The mechanic called me later to say that the tests showed that there was something in my car that was constantly pulling energy from the battery, even when the car wasn’t on.  They looked through the car to find the culprit and later found that it was my car alarm draining the car.

You see, when I first got the car, my parents took it to the neighborhood mechanic to hook up an alarm system in my car that was cheaper than the manufacturer’s alarm.  Yeah…it was bootleg..don’t judge me…lol.  This alarm was installed incorrectly and was causing a major energy drain without me even knowing it.

And, I thought to myself…how often does this happen in our lives?  How often do we subconsciously hold onto people, old situations, old stories, old beliefs, old relationships that are literally sucking the life out of us, and we don’t even know it?  How often do we keep people in our lives that no longer feed us, and instead leave us feeling depleted?  How often do we stay at jobs that no longer challenge, inspire, or fulfill us?  How often do we avoid stepping outside the box, only to stay cramped and stunted doing the same ole, same ole day in and day out.

I’m learning to recognize the energy drains in my life.  I’m learning when it’s time to let go and move on.  Sometimes it has nothing to do with ‘the people’ or ‘that job’.  Sometimes, it’s simply the mind set, or belief attached to them that is causing the energy drain.

What’s causing the energy drain in your life?  Are you ready to let go and move on?  Are you ready to stand in your power and go for what you really want?

Morning Messages
by Peggy Black

Joy is the elixir for all things. Bring more joy into your tasks. When you radiate a vibration of joy, however mild, there is a shift in response within your body that is reflected in the response of your reality.

It can be an easy as a smile on your face as you do one of your many tasks. This will create a different message to your body and you will shift the usual stress responses to your work and busyness into a more conscious relaxed state of mind/heart.
Become aware of the stages or subtle frequencies of the emotional vibration you label joy. There is ecstasy, rapture, bliss, jubilation, delight, happiness, cheer, gladness, and pleasure. Practice the different frequencies of joy.

Be delighted. Celebrate the small wonders all around you. Rejoice with your breath. Smile for no reason, just smile into the moment. Allow new face muscles to be discovered as you smile into your concerns and worries.

Find cause to laugh, giggle, or radiate cheerfulness, practice being light-hearted, carefree, and elated about the miracles in your life or the miracles of the moment. Be happy, be bright, rejoice and enjoy. Be in Joy.

The skill of maintaining an attitude and frequency of joy is a most important skill. Imagine that you have a joy muscle and you have not exercised it enough. You need to stretch it, expand it and fully express it. Allow joy in any form to proceed you.

Smile as you answer the phone, make a meal, and pay your bills. Smile into the mirror each time you look at your image, smile at your reflection. Smile as you are falling asleep at night. Practice smiling even while you are thinking.

Place your awareness in your heart when you smile. This is a powerful alchemical practice. The simple act of smiling from your heart will attract more joy, bliss, and happiness into your life.

The physical tasks will flow easier, your body will respond by being relaxed with less stress. The worries will evaporate; the tasks will be completed with ease and grace. Joy will clear the way for incredible miracles and expansion. This is a wonderful skill to practice and use that will enhance everything in your life.

The energy field that radiates from joy will transform any experience, activity, outcome or results. Your joy will be like a healing balm to yourself and others in your life. Practice your joy in all is wondrous forms.

www.morningmessages.com

image from frankfarm

Like every other day this week, my alarm has gone off at exactly 6am. My goal is to wake with the sun, lol…and do my yoga and meditation and my morning routine before work. And, like every other day this week…I’ve hit snooze and rolled over. Yes, I still do my yoga and morning routine, but it’s rushed…sigh. I get up and I say, everyday, “I’m just not a morning person.” Aha!! I’m reinforcing the negative belief that I just can’t possibly wake up early and feel good about it!

If we could see our words in the physical, our speech would be drastically different. Haphazard speaking, habitual sayings, and the like…would all cease. I look at the problems we have with the environment as a reflection of our problems with our thoughts, our speech, and our actions. The environmental problems are our words manifested. If our negative words were actual trash…we’d find that some of us are have a lot of “trash” all over our homes, in our cars, at work, in our purses, briefcases, etc. And, we wonder why things aren’t improving in our lives! Well, how can any positivity possibly get in when there’s all this negative “clutter” that needs to be cleared out???

We need to start “recycling” our speech. Transmuting it into positive energy…clean, crisp, fresh air we can breathe in deeply to nourish us. This positivity has the power to literally transform our lives! So, I will start with my morning banter that always gets me in the same place every time. I’ll update later with my progress. In the meantime…why don’t you give it a try?

What are you speaking that is holding you back???

—-from A Return to Love, by Marianne Williamson.

-Louise Hay

Thanks Evelyn for this quote! 

So, how do we give attention to these thoughts without driving ourselves crazy and in turn creating something we don’t want? How do we take note of the thoughts without overwhelming ourselves and becoming depressed and non-productive? I’ve found that three things help me:

1. Acknowledge the thought…accept yourself lovingly, then replace it with a positive intention. For example,

“Even though I feel like I will never find a job (acknowledging the thought),

I love myself (having compassion for yourself, unconditionally loving yourself, placing no judgements)

and I intend to have a peaceful day (positive intention).

I know that my perfect job is waiting for me right now (additional positve affirmation).”

For those of you that are familiar with EFT (emotional freedom techniques), this is a great time to practice this while you acknowledge your thoughts and state your positive intentions. Taking a nice 10 minute break from your day to peacefully acknowledge your thoughts, while taking nice, deep cleansing breaths, can really make a difference in how you feel.

2. Do something creative. When I have a lot of stirred up energy and I don’t know what to do with it…I find that channeling it into something creative really helps. This is the perfect time for me to write. Not only am I letting out my energy, but it’s producing something that’s positive and will bring joy to someone else (if I so choose to share it). What is it that you like to create? Believe it or not, we are ALL creative beings. What you create doesn’t have to be perfect, just something you enjoy. If something in your life is really bothering you…this could be a good time to take an art class, learn how to make pottery, dust off the notebook and get back into poetry, visit your local arts and crafts store for ideas, or simply redecorate a room.

3. Exercise. My exercise of choice is yoga. But, whatever gets your blood pumping and helps you break a good sweat is perfect. When you engage in a physical activity, you’re literally purging yourself of a lot of negative energy. Plus, you’re releasing many feel good endorphins. It’s a great win-win situation.

Having negative thoughts is something that we all deal with. But, from time to time, we have our moments where they become overwhelming and immobilizing. These are three tips that I’ve found to work very well in my life. Give them a try and see how they work for you…:)

…Until…I find out that I'm going to be out of town THREE WEEKENDS IN A ROW!  Yes, it's exciting cause I'm going to have fun and be with people I love.  But, what about my time to do absolutely…NOTHING???  I feel myself getting cranky just thinking about it.  BUT, I realize that this is great practice for my future.  In my future, I'll have kids…I'll be a singer, writer, environmentalist, and a spiritual life coach.  Not many days off there!  So…how will I deal?

I'm trying something new. 

1.  Find something you like to do, and do it regularly.  I'm starting to practice yoga on a regular basis (just started Wednesday).  Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga…its very challenging, yet stills my mind, releases my stress, and brings me a sense of peace.  An hour and a half of pure sweaty bliss! 

2.  Treat your bedroom as your sanctuary.  I've read that people sleep better when they only use their bed for sleeping and sex…lol.  I think there may be something to that…cause I do EVERYTHING in my bed, working, talking on the phone,reading, journaling, blogging, websurfing, etc.  But lately, it's been hard for me to unwind and go to sleep when I'm done.  It's also suggested that we keep the number of electronics in the room to a minimum.  I'm kinda attached to my mac book…so, we'll see about that one…;-)

3.  Find time to pray or meditate each day.  It's so beneficial to find time, even if it's just 5 minutes, to steal away from the world and all it's worries and just breathe.  This is the ultimate vacation, just focusing on God/Source and who we are separate from our egos and labels.  Simply breathing and being still.  I've tried to do this in the mornings before work…haven't been so successful cause I'm so sleepy!  But, perhaps after I instill suggestions 1 & 2…this will become easier to do.

I'm hoping that these three changes will help.  I'll keep you guys posted.  I'm learning as I'm teaching on this one!  But, hopefully I won't need a whole Saturday to "recover" from my week anymore.  Hopefully I'll learn to practice mindfulness, living in the present moment and being grateful for each moment.  Hopefully I'll learn how to bring joy into my daily life so that each day feels like a lazy Saturday, even with a jam packed crazy schedule! 

How do you deal with YOUR daily stresses?  I'd love to hear your suggestions!

image by nati 

Peace comes automatically with Faith in God(Source).  When we are truly trusting in God/Source as the captain of our ship, we can truly rest peacefully through any storm.  Peace comes when we truly relax in the flow, trusting that our spirit is safely guiding us through the waters of life.  The universe is always behind us and will never forsake us, as long as we have faith.

Right now, I'm experiencing a lot of major changes in my life.  There are a lot of unknown variables in play that make me nervous.  There are times when I worry that something is going to go terribly wrong.  This is when I work feverishly to try and make a plan B and C, and then a plan D in case those don't work…lol.

But, this is when I have to remind myself who is the captain of my ship.  I quickly begin to calm down and remember that everything is under control.  All I have to do is relax in the flow, stay focused on my goals, and keep my mind's eye on the end result.  I breathe deeply and trust that everything is going to be okay.  Sometimes this is hard to do.  But, this is an opportunity to PRACTICE my faith.  In practicing, my faith increases and becomes stronger.  I'm then able to maintain my peace and have a peaceful day.

Joy is everlasting when we are truly grateful.  When we pay more attention to the good things happening in our lives…how can we be depressed or sad?  There is always something to be thankful and grateful for!  We are blessed more than we know…:)

Whenever I find myself in a funky mood, I do this little exercise that really helps to lift my spirits and bring me back to a joyful state.  I simply make a list of 5 to 10 things that I'm grateful for.  This helps me to keep things in perspective and appreciate my life…no matter what the circumstances.

Love simply is when we know who we are.  When we truly know who we are, we know that we are all one.  I am you and you are me.  When we truly treat each other as the spiritual beings that we are…we find that there's a lot more kindness to go around.  We find it easier to let things go, to have compassion, to be respectful, to have integrity, to be giving, and to be forgiving.  We find it easy to do unto others as we would want done to us.  Because, in all actually…those "others" ARE us.  We are all one, we all originate from love and we all are love.  No matter how dirty, wrong, or sinful the world may label some…we ALL deserve to be loved. 

Patience is a virtue.  This is one that I'm really working on…lol.  Some people seem to be born patient.  While others want what they want, when they want it, and they want it NOW.  I'm learning, however, that when I allow things to happen in their own time, it's usually a lot better than when I rush them.  In fact, when I'm patient, I find that my experiences EXCEED my expectations. 

You know what they say…good things come to those who wait.  It's kinda like waiting for a cake to bake in the oven.  You can bake it at the appropriate temperature for the appropriate time.  Or, you can rush it, and turn up the heat to make it bake faster.  That rarely works, right?  I'd rather have a nicely baked cake than to have one that is half good and half gooey.  And, if you're really patient, you can have some yummy icing on top!! 

I find that when I fill my life with things that don't make me happy, I start complaining.  Then, I start looking forward to the day when things get better.  Or looking forward to the day when I have certain things.  I essentially begin to suffer.  I essentially begin to create MORE suffering!

But, what happens when you decide to get rid of all the things that you don't love?  What happens when you stop spending time with people you don't love.  What happens when we stop giving energy to thoughts that aren't of love?  What happens when we decide…I'm only going to be around, attain, and create LOVE in my life?

At first…it may seems like our lives are a bit empty.  But, this is the time where you begin to really APPRECIATE and practice GRATITUDE for the little things in life.  You are joyful for the people that really mean something to you.  You have your priorities in order.  You're finally able to put FIRST THINGS FIRST.  Then, with your new found joy…you begin to want to spread the love to other people.  You want others to feel the way you feel.  Then, you begin CREATING more of this peace, joy, and love in your life.  Before you know if, your life fills up more, and more, and more.  You finally see what true ABUNDANCE means!

This is what I want.  This is what I have.  I have everything I need.  I'm so thankful and grateful for all the people, places, and things I love in my life.  I'm so thankful and grateful that at every given moment, I'm creating more and sharing more of the love that's in my heart.  YES!!! 

1.  Stop criticizing.

2.  See the bigger picture.  When it seems that every little thing is going wrong…maintaining a vivid picture of your goal, and focusing on that, can really keep you going. 

3.  Forgive those who have hurt you. 

4.  RESPOND, don't react.

5.  Reward yourself.  Don't wait for someone to give you a pat on the back…you won't always get that.  Instead…pat YOURSELF on the back.  If you've been keeping up with your budget, go ahead to splurge on something you've wanted in a long time.  If you've been keeping up with your exercise program…go ahead and have a piece of cake.  (Within reason, of course…;-) )

6.  Maintain a balance in your life by knowing and keeping your priorities.  Only you can define what is important to you and only you can maintain those priorities.  Doing this will help you feel at peace with your life.  Doing this will help you in making a choice between, say…working late and spending time with your family.  Which choice will you be able to sleep with at night?  Which will leaving you feeling resentful?  Will you regret this decision 5 yrs from now? 

7.  Don't give unsolicited advice.  Nuff said…just don't do it…

8.  Have integrity.

9.  Invest in yourself.  This isn't just about money.  This is about taking the time to take care of yourself.  Listen to your body and your spirit.  If you need to rest, REST.  You know what you need to maintain your wellbeing…do it.  Nothing is more important than YOU.  You can't help someone else if you're sick and worn out. 

10.  Remember that YOU are the creator in your life.

11.  Be CONFIDENT!

12.  Expect great things.

13.  Exercise.

14.  Eat what truly makes you feel good and energizes you.

15.  Continue to learn and to grow.  Look at EVERY life experience as a chance to learn something and to grow to another level.  Everything happens for a reason.

Dictionary.com says that confidence is someone with "belief in oneself and one's powers or abilities; self-confidence; self-reliance; assurance."

Does this sound like you?  If so…congrats…you are one sexy-shut-yo-mouth! 

If not…does this sound like someone you wanna be?  Usually when helping others build confidence, they are advised to think of someone they admire and emulate them.  But, I have an even BETTER exercise to boost the confidence in anyone!

Sit back and really think about why you're not confident.  What is it that you believe is really holding you back from being all you can be. 
1.  Make a list.  Don't worry about if anything sounds silly, be totally honest and make a list of everything that's making you insecure.     

2. Close your eyes, and use your imagination.  Imagine you have a magic wand and can get rid of EVERYTHING on the previous list.  Imagine how your life would be different. 
a.  What are you doing differently?
b.  How do you feel about yourself?
c.  How do others feels about you?  How do they treat you now?
d.  How do you look?  What are you wearing?
Just totally immerse yourself in your vision.  Totally feel it!!

3.  Now write it down, the whole vision.  Don't leave out any details!

4.  Realize that the only thing holding you back from being this super sexy confident diva or having a super sexy confident swagga…is your THOUGHT about who you are and what you're capable of.  You just proved it because as soon as you removed the thoughts about what was holding you back (step 1), you then were able to envision this new you!!  So, begin to hold the vision of who you want to be and work to attain that.  My friend calls it manifesting SEXY!!

Next time you're feeling down or insecure…think…what would the super sexy confident ME do?  How would she be acting right now?  How would she walk?  What would she say?  Then, just do it!  Hold your head high, smile…and exude the CONFIDENCE that is already inside you!! 

Manifest SEXY!!

This wonderful thing that brings instant peace is Effective Communication.  If you can effectively communicate something…it won't stay bottled up inside you.  You'll lose the need for an argument or a sad, pathetic, and dramatic episode. 

To determine if you're an effective communicator, ask yourself these questions:

1.  Do you truly know what it is that you want, or need?

2.  Are you allowing yourself to truly feel your feelings (as opposed to escaping them by doing other things to distract you)?

3.  Are you able to be vulnerable and tell others how you truly feel WITHOUT being mean, confrontational, manipulative, whiny, or embarrassed?

4.  Are you able to be your own cheerleader and encourager, and bring yourself out of a funk WITHOUT outside help?

5.  When you pray to God, do you ask for assistance in reaching your goals (as opposed to helplessly asking God to rescue you)?  

I am going to begin a blog series on Effective Communication being the Key to Peace.  I'll begin my next post expounding on the first question and how it plays an important role in effectively communicating and bringing peace into your life.

Stay tuned!!   

So…I found myself complaining today.  I was doing a great job of it too…picking out all that was wrong, not going right, and could’ve been better.  But then, I quickly pulled out a pad and paper, and just started making a list of all the things that were going RIGHT!  I made a list of all the positive things happening so far.  And, I immediately felt better!!  I realized that when you complain, you’re only focusing on the negative…so much so, that you actually start to create more of it.  Instead of complaining next time…focus on all the positive aspects, and you’ll certainly create more of that!!  Try it! 

Have a great weekend!!