How to Change Your Life by Changing Your Thinking

"No pessimist ever discovered the secrets of the stars, or sailed to an uncharted land, or opened a new heaven to the human spirit." - Helen Keller Depending on where you are living, you could be waking up to spring daffodils and birdsong or, you may be shoveling out from the latest snowfall. Sometimes it feels as though nothing is happening and that today is just a repeat of yesterday. But, whatever your circumstances, remember, this too shall pass. Change is just around the corner. How can you make the most out of what is or isn't happening in your life at this time? 

You may not be able to change your circumstances but how could you change your attitude toward your circumstances? What if you were to flip whatever you're telling yourself about your circumstances and re-frame it so that it empowers you? For instance, try removing the words, should, could, can't or never from your self-talk. Replace these with words that build you up rather than tear you down. We are all engaged in too much negative self-talk. Just look around and you will see it reflected back in the world. The more we focus and talk about everything that is wrong in the world, the more we collectively seed the thought pool of lack and limitation. It's this all or nothing thinking that keeps us stuck in this endless pattern. Wouldn't it be more fun to feast on thoughts and words that accentuate the positive in our lives? We can all do this by paying attention to what we think and say. 

As thoughts come up in your mind, notice how you feel. You can tell by the way you feel if your thoughts are uplifting or taking you in a downward spiral of negativity. Watch what you say. Your words contain powerful energy. Whatever you say out loud acts like a boomerang and comes straight back to you. The point is, you have the power to choose in each moment which path you want to travel through life on. You don't have to go it alone. Find others who are stepping off the beaten path to support you. You could start a book group or join a group with others who may be interested personal growth. You can start right now to plant new seeds of positive thoughts then water them daily with positive affirmations. 

You can change your life. One thought at a time. Nancy Bishop is a Life Change Coach providing a menu of coaching programs serving women at midlife who want to blend their passions with purpose. Visit her website http://www.yourlifeyourway.com for more information and to subscribe to her monthly newsletter. 

By Nancy Bishop 

Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Nancy_Bishop/999 

When Things Go Wrong In Life, Don't Follow Your Problems

Don't Go With The Problem Many people are experiencing difficulties in their lives than ever before, given the Coronavirus pandemic and economic uncertainty surrounding it. Problems are inevitable and hoping they go away is only wishful thinking. Challenges are sewn into the fabric of life and there are two ways to view them. We can see them as serving no point in our life, or conversely, that they contain the seeds of opportunities for our personal growth. How about you? What do you believe is the reason for problems in your life? What is your mindset when things go wrong? 

Do you stay stuck in your difficulties or do you try to find a solution? I admit, when problems arise in my life, my initial reaction was one of anxiety and worry. I felt I had little control over the situation and found it difficult to deal with. However, I've come to distance myself from the drama nowadays, instead of overreacting. By distancing ourselves from a situation, we create a space between the problem, so we don't ruminate on it. We must also allow the passage of time to reveal more information about what we're experiencing. 

When I encounter a major problem, it seems that weeks and months later, it has evolved to something completely differently. I had this conversation with a coaching client recently, who experienced the same negative emotions. I invited her to mentally distance herself from the drama, otherwise she was likely to stay stuck in her negative emotions without finding a solution. Are you happy with the idea that we needn't bring negative emotions to the table each time life doesn't go according to plan? Sometimes, what appears as a problem can be a stroke of luck, if we withhold our beliefs about it. Our problems are similar to horses tethered to a chariot. Given the opportunity, they will run wild and we're unable to keep them from taking off. Things will always go wrong in life and our task is to overcome it as best we can. The key message here is that when things go wrong, don't go with your problems; focus on the solution. 

We must become solution orientated instead of allowing problems to pull us into a pit of despair. Problems Are Nourishment For Your Soul When difficulties emerge, we are inclined to believe life is unfair. I've met many resilient leaders over the years who don't allow their problems to overwhelm them but seek to understand the lessons contained within them. These people have experienced many challenges throughout their life without getting caught up in the drama. You've heard it said that problems are opportunities for growth, but that means minor comfort when we face challenges bigger than us. For example, think of a recent challenge you overcame? What lessons did you learn from it? What actions did you take to deal with the problem? If we believe difficulties are bigger than us, we remain helpless and stuck, instead of trying to overcome it. I assure you; the most trying experiences contain a solution and sometimes it requires digging deep within ourselves to find it. 

We may encounter frustration, anger and disappointment, but don't despair when you experience these emotions. It's means you are toiling away in the trenches to find a way out. What I'm suggesting is; the more problems you face, the better you become at dealing with them. The bigger the problem, the greater your level of growth. Our personal growth is associated with our self-esteem and character, which are indicative of living intentionally and purposefully. We cannot avoid problems because there is always one waiting on the next corner. The problems that frustrate me most are ones that emerge when I least expect it. But I've learned that the universe will test my resolve to see whether I am growing to deal with the challenges. So, going back to the problem you experienced recently, what is the lesson you're invited to learn from it? What qualities is the universe trying to develop within you? 

When we resist an experience, we resist the growth associated with it. It is like receiving a present on your birthday, but refusing to open it. You've no doubt experienced enough birthdays to know that a present is a gift to cherish. And so of our problems. The universe rarely gives us an experience packaged beautifully, with a bow on it. They are clothed in pain, disappointment and difficulties. So, when things go wrong, don't follow your problems and create greater worries for yourself. Instead, see the lessons as a gift and your problems will become nourishment for your soul. Do you want to lead a remarkable life? Are you committed to taking action despite your fears and doubts? If so, download your FREE copy of my eBook NAVIGATE LIFE right now, and start your amazing journey of greatness today! 

By Tony Fahkry 

Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Tony_Fahkry/837610

Why Someone's Opinion Of You Doesn't Determine Who You Are

 

Everyone Is Painting Their Own Masterpiece What other people think of you needn't determine who you are because your sense of self shouldn't be affected by their opinion of you. From an impressionable age, we regard the opinions of others because we want to be accepted and fit in. But as we mature and develop self-esteem, it shouldn't matter what others think of us. Let me be clear by saying it is important for our peers to accept us, but we mustn't place our self-esteem in their hands. Acceptance of oneself helps to connect with our core-self and gives us feedback on who we are as individuals. But it needn't dictate our self-worth because who we are is far greater than the opinions of others. 

What are your impressions? Do you agree, what others think of you doesn't determine your reality, unless you allow it? Regrettably, many people are influenced by the opinions of those closest to them, such as family, friends and work colleagues. Most notably, family has the greatest influence in our lives and may undermine our self-worth. I know people from diverse cultures where the parents play a significant role in deciding the career path of their children. Whilst their intentions are honourable, it is shameful to the family name if the child doesn't pursue a noble profession such as a doctor, a lawyer. Is this something you can relate to in your family or culture? 

If so, how did you deal with it and did it impact your self-worth? Nowadays, everyone has an opinion on how others should live their life, but rarely do these people examine their own lives. In my work as a speaker and coach, I'm yet to come across someone who has all their affairs in order. I mean that in the best way, insofar as our life is a work in progress and we may never reach our full potential. It is why we mustn't judge others because everyone is painting their own masterpiece as best they can. During my early adulthood, I would worry about the opinions of others, which impacted my self-worth and self-confidence. Who they thought I should be was not something I could live up to, and it hurt me trying to be that person. Eventually, these relationships dissolved because I wasn't willing to minimise my self-worth to appease them. 

I lived according to my core values, even if it meant making my own mistakes. It was important I find my way, instead of living up to someone's opinion of me. Regrettably, not many people know how you should live your life. They may claim to know what's best for you, but mostly it's an impression of what is good for you. We must walk our own path since that is how we learn and grow as individuals. And yes, it is difficult to see a loved one make unnecessary mistakes, but they might be necessary for their personal evolution. We Discover Our True Potential In Our Darkest Moments Our task is not to remove their difficulties but to empower them with support and encouragement to get through it. This can be hard, especially if the individual is addicted to alcohol or experimenting with drugs and we may not want to see them suffer this way. I'm not claiming to have the answers, but I know emotional support is the best way we help people work through their difficulties. How are you feeling about this so far? I'm sure you have lots of questions and opinions on what you've read so far. I encourage you to journal your thoughts and sit with them for a few days, to see what surfaces. We mustn't allow other people's opinions of us to determine who we are because their opinion is not fact. 

Naturally, our life path will evolve as we mature, and we will experience many highs and lows where it might seem our life is spinning out of control. But this is part of the journey to discover our authentic self, buried amongst the ruins of failure, dead-ends and despair. It is part of becoming lost and experiencing desperation throughout of our circumstances. I know, because I've been there and know how uncomfortable it is to be an outsider in your own life. However, in the months that followed, I experienced an expansion of consciousness that led to breakthroughs in my life. I experienced new insights about my life during those moments of despair. Sometimes, pain and suffering will force us to evolve, so life can take us where it needs to. We mustn't resist these moments but lean in to our problems with full conviction. We alone determine our sense of self. It may require going in one direction and hitting bottom ground, so we discover our true potential in those darkest moments. 

So, whether you are experiencing difficulties and challenges or guiding loved ones through their problems, note where they are leading you. Don't get caught up in the suffering because it is temporary and will eventually recede, as long as you continue in genuine faith. If we believe the opinions of others determine who we are, we are less likely to live an authentic life. Ultimately, the greatest tragedy is to follow in the footsteps of someone whose opinion of us matters little. Do you want to lead a remarkable life? Are you committed to taking action despite your fears and doubts? If so, download your FREE copy of my eBook NAVIGATE LIFE right now, and start your amazing journey of greatness today! 

By Tony Fahkry |

Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Tony_Fahkry/837610

The Four-Letter Word That Kills

We all know that just as there are words which uplift and enthrall us, there are words which can hurt and demean us. But did you know that there is one four-letter word that actually kills?! No, it's not that four-letter word, it's the word "can't." The word "can't" kills dreams, hopes, aspirations, opportunities, love - the list goes on. "Can't" puts a stop, a halt, an immediate end to all effort, to all forward movement. "I can't do that." "I can't go there." "I can't attract a mate/make friends." "I can't get a job/promotion/raise/better position." "I can't act/sing/dance/run/play the guitar." You fill in the blank. 

We all have or have had "can'ts" in our lives, always to our detriment. What would have happened to Jennifer Bricker if she'd bought into the word "can't"? At all of 11 years of age, Jennifer placed fourth in power tumbling in the AAU Junior Olympics, and at 22, was a featured performer on "Britney Spears' Circus Tour." Before you shake your head and say "What's the big deal about that," let me add that Jennifer was born without legs. You read that correctly. No legs. Zip. Nada. Jennifer became an award-winning gymnast using her buttocks, hips and arms. She also played baseball and basketball in high school without the benefit of prosthetics or a wheelchair, and was the first handicapped high school tumbling champion in the entire state of Illinois. What led to these remarkable feats? 

Adoptive parents who simply did not allow Jennifer to use the word "can't." Ever. Nor did they. Her adoptive parents supported and encouraged Jennifer in whatever she decided to pursue. Her mantra, learned early on, was "I can." Try it. Eliminate the word "can't" from your vocabulary and watch what happens. You can substitute the word "won't" or the phrase "don't want to." Both "won't" or "don't want to" imply that you've made a conscious choice about the matter. That it's a matter of personal preference, not a factual impossibility. Which opens up all sorts of new possibilities. 

If you say, for example, "I won't get a job/promotion/raise/better position," it invariably begs the question "Well, why not?" Which now obliges you to take a closer look at why you think you won't - whatever it is. Which can more easily lead to reasons why you could get the job/promotion/raise/better position. Don't kill your dreams. You deserve better than that. Eliminate the killer word "can't" from your mind and heart, and watch your life soar with the power of "I can!" 

Noelle C. Nelson, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist, consultant, popular speaker in the U.S. and abroad, and author of over a dozen best-selling books. Dr. Nelson focuses on how we can all enjoy happy, fulfilling lives while accomplishing great things in love, at home and at work, as we appreciate ourselves, our world and all others. Visit http://www.noellenelson.com, @drnoellenelson 

By Dr. Noelle Nelson 

Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Dr._Noelle_Nelson/64133

How the Wisdom of God Alone Can Sustain Us - Short Story

 Alpha the rugged ship was taking a tour of the seas. He dreamt of sailing into pirated lands full of wonder, danger and challenge. He dreamt of saving people from flaming volcanoes, and wrecked out on shore crying S.O.S. He was a freak wannabe, a lover of games and fun He loved the people as they rested under the sun.

 The rough seas were his lifeline, he trusted them to sail on Winds or turbulence or hailstorm, he was all too sure to go on. A novice though in life, he feared no harm would ever touch him. He was built real tough, strong and hardy And not one could match his punk The day he sailed the first time was a cool one But the day was getting filled with troubles one-by-one The water loomed, they lashed, they furled Alpha braved on, he wouldn't bat an eyelid His confidence only stood up, oh this was a real boon He was fit as a tambourine, to drum the finest tune. 

I'm so ravishing, an eagle would be my only match I have eyes so sharp for combat, to see the enemy afar My sails are sturdy to take me a million miles I wonder if I were an eagle, I would reach the ancient stars My charisma is unparalleled, I love to rant and rave Show me if you can even come as close But an eagle came close to the sails, And rent it in two... Alpha panicked, he wasn't hoping for that He travelled on as fast as he could But could not go much ahead His sails could no longer Keep him sailing on Oh what doom, he didn't need a raging storm Only placid waters and a destiny To show him the place he feared. 

Oh what pity a giant ship like Alpha Was pulled out of sea by a bird Even the mighty come down to tatters Even the swift and the smooth come to loss The main thing is always wisdom It will be the answer to all doom Alpha would have mattered If he'd used a crew to guard him He relied instead on his strength His power and poise and avarice Couldn't withstand the test His motives weren't lofty or noble He was just prideful and ignoble. So little children, be wary Be wise and be cheery Be sure to make wisdom your friend And you will be quick and fast to zoom Hedged in and well-protected from doom! Please visit https://finekidsbooks.in for original stories for children aged 3 - 11. Enjoy! 

By Niti Krishnakumar 

Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Niti_Krishnakumar/272987

Triggered? Here's Something You Can Do

We all know what it feels like to be triggered. Triggered by something someone says. Or does. Or by something we read in the news, or on social media. For some of us, sometimes all it takes is a song on the radio to trigger a round of tears. Or, the sight of a particular person to send us spiraling into anger. Usually when we feel triggered, we're being reminded of something from our past. In other words, we experience the same feelings as we did during a similar event(s) in the past. It's easy to blame our triggers on whatever is in front of us. However, though our current situation might feel awful, it's when we shine a light on our subconscious wounds, that we begin to eliminate our triggers. 

What's important to realize, is that when we are triggered, whether with anger, sadness, or fear, we are essentially disempowered. We're less able to think, or speak, clearly. And, we're more likely to react impulsively, and in ways we might later regret. The goal is to help deactivate the triggers, so that we can face unpleasant, challenging, situations more effectively. So, how do we do this? Pause. Notice what you're feeling. And take a breath. When you feel triggered, pause to notice what you're feeling. Slow your breath. Begin breathing deeply from your belly. 

Slow, deep, breathing turns on the relaxation response. Next, while breathing deeply, tune into what you're feeling, and use your fingers to tap on the fleshy side of your hand. (It doesn't matter which hand.) This tapping will help you interrupt your automatic trigger reaction. In addition, tapping helps to reduce cortisol, reduce the intensity of the feeling, and bring blood back to your brain. All of this makes your brain more effective, and helps you feel better - enabling you to handle your situation in a more powerful way. It's simple. 

By pausing, and interrupting your reaction, you will be more able to respond consciously, rather than unconsciously. Because our triggers typically stem from painful events, they can actually lead us to the places we most need to heal. If you struggle with strong triggers, reach out for professional guidance to learn how to manage them.  When life feels challenging, it's easy to get triggered. Have compassion for yourself. Take extra good care of yourself. Wishing You Peace and Wellbeing, Marian Hi! Thank you for reading this article. I'm Marian Buck-Murray, Certified EFT Tapping and Matrix Reimprinting Practitioner. I specialize in helping sensitive, empathic, creative people step out of the shadows & share their gifts and talents. Learn more about EFT, my services, and new Shadow Love Program here: https://marianbuckmurray.com/services/ 

By Marian Buck Murray

Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Marian_Buck_Murray/897704

Stopping Worry How?

We live in the flowing stream of creativity - able to control our thoughts, our feelings and our reactions to the world and people around us. If you make a conscious practice of talking to yourself (you don't have to do it out loud, but you're welcome to if it feels good!) and consciously changing what you focus on, you can change the outcome of your life and get better results. In a recent post I talked about not worrying, about counting your blessings instead of your concerns. 

Today I want to share a few simple ideas of how you can do that effectively. It begins with being conscious of what you're thinking. Our mind is constantly at work, mulling things over, replaying things that occurred, dwelling on past events and focusing on the future. If we decide - and this really has to be a decision you make and then work on sticking to - to be vigilant about your thoughts and pay attention to them, you can replace 'old tapes and ideas' with new ones that serve you better and actually change your life, your world, your relationships and your future. 

How? By eliminating negative thinking - by dwelling on positive outcomes instead of worrying ourselves into negative ones. You may be thinking yeah right, that sounds easy, but how do you do it? Well, first, let me say, it's simple but it isn't easy. 

Why? Because we have a lifetime habit of thought patterns. We have literally carved neural pathways that our brain travels, almost like driving on autopilot. It takes real determination to consciously monitor your thinking. However by doing so, you can change patterns, experience new thoughts and as a result a new way of living. Here's a way I've found to be very simple. 

When you have a negative thought, become aware of it. Stop. Think about it. Say you're putting yourself down or running an "Oh, I'm not good enough, smart enough, young enough, old enough message. Imagine now talking to someone you love - a child, a partner, a dear friend. What would you tell them in that moment? That's exactly what I want you to tell yourself. Lovingly, kindly and with purpose and intention. How does that feel? Does your thinking and feeling shift and change? If you can get in the habit of doing that for yourself, with yourself, you can change the quality of your thoughts and your life. One thought at a time. 

Then, by stringing those thoughts together and making a practice of this, you can moment by moment, improve your life and change your world! Doing something you've never done before and finding you can do it - even adequately, builds confidence. Being willing to get out of your comfort zone builds confidence. Being vulnerable builds confidence. With confidence comes an inner strength and knowing that breeds success. Show up in your power, show up standing for the change you want to be. As your Soul Coach and Mentor, I am here to simply help you to know and understand yourself and others better and assist with deep transformation healing to help you get connecting with your Divine Core Center. 

By Reeny Carvotta Barron |

Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Reeny_Carvotta_Barron/981755

Witnessing Your Thoughts

What have you brought mindful awareness to today? How often do we stop to curiously witness the nature of our thoughts as if we were an outside observer of them? When caught in a less-than mindful state, our thoughts tend to take over our identity, defining who we believe ourselves to be and directing our perception of the world. However, as we practice witnessing our thoughts from a place of slight separation, we get to know them in a different way. 

We start to uncover patterns and habits in our thinking, which naturally helps us to learn, grow, and evolve in nourishing ways. Practice Begin by coming into a seated position. Whether on the floor or in a chair, ensure that the spine is straight and the shoulders are relaxed. Set a timer for five to ten minutes. Take five full breaths to ground yourself. Notice the sensations associated with each inhalation and each exhalation. After those five breaths, continue to breathe naturally but see if you might broaden your awareness. Pay particular attention to what rises in the mind. As thoughts come up, notice them without becoming involved in the direction they are heading it. Without judging, suppressing, denying, or becoming enamored by your thoughts, watch what moves through you as if you were an elder watching the movements of the community. 

Notice what rises and subsides in your awareness. As you watch your thoughts pass by, embracing compassion and curiosity as you get to know your experience in a new way. Observe the emotions and beliefs your inner dialogue triggers, as well as what the imagery looks like. If emotions are present, notice where they present themselves in the physical body. It is quite likely that the mind will entrance you with its images and/or its words. 

When this happens - even if you realize you have been 'lost in thought' for a couple of minutes - compassionately come back to the silence within. Make note of what arises next. Continue until the alarm rings. Come back to your breath and when you are ready, open your eyes. Be patient with yourself as you practice this. This is a form of silent meditation, which can take quite a bit of time to sink into. Even if during your first, second, or hundredth session has you lost in thought, harness patience, compassion, and curiosity for your experience You might liken the quiet space within yourself to be the clear blue sky - and your thoughts to be the clouds that pass by. 

This metaphor might help you to remain unattached to the mental movements that arise. Watch from the point of view of the open sky. You might also use a grounding phrase like 'coming back' to denote the return to presence. Any other mantras that are helpful for you can be used in conjunction with this practice. As your Soul Coach and Mentor, I am here to simply help you to know and understand yourself and others better and assist with deep transformation healing to help you get connecting with your Divine Core Center. 

By Reeny Carvotta Barron 

Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Reeny_Carvotta_Barron/981755

10 Steps to Attract the Life You Want

"What you seek is seeking you." - Rumi If I told you that you could create the exact type of circumstances you want, would you call me crazy? What if your very thoughts could create ripples of change that not only impact your life... ... but those around you as well? Philip, a call centre worker from the Philippines certainly didn't think so. He dreamed of moving overseas so he could secure a better life and provide for his family. But at every turn, his own mind shut down every opportunity he thought of. For instance, Philip considered seeing an immigration consultant, but he either "didn't have the time" or "couldn't afford it". So, he resented his situation and cursed himself (and the world) for his "bad luck". 

He didn't realize that the real culprit was his mindset - not his circumstances. And it seemed like the more he ruminated, the more bad things happened. Thus, he kept feeding the cycle of being stuck in a rut and feeling bad, trapping him even more. That was, until his aunt Sara introduced him to the Law of Attraction. Turning the tide Before she moved to California, Sara had been close with Philip and treated him like a son. She had her own share of struggles finding greener pastures abroad, but she applied the principles from the Law of Attraction to overcome them. So she sent a few books on the topic to Philip through Amazon so he could gain the clarity to turn his life around. At first, Philip didn't really think much of it, but he decided to read through the books since his aunt went through the trouble of sending it over. After he started applying the lessons he learned from the material, things started to change for him. It came as a complete shock to Philip - he never thought in a million years that making a simple shift in his thinking could have such a direct and POWERFUL impact in his life.

 And soon enough, the fog of negativity and despair around Philip lifted and he found a way to make his dreams happen. Through his persistence, he was eventually able to borrow the money he needed for the consultation fees, and learned the stepby-step process to get work overseas. Philip was finally able to find a fulfilling and rewarding career in Australia. Not only does he get to support his family back home, he also made friends and enjoys his new life abroad. Just a few months ago, Philip's parents started their own business, thanks to his help. At the rate they're going, his family could save enough so they can pass on their business to another relative and follow Philip to Australia. ould wait for Philip to take the offer so they can move there instead. Whatever option Philip chooses, the possibilities for him are almost limitless. But he's just one of thousands who made the Law of Attraction to work for him. Like Philip, a lot of people are initially discouraged to try because they think it takes a lot of work. But the reality is that it's surprisingly easy to get started. You just need to follow these 10 Super Simple Steps to Attract Everything You've Ever Wanted: 

Step #1: A little gratitude goes a long way The first thing you should learn about the Law of Attraction is that it operates on energy. YOUR energy, to be exact. Everyone has a different kind of energy they bring into the world, and it affects them in ways they often don't see or appreciate. The secret lies in the FREQUENCY of a person's energy - and you need to raise yours in order to change your life. Think of your unique energy as a sort of gas that fills the space of your reality. Whatever "gas" or "energy" you pump out into your immediate space will define your existence. Viktor Frankl, a psychiatrist and Holocaust survivor, said this in his book, "Man's Search for Meaning": "To draw an analogy: a man's suffering is similar to the behavior of a gas. If a certain quantity of gas is pumped into an empty chamber, it will fill the chamber completely and evenly, no matter how big the chamber. Thus suffering completely fills the human soul and conscious mind, no matter whether the suffering is great or little. Therefore the "size" of human suffering is absolutely relative." So if you want to invite great things into your life, you need to set the stage first. And you can do that by leading with the right energy. That's why being grateful and appreciating what you have is powerful way to recalibrate your frequency. Most folks hold off on feeling this way for AFTER they get what they want. But that's putting the cart before the horse, as the saying goes. When you LEAD with gratitude, it will act as the precedent for everything good that follows.  If I miss anything, I save it for later and update my list at the end of my day. And when I go over my list during the weekend, I'll see exactly how much good stuff I've accumulated. This creates a kind of snowball effect and helps me attract even MORE good stuff down the road. 

 Step #2: Be generous This can be a challenge for some people if they feel like there isn't enough to go around. But if you take the initiative to SHARE whatever you can without asking anything in return... ... you'll generate the kind of energy that attracts prosperity for everyone... ... including YOU. Again, this is the Law of Attraction at work. Try offering your time, talents and material wealth to those who need it - you'll soon invite blessings without even trying. 

Step #3: Visualize your future What I find amazing about kids is how powerful their imaginations are. When they role-play with other children, you can see in their eyes how REAL their games are to them. This is something that's lost on grown-ups, and it's important to recapture that ability to envision the kind of reality you want. The Universe likes to play games with us- the better you are at visualizing, the more you'll be rewarded. Like I said, a certain type of energy attracts a certain kind of reality. So if you focus your energy and thoughts on that dream job you want or the car you've always wanted to drive, you'll raise your frequency to ATTRACT those exact things. 

Step #4: Let the negativity pass When the bad times roll in and you feel like dirt, sometimes it's better to step aside and let it run its course. Having negative thoughts and emotions are totally normal, but you don't always have to wrestle with them. You can simply acknowledge what's going on in your inner world - then CHOOSE to keep moving forward anyway. Let this negative energy pass through your system like bad case of gas. The sooner you let it do its thing, the quicker you can get back to what you were doing. (Sorry for the fart analogy, but it get the point across, doesn't it?) 

Step #5: Never stop growing It's good to have a daily routine in your life, but not at the expense of your personal development. Most people are so set in their ways that they're afraid of the thought of doing something new. Then they complain about their humdrum lives, or that some folks "have all the luck." Breaking out of your comfort zone is never an easy thing, but it's a step worth taking. No matter how loaded your schedule is, find some chunks of time to do things that will help you grow. Whether it's taking an online course, joining a community, or taking up a hobby, this is a powerful way to attract new and exciting things in your life. 

Step #6: Avoid the "toxic" crowd There are people who seem hell-bent on pulling others into their world of misery. Whether they're trying to lessen their own pain or simply enjoy doing it, you need to steer clear of them.  Instead, choose people who will have the opposite effect on your psyche. Not only does a person's energy attract circumstances, it's also CONTAGIOUS. So make sure you hang out with the people who'll inspire you to achieve greater things - and not bring you down with apathy or inaction. Use the Universe to Manifest Your Dream 

Step #7: Give yourself permission to succeed Most of the world's most brilliant people were put down in some way. Somewhere along the way, someone told them they'd "never make it" or were "destined to fail." In your own life, certain people have tried to discourage you in some way. They might have tried putting you down when you were growing up - or it could have been last week. It doesn't matter. What's important is that you understand that NO ONE can put labels on you. And more importantly, they can NEVER give you permission to achieve what you want in life. You need to do that for yourself. Don't let their words define your "story". You don't have to fit whatever petty narrative they're trying to force on you. 

Step #8: Affirm who you are Instead of feeding into the lies that people tell you, let this be the day to start living your truth. Create statements that embody the truth you choose to be, AND to live in. People do this all the time. When Elon Musk tried to launch the world's first privately owned rocket and failed, he told himself, "I'm going to try again, and I WILL get that thing into orbit." (Well, maybe not exactly like that, but you get the point.) And so his company SpaceX went back to the drawing board and got it right after the third attempt. Elon affirmed his truth and it manifested into reality. In the same way, you can choose to affirm whatever truth applies to you. Be honest with yourself and acknowledge the things that TRULY matter to you. You know it, and the Universe knows it. The key is to repeat it yourself every day. For example, if you know deep in your heart that you want to make a better life for yourself, you can say something like this: "I may be struggling right now, but I know deep inside that I have what it takes to improve my life. I see myself transforming into a happier, wealthier person who makes other people's lives brighter." When you operate from even the tiniest shred of truth, you can grow that into a powerful force over time. 

Step #9: Fail spectacularly Here's something most people don't know about the Law of Attraction: before you can enjoy success and find true happiness, you need to crash and burn. It's better to go after what you want and risking failure rather than playing it safe and not trying at all. To create order in your life, you'll have to embrace the chaos that comes before it. This is where you'll find the real lessons, even if they hurt a little. (Or in some cases, a LOT). Think of yourself as the beautiful Phoenix, like in the legends. Imagine burning off bits and pieces of yourself that you don't need. As you rise from the ashes, you're reborn into a NEW YOU. That's evolution. It may be an imperfect and unpleasant process, but the results are worth it. 

Step #10: Remove your BIGGEST barrier to success People don't realize that their greatest roadblock is none other than their own mindset. They may say they want something to happen, but don't REALLY mean it. For instance, someone might want to lose weight, but they don't want it bad enough. Worse, they might not actually believe they can shed those pounds. A part of them refuses to acknowledge the faintest possibility of it happening. This is pretty much why people NEVER attract the things they want in life. In order to remove this barrier, you'll need to change something inside you. You need to dig deep and understand WHY you don't want it as much as you say you do. Are you scared of suffering through the process of getting what you want? This is what turns most people off - they simply can't process the discomfort involved with growing up. At the same time, you need to deal with the reasons why you think that your desired reality is impossible. It could be some deep-seated beliefs brought about by past events, or experiences growing up. Once you sort this out, you'll be free to do what you want without any pre-programmed beliefs holding you back. Now, these ten steps we just talked about will get your foot in the door. Once you start doing them regularly, you'll experience remarkable breakthroughs you didn't think were possible. But if you want to witness even MORE changes on a massive (or even cosmic) scale, you need to check out my FULL course called Manifestation Miracle. 

Like the name suggests, I enjoyed nothing short of a life-changing revolution not too long ago. In a lot of ways, my situation was the same as Philip's. I worked myself to the bone and felt unfulfilled. I was trapped in my soul-crushing career. Even though I needed the money, I HATED having to put up a hollow appearance of a happy, successful businesswoman. But then I discovered how turn my mind into a magnet for prosperity and abundance... Learn how I unlocked the secret to ATTRACTING anything AND everything I wanted

By Connor Hamilton 

Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Connor_Hamilton/2567920 12/7/2020 

Let's Give Thanks for the Rebels

Do you ever find yourself tutting in annoyance at protestors, irritated by the conspiracy theorists, wishing that they'd obey the rules, stop diverting attention away from the main issues and be less unruly? I'm not talking about destructive acts of vandalism, but those who loudly advocate opposite, perhaps conflicting views to the mainstream. At times I've found myself equally irritated, especially when I've thought the protest to be unnecessary or misguided, but latterly I've found myself being grateful for those people who care enough to stand up and be counted, those who give their time, let their voices be heard and who don't just shrug and tow the 'party line'. 

Whether we agree with them or not, all viewpoints benefit from being challenged at times. Being asked to rationalise decisions and reasoning or explain a conclusion helps to check out the logic and clarify the underlying thinking processes. This may sometimes even result in a revision, adjustment or modification to each outlook. And, on a larger scale, it's important that governments aren't given free rein to introduce whatever rules and regulations they choose, unchallenged, under the guise of, 'it's for your own good, it benefits us all'. We don't want to become 'sheeple', sheep in human form, timidly asking 'is it okay, are we allowed, what are the rules, is it permitted?', or become increasingly suspicious, monitoring what others, including our neighbours, are doing. How do you feel when you hear that a major UK political party has requested that the government introduce legislation to censor a dissenting viewpoint on social media! Why would they do that when there are many contradictory opinions and scientific reports arguing both sides of most issues.What influence are they hoping to wield over the shaping of our opinions and actions? 

Without disagreement and non-compliance if people simply obey and follow the rules, do what's been instructed and go along with what they've been told to do, what will ultimately happen to choice, free will, pleasing ourselves? Who will question the instructions from 'on high', query who's profiting, who the influencers and beneficiaries are? Where will the checks and balances be, the people asking 'why', 'what for', 'what's this all about'? If those in charge receive total compliance, with no resistance they're effectively being given permission to become dictators and action whatever they want. They'll have increasingly less reason to explain their choices, question their decisions, resist the big money backers with their agendas, or think too much about the way they introduce their policies. In those situations it can become easy, seductive, almost second-nature to believe they're invincible, with no need to explain, validate or review whatever steps they wish to take. Having healthy opposition is often seen as the way to retain a more moderate government, a more democratic society and thus prevent dictatorships from emerging. Being questioned in parliament, having a free enough media and press that sometimes reports and challenges government's decisions, holding regular elections, having access to diverse groups and information online are all ways that we can potentially keep in touch with other sometimes dissenting or controversial points of view. Even if we tut in annoyance, it's still important to support the right of others to air their views and say what they think.With our lives increasingly controlled by technology 

Big Brother can easily monitor everything we do, our spending habits, opinions, everywhere we go. We know the information we post is readily accessible online because it's not uncommon for someone to reference a sick pet or holiday on social media and the algorithms prompt relevant items to instantly pop up onscreen. But, moving forward, who would really want to live in a society where it's the norm to spy on one's neighbours and report on their behaviour, where everything we consume is ultimately monitored and managed by the state. Social media started our desire to voluntarily surrender much about ourselves, about what happens in our daily lives, freely posting massive amounts of personal data. But it's important to retain some awareness of where things are going. Let's give thanks to the dissidents, rebels and alternative thinkers. They're prepared to keep shouting and whether we agree with them or not they help us retain some semblance of restraint, individuality and independent thinking in an increasingly monitored world. Living a beige, supervised picture of a life is uninspiring. 

Let's hold onto the brighter colours, shapes and textures that bring interest, diversity and sometimes rock the boat in all our lives. Susan Leigh, South Manchester counsellor, hypnotherapist, relationship counsellor, writer & media contributor offers help with relationship issues, stress management, assertiveness and confidence. She works with individual clients, couples and provides corporate workshops and support. She's author of 3 books, 'Dealing with Stress, Managing its Impact', '101 Days of Inspiration #tipoftheday' and 'Dealing with Death, Coping with the Pain', all on Amazon & with easy to read sections, tips and ideas to help you feel more positive about your life. To order a copy or for more information, help and free articles visit http://www.lifestyletherapy.net 

By Susan Leigh 

Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Susan_Leigh/399535

What Drives You? The Secrets To Motivating Yourself

 "Your own resolution to success is more important than any other one thing." - Abraham Lincoln 

Bianca rose to the sound of pigeons cooing and traffic grumbling on the street below. As she yawned and stretched, she thought about what was waiting for her that day. She felt her motivation slowly drain away with each deadline and commitment that zipped through her thoughts. 

As Bianca began to wither and wilt internally, she remembered the motivation pills she had purchased last week from the Good Value Pharmacy. There were yellow pills labeled 'Money', pink pills labeled 'Pride', green pills labeled 'Family', purple pills labeled 'Respect' and some ugly grey pills labeled 'Nagging Advice'. The chemist had told her as he dispensed the pills that some would work for her and some would not... he could never tell in advance which pills would work for which customers. With that advice in mind and a smile on her lips, Bianca reached for the one she knew would be just right for her... One of the best things you can do for yourself on your journey of self discovery is to work out what drives you. 

The first step is to identify your values as they provide the fuel for your motivation and the drive behind everything you do in life. If you value something you will always find the motivation and energy to do it. If you don't value something, you will always struggle to find the motivation and energy to do it. Values Your values are what are important to you. They are the broad concepts that guide your decisions in life and form the basis of your character. Your values also determine how you spend your time. For example, if your most important value is health, you will spend your time quite differently from someone whose most important value is career or family. Values also drive all your motivation. You won't pursue a course of action unless it relates to something you value at some level. Identifying your values allows you to kick-start your own motivation, set goals that are appropriate and spend time on things that are important to you. 

How Your Values Are Formed  

Your values come from a number of sources including your family, friends, religion, school, teachers, country and the media. They are also shaped at any time in your life by significant emotional events such as natural disasters, emotional abuse, global depression or war. Your values change as you grow and evolve. When you change your values, you will also change some of your beliefs and the way you live life. 

How To Identify Your Personal Values

 Identifying your personal values helps you to: Understand why some issues are a problem for you; See why some things motivate you and others don't; and Identify and overcome problem areas of your life. For example, assume you have weight issues. You determine your personal values and find that health and fitness doesn't even rate a mention within your values. You may have found the reason why you are having weight issues, i.e. health and fitness is not something you value. While this remains the case it will be very difficult for you to lose weight and gain a greater level of health and fitness in your life as you will not have any motivation to do so. You can identify your values by asking yourself: What is important to me in relation to my life, career, relationships etc? What would cause me to leave my life, career, relationships, etc? When you have an understanding of your values, it is useful to see how they affect your motivation. Motivation Your values drive your motivation. If you set goals that are aligned with your values, you will have the motivation to help you achieve them. If you set goals that are not in line with your values, it will be an uphill struggle to achieve them. 

When you understand your values and their impact on how you are currently motivating yourself you will have a wonderful insight into why you achieve the results that you do in life. You will also know how to motivate yourself more effectively in the future. Motivation comes either from within you (intrinsic motivation) or from an external source (extrinsic motivation). Extrinsic motivationis provided by some factor external to you. It can take the form of inducements (rewards) or punishments. The rewards can be tangible or intangible (such as praise). Intrinsic motivationis evident when you engage in an activity for its own sake without any external incentive. It appears from research done by Albert Bandura that if you have more self efficacy (belief in your own abilities to control your environment) you are more highly intrinsically motivated than other people. As intrinsic motivation is the only one you can take with you and call upon at any time, it is the most important in terms of self motivation. Intrinsic motivation can be broken down further into 'towards' motivation and 'away from' motivation. 'Towards' motivation is motivation towards something you want and 'away from' motivation is motivation away from something you don't want. 'Away From' Motivation 'Away from' motivation is driven by pain. Pain motivated performance is not pleasant, produces inconsistent results and disappears when the pain is no longer present. 'Away from motivation' does, however, give you a strong initial motivation to move away from the thing you don't want in your life. 

A problem with using this type of motivation is that you wait until things are bad before you take action to change them. Another problem is that you don't have a target or goal that you are aiming for (just something you are running from) so you don't tend to achieve results. Sophia uses 'away from' motivation in relation to her weight. As a result she is the classic yo yo dieter. Her process goes like this. Sophia looks in the mirror and sees that she is overweight. She says to herself, 'I don't want to be fat anymore'. She then goes on a diet to ensure she is no longer fat. (She is moving away from being fat). At some point she looks in the mirror and sees that she looks fantastic and is no longer fat. As she is no longer fat, she has just lost the source of her motivation (to no longer be fat). As there is no longer any motivation, she no longer stays on the diet and discards her exercise regime. She will not be motivated to do whatever she needs to stay fit and healthy. At some point in the future she will look in the mirror and again form the judgment that she is fat and the process will start all over again. When you are motivated away from something that you don't want in life, you tend to focus upon the very thing you don't want and that is what you attract into your life. As examples: If you constantly say to yourself, 'I don't want to be broke', your focus is upon being broke and that is where your unconscious mind will aim. If you constantly say to yourself, "I don't want to be single", your focus is upon being single and that is where your unconscious mind will aim. 

Motivation away from what you don't want can motivate you, but it doesn't do so for long and you can't be sure what results you will achieve. It can give you a fantastic initial boost of energy, but you can never guarantee where you are going to end up as you don't have a firm direction in mind, just a place you want to get away from. If you use away from motivation in your life, you will tend to create a series of crises to keep yourself motivated. 'Towards' Motivation If you use 'towards motivation' you will take action to move towards your goal and you will achieve them more often than not. 'Towards' motivation is the best way to motivate yourself. When you are motivated towards what you want, you tend to stay consistently motivated until you achieve your goal (provided you desire it enough). When you are motivated towards what you want, you constantly set and achieve goals each time stretching yourself further. By using motivation towards what you want you give yourself a far greater chance of achieving what you want out of life. 

How Do You Know If The Motivation You Use Is 'Towards' Or 'Away From' Motivation? We now know that values drive your motivation and that motivation can be either towards what you want or away from what you don't want. Now it is time to review your values to discover whether the underlying motivation for each of your values is: towards what you want; or away from what you don't want. To determine whether the underlying motivation for each value is 'towards' or 'away from' ask yourself, "Why is that value important to me?" then listen to your self-talk and note what you say to yourself. The clues to whether you are using towards or away from motivation for that value are: You are probably using 'towards' motivation if you: talk about what you do want don't use comparisons in your explanation (better than, worse than, more than) You are probably using 'away from' motivation if you: talk about what you don't want make comparisons in your explanation or use words such as 'better than', 'more than', 'less than', 'best' etc. (These show you are unhappy with where you currently are) use words such as 'must', 'need', 'have to', 'got to' etc  As an example, assume that 'money' was your highest value in relation to your career. You then ask yourself, "Why is the value 'compensation' important to me in relation to my career?" If your answer is, "Because I want to make a lot of money and live in luxury", the response would indicate 'towards' motivation for this value. If your answer is, "Because I don't want to be broke and I have to be able to pay my bills", the response would indicate 'away from' motivation for this value. 

Your chances of achieving goals relating to 'money' are much greater if you are using towards motivation. If you find that you have identified 'away from' motivation in relation to any of your values, you will find: This area of your life is one where you will experience the most difficulties; You will not be achieving the results in this area of your life that you might wish; and There are unresolved issues to be cleared away and healed in relation to this area of your life before you will experience the success you desire. This is wonderful information to have as it identifies areas of your life for you to focus upon. Problems With Motivation We all experience problems with motivation at some point. 

Those times when you just can't seem to find the desire to do things you know you should. The problems can arise because: You are low on energy. There are some easy things I'm sure you do when you are feeling 'low' to get your energy back. Remember too that sometimes in life, you need and deserve a rest. The thing you are aiming towards is not something you value. (In this case, question whether you should be exerting your energy in that direction); or You have a problem with your motivation strategy (see below). If it is your motivation strategy that is causing you challenges, identify which part of the strategy is causing the problem and then use one of the following techniques to assist you to change it. 

If you are not motivated because: You feel overwhelmed, break the goal down into smaller steps and do them one at a time. You are only using 'away from' motivation, identify where you are aiming and focus upon the positive outcomes of attaining it. You feel obliged to pursue the goal, either accept the goal is not for you and let it go or focus upon the positive outcomes you will get from achieving the goal. You are scared, identify what could go wrong and what you would do if it did. In Summary If you understand your values, you will understand what motivates you and why. If you discover whether you are using towards or away from motivation in different areas of your life, you will have answers for why some parts of your life are successful and others are not. 

If you use one of the above techniques to overcome common motivation problems... and you take action... you should be on your way to success! 

By Petris Lapis 

Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Petris_Lapis/1191603