Silence is Golden

"In silence there is eloquence.
Stop weaving and see how the pattern improves"
                                           Rumi


We have two ears and one mouth for a reason. That we should listen more and speak less.

We live in such a noisy world where there is seldom silence.

We are constantly attached to technology and the incessant live stream of information yet, ironically, we are more disconnected now than ever before.

Instead of truly listening to another we are actually trying to figure out what our responses will be.

When was the last time you stopped and heard what someone was saying without thinking of a response?

Often the answers can be found in the silence but many avoid silence like the plague for they know the truth will be revealed, and sometimes the truth is too painful for many to bear, so they ramble through the problem.

Continually talking about a problem will never help you find the solution.

If you need help with a problem today, instead of picking up the phone and sharing with a friend, find a quiet place and be still enough to listen to your inner voice.

It will never steer you wrong.

What do you need to be silent about today?

Ask for What You Want

"Asking is the beginning of receiving.
Make sure you don't go to the ocean with
a teaspoon..."
                               Jim Rohn


The Universe has an abundance of wealth and wellness available to you, and you can have all you want. All you have to do is ask.

What are you yearning for but haven't yet had the courage to ask for?

Have you not asked because you're afraid you won't get it?

If you don't ask, it's 100% guaranteed you won't get it! You have nothing to lose by asking.

The problem for many of us is that we haven't asked because we're not clear on what exactly it is that we DO want.

Take a moment today to create a wish list of things it would be nice to have or do.

e.g. "Wouldn't it be nice if my husband would take me away somewhere romantic for the weekend?"

But you don't ask because you're afraid he might be tired from a busy week and might prefer to stay home. But you won't know that for sure unless you ask.

Stop being afraid of disappointment or rejection and have the courage to step up and ASK  for what YOU want.

There is no glory in living in the shadows. You have to step out into the light and ask for what you need and want, and chances are you may just get it.

If you don't put your needs as a priority how can you expect anyone else to do that for you?

Once you get clear on what you want, it's easier to ask for it and expect to receive it.

You deserve it!

The Universe is waiting on you....what are you waiting for?

A Time for Reflection

"Go back a little to leap further"
                                     John Clarke


We live in such a fast paced world now where every day seems hectic and there aren't enough hours in the day to get everything done.

If this sounds like your world right now, the time has come to take a step back and reflect on your priorities.

Are you taking time to smell the roses? Literally!

You have to have down time to breathe and ascertain where you are choosing to use your energy.

Do you waste time on things you don't enjoy or over commit yourself for fear of saying no to others?

Why? Why are you placing more importance on their happiness than your own?

Having time for yourself is not selfish, it is a necessity.

You can only give to others what you have to give. If you are so busy doing for others that you have no time for yourself, you will have nothing left to give.

Take the time today to eliminate some tasks from your to-do list and add some fun things that your soul is longing to do.

If you take a step back and look at where you want to go, you'll get there faster.

Resistance

"Man is the only creature that refuses to be what he is"
                                Albert Camus


What are you resisting in your life right now?

Have you been resisting it for a long time?

As the saying goes, "What you resist persists".

What are you not doing in your life that your soul is crying out for you to do?

Why are we all so afraid to dream big?


These are the questions you should be asking yourself.

When are you going to awaken to your Life's Purpose?

When will the "right time" ever arrive?

There truly is no time like the present.


Ask yourself now, "What are you waiting for? What is standing between you and your dream right now?"

The time has come to embrace your power and plunge headlong into what you were put here on this Earth to do.

Only you know. Not your parents, or your boss or your partner - only you.

We keep ourselves so busy, with our careers, pursuing material things, going places, doing things -
keeping ourselves so busy so we don't have to listen to that inner voice that is screaming at us to do what our heart and soul desires.

If work doesn't quiet the voice, then shopping, alcohol, watching TV, etc. will have the same numbing effect, so we don't have to look at what we need to do, what changes we must make in our lives, to live our purpose.

Why? Because human beings resist change.

Ironically, change happens all the time. Yet we may prefer to stay in our comfort zones, even if they make us miserable, because they don't challenge us.

If we are comfortable we know what to expect, whereas if we take a chance and forge into the unknown, it's scary but out of your comfort zone is where you will find the joy and excitement you are seeking in your life.

Venture into unknown territory and you may be pleasantly surprised by what you find.

We are all blessed with God-given gifts. It is up to us to recognize and utilize them.

Some of you are amazing artists, writers and performers and yet are still hiding your light from the world. Instead you are bankers, managers and sales professionals.

There is nothing wrong with these jobs; they are simply examples of what you choose to do instead of taking a risk and allowing your spirit to soar.

When you take a chance and pursue your passion, your world will open up like you never imagined.

Ask yourself this question, "Am I living or existing?"

So where do you begin?

Make a list of your strengths. What are you good at? What do you like to do? What makes you lose track of time when you're doing it?

Capitalize on your strengths and you'll see the difference it makes in your daily life.

Soon enough you will find your calling.

You simply have to ALLOW it to happen.

Today is the Day!

"Knowing is not enough; we must apply.
Willing is not enough, we must do"
               Joann Wolfgang von Goethe


All the wishing in the world will not make something happen. If that was the case I would be a multi-millionaire living "la dolce vita" in a villa in Italy!

Whatever you are wishing for in your life right now involves taking action.

Yes, it may start as an idea but it will never transpire to be anything more than that unless you
take solid steps to make it a reality. Taking action involves effort and you will only make that effort if the thing you want is made a priority in your life.

For example, all the wishing in the world cannot make you lose weight. That involves exercise and cutting calories (bummer I know!). Your motivation to be slim and healthy has to be stronger than
the desire for that deep dish pizza.

If something is important enough to you, you will be inspired to take the action necessary to achieve the desired result.

If you don't take action, maybe it's not that important to you, even though you claim it is.

Action speaks louder than words.

How many times have you promised yourself you will get organized and clear out your closet or garage? It sounds like a great idea until you see the amount of work involved.

To achieve this, the desire to be clutter free has to be greater than the desire to relax and hang out
with friends. Why not combine the two? Hang out with friends and get organized. Invite them over
to clear out the garage with you. One man's junk is another man's treasure! Its' a win-win situation.

The bottom line is that we don't do anything unless there's a pay-off for us, financial or emotional -
something that makes us feel good.

What do you need to get started on today so that you can feel good? You know what it is.

It's probably been on your to-do list forever. Make a start today.

The first step is always the hardest yet the most rewarding because you will feel a sense of accomplishment once you start.

Added to the fact that you did something you have been promising yourself for a long time.

There is no time like the present. Take a step in the right direction today.

You'll be glad you did.

Boundaries

"If you limit your choices only to what seems possible or reasonable,
you disconnect yourself from what you truly want, and all that is left
is compromise"
                                                                               Robert Fritz


Have you ever had a moment in your life when something was said to you, or was done to you, and you finally said, "Enough! I can't take this any longer".
What is that deciding moment?

It may be different for all of us but we all have those defining moments in our lives when we realize that we just cannot continue to live life as we have so far.

When is enough, enough?

That moment could be a battered woman saying I cannot take one more beating, the undervalued employee who won't take one more outburst from an abusive boss, the disrespect a parent receives from their obnoxious teenager.

Whatever it is that puts us over the edge, is the defining moment when we know that a boundary has been well and truly crossed.

Boundaries exist for a reason.

They are our protection against what we will and won't accept in our lives, and when those boundaries are crossed there is no going back for either party.

What have you accepted in your life lately that you shouldn't have?

What have you limited your life to?

Sometimes we do it to ourselves because it is easier to live in our comfort zones and be unhappy
than step outside that boundary, spread our wings and fly into the unknown. What are we afraid of?

If you hate your job and want to leave but are afraid of not getting another job in this economy, you
have set your own limits, thereby limiting yourself and compromising your very existence and happiness by your lack of faith. Not just in finding another source of income, but in yourself.
If you don't have faith in yourself, how can you expect others to?

If you have been limiting yourself, or if someone crossed a boundary with you, think about what you
really want in your life.

Isn't it time you stopped compromising and started living?

You know exactly why you are reading this right now. Think about it, and then act on it. You'll be
glad you did.

After all, a life of compromise is no life at all.

Give Thanks

"Silent gratitude isn't much use to anyone"
                                                                G.B.Stern


Do you complain when you receive bad service?

Most likely you do.

We all do because we want to see a wrong set right.

But do you also call or write a letter when you receive good service?

I do. Why do I do it?

Because I like to reward good behavior, and encourage it to continue.

I called two places of business last week, one a bank, the other a well known chain of restaurants,
to commend them on their excellent customer service.

The Vice President of the Bank was so surprised that I had taken the time to call for a compliment, and not a complaint, that he was speechless.

The restaurant manager I called was also delighted and could not give me a coupon for a free meal
fast enough! Although this was appreciated and unexpected, I didn't call to receive something in
return.

What I did receive was the joy in making someone's day and their efforts being recognized and acknowledged.

Studies have shown that human beings crave recognition and appraise, above sex and money, surprising but true. Most people don't leave a job because of money, (or lack thereof), but the lack
of respect and recognition of their dedication and hard work.

All it takes is a simple thank you.

Is there someone you need to thank today?

Don't be afraid that there's no money involved, a heart-felt thank you, verbal or written, will suffice.

If you are going to write something I suggest a hand written note instead of typed. People will often forget what you said or did, but they will never forget how you made them feel. It feels great to open a card for no apparent reason other than to say thank you.

In giving thanks you will be surprised at what good returns to you in kind.

Pay it forward, you'll be glad you did.