Law of Attraction

Are you familiar with the expression, "Like attracts like"? Recently I had seen a man on TV who was struggling with this idea. He was having difficulty coming to grips with certain emotions he was experiencing. He felt controlled by them and this was creating a lot of tension for him. The more he fought his feelings, the stronger their hold over him seemed to be.

I completely understood his frustration and assured him that his situation was not unusual. I felt that with a little work, he could overcome this obstacle. He began by introducing himself to the Universal Law of Attraction. According to this law, we attract that which we focus on with the most intensity, and this attraction can create a positive or negative experience depending on its nature. In his case, it meant that when he focused on emotions or feelings that made him uncomfortable, he ended up creating more of those uncomfortable feelings in the process.

Of course, this wasn't enough for him. He needed a workable solution. They suggested that he try looking at his unresolved emotions in a different way. Instead of battling his feelings, they asked him to look at them without judgment. They wanted him to focus on the root of his emotional turmoil because as that point, he would he would be in a position to make adjustments to his behavior.

Soon after, he took those instructions to heart and began observing his difficult feelings. He reported that life flowed easier when he could refrain from making judgments on his emotions, and as a result, he was soon feeling much better about himself. By just listening to these emotional messages, rather than just getting upset or worried by them, he no longer felt so controlled by them. And, once he could really listen to his feelings, he was able to get a better grip on why those feelings were coming up.

Now, I hope that you too will spend some time thinking about the Law of Attraction and the primary focus of your energy. What are you attracting into your life?

Best Friends...

I want to share some interesting information I recently read on friendship. But first I'd like you to take a moment to think about your closest friends. Are you the type of person who has one best friend or one who prefers a few close friends? Well, if you answered yes to either of these questions, consider yourself fortunate, because dependable friendships bring some amazing benefits.

It is probably no surprise to you that close friendships are good for us. However, the list of actual medical advantages is quite remarkable. Research shows that our good friendships can help us to reduce our blood pressure, heart rate and cholesterol levels, as well as to lower our stress levels. In other words, solid, dependable friendships help us to live a longer, healthier life.

The nice thing about our friendships is that they are ties we choose to develop, sustain and nurture. When we are young, we seek comfort in our companionship, by befriending dogs, cats, dolls and stuffed animals. As we grow into adolescence and later into adulthood, good friends can become more than just companions. A good friend is there through the good and bad times.

A good friend is someone who loves you in spite of yourself. They laugh with you, cry with you, listen to you when you need an ear, tell you the truth when you don't want to hear it and even keep your secrets. And now, you can add the positive health benefits of friendship to that list!

While this information probably won't make you change how you feel about your friends, it may make you appreciate them even more. Enjoy your Veteran's Day weekend! :)

Do You Need Space?

Are there times you feel that you need some space? Actually, we all need some "space," some time to ourselves and some place to recharge our batteries and renew our spirit. In ancient times, such places were considered sacred and were often found in nature – a grove, a hill or valley, or a mountain. But you don't have to go outdoors to find a sacred space. You can create a sacred space right in your own home.

It doesn't matter how small your living quarters are, even a corner of a room can do nicely. A sacred space is an area where you can sit and meditate, contemplate, or let your mind wander and relax, ponder, and dream. You can place a small table or a shelf in a corner on which you arrange images, photos, religious relics or pieces of artwork that hold meaning for you. Bring in nature with perhaps some flowers or a small plant, or seashells, or perhaps a crystal. Lighting a candle or some incense, or an essential oil diffuser can add to the atmosphere of serenity. Place a comfortable chair there. A wind chime or some bells, or perhaps a CD of soothing music can also set the scene.

Joseph Campbell, the famous American author who wrote about myths and incorporating them into our lives, understood the importance of a need for a sacred space. He says it best in his own words, "If you have a sacred space and take advantage of it and use it every day, something will happen… Your sacred space is where you can find yourself again and again."

How Creative are You?

How long has it been since you expressed your creativity? In the daily rush to meet deadlines and fulfill obligations, our creative self often gets shuffled to the sidelines. And that's not a good thing as our creativity is so closely connected to our sense of self-fulfillment. Creativity helps us to experience the magical and playful side of life. It lets us explore our passions and express ourselves artistically.

In my case, my preferred creative passion is my garden. I love spending time tending to my rose plants. They delight my senses and fill me with much joy and satisfaction. It is a very grounding pastime, and one that I also get to share with others as well by spending many glorious hours talking about our gardening experiences.

Sadly, many people don't consider themselves creative, especially if they don't write, paint or play music. But that is a limited perspective of creativity. There are many forms of creative self-expression with different kinds of execution and levels of expertise. Within each and every one of us exists an artistic being just waiting for the opportunity to shine. And, that is not to be taken lightly!

Our creative expression touches us on a very personal level. It can be as simple and spontaneous as singing in the shower or the car. It can be a playful moment of making up a silly limerick or strumming chords on a guitar, Or it could be a more directed and focused activity such as sewing a quilt, cooking an exceptional meal, or making your home a special place for you and for those close to you to relax and enjoy.

So, how do you express your creativity, and when was the last time you did that? If it's been a while, I hope that my blog will serve as an inspirational reminder to exercise your inner artist! Just open yourself up to the possibilities around you, and hopefully you will find ways to explore, nurture and enjoy your creative side!

The Real Meaning of Happiness

Happiness is a journey, not a destination. Think about this for a moment. We've been taught that getting the job, the relationship, the house, or some other want will bring us happiness. What often happens, once a dream is achieved, is that the happiness we longed to feel is fleeting at best, and then we quickly find ourselves thinking, "What else can I get to make me happy?" This thinking doesn't serve us. After all, how many times have we read tragic stories about the rich and famous, people who have money galore and every material desire, but still happiness eludes them.

So, the answer is not to stop dreaming and achieving our heartfelt desires, but rather to experience happiness on a more consistent basis -- to enjoy the journey. Here's another secret how you can do this -- treat yourself to some small, harmless indulgence on a regular basis.

If you do this, you are saying "yes" to happiness right now, not tomorrow or the day after, or 10 years from now. You are also expanding the positive energy around you. When this happens, you begin attracting people, situations, and material wealth like a magnet right to your side.

When you have a happy and positive frame of mind, you set in motion the opportunities that will enable you to achieve the things you want most of all.

Wants and Needs

Distinguishing between your wants and your needs is an essential part of realizing your dreams. While many of us may want a Jaguar or a new wardrobe, or a number of other things, we don't necessarily need to have them in order to live a joyful, productive life.

There is one mantra many of us need to be reminded to incorporate into our life -- "All I have is all I need." Now I want to make it clear that this mantra doesn't mean that you can't desire or obtain material things in your life. You certainly can, and let me reiterate that we are going to make this happen for you. But while we wait patiently for our desires to take hold, most of us need to be reminded of the abundance that we do have. This perspective brings us the issue of the water in the glass. Should we focus on what we don't have or on what we do have?

It is important to appreciate the positive things around us. Recognizing our assets and giving gratitude for them makes for a very powerful situation to live joyfully in the present as well as to set the stage to attract more of what you want.

The easiest way to do this is to write down in a journal at least three things you are grateful for each day. I speak from experience when I say that after a week of doing this simple exercise you will feel happier. Should you run into an obstacle that is preventing you from realizing one of your dreams, take out your journal and read down the list of things you wrote and you will feel a force of positive energy surge through your body.

Remember above all, it is the person you become, and not the things you achieve or the things you acquire that is most important.

The Universe is on your side now. You are moving forward.

New Beginnings

As Henry Thoreau wrote: "I know of no more encouraging fact than the unquestionable ability of man to elevate his life by conscious endeavor."

In order to change, the first thing you must do is get yourself unstuck. To do this, it is important that you look closely at how you perceive yourself. Most limitations to success you perceive come from internalizing negative messages from people and past events. These can easily be overcome.

This is very important for you to remember -- you do have the power to succeed. And together, we are going to grow your awareness and choice-making ability so you can experience abundance in every area of your life.

Know that the thoughts that empower you to succeed come from your true Self and a Higher Power. This is why you must first love yourself and embrace the incredible blessings you have been given. Now more than ever, know that it is not only possible to change your thinking but also your actions. This steady change will allow your dreams to blossom and be realized. As Marcus Aurelius said "The universe is change; our life is what our thoughts make it."

So that is why this week I want you to remember to concentrate on:

1. Focusing your mind on your best achievements, both big and small, and your ability to succeed.

2. Quieting your mind for 15 minutes each day in order to feel the energy flow within you. This will help get your thoughts moving in the right direction so that you can begin realizing your dreams.

3. Choosing one goal and taking your first step towards achieving it.

You can't expect to achieve success or move beyond your present situation unless you truly believe in yourself. Now is the time to use this inner power to change your life.

I know you can do this and just think positive, every step of the way.