Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Celebrate YOU And Change The World

We are meant to live a life filled with joy, with happiness and with love.  I know many of us might believe that on some level but our reality has us question that fact.  I know that can be true for me.

If I'm here to live a life of joy, why do I hate my job so much and why can't I find a better one?

If I'm here to live a life filled with love, why can't I find my soulmate?
 
I'll be the first to admit, I DO compare my life to others.  I see other people who absolutely love their job and I wonder why I struggle.  Or, I see other people who seem to attract money and financial wealth and give no second thought to plunking down serious cash for a fancy dinner or outrageously expensive clothing.  Why do I struggle with my finances and breaking through the glass ceiling?

And THAT is where I give away my power.  When I start comparing my life to others, I'm in a no-win situation.

I am here (and we all are here) to make an impact on this world in my own unique way.  I am here to share my gifts and talents and to live out Life's vision for ME.

When I bring the focus back to me and make the decision to start playing up to my potential, I become open and available for the Universe to guide me and open the doors that lead to joy, to happiness, to love.

On Sunday, Michael Beckwith made a statement that was very powerful for me.  He said, "I am here to change the world."

I am here to change the world!  It's worth repeating a few times, out loud, so that I finally get it.

Seeking to internalize that concept, and, since writing is so powerful for me, I decided to write down and imagine myself surrounded by what I truly want in life.  And, I ask the Universe, "How am I to change the world?"

Then, I let the words flow, not judging or correcting them, just writing them down as they come.  Here's what showed up for me:

Sandy, when you let go of the fear of the unknown and step out 
in faith, life will return to you a multitude of blessings.  Get out and be 
with other people who are enjoying the same things you enjoy.  Be in 
community.  Pick up your flute every day and practice a little bit. 
Take the dog out and be in nature more often.  Celebrate 
everything including your relationship with your husband and children.  
Be more like a child and stay curious about everything.

I could literally feel the shift happen in my body.  And I know the magic will start to work in my life.  So, I'm remaining in a state of gratitude for all that is in my life now and for everything that I trust will be showing up, delivered by a Universe that wants to fill my life with good, with joy, with happiness and with love.

From that place, I set the intention to focus on my impact in the world, letting go of comparisons and remaining in awe of what's possible for my life.

Do you agree?


"Our prayer is that our excellence might come forth 
and serve the world."  

"What you can do is set up day-to-day goals for yourself, and then
 resolve to begin living with present moment awareness for the rest of 
your life....It is simply a matter of asking yourself at the beginning of the 
day, 'How do I want to conduct my life today?'   Then very directly 
begin to carry out your goals for the day.  When you get good at
 living your present moments one day at a time, you'll see yourself 
changing right before your own surprised eyes."  


Affirmative Prayer:
In this moment, there is only One Life, One Divine Power, that moves as effortlessly as the breeze blows in from the ocean and as beautifully as the sun rises each morning.  It is a magnificence that goes beyond words.  It is always available and filled with a love that knows no bounds.

This Divine Power also moves effortlessly through and around and as me.  I simply go within to feel the presence of Spirit and the consciousness of grace that surrounds me and expresses as me.

From this consciousness of grace, I step into my journey as a spiritual being having a human existence.  In each minute of the day, I make Divinely guided choices that move me closer to a life filled with joy and happiness as I share my unique gifts and talents with the world.   I am here to make a difference and to experience everything that this life has to offer.  Even on days that might seem ordinary, there are miracles and magic that is happening, leading me to something even better than I can imagine.  And, as I let go of comparing myself to others who might have more,  I am in awe of what shows up in my life.  It is all so good!  I am nurtured and fed by an ever-increasing abundance of wisdom, of laughter and love.

I am so grateful for the guidance and wisdom of Spirit in my life.  And I am thankful for the miracles that flow as I follow that guidance.  I sit in gratitude for all the good, all the healing, and all of the love that shows up every single day.

And from this place of great gratitude, I release my Word to the Divine Action of the Law, knowing that it is already done.  The magic is happening now.  And I let it be so.  And so it is!


Friday, January 24, 2014

How To Overcome Feelings Of Heaviness

I can't tell you how many times I've tried to "positive-think" myself into feeling good when there is a heaviness in the air.  Lately, though, it feels as if I'm betraying my soul when I don't somehow acknowledge the feelings that are seeking to emerge.

To be clear, I don't want to be over-run by negative emotions.  But - if I keep trying to squash the feelings that are longing to surface, it creates a hamster wheel of thoughts circling back on thoughts until I'm too dizzy to jump off the wheel.

I realize a lot of what I am feeling may be tied to what I believe subconsciously.  The challenge then becomes, how do I discover what's going on with my subconscious beliefs so that I can soothe this ache that keeps rearing its head.

Grabbing a pen and paper, I decided to make a list of all the things I am feeling when the heaviness starts to set in.  The list was titled, "Isn't it interesting that I'm feeling ____________" and I filled in the blank.

Isn't it interesting that I'm feeling such dread about that phone call with my boss.

Isn't it interesting that I'm feeling anxious about having to help my parents move.

Isn't it interesting that I'm feeling angry about having to travel for work.

Then, I take some time to sit for a minute with each item I've listed.  I let the feelings wash over me and just notice what thoughts show up.  As each thought shows up, I also contemplate how I can see this differently.

I truly believe that when I ask the Universe a question, it does respond.  So, asking how I can see this differently or what do I need to change usually results in an answer.

In my case, when I noticed that I feel dread about calls with my boss, I've always jumped to the conclusion it was because I was unhappy in my job.  I actually like being in sales, however, if I could change the necessity for quotas and pipeline reviews and just have fun selling, I would enjoy my job so much more.

Going even deeper, I realized that I may have some subconscious beliefs around having a job.  If I'm doing the work, then hitting my sales quotas should not be an issue nor a concern.  That said, I can hear my parent's voices - "You have to have a real job if you want to do well in this life".  

Yep, there is definitely a subconscious belief that I'm carrying about having a "job".

Uncovering this belief has felt like half the work is done.  Now I can start to look at the situation and the feelings with a little more compassion.  I can start to forgive my parents for the programming they may not have even realized they gave me.  And, I can make new choices, a little bit at a time.

I know that I can work my way back to enjoying my job.  And, I also know that if it's time for a change in my livelihood, then I have options I can explore.  Maybe this was the spark that was needed to allow for something even greater in my life to emerge.

So, how do YOU step out of negative emotions and free yourself from limiting beliefs?

Today, I set the intention to honor my negative emotions with compassion, knowing they hold a piece of wisdom for my future.


"A positive, healthy sense of self-value and worth is the foundation 
of our happiness and success.  When we know who we are and 
believe it, our greatest dreams are possible."  

"In detachment lies the wisdom of uncertainty....in the wisdom of uncertainty
 lies the freedom from our past, from the known, which is the prison of 
past conditioning.  And in our willingness to step into the unknown, 
the field of all possibilities, we surrender ourselves to the 
creative mind that orchestrates the dance of the universe."  
~Deepak Chopra, The Law of Detachment


Affirmative Prayer:
Going within, there is a realization that there is only One.  One Divine Life that moves and breathes as has Its being in all that is.  This life is as magnificent as the highest mountain and is forever unfolding just as a flower opens each morning and closes each night.

This Divine Life, this Divine Presence, is also IN me, THROUGH me, and FOR me.  I can never be separate from my Source of Good and I am uplifted in this moment with the knowing that Spirit is expressing as me.

Claiming that ever-increasing good is my Divine birthright, now is the time that I honor my emotions and feelings and see the wisdom that comes from experiencing every feeling I have.  It is all part of Spirit that calls me Beloved.  Letting go of any thoughts of fear or worry or lack,  I embrace the new thoughts of joy and harmony and grace, claiming that right now is the time to step into my abundance.  Right now is the time to step into my prosperity.  I am abundance. I am prosperity.  And just as a stone thrown into a pond ripples outward, so too do my thoughts of compassion, of self-love, and of forgiveness ripple outward to those who come into contact with me.  Life is good and all is well.

It is for this truth of abundance and of prosperity that I give great thanks.  I am so grateful for the miracles that reveal themselves in my life.  I am thankful for this moment now where all that remains is love, harmony, peace and joy.

From this place of gratitude, I release my Word to the Divine Action of the Law, knowing it is already done.  It is already fulfilled.  And I let it be so.  And so it is.



Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Why Small Steps Will Serve You Well

One of my favorite sayings in New Thought is, "Change your thinking, change your life."  What this means for me is that I CAN create the life of my dreams.  On the flip side, I want the life of my dreams NOW.

So, while I have my sights set on big dreams, I know that I must also have patience.  I will get nowhere fast if I try to plow through and steam-roll over people to accomplish my vision.

I also know that I cannot do everything by myself nor can I control everything (as much as my controlling nature would like to).  As I co-create using my thoughts, things flow much more smoothly when I let the Universe guide and steer my direction, bringing people and circumstances into my life to help propel my dreams forward.

Knowing all of that, if I am going to be realistic about achieving my dreams, I can't NOT take action.  But - the action that works for me is to take small steps towards my goals every single day.  That's where my daily spiritual practice becomes important.

Every day that I wake up and roll out of bed, it's a new chance to be still, go within, and ask the Universe to show me the next best step toward my dreams.

Then - I listen.

One dream that I am working on is to become more of a musician.  While I'd like to be playing my flute on stage somewhere, I'm not quite ready for that leap (although I can see it very vividly in my imagination).  So, every day, I pull out my sheet music and practice.  I started with just 20 minutes q day, five days a week and have now bumped up to 30 minutes a day (small steps).  My next step will be to hire a flute instructor so I can clean up my technique.  And, as I take that next step, I trust that the next step after that will be revealed.

The same goes for my choice to eat more whole foods and clean up my diet.   I started by swapping my normal breakfast with a fruit smoothie.  From there, I tackled lunch and snacks.  Now, my kitchen is pretty well stocked with fruits and vegetables and I've tossed out most of the processed foods.  But - it took small steps of making that choice every time I went to the grocery store.  And, I still make that choice every day, especially when I eat out.

As I take these small steps, I'm noticing that my body feels so much better.  I've also made small changes to my exercise plan, even incorporating a day when I do just a 15-minute high intensity run rather than the longer three or four mile run I would normally do.  I've picked up slightly heavier weights for my muscle training as well and I have to admit, I'm liking the results.

I'm not perfect at this.  I do have days that I slip back into having a Snickers bar rather than kale chips.  However, it's so much easier to jump back on the bandwagon now that my small steps are becoming more of the norm rather than the exception.

So, what are some small steps that you can take today?

Today, I set the intention to continue taking small steps into unchartered waters, listening for guidance as I keep my thoughts focused on living the life of my dreams.


"The control of the mind is said to be the highest yoga; it is like the 
control of an unruly horse which must be made to obey its rider."  

"The individual writes the story of our lives through our thoughts, 
deeds, and interactions with creation."  


Affirmative Prayer:
Going within, there is a truth that is revealed - that a Presence for Good exists in all that is.  And, there is a truth that is known - that there is only One.  One life that is God's life now.  It is filled with joy and harmony, with peace and with grace.

It is always available, guiding and directing in perfect ways, and I unite with this Presence in this moment.  I can see clearly that this Divine Presence is a Power that is working through me and as me, sustaining my every choice and every action.

Embracing this Presence in my life, my wishes and my desires and my goals are filled with prosperity and abundance.  And as I align with the presence of Spirit, my life unfolds in ways even better than I can imagine.  I set intentions based in love and in joy and my intentions are made manifest in perfect, Divine timing.  Like precious pearls discovered within the shell of an oyster, so to are my dreams precious and revealed when they are ready to shine.  I take small steps in faith and the Universe reaches out to meet me, making my way easy.  I smile as I see reflected back to me a life filled with wonder and magic and miracles.

And from this place of miracles, I am so grateful for a loving Presence that says Yes to my wishes for a life filled with joy and harmony.  And I am thankful for the Divine guidance that directs my steps in delightful ways.  I am filled with gratitude for the prosperity and abundance that comes from following my heart.

Knowing that it is already done, I release my Word to the Divine Action of the Law.  I accept and I celebrate this truth.  And I let it be so.  And so it is.


Thursday, January 16, 2014

Relationships Are Like Riding A Bike

In The Science of Mind, Ernest Holmes teaches, “People are dying for real human interest, for genuine friendship, for someone to tell them they are all right.  We always welcome the man who looks at the world as his friend and loves it.”  For me, there is no better way to further my spiritual growth than to spend time with others, whether they are family, friends or complete strangers.   

It is an opportunity to move further away from my ego – “They have more than me”, “I’m better dressed than she is” – and move closer to embracing the truth that this is a loving, supportive, friendly Universe.

The challenge for me, I’ve noticed, lies in cultivating relationships.  It’s easy for me to meet people and I am filled with a genuine curiosity for each new person I have a chance to interact with.  

But - when the relationship starts to evolve into something that might be a friendship, partnership, or business interest, I find that I subconsciously put up barriers to deflect anything going beyond a surface level acquaintance. 

Knowing this is happening, I have started putting myself into places and situations where I can develop deeper relationships.  To give you an idea -  I love to run and bike so I have joined training groups where we share a similar interest and I see the same people regularly. 

This has forced me to become more of a “friend” – to offer to carpool to a racing event, to accept an invitation for lunch after a bike ride – and as I become more of a friend, I am seeing more friendships develop in my life.

As a result, I find that my spiritual growth is deepening as well.  I am more and more able to see the indwelling Spirit within each individual.  

And - if there is a lesson for me to learn in the relationship, I more easily accept that lesson and let things unfold, using my spiritual practices to remain in integrity with myself through the growth. 

Relationships are often like riding a bike.  Along the way, there will be rough terrain, smooth curves, speed bumps or flat tires.  They are all opportunities to learn how to continue to pedal and ride with ease regardless of the circumstances.  And, before I realize it, I have fallen in love with riding a bike – with the journey and the chances to get back on the bike as often as I can. 

So, today, I set the intention to embrace the adventure of life, knowing I am attracting powerful relationships that are for everyone's highest and best good.


"You never change things by fighting the existing reality.  
To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete."  

"If you want an interesting party sometime, combine cocktails 
and a fresh box of crayons for everyone."  


Affirmative Prayer:
In this moment, there is only One - one Divine Presence and Divine Power that surrounds all that is. This Presence and Power is in every fiber, weaving through the fabric of life in beautiful and magnificent ways.  

Breathing in this magnificence, there is a knowing that this Presence and Power that I call Spirit is moving through me, around me and having Its being as me.  I am transformed as I allow myself to go with the flow of the Divine Intelligence that blesses my life as I surrender to this consciousness.

Every day, life flows through me with grace and with ease.  And, as I step up and meet new people, I know that I am always in the right place at the right time.  I attract relationships that will reveal my destiny and I dive deep into the relationship, being fully who I am meant to be.  I trust that as I am a friend to others, my friendships and partnerships are reflected back to me as I move through the twists and turns that make my life such a glorious adventure.  And I am always at peace, knowing I am exactly where I need to be in every moment.

I am so grateful for the good I receive every day, the good that shows up in amazing abundant ways.  And I give great thanks for the people who reveal the God within to show me how beautiful true relationships can be.  I am filled with gratitude for the love that is expressed fully and deeply as I connect to Source in simple prayer and thanksgiving.

From this place of thanks, I release my word to the Divine Action of the Law, knowing it is already done.  The dreams and desires of my heart are here now.  And I let it be so.  And so it is!


Sunday, January 12, 2014

How To Rally When You Want To Stay In Bed

For the past few days, some intense emotional ups and downs have been following me around.  And, they're feeling pretty extreme - WAY more extreme than my usual daily, go-with-the-flow attitude.

What I've learned is that denying them or trying to avoid them does NOT usually work as a way to move through them.  I've also noticed that it's difficult to talk about them, especially since most people want to "fix" the problem.

So, I've had to stop everything I was doing quite a bit lately, put out the "Do Not Disturb" sign, and really just go deep within - deeper than I've been before - pulling out every mantra and affirmation that I can think of.  And, I'm having to ride the wave of my emotions.  I believe they are here to transform some area of my life and they serve a purpose.  Very likely, they are here to heal something that needs to be released.

I KNOW I am a spiritual being having a human experience and the human experience includes all of my emotions.  At my core, I also KNOW that I am perfect, whole and complete.  Rather than get down on myself for the emotional turbulence, I am accepting myself for who I am in this moment.  And the next.  And the next.

And - I am using a tool that I've learned from and Abraham-Hicks.  I start to reach for the next best feeling.  Once I've gotten into the energy of that new feeling, I start to reach for the NEXT best feeling.

This trick has been great at lifting me up.   Not only that, but it is helping me get clarity in the areas I need to transform.  Specifically, what came up was that I need to get really serious about my eating habits.

I keep saying I'm going to lose weight.  I'm going to get more toned.  I'm going to really commit to eating healthier.  But, the weekend comes and I fall off the bandwagon.  No more!

It's time to rally.  I need to show up just as I say I'm going to show up.  Every. Single. Day.  No more excuses.

With that, I step back into the flow of the Universe and accept that I am a GROWING spiritual being.  There may be more turbulence ahead and I will simply take it one day at a time.

So, how do you handle those days when you aren't thrilled about rolling out of bed?  How do you rally back and restore good feelings?

Today, I set the intention to accept myself for who I am, knowing that I am doing my best in every moment and am never separate from my perfection within.


"Have patience with all things, but, first of all with yourself"  

"There is that within us which partakes of the nature of the Divine Being, 
and since it partakes of the nature of the the Divine Being, we are divine."  


Affirmative Prayer:
In this moment, there is an awareness of a Divine Presence, a Divine Spirit, that lights and guides the way.  It is a radiant light of beauty and harmony, of grace and of peace.

This Presence that radiates such brilliant light shines through me, moves as me, in every minute of the day.  It is always available and reflects back the perfection that is my true nature.

Trusting this knowing that I am never separate, I lean into this as my starting point.  I am conscious of the joy that fills me as I embrace the Spirit within that wants my highest and best in every thing that I experience.  I can release feelings of lack or sadness, knowing they have served their purpose in my healing.  And I can move forward into my day, claiming that my path is filled with growth opportunities that reveal my unique gifts and talents in Divine perfect timing.  I am always enough, just as I am.

I am filled with gratitude for the healing that takes place and moves me closer to my ever-increasing good.  And I am thankful that, as I sit in expectancy of my good, it always reveals itself in perfect and beautiful ways.  I celebrate my life, grateful for everything and everyone that is a part of it.

From this place of ever-increasing good, I release my word to the Divine Action of the Law, knowing it is already done.  The gifts and the blessings unfold in miraculous ways.  And I let it be so.  And so it is.





Thursday, January 2, 2014

How Do You View Giving?

How I view my money and my finances has come full circle over the past few years.   To be clear, I've never been destitute, however, I've had my financial challenges.

Looking back as 2013 has come to a close, I realize that I had become afraid to give for fear of lack and not being able to provide for myself or my children.  Of course, I am now very clear as to how the Universe works.  The tighter we hold on to the cash, especially when we can feel the worry and anxiety of "not enough", the less the cash seems to come to us.

And - the Universe tends to deliver us the lessons we need to learn around things like money.  Not always in gentle ways, I might add, but definitely in ways that get our attention and get us to listen.

So, in this last year, I've gotten my finances sorted out and am on a budget that works, thanks to help from my husband.  However, I'm still facing some demons in my giving financial help to others.

I've included intentional giving in my budget and am able to stick to that.  But - when I meet someone who's asking for money, I am torn with guilt  - and that's guilt on both sides of the coin.

I'm happy to give a dollar or two but, quite frankly, it starts to add up and my budget gets out of whack.  Then, I feel guilty about not sticking to my budget.  But, when I choose to say "sorry, not today", I still feel guilty because, let's face it - I just walked out of Trader Joe's with $50 of food.   Who am I to not give someone a few bucks?

To be in integrity with myself, what is starting to feel right is to listen to when I feel called to give - to not give out of guilt but to give because I feel the love in the moment.  And, to give within my budget.

I don't have to be everyone's Sugar Mama.  I am okay to occasionally simply give a silent blessing of love and light.  I have still given something precious - it's just not in money form.

I have had my financial wake-up call and I have come out the other side of it in much better shape.  Maybe, when I DON'T give, it's because the Universe is moving the other person toward their wake-up call.  Sometimes, it takes a dark night of the soul to realize we need to re-connect to our Source, to Spirit.

In either case, I now live in a place of trust that I am always provided for, regardless of the form it takes.   And, I have faith that I am giving in perfect and right ways - either financially or with my time or in a silent prayer.  I will not love myself less for the choice I make nor will the Universe.

So, how do YOU view giving?

Today I set the intention to practice intentional giving, releasing any judgements against myself when I choose to say "no" and to be open when I am called to say "yes". 


"Never be bullied into silence.  Never allow yourself to be made a victim. 
 Accept no one's definition of your life; define yourself."  

"At all times, I am aware of my immediate Oneness with God.  
There comes a warm sense of my oneness in essence
 and experience with all the good there is."  


Affirmative Prayer:
In the stillness of this moment, there is a Oneness, a Divine Intelligence, that is everywhere present and always available.  It is heard in a bird's song and in the gurgling of a running stream of beautiful blue water.  It is felt in the warmth of the sun and in the cold of the blanket of white snow that covers the fields and mountains.

Leaning into this moment, there is a knowing that I am one with this Divine Intelligence.  It lives within and has Its being in me.  It is God manifest in me and it is perfect just as I am perfect, whole and complete.

From this place of Oneness, I realize that I am abundance, I am prosperity and I am generosity itself.  I trust that as I circulate, it is returned to me multiplied.  I release any fears around lack, knowing that I am guided by a Divine Presence in all things, including giving.  I will always give in perfect and right ways when I stop and tune into my heart, into that space that knows Divine timing and Divine order.  And I release any judgments I have about myself and others, with the faith that there is a higher power for good that knows better than me when I am called to say "no".  I am the beloved and I step boldly forward into perfect, right action each and every day.

I am so grateful for this life of ever-growing prosperity and financial abundance that allows me to give in ways that are meaningful to me.  And I am thankful for a Universe that is supporting me and sustaining me and is filling me with a wisdom that goes beyond what I have experience before.

From this place of thanks, I release my word to the Divine Action of the Law, knowing it is already done.  My life is filling up with blessings.  And I let it be so.  And so it is.