valuable experience that lies right in front of them and they never will until the day they feel that is so much pain in their lives and that something must be done. Wouldn't it be too late by then? Read with a definite purpose; ask yourself, "What information am I seeking for, what is my purpose of reading this book?" Self-help books and seminars are your best mentors till you find the one that is willing to enrich and guide you.

Looking for a mentor to guide you is a MUST if you seek to achieve success in the shortest time possible. Where and how do you go about finding them? A self-help seminar is one highly possible place. These seminars are a congregation of highly motivated individuals who come from various fields and age groups and most importantly, many of them are very helpful people. The speakers themselves can be your mentors as well. There is no other better place as compared to a self-help seminar. Networking is the key to finding your ideal mentor. You will never know when you will find such a person. In short, it takes courage, persistence and a respectable amount of self-confidence in yourself to impress and convince someone to be your mentor. Remember that these mentors you seek are very busy people themselves. Instead of satisfying your needs, think about what you can offer to your mentor first. Give before you receive. They may not become your mentors but beautiful friendship may bloom and soon you realized that you are completely surrounded by positive and highly motivated people. It was Jim Rohn who said, "You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with." And since you are surrounded by positive and energetic people, you will experience new vibrant energy to propel you to greater heights in your life.

Copyrights © Yan Wei Chue

All Rights Reserved

The 3 Most Important Questions

Do you know exactly where you want to go in life?  Are your goals your REAL goals, are they what society has imposed on you, or are you just "making do" with what you think is achievable?

What do you want to experience?  How do you want to grow?  What do you want to contribute to this planet?

Maybe you already know the answers to these questions and are very happy with those answers.  But whether or not that is the case, watch this video by Vishen Lakhiani and try his 7 minute exercise.  I think you will surprise yourself with the results!

Self Esteem

Do you know anyone with dyslexia or other learning difficulties?  If so, please encourage them to read the following two articles, as they were written especially to remind them how wonderful they are and to help them cope with some of the special difficulties they may face in life.

But whether or not you may have such difficulties yourself, please read these articles too and put them into practice yourself.  You too are a wonderful person, and you too will sometimes face difficulties that may cause you to lower your own self esteem.  Remember it doesn't have to be this way!

Ten  Steps  to  Higher  Self  Esteem 

1)    Look at your experience as a whole. Recognise the significance that your learning difference has for you in your life. Do not blame or put yourself down in any way for any difficulties you have had or still have.

2)    Respect yourself and acknowledge your achievements and abilities.

Always give yourself credit where it is due and never underestimate the value or significance of any of your achievements.

3)    Recognise that you have faced difficulties and come

through them no matter how imperfect you may sometimes

judge your performance to be.

4)    Never fear failure, simply acknowledge it as feedback.

If something doesn't work out use the experience as an

opportunity to learn what is needed in order to change the result next time.

5)    Be flexible in all things. Realise that there is not just one way to succeed and win in life. Find what your talents and abilities are and nurture them.

This will help to build a strong foundation from which you can move towards what is for you success and a fulfilling life.

6)    Set realistic goals and break tasks down into manageable chunks.

This will help you to progress in a steady and consistent fashion and experience an increasing sense of achievement.

7)    Be your own judge and determine your own values and standards.

If you are true to yourself and make your sense of self-worth independent of external factors you will greatly enhance your self-esteem.

8)    Make a commitment with yourself to use affirmations, visualisation, positive thinking or any other technique that works for you to build and reinforce your self-esteem.

9)    Make a firm commitment to be kind to yourself.

Appreciate your strengths, acknowledge your weaknesses and learn from them but don’t dwell on them.

Give yourself the priceless gift of unconditional positive self-regard.

10) Accept ups and downs and be aware of change so you can adapt and move with it.

Most of all keep applying and living the Ten Steps to Self Esteem as only through working at them and believing in them will you gain the reward of life-long higher self esteem.

John M. Parke, ©1997 (dyslexic)

Counselling Adviser to the Adult Dyslexia Organisation (UK)

Ten  Tips  for  Adults  with  Specific Learning Difficulties

What do you like doing?         What are you good at?

Make a note of your strengths.

Try to become aware of yourself and the way you work or carry out everyday tasks. People usually cope best when they know about themselves.

Be aware of how you feel and what happens when you are tired, or stressed, and work out how to cope with it. People with Specific Learning Difficulties are more prone to stress and tiredness - these can make it worse.

Therefore develop your coping strategies - do not give up on writing cheques or memorising phone numbers. Have a go at alternative ways of remembering things. Carry 'aids' around with you such as checklists, Post-Its etc.

Consider what you find difficult.

Realise that there are things which everyone finds difficult.

Sometimes people push themselves too hard.

However if you really cannot (for example) do maths, then don't try for a job which might involve a lot of adding up or measuring.

 

Have an aim and go for it - on a small scale or on a large scale.

Write it down and put it up on the wall in front of you.

This helps focus the mind in work sessions.

Be aware of what you are aiming for and where you are going.

Think positively; expect to succeed.

Or at least, do not expect to fail - a 'failing complex' can quickly lead to failure. Sports people talk about developing the 'inner game' - they go out and expect to win and this gives them more confidence.

Decide if you are going to tell people about your Specific Learning Difficulties, and think about how you will say it, for example:

“It’s a different way of thinking and working”

“My spelling is a bit unreliable but I’m fine using a spellchecker on the computer”.

Remember there are things that you can do (due to the way you think and how you see things)  that other people find almost impossible ….

Adapted by Melanie Jameson from an information sheet by Dorothy Gilroy, Bangor Dyslexia Unit

Easy Meditation Techniques for Beginners

by

Jon McMiller

Meditation For Beginners

Meditation can offer a range of mental health benefits and induce positive behavioral and emotional changes, such as increasing compassion and generosity as well as promoting a sense of well-being and serenity.

Meditation can also bring about physiological changes, which can have important health benefits. These changes include lowered blood pressure, reduced levels of stress hormones and increased levels of chemicals in the brain that enhance mood stability.

While the benefits are numerous, becoming skilled in the techniques of meditation can take time. Here, we provide some simple beginner meditation techniques, which will help you embark on the journey to a calmer you.

Make Yourself Comfortable

Ensuring that you are comfortable while you meditate will essentially guarantee that your meditation experiences are a success.

Follow these suggestions to get the most out of meditation:

Wear Loose Clothing - Wear something comfortable and remove your shoes, as any form of physical discomfort may be distracting.

Stretch First - Stretching will loosen muscles, allowing you to sit more comfortably, and also helps to focus your attention on your body.

Experiment - Find a comfortable position. Try sitting or lying in various poses, and opening or closing your eyes. There are no rules, just do what feels right.

Designate a Specific Area - Choose a room in your house that you do not use for sleep, work or exercise. Decorate it with art if you choose, or scented candles.

Take Meditation Seriously

A determination to make meditation a permanent part of your daily life will greatly improve your chances of having a successful experience.

Try these tips on how to commit to meditation:

Make It A Formal Practice - Schedule a time, preferably twice daily, that you can set aside for meditation. This will help create good habits, which you can then maintain.

Show Purpose - Meditation is not passive, and to succeed, you will actively need to focus your attention on a single point. This will become easier with practice.

Use Resources - Read books and articles on meditation, watch DVDs and attend a class. These will help you understand the process and also appreciate the benefits.

Don't Expect Immediate Results - Meditation is a long-term process. It's important not to expect your life to change overnight. Stick with it, do it often and be patient.

Focus On How You Feel

Meditation emphasizes the importance of being emotionally in touch with yourself, and it's important to practice focusing on how your mind and body feel.

Try starting with these areas to focus on:

Recognize Frustration - If you feel frustrated during meditation, it is important to identify this, take a break and return later. Don't make meditation a chore.

Focus On Your Body Parts - Start by focusing on your feet and work your way up the body. This is a great way for beginners to increase their relaxation and focus.

Notice When Your Interest Begins To Wane - Meditation can be hard work, and it's important to recognize and celebrate your achievements. The times when you find yourself less engaged in meditation are the times when you need to practice the most.

Hopefully, following these simple guidelines will help you get the most out of your meditation experience and reap the rewards in both body and in mind.

Learn more about meditation and get free meditation techniques at www.meditationprofessor.com