Manifesting

The truth is we always have manifested the life we imagined but what are you imagining most of the time?  If you are spending more time dwelling on the past and the things that aren't going as you would like or worrying about the future, then you may not be manifesting the life you desire.

The first thing to do is become clear on exactly what you want.  Next spend time being grateful for things in your life - not necessarily trying to find the good in the things you don't want.  That's useful but not for this exercise.  For this look for things in your life that you truly are grateful for and think about those.  (Examples may be: having a warm place to sleep, loved ones, being alive, friends, etc.)  Pick things that really bring the feeling of joy and gratitude to your heart.  And then from that place of love and gratitude, imagine the life you desire.

If you do this exercise morning and night for 30 days, you'll begin to see miracles happen in your life.  The life you desire will begin to manifest.  Please share your experiences in the comments.  May all your dreams and aspirations come true.

You deserve an amazing, joyful life!!

Make a Difference Monday

  So how are you going to make a difference today?  It really is a lot easier to make a positive difference in the lives of others.  Simply saying something kind to someone you see today is a great start.  Smiling at people as you pass them is great, too!  Many people will smile back which naturally puts them in a better mood which ripples forward.

How are you going to make a difference today?  Post it below and how it made you feel.

Have an amazing day and never underestimate yourself or your effect on others!!!

What is "fitting in" costing you??

For years, I tried to fit in.  No, let me correct that.  I did fit in.  I did everything that was "expected" of me.  The problem with that is that I lost sight of what I wanted.  I made everyone else happy but I was slowly losing myself to everyone else.  I didn't even know what I wanted anymore.  Does that sound familiar?  Sometimes we become a shell of our true self.  Sometimes we lose our authenticity because of that outer facade we put on.  It's time to look at what you really want.  Who are you?  What do you want for your life?  It's time to make that a reality.  Be gentle with yourself since sometimes it's a hard journey to see our life may not reflect what we want.  It is safe to be you.  You can have the life of your dreams.  Go back to your long lost dreams and see if they still make your heart sing.  If they do, go after them.  You can do it.  It's time.  You can change your life no matter what it looks like now.  You can stand out.  You can have everything you want as soon as you decide what you really want and why.  Then relax and know that you can do it.  

Relaxation Meditation

Today is a new day

It's easy to get caught up in the same ol', same ol' every day BUT each day is a brand new beginning.  It's a chance to start all over and pursue all your dreams!  It's a chance to choose happiness.  It's a chance to look for the good in your life.  It's a chance to begin a gratitude journal and focus on all the things you have now, are experiencing now, or have ever had that made you happy.  Life is made up of all our experiences and we are programmed to look at the one's that aren't working to try to fix them.  However, the reality is that if we focus on what isn't working, we get more of the same.  If we focus on what is working, we get more things that are working as well as fresh ideas and ways to fix what isn't!!

Today is a new day!!  Make the most of it.  Treat people with love and kindness and you'll see it come right back at you!!  Practice compassion and know that if you see someone being less than nice, it's only because they are hurting inside.  Silently send them love and you will actually make a difference even if you don't see it.  Remember that all people have feelings and emotions and just want love and kindness in their lives.  We are all same at the core even though our experiences have us act and think differently.  But deep down, we are the same.

Today is a new day!!  Be kind to yourself.  Watch your internal dialogue and turn it around whenever it is not loving and supportive!! Remember to laugh and allow joy to flow freely in your thoughts and your life.

Today is a new day!  It's time to realize that we can achieve all our goals and they actually manifest more quickly when we also remember to be of service to others.  Helping someone who needs it benefits us as much as it benefits them.

Today is a new day!!  It's time to allow our dreams to come true!!

Namaste!!

Running

I haven't been posting much about my running but I've been running/jogging/walking regularly.  I completed my first half marathon on May 4th!  It was fun.  I definitely felt like I should have done more training and running longer distances but I felt great after it!

If you think you want to do that - I highly recommend it because it is truly a wonderful accomplishment.  Don't focus on your time, just focus on finishing the first one.  I read so many books and articles that talked about your first half marathon (or marathon) should be one with no time limits.  I panicked when I realized mine had one and if I didn't complete it within that time there was no record of my completing it!! Yikes!!  I wanted my medal :)  Luckily, I did fine and completed it on time but I highly recommend not putting that pressure on yourself.  If you run it fast, it doesn't matter but if you end up slowing down, you don't want to stress about the time limit.

The best advice I received from other runners is to make sure you enjoy the journey!!  I had a beautiful course to run and without that advice I can see myself not even noticing it.  That advice obviously can be applied to all areas of our life.  We don't want to be so focused on the end result that we don't enjoy life.

Have fun!!  Enjoy!!

10 Happiness Habits

Happiness really is a choice and even though it doesn't always seem like it, it is in our grasp at every moment.

Here are some things to try when you are not feeling happy:

1. Smile - the act of smiling produces physical changes in your body that automatically improve your mood even if it is a fake smile.
2. Laugh - yes, laugh for no reason.  I love laughter yoga which is basically that - laughing for no reason!  And just for the record, fake laughter helps you as much as real laughter.  I have usually found that my fake laughs quickly turn into real laughs!
3. Read an uplifting book - the topic is personal to you because it needs to be something that makes you feel happy, hopeful, inspired, loved, etc.
4. Write in a journal - getting your thoughts on paper has been shown to be very healing on all levels.
5. Help someone else - helping people and being of service provides us with a feeling that can not be matched.
6. Write or think about what you have to be grateful for - this may seem obvious or if you are really down, you may have to work at this.  It can be that you are alive; that we have running water and electricity and indoor plumbing; that you can walk, think, talk, hear, see; that you have someone you love or that loves you; that you have food to eat; that you have a roof over your head; or, that you have a means to read this.
7. Exercise - get moving.  Even going for a simple walk will improve your mood.
8. Go out in nature - Being in nature has a way of grounding us and improving our mood.  It doesn't matter if it is the beach, the mountains, or a city park, it will help.  Take in your surroundings and feel your mood improve.
9. Meditate - If quieting your mind seems impossible, try a guided imagery type of meditation.  There are so many different ways to meditate and you can find the one that works for you. Just spend some quiet time with a simple focus.
10. Pray - If you don't feel comfortable with praying to God - think of it as asking your highest self to answer your prayers.  It can also be angels, saints, ancestors, whomever you feel comfortable to call on for assistance.  Studies have shown that prayer works.

I invite you to incorporate these into your daily life and let me know what results you notice.  You will start to feel happier.  I am certain of it.

Never give up on your dreams!!

Dare to Dream

It's funny how we often have dreams but don't pursue them.  Sometimes we may think it is not possible for them to come true or sometimes we may think it's too hard and we don't know if we can do it.  The fact is, we can do anything we put our minds to IF we believe in ourselves and take the steps to get there.

People often struggle with believing in themselves which is understandable to some degree when based on past experiences.  The important thing to remember is that the past is just the past and it is behind us.  The future is filled with endless possibilities.  People who have achieved great accomplishments "failed" many times before they got there.  That's part of the process.  Thomas Edison is known for saying that he didn't fail, he just found many ways that did not work.  It's all how we look at things.  We can choose to be optimistic - it IS a choice.  We can keep going until we reach our goals and we will get there as long as we keep moving in the right direction.

So today, I want you to write down your most important goal.  Once it is written, read it.  Imagine how you will feel when it is achieved.  Really spend some time in that feeling!! Smile.  Feel it.  What is one thing you can do today that will move you in that direction? Write it down and do it.  You can pick something small - just pick something and do it today.  Do it right now if you can.  If you are motivated and have time you can certainly pick more than one thing.  Just get started today and make a commitment to yourself and your happiness and success to do at least one thing a day toward that goal!!

Dare to dream and follow that dream until it is your new reality!!

Take Action Today

What can you do to take action toward your goals today?  Pick 5 things that will move you in the direction of your goals and do them.  If you have only done one, you will still be moving in the right direction.  Too often we get caught up in every day life and not only fail to take steps toward our goals and dreams but sometimes even forget that we have them.

Today, join me and recognizing your ultimate goals and taking at least one action in that direction!  You can do it!!  Let me know what your goals are and what step you are taking to make them a reality!!

To be beautiful means to accept yourself

I think the quote speaks for itself.  Accept yourself right now exactly as you are and see how beautiful you really are.  You are pure love and you are beautiful.  Don't wait until you have the house, partner, or job of your dreams.  Don't wait until you get to your ideal weight, health, and energy levels.  Love and accept yourself right now.  You are a miracle and you are amazing!!

Feel your own love and acceptable and embrace the power you have to achieve any goal.  Your beauty, awesomeness, and power do not depend on anything that you don't already have!  You are fabulous.  You are special.  You are wonderful and you are lovable and loved and loving.  You are beauty.

What are you going to do to celebrate yourself and your magnificence today?  Do something today and let me know what it is and how it made you feel!!

I love you!

Spread Love

"Spread love wherever you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier." ~ Mother Teresa

I found one of the best ways to have people feel happier after interacting with me is by letting them know how important they are. The way I like to do that is to ask them questions about them.  Give them the opportunity to talk about what is important to them and really listen.  Don't listen with the intention of commenting or responding but listen with the intention of letting them know they are heard.

We are all important and we are all so busy that sometimes we don't spend the time truly connecting to people and seeing what is going on in their life.  Sometimes we leave interactions feeling "unimportant." Genuine interest and concern and listening, along with a glowing smile, will do so much good for the person receiving those gifts.  (The giver benefits, too, since it is in giving that we receive.)

Today, take an extra few minutes to really listen to the people in your life.  Listen closely to your kids, your partner, your neighbor, and the clerk at the store.  We are all people.  We all have ups and downs.  We all have emotions and hopes and dreams.  We are all connected. Feel that connection and let others know you feel it and they will always walk away happier having connected with another human being.

More smiles

"I will never understand all the good that a simple smile can accomplish." ~ Mother Teresa

I know I just wrote about the importance of smiling but I wanted to post again about it.  Smiling has such an amazingly positive impact of others.  It really has the power to change the direction of someone's day and even their life.  It costs nothing.  It has a physical impact of the person smiling, too.  

Who took me up on the challenge to smile at everyone you met the other day?  Who will do it now?  Also, for the ultimate affect, try your most genuine smile.  For everyone you meet, imagine they are you long lost favorite relative or friend.  Imagine that seeing them is the most amazing thing ever.  You can even say, "Hi, it's good to see you!"  Trust me you'll make a difference.

I remember when I was working in Boston and I'd walk down the sidewalk with a big smile on my face and make eye contact with people and acknowledge them as I walked by.  It felt strange when I started doing it and I know a lot of people wondered if I was mentally unstable but... I also know that it made many, many other people smile, too.   I could feel how their smile helped melt some of the stress they were feeling.  That might be even more so for the people who thought I was crazy :-)  The fact is, I felt great, too.  So many people who I saw regularly began to respond as if we were long lost friends.  They knew that they were special and that they made a connection.  That's what we all want and need - connection with others.  So go ahead and make sure you smile at everyone you see today.

Please let me know how it goes!! 

You can make easily make a big difference in this world - all you need to do is smile.

Dream Big

What would you do if you knew that you couldn't fail?  What do you really dream of having, being, or doing?  Not just what you think is doable or attainable but what do you really want - what is your big dream?  Do you have a big dream?

Today, I want to suggest that we all create a vision of what our ideal life would look like.  What do you really want and why?  This is not something you need to share, especially in the beginning if it seems too big.  But eventually you absolutely want to share your BIG dreams with someone and anyone who may be able to help you attain it and who will be supportive.

Don't let anyone tell you that your dream is not attainable because we can really do anything if we believe in ourselves, we take steps in the right direction, and we keep at it until we get there.  It's important to listen to feedback along the way to make sure you are headed in the right direction and it's important to re-evaluate from time to time to make sure your goals and dreams haven't changed.  By that I do NOT mean give up on them but sometimes our passions shift and what was once important to us is no longer very important.  Spend your energy pursuing the big dreams that really make you happy and your life will be spend in joy!!