Being a Strong Container: Grounding Ourselves
When we are grounded, we essentially become a strong container in which our spirits can safely and productively dwell.
We often hear people telling us to ground ourselves, but we may not be sure what that means and how we might do it. Grounding ourselves is a way of bringing ourselves literally back to earth. Some of us are more prone than others to essentially leaving our bodies and not being firmly rooted in our bodies. There’s nothing terribly wrong with this, but while we are living on the earth plane it is best to stay grounded in the body.
One of the easiest ways to ground ourselves is to bring our attention to our breath as it enters and leaves our bodies. After about 10 breaths, we will probably find that we feel much more connected to our physical selves. We might then bring our awareness to the sensations in our bodies, moving from our head down to our feet, exploring and inquiring. Just a few minutes of this can bring us home to bodies and to the earth, and this is what it means to ground ourselves.
We can go further by imagining that we have roots growing out of the bottoms of our feet, connecting us to the earth. Continue to imagine the roots flowing with us as we move and by doing so we continue to stay grounded.
We receive powerful healing energy from the earth just as we do from the forms of energy we associate with the sky, and our body is a tool that brings these two energies together in a sacred union. When we are grounded, we essentially become a strong container in which our spirits can safely and productively dwell. This is why grounding ourselves every day, especially at the beginning of the day, is such a beneficial practice.
It’s as simple as bringing our conscious awareness to our bodies and the earth on which we walk.
Ready for Change: Declaring Our Intentions
If you want to produce change in your life, take the time to declare it to the universe in whatever way feels right.
There comes a point in most of our lives when we feel ready to experience a change we’ve had trouble carrying out. Maybe we’ve been stuck in a home, a relationship, job, or a town that hasn’t felt right for a long time, but we’ve been unable to shift our circumstances in the direction we want to go. At times like this, it can help to declare to the universe that we are ready for a change. Think of it as informing a helpful friend that you need her assistance to move to the next level in your life. If the time is right, the universe will respond with opportunities and offers designed to help you create the change you wish to see.
You can begin the process of making your declaration by getting clear within yourself about what exactly you want to change. Whenever we ask anyone for help, they can assist us that much better if we are specific. The universe also appreciates our clarity and has an easier time answering a direct communication than a vague yearning. When you are clear on what you want, write your declaration on a piece of paper and place it on your altar, if you have one. If you don’t, you can also place it under your pillow or in a box on your nightstand. Set aside a period of time every day to be silent with your wishes for change, repeating your declaration like a mantra. This lets the universe know that you are ready to change and will be receptive to its efforts.
Feel free to continue to refine and redefine your declaration, and remember to be open to the many different ways in which the change you seek might come to be. Remember also to be active in your own efforts, taking opportunities that come your way, watching for signs, and always taking responsibility for your intentions. If things don’t happen quickly, try not to be discouraged; it might take time to free up energy that has been blocked and possibly serving a purpose beyond what we can understand. If you continue your conversation with the universe, declaring yourself clearly and openly, you cannot help but experience the magic of changing and being changed.
Offering Our Gifts: Community Responsibility
Giving to our community and creating with our community is often overlooked, but brings so much joy.
It’s easy to get caught up in our personal lives and forget that we have an obligation to be responsible members of our communities. For some of us, expressing this responsibility is so interwoven into our personal lives that it is simply a natural extension of who we are. Others may need to take a moment to consider how to be more responsible for the communities in which we live. For those of us who live in large cities, we can start with our neighborhoods. Anything we do on a small level will automatically ripple out into the larger system.
Communities thrive on the talents of their members, so one approach to community responsibility is to consider what you have to offer and find ways to bring that into your community. If you have a special gift when it comes to bringing people together, you might agree to throw a party or event once a year that includes the whole community. Even a small open house in an apartment building can accomplish a lot in terms of making people feel more connected and comfortable with each other. If you have a talent for organic gardening, you might offer to help people in your neighborhood plan their own organic gardens. You might be the go to person for neighbors who need someone to water their plants or care for their pets when they’re away. You might take an abandoned space in your community and galvanize others to help you transform it into a community garden or a playground for children. In an area where there are many homeless people, starting a soup kitchen or organizing a holi! day meal makes a big difference not only to those in need but to those who want to help.
All holiday parades, picnics, and ceremonies started somewhere, with someone who wanted to give back to the community in which they lived. It’s not too late to propose and execute a new tradition in your own community, whether it’s a block party or an annual picnic. Your particular vision, gifts, and strengths are part of what makes your community unique, so as you recognize them in yourself, feel free to offer them to those who live in your vicinity. Whether your offerings are visionary or practical, they are the very essence of community.
The mind game of money…
Money really is a mind game.
A University of Maryland study examined the “denomination effect”.
The study found that if you carry around big bills ($50s and $100s) you’ll spend them slower than smaller bills.
Would you break a $50 or $100 to buy a pack of gum or a cup of coffee? Even if you would, my guess is you’d think about it just a bit longer than if you had to break a $5 or $10. It might even “hurt” you to break a big bill.
And here is the most interesting part of the study: People who break big bills ultimately end up spending that money faster than people who started out spending smaller bills.
Setpoint.
Merriam-Webster defines setpoint as: “the level or point at which a variable physiological state (as body temperature or weight) tends to stabilize.”
I would argue that there is a big psychological aspect to “setpoint” as well.
That 5’5” guy who has been 250lbs for many years will probably find a lot of success when he first gets serious about diet and exercise.
At some point though, his brain will point out to him that he USED to be 250lbs. “That one extra box of donuts won’t matter….it’ll be a nice reward for losing so much weight”
And before he knows it, his weight is creeping back up to where he was “comfortable”.
The same can be said for money and debt. Continue Reading »
YOUR HABITS WILL PUSH YOU TO SUCCESS
Here is a little info on this topic I hope you find useful!
Truth: First you make your habits, and then your habits make you!
Break those habits that can break you. Adopt those practices that will become the new habits that will help you achieve the success you desire.
Your habits are a form of exercise. The harder you work at something, the harder it is to quit. The easier it is to do, the harder it is to change.
Your habits are either the best of servants or the worst of masters. You are what you repeatedly do.
Do You Want to Be Successful?
Many people think success is about being lucky or talented. But it is not, being successful is all about habits.
If you possess the success habits, you will live a successful life.
Success in any endeavour comes through repetition. This leads to habit.
Writer James Abugah says ”Billionaires have habits that make it far much easier for them to be wealthy than ordinary people. It means that if you follow their habits to the letter, you have a 74 % chance of being wealthy.”
So, What are These Habits of Billionaires?
1) They are highly disciplined
Nothing worthwhile can be achieved without discipline. Billionaires are able to set targets and work tirelessly towards attaining the goals. They work regardless of setbacks, obstacles, whether they feel like it or not.
2) Proactive
Billionaires are confident and go-getters. They are ready to put in a 16 hour day to achieve their goals. Nothing can stop them acquiring wealth. If knowledge or skills is putting a barrier they are ready to learn the new craft.
3) Do things differently
If you read the stories of billionaires since the time of Henry Ford you realize that they give a fresh approach to business. They succeed by inventing new products, or new ways of doing business. Continue Reading »
Goal Jumpstart
How has 2010 treated you?
Have you reached your goals? If not, are you on track to reach them?
September 22nd is an important date as it marks the 100 day countdown of 2010.
My personal goals are to release 8-10 lbs and increase revenue. I know I will reach my goals and am excited about making the remaining 100 days of 2010 count.
I challenge you to start on your own goals and make the remaining 100 days count.
My goals are:
1. Release 8-10 lbs by Dec 31st.
2. Create my own Hypnosis product line
3. Increase Revenue by 20%
Take it up as a challenge and go out there and JUST DO IT.
Here are the simple steps to attaining your goals…
You may or may not accomplish your goals in these 100 days and if you stick with this you will make INCREDIBLE progress and build momentum towards them.
Step 1 – Decide on your top 3 goals. These goals must be such that when reached, will dramatically improve your life. Continue Reading »
