7 Ways The Bible Influences You Today

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Power, lust, greed, sex, gluttony, laziness, and war.

Forget about reading Fifty Shades of Grey just read The Bible or watch it on The History Channel!

Roma Downey (Touched by an Angel) and reality show mogul Mark Burnett (Survivor, The Amazing Race) produce The Bible, and have brought viewers what is being called, “The Bible for today’s generation.” They’re not kidding.

Today, children are growing up with more wars than their parents and grandparents. Sex and violence are prevalent in TV shows, video games, and movies. The internet can be a dangerous place kids because you don’t really know who’s lurking on websites and from where. And most kids are becoming desensitized to all of this.

Can we trace power, lust, greed, sex, gluttony, laziness, and war back to The Bible? Sure we can. Here’s how The Bible influences you without you knowing it. [Read more…]

Why Hurricane Sandy was a Blessing in Disguise

Together We Are

Together We Are (Photo credit: mommy peace)

Even a something as destructive as a hurricane can be a blessing in disguise.

I live in Northeastern Ohio and didn’t think Hurricane Sandy would affect the “Buckeye State” but it did. We lost power on Monday, October 29 at 8:30 pm. It was restored the afternoon of Friday, November 2.

My heart goes out to those in NY and NJ and everyone on the East Coast. Ohio didn’t see the amount of devastation that NY and NJ did, and I’m grateful for this.

Please donate what you can. Visit the American Red Cross to learn how you can help.

A hurricane wakes you up

I’ve experienced growing pains of the “spiritual” and personal development kind since I moved back to Ohio two years ago. I was upset that my move to Arizona in 2007 wasn’t a permanent one, but I now understand why I had to come back to my hometown. I had more growing up to do. Who knew?

After Hurricane Sandy settled down, I drove around our neighborhood and was amazed by Mother Nature’s power. Trees were uprooted all over the place. Streets were flooded and debris was everywhere; power lines were down. However, we were lucky. This was nothing compared to what people in New York and New Jersey experienced.

As I watched the rain, I realized how grateful I was to have had the luxury of having electricity, food, hot water, a washer and dryer, etc. a few days before Hurricane Sandy blew into town.

I write a list of gratitude in my journal almost daily, but the hurricane reminded me that it’s important to remain in a state of gratitude every day. It doesn’t matter if you write it or not just be grateful for what you have.

Losing power = learning what’s real and what’s not

Having the power knocked out and living with your family tests your patience, will, and strength.

Ironically, Hurricane Sandy forced my family to spend “real time” with each other.

What is “real time?”

Real time is when you pay attention to one another without having your nose buried in your BlackBerry, iPhone, iPad, MP3, laptop, Samsung Galaxy, MacBook, book, newspaper, magazine, or TV series.

Real time is when you eat dinner together at the same time.

Real time is going outside and chatting with the neighbors and consoling one another.

Real time is playing Uno and Apples to Apples with your niece and nephew.

And real time is spending time in nature and realizing the awesomeness of Mother Nature.

Family means more to you than you think it does

During the hurricane I realized that my family, my “close” family, means the most to me. They’re the ones who are there for me every day. They’re the ones who support me, and I support them.

My uncle’s an electrician and used to work for a local electric company in Cleveland. He sold a generator to his friend and contacted him to see if we could use the generator. His friend agreed and my uncle brought us the generator on Tuesday (power went out on Monday — we had to throw out food). Within an hour we were able to plugin our refrigerator, freezer, and two lamps. It was nice to have light again.

The next day my uncle called to say he was coming back over because the temperatures were supposed to drop into the 30s. He came over and gave us heat by somehow hooking up our furnace to the generator through our electrical box. It was SAFE! I was extremely grateful to have heat.

Hurricane Sandy made me realize that my close family means more to me than I thought. I know that sounds awful. Like I didn’t appreciate my family but the truth is I didn’t. Why? I’ve always felt the outsider; the one who beats to her own drum and does her own thing. The one who felt like she was adopted!

If you don’t have family, you really don’t have anything. No amount of material things will fill the empty void inside of you.

I know that some people can’t depend on their biological family or have cut ties with them for various reasons. The good news is you can create your own family by handpicking close friends to surround, love, and support you. This is what matters NOT whether or not you share the same surname and blood type.

Worrying is useless

I’ve been studying personal development aka self-help materials since 2007 when I had an epiphany that I was sick and tired of being sick and tired. I’ve grown by leaps and bounds since 2007 and realized that worrying is useless. All it does is bring to you more things to worry about every day.

I no longer worry about tomorrow.

I no longer worry that I’m not pleasing others.

I no longer worry that certain family members and I are no longer on speaking terms. This one’s definitely a blessing in disguise.

I no longer worry about the economy.

I no longer worry…plain and simple.

A strong gust of wind and hard rain can wash you clean

If you’ve been feeling like you want to make changes in your life, a hurricane, metaphorically speaking, may be just what you need.

Hard rain can wash away the old and bring the new to the surface. Rinse out old belief systems and values and replace them with ones that resonate with you. Cut ties with people who don’t support you; they’re probably energy vampires anyway.

Strong winds can blow away the dust from your life and polish you at the same time. The harder you struggle or push against wind will only tire you out. Stand still and don’t make a fuss.

Think about how you want your life to be now and sketch it out on a piece of paper or daydream about it. Figure out what you want to do and pursue it. Take a chance — it won’t hurt you. On the contrary, it will make you stronger and wiser.

Open your eyes to the possibilities because they’re endless. You do live in an unlimited universe.

If you enjoyed this post, I’d be very grateful if you’d help it spread by sharing it on Twitter, Facebook, and StumbleUpon, emailing it to a friend, or pinning it. Thank you!

Did Hurricane Sandy turn your life upside down? What blessings can you find in the midst of turmoil? Share.


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Spirituality: Carroll Blair Offers a Different Approach to Human Development

I had a Q&A session with Carroll Blair, author of more than twenty books, including five volumes of poetry. His latest book is “Human Natures, of Animal and Spiritual.” Spirituality matters and humans are looking for meaning in their lives now more than ever. Let’s explore some ideas from the philosophy of Human Natures, of Animal and Spiritual and see what they can contribute to the quest for a deeper, more spiritual life.

Spirituality and Human Development from a Different Approach

Human Natures, of Animal and Spiritual by Carroll Blair

1. Where did the idea come from for you to write Human Natures, of Animal and Spiritual

The idea for the book resulted from thinking about the connection between the major problems confronting the world of today and corruptions that have plagued humankind for centuries in various ways, what was behind them, and why a species of such gifts and potential was not going forward, failing to make progress where it is needed to take the next step in its evolution. What I heard from a number of professionals and proponents of new age philosophy/ spirituality/ human development wasn’t addressing what I perceived to be the root cause of the obstruction, or how much behaviors and attitudes will need to change and the work it will require to meet the challenges that humanity has created for itself and are now crucial to overcome for the sake of its future. Another factor in writing the book was being at odds with certain beliefs and popular influences of the present day that many have embraced who profess to be seeking a more spiritual way of life. For example, the modern view that has wide support of encouraging greater emphasis on self-esteem whether or not it is earned than on humility, and understanding the value and necessity of self-criticism where it is warranted. Being told you’re “special” and “extraordinary” regardless of merit, or advised to “celebrate who you are” even to the point of self-praise was not the advice to follow, I’d say, for those who want to develop into deeper, more wise and spiritually progressive human beings.

2. Humans constantly try to move forward from struggle, lack, fear, and negativity, why do most of them fail?

If the motive for wanting to move forward is of a low nature, then substantive growth that leads to spiritual maturity cannot be attained. Regarding the most worthwhile or virtuous goals, I think the reason for failing to achieve them is primarily an inadequate degree of courage, commitment and perseverance, getting frustrated with the demands of a long term undertaking that calls for great patience, especially when nowadays so much is about instant gratification, wanting to have it now or see immediate results, not willing to pay the price or make the sacrifices necessary to succeed in the mission of higher growth. It also isn’t easy to take a path that is different from that of most of the people around you, the pressure of social conformity often being stronger than the resolve to truly grow.

3. Many ‘experts’ tell people to repress their ego or ‘get rid’ of the ego. How can this be done if everyone was born with an ego? Wouldn’t it be counterproductive to try to rid ourselves of the ego? If the ‘ego’ is bad, why were we born with one? 

“Ego” in the sense of a self-centered, selfish-oriented state of being must be outgrown if humankind is to advance in its evolution. Early in human existence, given the harsh conditions of the wild and hazardous terrain of life and death that our distant ancestors were faced with, a predominantly self-centered base of operation was necessary to their survival, but now, a self-interest-above-all-else manner of living on a large scale can not only prevent humankind from moving forward, but fashion a world in which a promising future could be nothing more than a fantasy. It would, in fact, at this point in human history, be counterproductive to hold on to an egocentric way of living and thinking. To the question of being born with an ego, I will say the following: A caterpillar is not born a butterfly. It transforms into a butterfly, and in the process, sheds features that are of the caterpillar. In the same way, not everything that humans are born with should remain throughout their lives (or can remain) if they are to grow into the most beautiful and elevated of human forms.

4. What can humans learn from animals and nature? 

Humans can learn that they are part of a whole, with a responsibility to find harmony with that whole, and to live in a spirit of cooperation rather than domination. Every species on earth does exactly what it is supposed to do to keep the sacred balance of Nature in order, except the human species. Man is like the proverbial bull in the china shop in his relation to Nature and his environment. Why? Mainly because of avarice; of wanting more than he needs; of operating from a selfish-based impetus that is shortsighted, callous, and gravely unwise. No other species takes more than it needs to sustain its life, or destroys the habitats of other species in the process of securing its living. The absurdity of man’s behavior is that it is not only destructive to other life, but also his own, compromising the ecosystems on which his very existence depends, even to the point of irreparable harm. All reason calls for a change of consciousness, one that would deem it unthinkable to continue to abuse the environment and exploit its resources with disregard for the consequences of such behavior.

5. What is meant by transcendence? 

Transcendence to me is a state of consciousness; a consciousness that is higher than the day-to-day goings-on of the temporal; a state of mind and spirit that is beyond concerns of the ego, not interested in worldly power or extravagant wealth, not preoccupied with thoughts of personal gain, but of contribution, giving and working with consideration for the whole instead of for one (or for one’s own circle). A state of liberation from subjugation to the baser impulses of human-being, aspiring to the best of what human life can be.

6. How can humans move forward to create a better world for all ‘living’ beings? How do we break through cultural barriers? 

To move forward in the endeavor of creating a better world (of doing what one can for the endeavor) one must be free of the things that obstruct that advance, the battle for this liberation to be conducted within; a battle to overcome all that is of the animal of human-being that transgresses outside the realm of the physical, that moves into human character and manifests selfish behaviors that are harmful to others, and to realize we are here for just a brief time, and the only sense to be made, only meaning and noble purpose that can be created in such a reality is to focus on service and contribution for the good of the world, and what is higher and greater than an ego-based manner of life. To break through cultural barriers will require a change from thinking in terms of being a citizen of a country or nation to a citizen of a globe (of the planet earth), seeing the folly of ego fears and aggressions, which keeps the notion of “Us” and “Them” alive and senseless conflicts to continue on and on with increasing peril to all.

7. What can humans do to embrace spirituality and evolve to a higher vibration and or plane?

Work their way to the spiritual power and light within. Human evolution is an inner journey, an inner working needing the utmost sincerity and commitment to succeed. Teachings, practices, social exchanges of ideas regarding human development can help, but they are not enough to accomplish what is needed to evolve to a higher level (or highest levels) of human life. It will not happen by just wishing or praying it into being; it will not happen by putting faith in institutions to do what has to be done to eliminate the obstruction to spiritual advance, or waiting for a prophet to deliver humanity to a utopia or paradise on earth. It will only happen by individual efforts, human by human, engaged in the transformational work that will raise their lives to an enlightened state of spiritual industry, with hope that one day humanity can rise to the same by numbers of devoted aspirants high enough to turn this greatest of all dreams into reality.

BioCarroll Blair is the author of more than twenty books, including five volumes of poetry. His work has been favorably reviewed, as illustrated by the following commentary from Midwest Book Review, which proclaimed, “The poetic expression of Carroll Blair is both unique and compelling. Using word images like the strokes of a painter’s brush, Blair creates a resonating recognition that is the mark of a master poet.” He is an alumnus of the Boston Conservatory and lives in Massachusetts now working on material for future publications and cultivating a philosophy of human evolution through inner growth, the essence of that philosophy presented in Human Natures, of Animal and Spiritual. Visit Aveon Publishing to find out more about Carroll Blair.

 

Say Goodbye to Every Year the Right Way

Many of us can’t wait to say goodbye to 2011 because it was a year filled with heartache, financial ruin, devastation, etc. To put it bluntly, it was one hell of a year! Luckily, 2012 is right around the corner and you can begin anew. However, before you dash out of 2011, you may want to conduct an ending ritual. It’s a way for you to contemplate what happened in 2011 and how you want 2012 to be different. Warning: This will take honesty. If you’re not willing to take an honest look at 2011, whatever ritual you do won’t work.

I purchased Robert Ohotto’s Endings: A Conscious Inventory and Release of Last Year and conducted my ending ritual today. I had a lot of baggage to release, again. I was amazed at what came up and am determined to make 2012 a great year! No more excuses, no more giving advice when someone doesn’t ask for it, no more worrying because it only creates more worrying; no more people pleasing, no more worrying what this or that person will take, and no more B.S. in my life!

If you really want to start 2012 on the right foot, consider purchasing Robert’s Endings MP3 download. It could change your life now and in the future.

Wishing You and Yours a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year!

Amandah

How to End the Year and Plan for the New Year in 7 Easy Steps

Yesterday, for the fun of it, I pulled three Tarot Cards from the Lifestyle section of MSN.com. I received the Five of Cups for the Challenges card. My question was, “What career path is right for me?” Here’s an excerpt:

When the Five of Cups is in this position, maximize what is left after loss. The receiver of this card received copious potential in the five cups shown, but three of them have been upended and their contents spilled into the earth. Whether it was carelessness or destiny that spilled these cups isn’t ultimately important.

The ending of the reading got me to think about this year and the challenges I faced. Actually, it’s been a challenging four years! Even though I have 3 cups that spilled, I still have 2 cups left. I can use them wisely to rebuild my resources. I can make the best of what is left and cultivate a new beginning. I can stay optimistic.

I use the word ‘plan’ in the title of this blog post very loosely. There’s a saying, “Man plans and God laughs.” True, you can’t plan everything in life; however, it helps if you have a ‘general idea’ of where it is you’re going or what you want to do. It also helps to Let Go and Let God which means … Throw your intentions out into the universe and release them. According to Les Brown, “Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.” End the year with a little self-reflection and preparation for the New Year. Below you’ll find tips on how to do that.

How to End the Year and Plan for the New Year in 7 Easy Steps

1. Reflect on the year by asking the following questions:

  • What did I learn about myself that I didn’t already know?
  • What obstacles did I face? How did I overcome them?
  • What was good about this year?
  • What was not-so-good about this year?
  • What were the BIG LESSONS from this year? What did I learn from them?
  • How did I strengthen my spiritual growth?
  • How did I evolve?
  • What was my biggest success? What was my biggest blunder?
  • How did I self-sabotage myself this year? List the ways.
  • How many people moved out of my life? Why? What did I learn by them leaving?
  • How many people moved into my life? How did I draw them to me?
  • Anything else I might add.

2. If you moved during the year, remember the following, “When you move, you take yourself with you.” If you move again in the New Year, remember you take yourself wherever you go. Be mentally, emotionally and physically prepared to move.

3. Write letters to people who’ve hurt you or vice versa. Please do not mail these letters! This is an exercise for you to exercise these people from your mind.

4. Accept what happened during the year and release it. Do not carryover any grudges to the New Year. Forgive and let them go. What’s done is done. Learn from it and move on with your life.

5. Give thanks that you made it through another year. Be thankful you survived the year. The New Year is a blank slate. Do not take it for granted.

6. Become very clear about what it is you want for your life, for the New Year. Write down your dreams, hopes, and desires. Stop focusing on your current reality and start writing a script for your life. What does your life look like? What career do you have? Who’s in your family? What kinds of people surround you? Write it all down.

7. Focus and mediate on what your life will look like in the New Year. Once you become clear about what it is you want for your life, focus on it. Don’t focus on the how or when. Just focus!

Amandah

 

 

What I Learned from Reading Peace from Broken Pieces: How to Get Through What You’re Going Through

I recently finished reading Peace from Broken Pieces: How to Get Through What You’re Going Through by Best-Selling author Iyanla Vanzant. I saw Ms. Vanzant on Oprah‘s farewell season — it was a good show! I didn’t run out and get the book, but months later I ordered it from the library. I admit I started doing this as a way to ‘try a book before I buy it.’ I decided I want to add this book to my library.

I found the book to be very moving, especially when Iyanla spoke about her daughter, Gemmia. I recognized myself in Gemmia; I also recognized my mother to a certain extent in Iyanla. I also recognized my father in Gemmia’s father, even though my father didn’t leave; he was an abusive alcoholic and in a sense, checked out of my life.

Like Gemmia, I threw myself into school and got good grades and was responsible. I was looking for validation from my father that I really didn’t get. He tried to tell me how proud he was when I earned my B.S., Accounting degree; however, I always felt that a part of him was jealous that I did earn a college degree. He wanted a degree and attended college here and there, but never earned a degree.

I also learned that it would be in my best interest to let go of the anger towards myself. I forgave my mom and dad; I realized they parented me based on they were parented. They didn’t know better which is why they didn’t do better. However, I still haven’t forgiven myself for the decisions I’ve made along the way such as pursuing an accounting degree, when I wanted a marketing degree. I also wanted to pursue art and writing. I pursued an accounting degree to please my father. There’s another lesson — people pleasing seems to run rampant in my family.

Getting back to forgiving myself … I need to let go of the anger I have towards myself because my life hasn’t worked out as I thought or planned it to. For example, I moved to Arizona in 2007, and three years later I was living back home with my mom in my home state. I kept beating myself because I know I’m responsible and it should have worked out because I planned everything out. I also allowed certain people to ‘guilt’ me into thinking I made a mistake by moving to Arizona; I left my mom and sister. I now realize I can’t help it if certain family members are scared to take a risk such as moving out of state. I now know — it’s none of my business. I also realized that sometimes family members won’t have your back. It is what it is. I’m now determined to ‘create’ my own family, a family of loving and supportive people.

BTW: I released my hold on Arizona when I read Iyanla’s words about hearing her daughter say, “Let go of the physical.” I re-read those words over and over until it sank into my brain.

I realize that I need to acknowledge my disappointment about my move to Arizona and other things that have occurred in my life — there are too many to list here. It’s not easy for me to wade into disappointment; I’m a fun loving Leo (horoscope sign). I know if I want to continue to heal, it would behoove me to feel the pain and work through it. If I don’t, I could repeat the self-sabotaging pattern. I’d rather work through it.

I also realized that Gen X and Gen Y could benefit from life coaching from their peers. No offense — but most life coaches seem to be old enough to be my mom or dad. I’m not saying I can’t learn from these people, obviously I learned from Ms. Vanzant, but it’s nice to hear from my peers and how they released and forgave their past, parents, spouses, them, etc. It makes think, “Gee, I’m not alone.” This is why I’m glad Iyanla wrote about her daughter, Gemmia, and her life experience.

I would recommend reading Peace from Broken Pieces: How to Get Through What You’re Going Through. If you’re ready to really get to the ‘heart’ of your family’s pathology and recognize the patterns, this book is for you. If not, that’s alright. Perhaps, one day you’ll be ready.

Best,
Amandah

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What’s the Point of Life?

A very ‘short anecdote’ based on the 10 random words from Writing Prompts – Creative Copy Challenge #194. Posted: 17 Nov 2011 08:02 AM PST

Put
Point
Bizarre
Weave
Spiral
Weird
Goofy
Pop
Cult
Fan

“Oh what a tangled web we weave,
When first we practise to deceive!”
~ Sir Walter Scott

Melanny pondered Sir Walter Scott’s words as she gazed at the ocean from the deck of her Malibu home. She’s been contemplating life since her childhood best friend Karrey overdosed a few weeks ago. Melanny tried to help her, but she couldn’t. No one could. Life really is a spiral. We think we move backward, when in fact, we continue to move forward. How bizarre is that? What is the point of life? She continued to stare at the ocean.

Karrey had a goofy, weird sense of humor – some people thought she was over the top. She loved The Cult and was a huge fan of music from the 1990s. Karrey loved alternative music but would listen to Pop music now and again. She was a free spirit through and through. Why did she have to put those damn drugs into her body? Melanny was searching for answers that may never be answered.

Amandah T. Blackwell

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How to Focus Your Mind and Outsmart Poverty

Question: How do you focus your mind and outsmart a poverty consciousness? What is a bottom-line approach? So many programs drone on and on with detail after detail. There has to be a better way to outsmart a poverty consciousness.

Answer: Start focusing on you and your life. Stop thinking you can’t have a wealth consciousness; stop thinking that you’re responsible for everyone. You’re not! You are solely responsible for you and your happiness. No one can ‘get’ this for you. You must want it bad enough to erase the beliefs and thoughts that were spoken over you as a child.

What do you truly want for your life? Write it down — be clear about it. Also, stop asking unsuccessful people for their opinions and thoughts on your desires. Most peoples’ minds are switched and hooked into the ‘poverty’ mindset. You won’t get far if you continue to ask others about ‘this or that.’

How to Focus Your Mind and Outsmart Poverty 

1. Get SUPER clear about what you want. What do you want? Can you visualize it? If not, can you find pictures of what you desire? Write down what you want and visualize everything the best you can. However, don’t become consumed by your desires — let them go. You can add, “This or something better for my highest good and the good of all.” Smile about your desires and know that you can have what you desire.

FYI: Most people really want love, peace and happiness. Material items are just that — they’re material.

2. Stop listening to the dogma of others. Steve Jobs was right, “Don’t listen to the dogma of others.” Stop taking advice from unsuccessful people. Surround yourself with successful people and you will be successful. Stop asking for permission from your spouse, mother, father, boss, cousins, aunts, uncles, etc. and live your life for you.

3. Toss out duty and obligation. There’s no law that says you MUST follow in the footsteps of your parents. There’s no law that says you MUST ALWAYS say “Yes” when you want to save “No.” You have a duty and obligation to yourself to live a happy and fulfilled life. Stop worrying about everyone else and start worrying that your life is passing you by like an out-of-control train. You don’t always have to help others. In fact, you could be doing more harm than good. If you keep helping people out, how will they ever learn to help themselves? It’s something to think about.

4. Start focusing on abundance. If you’re like most people, your mind is tuned to the “All Poverty 24-Hour Station” which is holding you in a place of lack. Start to recognize the abundance around such as ample trees, the yards of green grass, etc. You won’t and can’t attract abundance if you constantly focus on lack.

5. Stop hanging around with poverty conscious people. Like it or not, your family could be sucking the life out of you. You have every right NOT to hang around with these people. This may seem harsh but if you truly want to outsmart poverty it’s time to reevaluate your connections such as family and friends. How are they contributing to your success? Are they contributing to your success? Do they whine and complain? Do they blame their parents, the government and economy and other outside influences? It’s time to get your ‘personal house’ in order. It’s time to be truly honest and to let the people in your life go if they’re not healthy to be around.

Napoleon Hill’s book Outwitting the Devil is a MUST READ for anyone who wants to overcome a poverty conscious. It’s one the most thought-provoking books of its time. Even though it was written in 1938, it certainly applies to the 21st century. It’s a bottom-line approach to getting to the root of poverty conscious. Like it or not, self-examination is required. If you’re not willing to do the work from the inside out then you’ll still be stuck in your poverty consciousness. If you have children, you may want to take responsibility for your life, get clean and rid yourself of poverty consciousness once and for all.

Key Terms

1. Dogma

2. Napoleon Hill Foundation

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How to Focus on What You Want

Let me ask you something: How well do you focus on what you want? If you’re like me, you watched The Secret and read the book but haven’t manifested the life of your dreams. If you’re like me, you probably keep asking, “What am I doing wrong? Why isn’t the law of attraction working? How can I make it work for me?” I had a ‘light bulb’ moment (Aha moments are so 2000s), and came across the The Secret of Doing Without Doing by Dr. Robert Anthony.

How to focus on what you want

1. Think about what you want. Do you really and truly know what you want? You may think you know what you want, but you may actually not know what you want. Knowing what you want for your life is imperative. Write down everything you’d like from having peace of mind to a new home. Get clear about what you want.

2. Tune-out the negative hype. I’m reading *Outwitting the Devil, which is annotated by Sharon Lechter. You may be surprised how easy it is to ‘hypnotize’ people with hype. Look at the media. If you constantly tune-in to the news or read the newspapers, you’re programming your subconscious for negativity.

*Get the book from your library and read it. You’ll be amazed at what you read. The first two chapters are slow going; however, Chapter 3 A Strange Interview with the Devil will knock your socks off!

3. Stop listening to others. You don’t have to focus on what you family and close friends think and say. If the people closest to you constantly whine and complain, it may be time to surround you with people who are like-minded.

4. Learn to think for yourself. If you read Outwitting the Devil, you’ll learn how parents, teachers, religious leaders, bosses, co-workers, friends, etc. can easily influence your thoughts. I’ll use myself as an example. I was a rebellious child and teen. However, it wasn’t until a few years ago that I realized I was a ‘closet’ people pleaser. I did everything my mother and father told me to do, even though it never felt right. I allowed my father to control and manipulate me for a long time. It wasn’t until he got sick that the ‘wheels’ in my head began to turn. I realized I ‘wasted’ my entire life pleasing others instead of pleasing myself. This was a bitter pill to swallow. The irony is my father would say to me, “Did you think? Learn to think for yourself.” Talk about a contradiction!

I’ve been struggling lately with doing things that feel right for me. I just realized that I often put others needs before mine. Instead of saying, “How does this honor me?” I say, “What will so and so think? What will they feel?” I’m still not honoring me and my feelings. I think what happened was, I got tangled up in ‘spirituality now’ and forgot about me along the way. I now know I need to take my own advice and take my power back!

It’s never too late to break the cycle of people pleasing. Learn to set strong boundaries with people, no matter who they are. Stop allowing people to control and manipulate you.

5. Don’t apologize for wanting a better life. If your family and friends are stuck in ‘poverty’ mode, there’s no law that says you must join them. Don’t apologize for wanting a better life. Who knows, maybe you’ll inspire those around you to ‘clean up’ their lives. You can be the catalyst for them.

“Any idea, plan, or purpose may be placed in the mind through repetition of thought”. ~ Napoleon Hill

How to Dissolve Problems

I received HayHouse’s newsletter which included an excerpt from Louise L. Hay and Cheryl Richardson’s new book You Can Create an Exceptional Life. Here’s a snippet from the excerpt:

“When a problem has been solved, we need to remember that it’s gone,” Louise instructs. “It has passed. We don’t want to dip into the past to be miserable in the present moment. And we don’t want to become complainers. People who complain a lot are a pain in the ass for everyone around them. Not only that, but they are doing great damage to their own world. Before we verbalize a complaint, we tend to go over it in our mind—several times, dozens of times, several dozen times, dozens and dozens of times. Depending on what our habit is.”

My favorite line from the above excerpt is “People who complain a lot are a pain in the ass for everyone around them.” I chuckled when I read this. Louise/Cheryl wrote what I think but haven’t had the courage to say. I think about how I used to complain; how my former co-workers used to complain. It makes me cringe! I listen to the people around me (family) complain and think, “Thank God I woke up in 2007. Is that how I sounded? Yikes!” I do my best not to sweat the small stuff anymore. For some reason, I used to focus my attention on the littlest or stupidest things. Live and learn.

How to dissolve problems

1. Stop and listen to how much you complain and or criticize you and the people in your life.

2. Notice how many times the people in your life complain.

3. Acknowledge your problems and sit with them for a while. What’s the real story behind your problems? Are they self-inflicted?

4. Journal your problems and review them. What can you do to move past them? Are they worth giving attention to? What are you afraid of if you let your problems go?

5. Meditate on your problems and let them go. If you do this, you make room for change and abundance will flow to you.

Rebecca

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