Out with the Old - In with the New

I lay in bed on this December morning, not too much on my plate. You know that quiet lull between Christmas and New Years. Business as usual sort of halts. It seems as though it was set up perfectly for us to slow down enough to reflect on the close of the year and look forward to the fresh start that the new year may hold.

So for me the first thing on my mind is wow it has been two months since I have written anything. I ask myself "what have I been so busy doing that I have not written since October?" Deep Sigh... This is one example of how life seems to just passes us by. We have intentions to do this or that but somehow life gets in the way. I think about this for myself, my clients and my students - what is it that has us wanting: to achieve goals, make changes in our lives, practice healthier lifestyles all with the best of intentions and then we just do not follow through.

Each year at this time we reminisce of all the good times and review the bad, with the resolve to do it more, better, different next year. So what are RESOLUTIONS anyway - the dictionary says:

1. The state or quality of being resolute, firm determination
   
2. A resolving to do something
3. A course of action determined or decided on

Most resolutions are made in order to resolve any area of your life that you find you are not happy with or would like to change. In essence that is fixing what you may perceive as a PROBLEM. How to do you solve a problem? Hum do you see what I see here?

We are starting out each new year based off solving problems from the previous year in our so called resolutions. I would like to propose a new way to head into 2009 by: letting the past go, focusing in the present moment, being grateful for the gifts and lessons of 2008, and looking to the future by bringing attention the qualities of life we want to enjoy. Instead of resolutions try on thinking of the goals or things we want and what quality of emotion or feeling that achieving that would bring you. Also what it would it mean for you or about you to achieve that goal.

Go ahead think of something you really desire.

Got it - Good now imagine you have it.

Now what emotion or feeling does that bring you?

OK that emotion, feeling or state is what you focus on now

Also what would it mean for you or about you

What feeling, or emotion does that hold for you

OK keep this meaning and feeling in mind as you

Bring the essence of these into your daily life NOW.

How you ask? - well you can start by just declaring to be/have that

Here is a personal example - I would like to have my book finished and published this year. Now I focus on having that, what would I feel? I would feel sense of accomplishment or satisfaction and joy. What would it mean? It would mean that I am living my dream and following my life purpose. So I declare now - I am a accomplished author. I joyously live each day to the fullest expressing my divine talents in all I do.

My challenge to you is to come from your deepest desires and feelings. Living with those expressed in the NOW. Then create an ACTION PLAN for 2009. The plan is just the first 10 steps you can take toward your ultimate goal. Why 10 you ask? Well because if you are coming from your true feelings and living with those in the present moment, you start out with small simple steps then the universe meets you there. The path will unfold naturally random meetings, surprise happenings, magic door openings all occur when you live in the moment, follow your heart and trust in the flow of the universe.

I leave you with this last thought. Out with the old way of letting life pass us by and resolving to make next year better. Instead create it now, feel it now, be it now, make action plan, take small steps and look for the magic and miracles.

Walking in FAITH.....

Why do we freeze in fear? 

What stops us from living our dreams? 

What is all that self chatter about anyways? 

Why don't we trust our inner visions?

These questions not only plaque my clients but also hit me hard too. There are times in life when you are drawn to follow your heart in any area of life - BUT there is fear, hesitation and even self sabotage. I have had this transition period for the last year to really do what I feel passionate about - Intuitive Counseling and Visionary Coaching and like other pivotal times in my life I have not trusted my heart fully. Thus I get lost in frustration and hesitation. 

I do not practice the very things I tell my clients - trust, move forward in action, and allow the universe do the rest. 

Trust  - Let's look at that - what is trust? Trusting in yourself your heart knows what is right for you. We innately know the answers that lead us to our truth. They are just buried under the past - emotions, experiences and thoughts. Getting clear about the vision you have and letting the past be the past is the way to trust. We have our minds which are a great tool but it is our thoughts that can also get in our way. If you were a bird, a tree or a flower you would just be that with out the mind to second guess how to be, are you being it right, and what else you can be. - So be the vision you have let it in and let the thoughts, judgements, emotions go......

Action - Moving forward in action - what does that mean? Well once you have your vision in mind there are steps to take to bring that vision to life. It does not matter what you do to get in action as long as you do something. There are ways to figure out what is best to do, look to others who have gone before you, research ways to do it. It still comes down to getting into action while holding your vision and trusting your heart!

Allow - let the universe do the rest - How do you do that? Letting go and being open to the flow of life. Many times we are so busy trying to force something to happen, the way we think it should happen, that we miss the opportunity right in front of us that is even better then we could have possibly imagined.

This has occurred multiple times in my life. I have had a vision for something in my life then started out in action but this action felt like hitting up against a brick way. Once I let go and allowed the universe to let things flow to me the situation worked out better then I can ever hope for. 

Let me give you an example. I was going through my divorce some years ago and in a hurry to finalize everything so I could move to California. My ex-husband was not cooperating at all and my lawyer was telling me things I did not want to hear. (Mostly that I could loose 50% of my premarital property and that it could take quite sometime and money to resolve.) I was devastated and exhausted - so I let go and focused on my daily activities. I stopped trying to force it to happen the way I thought was best. I got quiet and peaceful then it came to me. I wasn't buying in to the way things have to go in divorce for others and shared that with my lawyer. I dismissed my lawyer and received partial retainer refund. I opened up dialog with my ex-husband and we resolved our differences miraculously. My soon to be ex-husband and I amicably divorced representing ourselves in front of the judge to the surprise of the judge and everyone we know. I was free and happy, as I planned my move to Los Angeles as a single woman.

Now if you would have asked me weeks prior to this turn of events - that this is how it would work out I would have laughed in your face. I was ready for battle and my husband was the enemy. Instead we ended up friends and resolved all our financial matters in weeks instead of months or years. I allowed the universe to orchestrate things perfectly. I utilized trust, action and allowing. 

It is not something that feels natural to me totally - yet. I recently had this practice hit me over the head in selling my business. I just had to trust - let go of the thoughts that stopped me from action. Then move in action, as soon as I did a turn of events happened!  I am sure would have never happened unless I took the leap of faith to be in action, any action. Now I am moving closer to that vision and I am so happy about the party that I am selling to - it is PERFECT!

TRUST

ACTION

ALLOW

TIME - Keeps on Ticking Away!

Wow one month since my last blog entry. What have I been doing? That really is a good question. I have been busy but.... not on my writing or my radio show. I think to myself being busy with life without focus on my passion - well what's the point. I seem to have fallen into some sort of time warp. Hurrying here and there, doing this and that.

I know the principal, that all is perfect in this moment and nothing is a waste of time. However, I feel a bit lost creatively and my passion seemed to dwindle away with the time. So how do I get back ? - I ask myself. 

Deep Breath this is the first step to put myself into action, to notice where my ship has gone off course. Don't make it wrong just notice where you may have drifted off course and reset your chart. This can be done by really stopping and going within. Begin to look into your heart and soul. Make a list if you need to, of:

• Where you are headed and why?
  
• What is your true passion, what lights you up?
• Why is it that you have desires and goals that are not being accomplished? 
  
• What is stopping you? 
  
• Where is your energy focused?
  
• What are you really spending your time on?

These are tough questions to answer most people are afraid of the true - fear is the underlying issue in one form or another.

• Fear of Failure
  
• Fear of Success
  
• Fear of Responsibility
  
• Fear of not being Good Enough
  
• Fear of Disappointment
  
• Fear of your true Power
  

How do you move past? - One step at a time with courage. 

ACKNOWLEDGE YOUR FEAR AND ACT ANYWAY!

Bringing something to light reduces the hold it has on you - resisting it keeps it persisting

Following my own words of wisdom 

 I dig deep inside find my passion, acknowledge my fears and act powerfully! 

What do you REALLY want? - The LAW of Attraction

Saturday night nothing on TV and no plans to go out (at least nothing I really want to do) - so here I am sharing myself and my personal discoveries again through my Blog. Lately what has really come to focus is to think about what I REALLY want. 

Well we all want more money, happiness, love, good health ect..... As a Visionary Coach I work with my clients to discover and live the life of their dreams... but to think about what I want ?! hmmm......me well that's another story.

Thinking about what we want, usually can be traced back to avoid something we don't want, fix something that is 'wrong', overcome some feeling of lack, fill some hole we think needs filling. So if the law of attraction is bringing you what your energy, intention and focus is on. You REALLY need to look at what is behind what you think or say that you want. 

Otherwise everyone would be millionaires - Right?! This hit me like a ton of bricks. Now what - how do I know what I REALLY want not from the place of fixing, surviving, in order to??????

YOU KNOW THE OLD SAYING WATCH WHAT YOU ASK FOR CUZ YOU MIGHT JUST GET IT. That was me repeating the pattern of asking or wanting "financial freedom" and seemly stuck in the battle of never quite getting there always coming back to how much was not there. 

Why wasn't this working well I was stumped too for a minute. It was working I was focusing on my lack of abundance by saying I wanted financial freedom to fix my money issues- whalla!

NOW to create from a clean slate is the key:

• Start with what you are passionate about, what lights you up. Look for that spark. 
  
• Find ways to contribute, make a difference for others - get over yourself
  
• Use your imagination like you did when you were a child - dream big
• Lastly be grateful for something in your life NOW
  

Create from this space and watch what happens 

MIRACLES and MAGIC!

Listening to INTUITION - Saving yourself from yourself!

As I write this blog I realize it has been over a month since my last entry, that would explain a lot. Deep Breath July was an action month that felt a bit overwhelming...Now I can see why. I got so caught up in doing, I forgot about being. One of the most important things I let go of was to be in tune with my internal compass, that still small voice of knowing and reason - my INTUITION.

Where did it go? Nowhere really it just got covered up, forgotten about, and just plain ignored by all the hustle and bustle. Have you have been so busy that the next thing you know you are stressed, frustrated and angry for no apparent reason? That's me here! My intentions started out great, I really felt good about things in the beginning then all of a sudden URG!

Looking back over the last month I see that the piece I was missing was that connection to the real me. The wise loving being part of me tried with might to give me signs, signals and warnings - the busy action packed me just tuned out and kept chugging away at the doing. Looking back I could have spared myself the energy and upset. Most people don't get to see how this can take a toll, I am grateful it was only a month instead of a lifetime. 

Learning from our past or looking for the good in the experience transforms you from regret, anger, frustration to empowerment and inspiration. I can see now the little clues that were handed to me along the way. The great feeling of being back in the flow is wonderful, slowing down doesn't mean not getting things done. In fact being tuned into to my intuition seems to make every moment count even more. There is no wasted energy pushing up against something that your spirit is telling you to not do or to do differently.

The key is to trust your feelings, signs and signals from your intuition. You also should be present in the moment to be able to slow down and tune in to receive your messages. This last one is sometimes the most difficult, to take the right action based off that inner knowing, despite what your rational mind thinks or what your well thought out plans are. The times I do not listen to my intuition - it never fails that it smacks me hard down the line somewhere and if I am honest with myself I knew somewhere along the way I could have changed course, prevented my own demise, saved myself a lot of trouble.

Let go, Slow down, Tune in and follow your intuition......

INDEPENDENCE DAY - LEAVING THE UNWANTED BEHIND

Today is the 4th of July, I am not going to the beach or some BBQ party this year.  I am taking the day to create my own Independence! 

Independence Day celebrates the emancipation of the United States from England - a sort of birthday if you will. A turning point for the country from the ideas, patterns, and rules set upon it by the control of the British empire.

Reflecting on my own ideas, patterns and rules that have been thrust upon me by my family, society and even myself; I mark this day as my own INDEPENDENCE DAY. Today I release my pattern of struggle, my rule of having to work hard, my idea that financial success and freedom is for others, and anything else that holds me back from living with freedom, joy and ease. 

I believe we all have the need or desire for real Independence - to leave all those ideas and beliefs that no longer serve us is true freedom. Once that desire is realized there can be a declaration for something greater. My declaration is for joy in my work - using my talents and creativity, ease and grace in all areas of my life and financial success and abundance.

I breathe that in and embrace that declaration with the feeling of gratitude. Gratitude is a powerful process for shifting your energy and bringing more of what you want into your life. Claim your independence with vigor and joy. Look to focus on your good experiencing every moment as a gift. Create your life anew and celebrate today as your Independence day too!

Moments of Contemplation....

Living in beautiful southern California - we get a bit spoiled by the everyday wonder and awe of this place we call home. As I come in from enjoying a sunny afternoon by the pool with the mountains and palm trees as a backdrop for my backyard playground. I ponder to myself how anything could really upset me.

YET  - I am not exactly happy. Not until I realize how blessed I am - and how far I have come in this journey called life. It really is what you put in your mind that creates your state of being! Someone very wise told me a story that I could relate to which brings this all into prospective. 

If you are hiking and only looking up to where you are trying to get to - the climb is strenuous, and forging your way to a peak that never seems to get any closer is exhausting - BUT if you stop and slow down to look around and enjoy the view from where you are you will see the beauty in the moment. Plus you can look down and back from where you have already climbed and see how far you have come!

Many of us never enjoy where we are now and have forgotten how far we really have come in this journey called life! It is easy to get complacent and loose site of that. We then get easily distracted by the need or desire to keep pushing forward in a never ending need to satisfy some desire, yearning or goal .....

Deep Breath - I return to this moment as a gift and let go of any frustration, or anxiety. I return to really what matters to me what I am passionate about and that is making a difference and anything other than being the best me I can be doesn't matter. It is so easy to get distracted but coming home to my center, my spirit, my quiet mind - I know who I am, why I am here and what really matters.

I am home - I let go and Let my light shine!

LET FREEDOM RING!

FREEDOM -noun

1.	the state of being free or at liberty rather than in confinement or under physical restraint.

2.	exemption from external control, interference, regulation, etc.

3.	the power to determine action without restraint.

4.	personal liberty, as opposed to bondage or slavery.

5.	exemption from the presence of anything specified (usually fol. by from): freedom from fear.

6.

the absence of or release from ties, obligations, etc That is the dictionary meaning - BUT what is FREEDOM to you? For me to be FREE has been a lifetime pursuit. I have always felt that someone, something or some situation always had control over my life. Upon further awareness in this thing called LIFE - I get that FREEDOM is really a state of mind and being.  If you are really the creator of your experience through your thoughts, decisions and actions then you can create being free.  How to you create being FREE ? you ask. Well it is a matter of choice in the moment. What are you choosing? How can you be at cause in the moment? You get the theme here - being present in the moment is one KEY! The other is your thoughts, judgements and feelings - which you have control over.   So CHOOSE - and in that is the FREEDOM! I create myself as the possibility of being free - in every moment, moment by moment, by moment!

RESPONSIBILITY - be the cause of your LIFE!

OK the theme for the last few days for me has revolved around responsibility - Having it not like being responsible as in blame or bad and wrong. BUT being cause of my LIFE!

But you could have fooled me!! All my life I was the "responsible one"- the one who did what NEEDED to be done, doing what HAD to be done. Always making sure everyone and everything was handled and taken care of.

What is wrong with that you ask? Well what about me? - how do I feel? - who is making sure everything is OK for me? - NO ONE not even me was looking out for me. 

The realization that responsibility is really be at cause of your life. What do I mean being cause of your life? - well looking at how you are causing things, people and situations that are in your life is being responsible. How you respond to how life is showing up is being responsible too!

Let me illustrate this point. I have always sacrificed and worked hard; like I mentioned above - putting my needs last or thinking if I work hard enough long enough and made sure everyone got what they needed and wanted -  everything would come together and happen for me BUT that never happened SURPRISE!

What was happening underneath was UGLY. I was doing things in order to get my way, to manipulate an outcome, to force things to happen, with expectations of what was to come to me. What I was missing is being honest with myself, honoring myself, knowing really what I want and putting my needs first.

You may think that sounds SELFISH at least that was my thinking BUT what has come to light for me is when I love and honor myself first - who I get to BE is someone who is genuinely LOVING, HAPPY, GIVING, SUPPORTIVE... the list goes on. 

It showed up like magic every time I felt myself upset, frustrated or angry - I stopped and looked at how am I causing this situation and how or where am I not honoring or loving myself. POW like magic others were showing up and teaching me by their actions.  I was not putting myself first. SO I responded by be RESPONSIBLE and in taking responsibility for the situation. I began to take actions to rearrange each situation by honoring what I really want, being honest with how I was doing things in order to, to manipulate an outcome, to force things to happen, with expectations of what was to come to me. No wonder I was upset, frustrated and angry - the people and situations in my life were only mirroring what I was putting out! Giving me more of what I didn't want. It was exactly what I really was putting out there.

Getting how I was causing my life is access to how I could cause something new and extraordinary by being responsible - REALLY!

I leave you with the simple truth below

Responsibility is the ability to respond by

BEing cause of the matter!

Morning Meditation

There is something about taking time in the morning to be still. The time I spend in the morning before jumping out of bed can impact the rest of my day. This is why I decided to create this blog. I have spent the good part of my life taking in  a pearl of wisdom, an insight or affirmation during my morning routine - then reflecting on whatever thoughts come up from there.

These thoughts during these few moments powerfully and positively effect the rest of my day. I honestly see a huge difference when I do not take the time to be still, quiet, centered and in (yes) a meditative space. This is meditation.

During the month of June each morning we will take on a thought or insight that is centered around powerfully aligning with your intentions for what you set out to create in 2008. June is the 6 month mark and if the year isn't going as planned - it's time to get back on track or reset your goals.

Ready Set Breathe!