What the World Needs Now is the Power of Optimism

Rabbi Shmuley Boteach (in reference to Covid-19), “There must be room for faith and optimism at this time…the kind of faith that believes, as Moses commands in the Book of Deuteronomy, that “God will bless you in all that you do.” We must do. We must act. We must fight…”fear will weaken, rather than embolden, our resolve. It will undermine our health. Depression will sap our energy and make us partially give up. But faith, optimism and hope will compel us to do the right thing in a time when exercising wise judgment is the difference between life and death.“

My fundamental character has always favored optimism over hopelessness so I concentrate on the good in my life. It isn’t always easy, but it feels better than hopelessness so whenever I’ve faced difficulties, catch myself complaining or focusing on the negative, I stop and reflect on all of the luxuries that I am surrounded by. No matter what the circumstances, optimism, faith and belief are the catalysts that have kept me strong knowing to keep going forward and that something will change.

Having a positive attitude isn’t and has never been about ignoring what someone is living through, it is about finding the light and remembering that this too shall pass as everything does. Not everyone around you will agree or may think you’re not seeing the world as you should, but if you think about it that, like everything else, is their perception of the world based on their experiences and how they feel.

It’s been eleven years since I stopped living a conventional, expected life and began the daily practice of living mindfully, intending to make the world a better place. Somewhere along the way I was introduced to the Optimist’s Creed. The words may seem “pollyanaish” but I believe that aligning with the author’s intent are a way to encourage positivity and raise my level of happiness.

I’ve discovered that being optimistic lifts the spirit, eliminates stress and worry that anyone’s health surely does not need. Being optimistic takes determination, grit and an attitude of faith, even if it is only the size of a mustard seed, it will make a difference in your daily life.

About the author of the Optimists Creed: Christian Larson was an American new thought leader and teacher (1874 – 1954), who changed the way people thought; this was his belief:

That all people have a tremendous latent power within them, which could be harnessed for success with the right mind and proper attitude.

To support his beliefs, in 1912 he wrote the following creed, something I thought I would share. I’ve observed this to a fashion, but now I intend to include these ideals in my daily practices, especially with all of the negativity and challenges surrounding us all.

• 

 Sir Ernest Shackleton (an Irish Antarctic explorer who led three British expeditions to the Antarctic) said: ‘Optimism is true moral courage’. 

In an article about optimism, Dr. Jon Blakey, a coaching expert wrote that he believes “it takes courage to be an optimist because it takes courage to fail. It takes courage to be wrong. It takes courage to be unlucky. It takes courage to have a go. Much easier to drift into the background and shelter in cynicism, negativity and despair.”

Becoming Vulnerable – to Have Healthier Friendships/Relationships

Relationships are complex, challenging and a source for growth. Going into any relationship in a state of unawareness, guarded and carrying baggage comes from making the same choices over and over again which only leads to heartbreak and turmoil. Stripping away habitual behaviors to become open and vulnerable is the only way to experience healthier, happier relationships.

Without vulnerability, relationships struggle. Vulnerability is, ‘Here I am – my frayed edges, my secrets, my fears, my affection. Be careful – they’re precious.’ In return, it invites, ‘Oh, I see you there. It’s okay, you’re safe. And here – here’s me.’ It builds trust, closeness and a sense of belonging. Relationships won’t thrive without it. Karen Young

Being vulnerable isn’t easy, exposing our most vulnerable self is a lot of work and doesn’t happen overnight, it is a process that happens as we build confidence and certainty that it’s okay to be ourselves and genuine around others.

If you view relationships as a way to become a better person instead of a way to fill a void or to make you happy, they will function better and differently and all of the relationship stumbling blocks most people experience will eventually fall away. This is effective for all relationships, not just those of a romantic nature, love and vulnerability aren’t limited to romance, in fact, they are the true nature of humanity.

Healthy relationships are always growing and changing allowing for introspection, personal growth and the ability to shift our way of being. The key to healthy relationships is that they be backed with consciously chosen meaningful intentions where everyone is always seen and heard and feels secure knowing that no matter what is said or discussed, there are no judgments, conditions or opinions that will diminish the heart of the connection between you.

First, we should be in a strong and wholesome relationship with ourselves, that will open the door for healthier relations. As we become vulnerable we will learn that our happiness and accountability in a relationship is our responsibility. then we will lift the burden of expecting anyone else to care for our happiness and feelings. Unfortunately, a majority of relationships are unconscious, revolving around feeling safe and relying on the other person to make us happy, that is what we’ve come to expect and what strains most relationships. Healthy relationships of any kind are grounded in consciousness, unquestioning trust, giving space to each person to be authentic and feeling completely accepted.

Vulnerable relationships are different asking that we be conscious, aware of our emotions, actions and words and that we are able to be ourselves. I recently read a quote that helped me put into words the way I approach relationships now, it was something like we must understand that relationships are not to make us happy but a part of our lives for us to learn and grow from.

Redefining a relationship isn’t easy, no matter how mindful we are. For me, the best way I’ve found not to conditionalize a relationship based on past experiences is to work on myself towards well-being and self-confidence and always remind myself this is a different person and situation. Because I live in awareness, I make sure to treat people as I want to be treated. Being aware and conscious is a great part of vulnerability and a constant effort meaning we can never slip into unconscious oblivion again. I can suggest trying what I’ve discovered, ask yourself questions like what will happen if say this or how would I feel if someone treated me this way before I say or do anything.

A major factor that changed the dynamics and the type of relationship I have with myself was when I chose to create boundaries such as not letting what others thought of me or my choices interfere with what I decided or how I thought of myself. I also took another big step toward being true to myself by reducing the number of people I was surrounded by. For me, that was a fairly significant move that led to a smaller circle of trusted friends. Becoming conscious and vulnerable is going to bring an obstacle course with everyone in your life, this is where you will experience the most change and weed out those people who aren’t on the same page with you.

Owning our story can be hard but not nearly as difficult as spending our lives running from it. Embracing our vulnerabilities is risky but not nearly as dangerous as giving up on love and belonging and joy—the experiences that make us the most vulnerable. Only when we are brave enough to explore the darkness will we discover the infinite power of our light.”― Brene Brown

Being vulnerable is tricky, we can’t configure or manipulate our authenticity in any way to be accepted by another. We have to be happy with ourselves and then do the work at remaining genuine to attract the healthy relationships we deserve. Another major step is to not allow the years of self-protection from pain and toxic behavior that caused us to shut down and close people out prevent our progress to being a happier person.

Finally, I’d like to close with a video I watched and another part of the process of developing healthy friendships/relationships, Frientimacy: The 3 Requirements of All Healthy Friendships by Shasta Nelson

Thank you for reading my post, always live your life with your mind and heart connection in the forefront.

When was the last time you played? The positive effects of play for adults

Of all of the personal development or self-help activities we can engage in, fun and play are probably the most underused and disregarded. Contrary to what people think, adults aren’t being lazy or thoughtless when we turn our attention to activities that are recreational and entertaining, we’re tapping into one of the greatest resources for our overall health.

For many adults, letting go of being serious and focused on adult responsibilities isn’t easy or in the forefront of importance. I promise anyone who incorporates play into their life on a regular basis will be much better prepared to handle whatever issues come your way.

Along with the emotional benefits, there are a variety of health benefits by adding play into your life. According to helpguide.com, play:

• Relieves stress
• Improves brain function
• Stimulates the mind and boosts creativity
• Improves relationships and your connections to others
• Keeps you feeling young and energetic
• Helps develop and improve social skills
• Teaches cooperation with others
• Heals emotional wounds
• Boosts innovation

Jack Canfield, author of Chicken Soup for the Soul books, Entrepreneur, Motivational Speaker and Corporate Trainer shares his thoughts on the positive effects of fun and play.

For many years I allowed the seriousness of my responsibilities to control my way of being. Then the opportunity arose to make a significant change in my life away from the considerable and weighty issues I had to deal with. During that transition, I felt the need to liberate myself and embrace playfulness and the wonder of life, be curious and have fun. Now, I don’t think twice about being spontaneous and having fun. I’ve created a sense of harmony and balance by injecting play into my life, no matter what’s going on around me, I am always sure to incorporate laughter and enjoyment into my day.

Imagine a billion people pushing for play time, not in a frivolous way or a way that negates progress, but in a way that supplements and allows us to make even more progress. It’s time to put play back into our lives. Jared Keller

According to Dr. Stuart Brown, a play researcher and psychiatrist out of CA, adult play may actually increase our intellect.

“Of all animal species, humans are the biggest players of all. We are built to play and built through play. Most obviously, it is intensely pleasurable. It energizes and enlivens us. It eases our burdens.”

Here are some innovative ideas for you to pick and choose from that incorporates play into your everyday life.

make play a part of your day – from Genuisofplay.com

• Use unscheduled time to be creative, to daydream, reflect and decompress
  
• Appreciate playtime – whether it’s alone or with other adults or children
  
• Smile and laugh often throughout the day
  
• Try new things and experience the unexpected
  
• Participate in a variety of arts/sports/activities whenever you can to expand your horizons
  
• Make mental connections (e.g., “how else can I use this,” “what else can this do?”)
  
• Sing and dance just for the fun of it
  
• Spend time with the children in your life, observing them as they play, listening to their conversation, and following their train of thought
  
• Cultivate a happy, joyful, positive attitude, full of gratitude for even the smallest, everyday things
  
• Plan to make play part of your day, whether it is indoor or outdoor, solo or social, active or quiet

Finally, the human experience is spiritual, play is spiritual. Play is a time when we take a break from thinking, essentially connecting with all that is. It’s a great way to relax and enjoy life and move away from the grind of work and the pressures of everyday life. Laughter and play are necessary parts of life and a time to reflect on all of the things that make us happy to be alive.

It’s never too late to have a happy childhood.” ~ Wayne Dyer

Thank you for reading my post, I appreciate your time, namaste.

Choose Wisely, Choose Intentionally

“Choices are the hinges of destiny.” —Edwin Markham

We live most of our lives believing that we are limited or have no choice, especially in difficult situations. It doesn’t have to be that way, rather than thinking what’s the use and giving up, believe in a better future, decide a course of action by using your life experience and instincts for an outcome that you desire. Whenever I’ve been in a position that required I make a choice especially if it’s complex, I make sure that my happiness and peace of mind are the primary conditions for my final decision.

Every time you’ve had a complicated choice to make, are you choosing with your happiness and values as a priority or on another person’s perception, opinions and feelings with the expectation that you’ll have to live with an outcome that you don’t want?

That question is to prompt you to rethink your patterns;  what are your priorities in making tough decisions, are you choosing based on logic or your intuition? Many of the choices we make are complex and may take much consideration, our values and quality of life have to be a top priority if we want to be happy and fulfilled. Remember if it is to be, it’s up to you, even if it means leaving your comfort zone.

Consider the outcome when you decide with someone else’s life in mind before your own.  Are you really being selfish if you decide on behalf of what works for you?  In my opinion, no.  Making choices that are right for us means we cannot be and should not ever be responsible for someone else’s happiness.

Choosing for ourselves is a right we all deserve, especially since most of us have dealt with people who’ve tried to take our ability to choose away.  Only you know how you want your life to be, never, ever is that anyone’s decision but yours.  That is why choosing consciously and relying on your intuition are optimal ways for you to decide.

Choices have a number of possibilities whether real or imagined, ultimately the choices we make will affect our lives forever. Just think about all of the events in history that have taken place because someone made a choice to do something differently.  You cannot control the world, but you can control how you respond to situations and the choices you make to deal with them. From my own personal experience, no matter what happens outside of you, when you stay focused on making a decision based on what is right for you and you trust yourself, happiness is just a choice away.

Some questions to ask yourself and ways you can make a decision from James Van Praagh:

1. What is important and valuable to you? What you value may not be of much import to someone else. So know what you value most.
2. Don’t lose focus on your future. Many people tend to make choices based on life as it appears now instead of looking to the future. Does your choice and its ramifications stay within the goals that you have set for yourself for the future?
3. Have you looked at all the alternatives and considered different scenarios? Sometimes you just might consider a different outcome.
4. How important is this decision, and are you willing to work on it? Don’t get caught up with how important a choice is, but — better yet — what a positive impact this has on your life.
5. Don’t forget to use your “intuition” for your choice instead of your head.

I believe we all have a purpose and path that is affected by the free will choices we make. If we make choices by paying attention to our inner guidance, how God is speaking to us and what we feel in our heart, our path will be forever changed if we just flip the switch and choose.

Learn to love you… You will make so many choices differently when you love and respect yourself. Courtney Seard,
Consultant and Coach

Thank you for reading my post, I appreciate your time.

Laura

 

 

Competition, Thief of Joy

Life for us has become an endless succession of contests. From the moment the alarm clock rings until sleep overtakes us again, from the time we are toddlers until the day we die, we are busy struggling to outdo others. This is our posture at work and at school, on the playing field and back at home. It is the common denominator of American life. Alfie Kohn

The title of this blog almost sounds like a misnomer because the majority of the human race thinks of competition as sports, games, fun, winning a medal or a trophy and as being a winner.  How can competition rob us of the enjoyment and pleasure we feel when it appears to bestow us with a high of being number one.

But, I ask that you think back throughout your life whenever you were involved in anything competitive, how did you feel when someone else won?

I’ve reflected on competition for a long time especially when the biggest and most well-known competition, the Olympics began.  I don’t watch the games but I realized that there are only a handful of “winners” and there are hundreds of people who no one hears about, people who didn’t place or win who worked just as hard as the few on top. People are mesmerized for two weeks with the glamour of the entertainment and energy of the games, but once they’re over, it’s all forgotten as we get on with our lives.  Interestingly, all of the people participating spend most of their lives focused on training and preparing to win and for that one big moment, then it’s over.  The winners stand on the podium and are handed a medal and the world applauds.  There is monetary gain for only a small percentage of the athletes who are given an opportunity for endorsements, the rest are forgotten and go back to their lives. Do we ever hear about or know how those who didn’t win feel or how their life went afterward?

Through my research,  I’ve learned that cooperation not competition is our natural state of being.  We aren’t born hostile with the intention of bringing someone else down, that behavior is handed down from one generation to the next. We unnaturally push ourselves to best someone because we’re taught that being a winner is the best.  But, in truth, competition is filled with selfishness while we hope for the downfall of others, it is filled with anxiety, stress and pressure. Once we start down the road of winning, once is never enough, it almost becomes necessary for our confidence and self-esteem, putting us in a constant state competitive power.

Emerging research shows that competition is deleterious in many ways.

• With children, competition serves to dissolve self-confidence and spread self-doubt, even among frequent winners who learn to become dependent on external sources of validation.
• Among adults, competition leads directly to hostility and greed, both of which are the enemies of progress.

If we want to advance our society and ourselves, we must learn that competition is not the path to victory — cooperation is. Tiffany Rowe

I’m  not competitive by nature, when playing games, I enjoy the process more than who wins or loses.  Putting that in context, for me the journey in any competition is more rife with tools to learn, skill building and enjoyment.

There are many tribal societies that thrive on cooperative living and have endured for centuries.  Competition as a whole encourages greed, betrayal, to be better than others, the importance of being a winner, the lack of compassion, cooperation and most of all an absence of kindness. Competition is toxic in relationships, in business, education, in all of life. There is no benefit when someone feels inferior, lacks self-confidence, is depressed or believes they aren’t good enough. I believe it is time to instill cooperation and encourage each other to be the best person we can be.

The  result of competition is radical climate change, biological and nuclear warfare, rampant habitat destruction, water shortages, and extremes in global wealth and poverty. Louise Palmer

Cooperation is beneficial not to a few but to everyone, here are some of the advantages:

1. Cooperative Play – A bond is formed when challenge, discovery and success is shared by everyone.
2.  Cooperative Learning and Work –  When we compete whether at work or in school, we are invested in ourselves and what will benefit us without giving thought to anyone else, we consider everyone our rival.  But, when we cooperate, we support and help each other, giving each individual value and respect. Rather than striving to be number one, the intention is that everyone succeed, it shifts us away from greed, selfishness, aggression, anger and hurt feelings. Cooperation creates an environment of unity, openness, honesty and trust.
3. Cooperative Activities for our Well-Being  – Competition causes enormous stress, anxiety, hostility, embarrassment and tension, can you imagine the state of our health? Cooperative activities create an atmosphere of play, relaxation and enjoying ourselves without judgment, the foundation for healthy and playful fun.

I’d like to conclude with this very powerful quote:

We destroy the love of learning in children, which is so strong when they are small, by encouraging and compelling them to work for petty and contemptible rewards–gold stars, or papers marked 100 and tacked to the wall, or A’s on report cards, or honor rolls, or dean’s lists, or Phi Beta Kappa keys–in short, for the ignoble satisfaction of feeling that they are better than someone else.  John Holt

Thank you, I appreciate your time.

Laura

Making Your Life What You Want it To Be

Self-discipline begins with the mastery of your thoughts, it you don’t control what you think, you can’t control what you do.  MoveMe Quotes

I believe we all forget whose in charge of our lives, especially when we’re in the midst of situations that overwhelm us or seem uncontrollable.  For me, it used to almost feel easier to just give up or go back to living unconsciously. But then I’d hear the voice in my heart telling me to keep trying, to make a choice, to use my wisdom and let goodness happen and I have. This is a gentle reminder that we don’t have to be unhappy or live with the belief that only some “lucky” people have a charmed and satisfying life.

Being in control of your life comes by believing in yourself and by not allowing the fear of obstacles, challenges or change stop you. Remember you have a choice and you can learn to get past the old belief that you’re not good enough to make a real contribution to the world.  Believing we’re here for a purpose can greatly reduce our suffering and the feeling of being out of control because even if we forget, we are always in the driver’s seat of the direction of our lives. This is where we can rise above the limited life we’ve allowed ourselves to live by doing something on behalf of ourselves because we know we are worth it.

I can say with confidence that you can experience the impossible and that leads you from misery to unexpected joy and peace. As with any spiritual endeavor, this way of believing is knowing that you’ll have to take steps out of your comfort zone and be okay with it. This is where we learn to power through fear, head on. Every time we experience the unknown, fear will try to sneak in to stop us and that’s okay. Don’t ignore it or try to avoid it, just don’t be swallowed up by fear. Allow yourself to be afraid and just keep reminding yourself that you can do this, take a deep breath and keep going. 

Here are some ideas to consider to master your life:

• Rely more on your “sixth” sense
• Put your happiness and health first
• Live in the present moment
• Create plans that are open to change because that is how life in the control seat is
• Be okay with living out of your comfort zone
• Stop thinking so much, have faith in the unseen
• Believe in the impossible
• Create some rituals or routines for a well-balanced life
• Nothing is set in stone, you have choices
• Obstacles are a part of the journey for you to rise above
• Take time for stillness or meditation, this is truly powerful step
• Pursue meaning over pleasure, a life of meaning is why we are here
• Be imaginative, create outside the box
• No matter how things look, keep your eyes on the prize of a purposeful life

I’d like to end with this powerful and profound quote:

“Never say that you can’t do something, or that something seems impossible, or that something can’t be done, no matter how discouraging or harrowing it may be; human beings are limited only by what we allow ourselves to be limited by: our own minds. We are each the masters of our own reality; when we become self-aware to this: absolutely anything in the world is possible.

Master yourself, and become king of the world around you. Let no odds, chastisement, exile, doubt, fear, or ANY mental viruses prevent you from accomplishing your dreams. Never be a victim of life; be it’s conqueror.” ― Mike Norton

Thank you for reading my post and your time.

Change your life in 2018, Laura

A New Beginning for Me, Returning Home

After 18 years in Florida, I am finally returning to the wide open spaces of the West, a dream I’ve had for sometime.  In a week and half I will drive a 10-foot moving truck across country for the first time to Wyoming. I will spend several months with my beloved sister and her husband, then return home to Arizona.

You can take the girl out of Arizona but you can never take Arizona out of the girl. I’ve discovered that you never move because of a job, it is the wrong reason to pull up stakes to give up everyone and everything you love.  Big life changes should never be a reaction to a problem, they follow you everywhere you go. Change should always be a choice and felt in your heart.

As I count down to my departure, I will remember the experiences and places that gave me pleasure. It is with great excitement and nervousness that I embark on this new beginning of my life.

My deepest desires for anyone who is at crossroads are that you let go of your limited beliefs and plans and let God co-create with you to arrive at the answers that you are seeking. From first hand experience, the outcome may not be what you imagined, but it will be what you want and need.

I sincerely appreciate your time and reading my post.

Are You Making Your Life an Adventure?

 

If today was your last day on earth, would you be at peace knowing you were living a life you loved?  If you could change anything about your life today what would it be? We are given the gift of a life with choices and without a guarantee for how long we are here for.  What choices are you making right now that are in the direction of your happiness? Are you open to experiencing a shift to heart-centered consciousness?

“Our world is in the midst of a major change, and we are awakening. Awakening today from years, decades and centuries of living stifled by illusions and limited by controlling beliefs and unconscious thoughts.” Evita Ochel/Wake Up World

I will share a secret with you, following the rules by doing what you think you’re supposed to do is a heartbreaking way to live. I’ve done that, it never felt as good as life feels now. We all have basic needs that we must meet, that is understood, but at what cost? The millions of empty houses that sit quietly all day, all week and all month waiting for the family to come home to gather to share memories and happy times is a significant reminder of what we are doing with our precious lives. No matter what you do for a living, is it something that you do with all your heart and wouldn’t change a thing?

Life isn’t supposed to be filled with regret, stress, anxiety and paying bills. I lived that way for a long time before I realized how unhappy I was. Life is supposed to be an adventure, with twists and turns and not knowing what’s going to happen, filled with love, happiness and feeling good about the choices we’ve made. Are you happy with who you are and the way you feel about your life?  How do you feel about it?

Part of the process of heart-centered conscious living is asking yourself a lot of very important questions and answering from your heart. A big part of that question and answer period is if you truly believe that you have a choice, because you do. This is the way life is going now, more and more people are starting to look at their lives and are consciously choosing to live differently. A chosen life requires a big change in the way you think, from a life led by the mind to life led by love, compassion, doing for others and coming back to ourselves. Are you ready to live a life of adventure?

Thank you for stopping by, namaste.

It is time for stuff to take a back seat, red lining excess

I just watched the documentary, Minimalism, nothing I saw was surprising, I’ve been doing that without knowing it for several years.  The more I got rid of the better I felt.  Now as I embark on having a home of my own, it will be a simple, comfortable and easy space to live in because I know what I can get along without.

Here are some ways that I’ve used and some ideas from some of the people I’ve known who have reduced, reused and eliminated excess stuff.

• Help the environment by shopping at thrift and consignment stores
• Sell or donate what you really don’t need or use
• Recycle broken or worn items, there are businesses that will haul away anything that no one can use
• Start by stripping one room, putting back only those items that you like, use or serve a purpose, follow suit with the rest of your living space
• Minimize decorator items, they only collect dust and clutter your space
• Re-purpose items that can be used for something else, (I use a hanging shoe stacker for extra storage.)
• If you haven’t worn something or used an item in six months, decide if you ever will
• De-clutter any storage space you have keeping only those items that have a purpose or will be used
• Is this really necessary?  If you have a storage unit that you’re paying for, ask yourself why
• When you buy something new, buy only to replace or fill a need
• Edit your collections by keeping some items out and storing some, make sure that they don’t overtake your living space, sell what makes sense
• Create a savings account with what you don’t spend to go someplace you’ve always wanted to travel to
• Increase your finances by considering your living space, are you really using and living in every part of it?  Can you live in a smaller space with less?
• Help others by going public, start a group or write a blog to share ideas and help live a simpler, calmer and more meaningful life

It took a few years for me to really reduce what I had, but I am happier with my surroundings and feel much lighter. It started with my mother’s estate, the more I got rid of, the easier it was. There was a lot of stuff to go through that took thought and some hard decision-making. But, I remembered hearing someone say, it isn’t the things that our lost loved ones accumulated that we should remember and keep, but who they were, what they did, how they treated people and the way that they loved.

To this day I am still editing my stuff, but now I know to ask myself some important questions, is this valuable to me, does it serve a purpose, why am I keeping it, can I live comfortably without it?  It helps to remember that our life isn’t about material things, but who and what we are, then getting rid of things is simplified.

Being indebted to banks and financial institutions for material things is a life of never-ending stress and anxiety that robs us of the life we were born to live. Consumerism has grabbed our attention and held it for so long that most people have forgotten that happiness and peace are not from things but from the people in our lives.

Now more than ever, it is time that we choose a life of meaning and purpose as we begin to reach out and connect with our human family. We are now living in an age of wisdom, a time when we are beginning to see and understand that our life should be about love, kindness, compassion and an awareness of our reason for living. Reducing the amount of stuff in our lives is a relief that lightens a very heavy load that has been breaking the back of humanity long enough.

Love people and use things, Josh Milburn (Co-Author, The Minimalists)

 

 

 

Foolproof Ways to Improve Your Life

No matter how hard you try, you can’t just wave a magic wand and make something happen

“Let go of what you can’t control. Channel all that energy into living fully in the now.” -Karen Salmansohn

How do we stay present? Most of our thoughts are about the past or the future, rather than the present moment. What we end up doing is passing through the moment by concentrating on what was or what may be and in doing so we miss the gift of now. That’s how life ends up passing us by – we do it to ourselves.

Part of being present is learning to go with the flow of life and releasing the need to control the results or outcome of a situation or challenge you are faced with.

Coming from someone who was a control queen which always includes needless suffering and usually ends negatively, trust me I know, I’ve done it to myself, a learning experience for sure.  I have since learned to listen to my gut and follow my instincts and even though I don’t always understand what I am going through and why, it always turns out for me in a way I could have never imagined. That is the beauty of letting go of control, because there are millions of possibilities that a situation could go in and letting go makes that possible, I know I’ve experienced the magic of the Universal flow.

 

Affirmations to Help You Learn to Let Go

“I willingly surrender my attachment to what other people might think about me.”

“I let go of my attachment to the material things that surround me—I can take these or leave them; it is all the same.”

“I give up the negative emotions that have created a comfort zone for me—they no longer serve me.”

“I release the need to judge others’ thoughts and beliefs.”

Are you ready to let go of unnecessary stress, worry, and anxiety from your life, work and relationships?

Giving up control doesn’t sound easy, but it can be.  Rather than trying so hard to make something happen, take a leap of faith and follow your heart, there is true power in choosing this way of being, it works every time.

Control costs you:

• Joy
• Peace
• Freedom
• Energy
• Creativity
• Support
• Ease
• Connection
• Love

Start by asking yourself a few important questions:

1. Why am I afraid will happen if I let go of control?  How does my fear affect me and those around me?  (Be honest with yourself.)
2. Am I willing to let go of control? (this may sound difficult, but we really don’t have control of anything but ourselves so this one is well worth your time to work on.)
3. Look for support.  (Find someone who already knows how to let go of control who is willing to help you learn to go with the flow of life.)

Key actions to help you start on your own:

• Surrender and feel the state of tranquility.  Be of the mind that you intend to take a leap of faith and allow life to flow from your intuition.

 

• Be present, in other words stay in the moment.  When you can let of the past go and trying to forecast what the future holds for you, you will begin the process of going with the flow.  When you live in the moment, you will know that life is too precious to waste on worry or being fearful, neither of those  emotions does anything to help your situation.  The past is gone and over and the future isn’t here yet, so you really have no choice but to be in the now.  There is a great deal of power in being right where you are.

 

• Take a laugh break every day. Find something to make you laugh until you can’t breathe every day.  Laughter is the best medicine isn’t just a quote, it truly is the best way to relax and feel better!

 

• Go outside and take a walk, take a deep breath and enjoy nature, it feels good and you will feel better.  I guarantee it, I do it all of the time.  I have been through some pretty tough situations that have lightened when I’ve gone outside. It will help you to relax and find search your heart for a solution.  You will get ideas and answers to help you to deal with anything you are faced with.

When you ask yourself open-ended questions you ignite your conscious mind and create a new way to a solution.  I wish you all of the magic and miracles that life has to offer.

Examples:

Am I happy with____________________________?What do I think would happen if I chose____________________?Is there another way to ___________________?What else can I do_________________?Is there something specific that I am looking for?

 

Are you ready to take a leap of faith and trust in yourself and in life?