9 Ways to stop absorbing other peoples emotions_________________4

10 Ways To Improve Your Psychic Ability_____________________________8

15 Simple Sentences With The Power To Change Your Life________11
7 Ways To Remove Negative Energy_________________________________13
20 Things To Let Go Of And Find Lasting Peace Of Mind___________16
Are You Making These 7 New Age Mistakes?_______________________21
How To Stop Saying Yes When You Want To Say No___________29
10 Powerful Quotes by Confucius That Can Change Your Life_____34
7 Signs Your Ego Might Be Out of Control (and How to Tame It!)_37
8 Things You Dont Owe An Explanation For________________________39
9 Ways To Stop Overthinking________________________________________41
7 Ways to Change Your Attitude When You Cant Change Anything
Else____________________________________________________________________44
20 Of The Greatest Words Of Wisdom Ever Spoken________________48
How to Recognize An Energy Vampire And What To Do About It__49
12 Ways To Calm The Overactive Mind______________________________55
These 28 carefully selected words of wisdom______________________61
How To Deal With People Who Always Ask For Advice (But Never
Take It)________________________________________________________________63
6 Ways To Train Your Mind To Stay Positive_________________________68
Spiritual Quotes From Psychologist Carl Jung______________________70
7 Negative People You Need To Ignore______________________________72
How To Triple Your Reading Speed In Just 15 Minutes_____________76
Why Do Things Take So Long To Manifest?_________________________79
The 100 Best Zen Sayings And Proverbs Of All Time_______________83
Reboot Your Life: 20 Mental Barriers You Should Let Go Of_______90
9 Behaviors That Push People Away From You______________________94
Karma: Not The Mainstream Version The Real One____________97
25 Life Changing Lessons to Learn from Paulo Coelho___________102
15 Things You Dont Owe Anyone At All (Though You Think You Do)
_______________________________________________________________________107

by Jordan Lejuwaan_________________________________________________112
A Power-Packed Guide to Motivation: How to Motivate Yourself to
Take Positive Action_________________________________________________122
The 10 Most Important Ways to Simplify Your Life_______________133
7 Clever Ways to Deal with Highly Judgmental People___________142
10 Tips to Help You to Spot a Liar__________________________________145
Reboot Your Life: 20 Mental Barriers You Should Let Go Of______145
30 Things To Start Doing For Yourself. #5 Is Absolutely Vital____149
10 Little Habits that Steal Your Happiness________________________155
10 Toxic Habits That Drain Your Energy___________________________158
20 Things to Stop Letting People Do to You_______________________163
How Can 12 Laws Of Karma Change Your Life_____________________166
10 Toxic Behaviors that Kill Your Confidence______________________169
9 Choices Your Future Self Will (Definitely) Regret_______________172
22 Unnecessary Attachments Carefree People Dont Have______174
9 Harsh Truths of Life (and How They Can Help You Live Better)
_______________________________________________________________________178
6 Powerful Techniques for Developing Your Intuition_____________181
How to Stop Giving a F*ck What People Think____________________184
7 Things You Should Stop Expecting from Others________________191
10 Clever Ways to Deal with the Ups and Downs of Life_________194
The Top 5 Regrets of The Dying____________________________________197
The Importance Of Attitude: How Changing Your Attitude Will
Change Your Life____________________________________________________199
18 Ways Youre Making Your Life Harder Than It Has To Be______206
Letting Go of These 20 Things Will Redefine Your Outlook on Life
and Change Your Truth______________________________________________211
Five Steps Toward A Better Life____________________________________216
Using Your Thoughts to Better Your Reality_______________________218
The Truth of Finding Happiness____________________________________219
20 Ways Sitting in Silence Can Completely Transform Your Life_221
Train Your Brain To Let Go Of Habits 10 Methods For Creating
New Neural Pathways_______________________________________________225

12 Things My Grandmother Told Me Before She Died____________227

7 Reasons to Stop Proving Yourself to Everyone Else____________229
15 Things You Should Give Up To Be Happy_______________________232
Joe Rogan-Rethink Your Life________________________________________235
4 Things to Do When Positive Thinking Doesnt Help____________237
29 Signs Youre Doing Just Fine (Even If It Doesnt Feel Like It)_239
18 Things You Can Do Right Now To Become a Loving, Positive
Person________________________________________________________________242
5 Signs Its Time to Say No______________________________________245
Ten Choices You Will Regret in 10 Years___________________________248
Lifting the Veil How to Strengthen Psychic and Intuitive Abilities
_______________________________________________________________________250
15 Powerful Beliefs that Will Free You from Negativity__________253
This Revolutionary Way Of Using Psychedelics Can Enhance
Mental Function & Physical Ability_________________________________255
10 Forgotten Truths to Help You Get Through Hard Times_______257
5 Ways to Start to Speaking Your Truth___________________________261
Psychoanalyze Yourself Test________________________________________263
21 Health Hacks Everyone Should Know__________________________266
The Wisdom of Bruce Lee: 25 Quotes on Mastery, Martial Arts &
Consciousness_______________________________________________________270
The Power of Nonsense How Laughter Makes Life Better______272
Unusual Personality Test That Will Reveal Much about Your
Perception of Life___________________________________________________274
10 Benefits of Vitamin N____________________________________________276
Manifest Desires Freely by Having No Expectations______________281
10 Life Lessons You Should Unlearn_______________________________283
5 Mind-Blowing Lessons From Psychedelics Experts______________285
10 Mind-Blowing Theories That Will Change Your Perception of
the World____________________________________________________________291
12 Sayings That Sum Up 90% of All Self Help Books_____________295
100 Amazing How-To Sites to Teach Yourself Anything___________297
10 Things Highly Intuitive People Do Differently_________________303

25 Life Changing Lessons to Learn from Buddha_________________309

30 traits of an Empath (How to know if youre an Empath)______313
Native American Code of Ethics____________________________________319
10 Surprising Things That Benefit Our Brain That You Can Do
Everyday_____________________________________________________________320
50 Questions That Will Free Your Mind____________________________328
Nine Mind Hacks to Boost your Brains Creativity________________330
This 122 Year Old Woman Has The Most Important Secret To A Life
Of Longevity_________________________________________________________335

9 Ways to stop absorbing other peoples emotions

http://earthweareone.com/9-ways-to-stop-absorbing-other-peoplesnegative-emotions/
Emotions such as fear, anger, frustration, and immobility are energies. And
you can potentially catch these energies from people without realizing it.
If you tend to be an emotional sponge, its vital to know how to avoid taking
on an individuals negative emotions, or even how to deflect the free-floating
negativities in crowds.
Another twist is that chronic anxiety, depression, or stress can turn you into
an emotional sponge by wearing down your defenses. Suddenly, you become
hyper-attuned to others, especially suffering with similar pain. Thats how
empathy works; we zero in on hot-button issues that are unresolved in
ourselves.
From an energetic standpoint, negative emotions can originate from several
sources: what youre feeling may be your own; it may be someone elses; or it
may be a combination.
Here is how to tell the difference and strategically bolster your positive

emotions so you dont shoulder negativity that doesnt belong to you.

Stop Absorbing Other Peoples Emotions
1. Identify whether youre susceptible. The person most likely to be
overwhelmed by negative energies surrounding you is an empath, someone
who acts as an emotional sponge. Signs that you might be
an empath include:

People call you hyper-sensitive, overly sensitive, etc., and they

dont mean it as a compliment!

You sense fear, anxiety, and stress from other people and drawthis
into your body, resolving them as your own physical pain and
symptoms. It doesnt have to be people you dont know or dont like;
youre also impacted by friends, family, and colleagues.

You quickly feel exhausted, drained, and unhappy in the presence

of crowds.

Noise, smells, and excessive talking can set off your nerves and
anxiety.

You need to be alone to recharge your energy.

Youre less likely to intellectualize what youre feeling. Your feelings

are easily hurt.

Youre naturally giving, generous, spiritually inclined, and a good

listener.

You tend to ensure that youve got an escape plan, so that you can
get away fast, such as bringing your own car to events, etc.

The intimacy of close relationships can feel like suffocation or loss

of your own self.

2. Seek the source. First, ask yourself whether the feeling is your own or
someone elses. It could be both. If the emotion such as fear or anger is
yours, gently confront whats causing it on your own or with professional
help. If not, try to pinpoint the obvious generator.

For instance, if youve just watched a comedy, yet you came home
from the movie theater feeling blue, you may have incorporated the
depression of the people sitting beside you; in close proximity, energy
fields overlap.

The same is true with going to a mall or a packed concert. If

crowded places upset or overwhelm you, it may well be because youre
absorbing all the negative energy around you.

3. Distance yourself from the suspected source, where possible. Move at

least twenty feet away; see if you feel relief. Dont err on the side of not
wanting to offend strangers. In a public place, dont hesitate to change seats
if you feel a sense of depression imposing on you.
4. Center yourself by concentrating on your breath. Doing this connects
you to your essence. For a few minutes, keep exhaling negativity, inhaling
calm. This helps to ground yourself and purify fear or other difficult
emotions. Visualize negativity as gray fog lifting from your body, and hope as
golden light entering. This can yield quick results.
5. Flush out the harm. Negative emotions such as fear frequently lodge in
your emotional center at the solar plexus (celiac plexus).

Place your palm on your solar plexus as you keep sending lovingkindness to that area to flush stress out.

For longstanding depression or anxiety, use this method daily to

strengthen this center. Its comforting and it builds a sense of safety
and optimism as it becomes a ritual.

6. Shield yourself. A handy form of protection many people use, including

healers with trying patients, involves visualizing an envelope of white light
(or any color you feel imparts power) around your entire body. Think of it as
a shield that blocks out negativity or physical discomfort but allows whats
positive to filter in.
7. Manage the emotional overload. You dont need to be beholden to your
ability to absorb others emotions; turn the curse into a gift by practicing
strategies that can free you:

Learn to recognize people who can bring you down. People who are
particularly difficult for emotional empaths include criticizer, the
victim, the narcissist, and the controller. Judith Orloff terms these
people emotional vampires. When you know how to spot these
behaviors, you can protect yourself against them, including removing
yourself from their presence, and telling yourself that I respect the
person you are within even though I dont like what youre doing.

Eat a high protein meal before entering stressful situations such as

being part of a crowd. When in a crowd, find places of refuge, such as
sitting on the edges, or standing apart.

Ensure that you dont have to rely on other people to get you out of
difficult situations. Bring your own car or know how to get home easily
when needed. Have sufficient funds to be able to make alternate
arrangements if you start feeling overwhelmed.

Set time limits. Knowing how much you can stand and obeying that
limit is vital to ensure your mental well-being. Also set kind but
meaningful boundaries with others who overwhelm you; dont stand
around listening to them talking for two hours when you can only
cope with half an hour.

Have your own private place in a home shared with others. Ask
others to respect your downtime during which you can rejuvenate.
This is especially important to prevent you from taking on your
partners feelings too much. A study, man cave, sewing room, reading
nook, etc., all offer your own space.

Practice meditation and mindfulness.

8. Look for positive people and situations. Call a friend who sees the good
in others. Spend time with a colleague who affirms the bright side of things.
Listen to hopeful people. Hear the faith they have in themselves and others.
Also relish hopeful words, songs, and art forms. Hope is contagious and it
will lift your mood.

Cultivate positive emotions that boost your inner strength. If youre

surrounded by peace and love, youll flourish as strongly as negative
emotions cause you to wilt. Respecting your own needs through
healthy self love will increase your ability to respect others.

Learn to use compassion as a way to defend yourself against

overwhelming emotions. Compassion allows you to be empathetic to
the plight of other people but also requires that you are
compassionate toward yourself. This means that you dont need to feel
guilty about seeking respite from being overwhelmed; doing so
ensures that you can be more engaged with others in the long run,
rather than less so. It also means that you keep yourself whole by not
immersing yourself in the world of negative people.

9. Create and maintain a haven for disengagement. Leave many paths

open that lead to communing with the resonance of nature. Returning to
your rightful home as a creature of nature switches off your victim mentality
and recharges you energetically and spiritually.

Keep a picture of a waterfall or a lush forest with you and look at it

when overwhelmed.

Step onto the quiet of a forest path or absorb the coolness of a

gently babbling brook from beneath a weeping willow.

Maintain a your personal space of cozy retreat where you hook into
your own personal power and energy.

Practise Yoga and breathing techniques. These draw upon

emotional centering and provide safe harbor in times of storm.

Like this article? Then join the Conversation with many others in EWAO !
By Judith Orloff MD, in5d
http://earthweareone.com/category/consciousness/self-improvement/

10 Ways To Improve Your Psychic Ability

http://earthweareone.com/10-ways-to-improve-your-psychic-ability/
Ten: Learn to Meditate

Learning to meditate is not only one of the most important things you can
do to improve your psychic ability, but it will help you to be more happy and
at peace. There are a number of meditations that you can do to help develop
your psychic ability. I would recommend contacting a good yoga center Ten:
Learn to Meditateto learn some basic meditation techniques. This will help
you to become more aware of your mental states, and learn to differentiate
between your normal everyday thoughts and your psychic intuition.
Nine: Pray

Believe it or not, prayer is very effective in helping you to get in touch with
your psychic ability. Pray in the language of your own heart or religion to
help guide you in developing your psychic ability. Every night before you
retire for bed, pray to the Divine to guide you in developing your psychic
ability. Pray in earnest with the words from your own heart; do not pray like
a parrot, repeating the same prayer, over and over. God knows your heart
and mind!
Eight: Affirmations

Affirm each day that you want to improve your psychic ability. Affirmations
are like self-suggestions that key into your subconscious to help bring about
a desired effect. I am sure everyone has heard of the affirmation With each
day, I will feel more peaceful and happy. These work! Phrase your
affirmation in the present tense. In other words, With each day, I am
becoming more psychic.

Related: Top 100 Quotes From The Secret

Seven: Ritual

Rituals are basically specific actions on the physical plane that produce a
corresponding effect on the inner planes. Rituals can have a huge effect on
your inner being. They work because there is a correspondence between our
inner world and our outer world: As above, so below; as within, so without
to quote the great mystic, Hermes Tremegistos. You can make up your own
ritual; just remember that at the crux of the ritual is your goal to improve
your psychic ability.
Six: Talismans

Talismans are any sacred objects that hold a psychic charge. You can use
any stone or jewelry as a talisman to help improve your psychic ability. Now

some crystals or semi-precious stones are helpful in themselves to improve

your Talismanspsychic ability. For example, amethyst, rose quartz and
crystalswill naturally help to develop ones psychic ability. But you can
charge any object or metal, such as gold or silver, to carry your wish to
develop your psychic ability. To make a simple talisman, cleanse the item
first in salt water to remove any impurity, then transfer your desire: which
is, to improve your psychic ability, to the object. Afterwards, make sure you
see that object on a daily basis or wear it next to your skin, like a ring or
jewelry.
Five: Knowledge

Learn more about psychic ability by reading a variety of books on the

subject. The more you read about psychic ability, the more you will learn
about it. This is important because knowledge is power. The more your read
about psychic ability, the more energy you will put into your endeavor to
improving your psychic ability. When I first wanted to develop my psychic
ability, I read everything I could about the subject. This helped me
tremendously and my psychic ability soon began to manifest.
Four: Be with other psychics

It is important to be with other people who are psychic and interested in

psychic ability. Attend lectures or workshops about psychic development.
Meet other people who are psychic or become involved with spiritual groups
at your church or temple. This will help you to tune into other peoples
vibrations who may be very psychic, and help to improve your own psychic
ability.
Three: Journal

Keep a journal of your psychic ability. Everyday write down your experiences
about your psychic Journalability. Do this daily, even if you do not have any
psychic experiences. Just write about a special experience for the day and
how it may relate to psychic development. By writing about your psychic
ability or experiences, you are focusing on them. This will help to develop

them as you are becoming more aware of them. It is also helpful to write
down your dreams as they can bring you insight, and guidance to your
psychic development.
Two: Receptivity

It is important to be receptive to psychic development. If you do not believe

that you can develop your psychic ability, than you will not develop any
ability. Why? Because you will have closed yourself off from any possibility of
psychic development. If your mind is closed, then your potential is closed.
Ask any coach! If you close your mind to a possibility, you will not be able to
do it. If you say that mountain is too high, you will not be able to climb it.
You have to open yourself to the prospect that you do have psychic ability
and that you can improve it.

I once was visiting my friend who claimed he had a special cat that would sit
up on his command. I was very skeptical of this, as I had never saw a cat do
this before. Dogs yes; cats no. They are too independent! So while I was
there, he asked the cat to sit up. Well the cat would not do it and I looked at
my friend and said, I told you so. My friend said to me that I was being
negative and stopping the cat from doing his trick. He said to me just
accept the possibility that my cat can do this. I said all right and opened
my mind. The cat instantly sat up to his command. I was really
dumbfounded, but it taught me a valuable lesson. If your mind is closed, it
will stop you from realizing your true potential.
One: Practice, practice, and practice!

Developing your psychic ability is like developing any other ability. You have
to practice it. We all have psychic ability, but you have to develop it. Some
people are naturally more psychic than others, just as some people are
better at playing football than others. But everyone has psychic ability and it
can be improved through practice. There are different ways to practice
psychic ability. You can practice your telepathy by sending thought forms to
your friends to see if they respond to them. You can practice dowsing to get

in touch with your psychic ability. I once visited Edgar Cayces (who was a
very famous psychic) foundation in Virginia where they have many practical
psychic exercises. There are a myriad of psychic awareness exercises in
Franz Bardons Initiation to Hermetics and in my book Yoga and The Art of
Astral Projection.

About the Author

Jill Lowy was born near Chicago, Illinois. She received her BA Degree from
Wisconsin University, MA Degree in Psychology from Illinois Institute of
Technology and a Masters Degree in Divinity from Andover Newton
Theological School. She was initiated into the Spiritual and Esoteric Arts at
Lotus Temple. She was also initiated into Kriya Yoga under the lineage of
Paramahansa Yogananda. Jill has been practicing and teaching Yoga and
Spirituality for many years. She has given many lectures and workshops.
Her recent book To Jill with Love, Memoirs of a Modern Day Mystic contains
stories of spiritual inspiration after being initiated into the mystical arts. Her
first book Yoga and The Art of Astral Projection is about how the discipline of
Yoga can help one to experience astral projection and expand ones
consciousness towards self- realization Jill currently resides near Denver,
Colorado with her boyfriend, Paul in the Rocky Mountains. She works as a
Counselor and her hobbies include: hiking, motorcycle riding, traveling,
skiing, swimming, scuba-diving, and Tai Chi.

15 Simple Sentences With The Power To Change Your Life

http://earthweareone.com/15-simple-sentences-with-the-power-to-changeyour-life/
Making the simple complicated is commonplace; making the complicated
simple, awesomely simple, thats creative. ~ Charles Mingus

Simplicity is the elixir that distills the truth. Complicated, complex matters
can almost always be broken down to a level that allows child and layman
alike a crack at decoding them even further. There is nothing noble about
hiding behind a smoke-screen of academese or posturing for those not in the
know. Such is the mark of an immature person, no matter how intelligent
they may appear to some. The wise man, instead, never fails to simplify, and
it is this that makes him truly intelligent. Here, then, are 15 simple
sentences with the power to change your life.
1. Never compare your weaknesses to other peoples strengths.
2. Own your life, or someone will own it for you.
3. We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand.
4. Climb mountains not so the world can see you but so you can see the
world.
5. If you accept your limitations, you go beyond them.
6. Comfort is the enemy of achievement.
7. No matter what anyone says to you, you dont have to eat dinner with
them, live with them or go to bed with them.
8. If you risk nothing, you risk everything.
9. Dont give others the power to control your emotion. Those are only yours
and it is only for you to manipulate.
10. Victory introduces you to the world, but defeat introduces the world to
you.
11. If you dont do stupid things while you are young, you will have nothing
to smile about when you are old.
12. Dont waste your time with explanations, people only hear what they
want to hear.

13. Dont rest after your first victory, because if you fail the second
time,more lips will be waiting to say that your first victory was just luck.
14. Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing
themselves.
15. The person that you will spend most time with in your life is yourself, so
better try to make yourself as interesting as possible.
Source: 15 Simple Sentences With the Power to Change Your Life,
from wisdompills.com

7 Ways To Remove Negative Energy

http://earthweareone.com/7-ways-to-remove-negative-energy/
We all can appreciate the beautiful healing energy of spending time in
nature, away from civilization. But eventually we have to come home. When
we compare the sense of peace and connectedness we feel in nature and to
the stress and noise and bustle of city, we know internally that there is a
difference. Part of the difference is the energy programmed into the physical
objects of these places. Nature in general has more positive energy than our
homes or cities.
Reasons Natures Energy is Positive

There are less people around in nature, so it is more isolated from

peoples thoughts. Thoughts are energy. Thought energy attaches to the
physical objects near the origin of those thoughts. Negative thought energy
creates stronger energy patterns and remains longer than positive thought
energy. Worry, fear, and stress last longer than love, peace and happiness.
Sunlight is a stream of positive energy that washes away any negative
energy. Its like pouring cold pure mountain stream water onto a sponge. The
sponge is rinsed of anything it has collected. When was the last time you
were depressed after a day at the beach.

Nature is usually filled with plants. Plants give off positive energy. They
are alive so they put out a positive vibration, but they dont really think so
they dont put out any negative thoughts the way people do. Plants dont
worry about jobs, or bills or relationships.

Also see: The Consciousness of Water and Plants and This Is What Happens
When You Ground Yourself

Before we can start filling our homes with positive energy, we need to remove
any accumulation of negative energy. So here is a list of seven simple proven
techniques that you can use to remove negative energy from any space:
7 Ways to Remove Negative Energy

1. Salt carpets. This is the simple easiest best way. Simply sprinkle dry table
salt on the carpet, wait an hour and then vacuum the up the salt. Use
approximately 3 to 6 spoonfuls of salt for a medium size room. Salt crystals
have an amazing natural built in-ability to erase the programming of energy.
Using salt is like using an eraser on a chalk board. The information on the
board is wiped away.

2. Remove clutter. Things like old magazines and dirty clothes can trap a lot
of negative energy in your house. Remove old items you no longer need. Keep
coffee tables picked up and clean. Put your laundry in a laundry hamper.
Wash your dirty dishes and put them away. Negative energy needs objects to
hang on to so it can remain around. By keeping your living space picked up,
neat and clean,

3. Loud noises. This is the reason the Chinese love fireworks. Loud noises
break up energy patterns and allow them to disperse. Mother Nature does
the same thing with the noise of thunder storms.

4. Play spiritual music. My favorite is the Eric Pepin album Deep

Resonating Aums from the Higher Balance Institute. A close second is the
meditatesong God is Real from Krishna Das on his Door of Faith album.
Buddhist monks use tingshaws to dissipate unfavorable energy. You can use
your stereo with the same effect. Combine this technique with no. 4 and a
great pair of speakers for a really deep cleaning.

5. Meditate there. A proper meditation once or twice a day in your living

space will broadcast out a powerful positive vibration. A broadcast from a
meditative state of mind becomes much more powerful than it would
otherwise be, making positive energy more powerful than negative energy. A
proper meditation will saturate a space with uplifting energy for several
hours.

6. Rearrange the furniture. The Chinese practice the art of Feng shui. Again
negative energy needs something to cling to. Arrange your space with as
much wide open space as possible, allowing any negative energy to disperse.
But also the act of rearranging will cause this harmful energy to dissipate.

7. Add living plants. Plants add color, life, oxygen and positive energy to your
home. All good things to have. But only if you water and maintain them.

source: Google Docs

In5D Addendum

by Gregg Prescott, M.S.

Editor, In5D.com

Of course, smudging is also another wonderful way to remove negative

energies as well! Even in the happiest of homes, negative energies will enter

our homes in ways many people cannot foresee. For example, when you go
grocery shopping, your food has been handled many times in order just to
make it to the grocery store, where it will be handled even more by the
person who stocks the shelves, your cashier and bagger. The shopping cart
you placed this food in has the energy of everyone who used that cart before
you.

If youve ever bought something from a flea market, the want ads, Craigslist,
etc, then these items may be carrying the energy of the previous owner(s)
as well as anyone who handled it between the point of purchase and the way
it was delivered to you.
3 Types of Smudging Herbs
20 Things To Let Go Of And Find Lasting Peace Of Mind

http://earthweareone.com/20-things-to-let-go-of-and-find-lasting-peace-ofmind/
There are some things in life not worth keeping. Letting go of negative
qualities which dominate your ego will only lead to a greater sense of self
and happiness. We hold on to so many things that cause us a great deal of
pain, stress and suffering and instead of letting them all go, we cling on
to them. We attach ourselves to their energy on a daily basis. Isnt it time to
reprogram ourselves and our lives? Isnt it time to change our truth?
1. Your Need to Always Be Right
There are so many of us who cant stand the idea of being wrong wanting
to always be right even at the risk of ending great relationships or causing
a great deal of stress and pain, for us and for others. We love to right-fight.
Its just not worth it. Whenever you feel the urgent need to jump into a fight
over who is right and who is wrong, ask yourself this question:
Would I rather be right, or would I rather be kind? ~ Wayne Dyer.

What difference will that make? Is your ego really that big? Ultimately
everybody has their own perspective. Yours is only one and it may be no
more correct than another.
2. Your Need For Control
Be willing to let go of your need to always control everything that happens to
you and around you situations, events, people, etc. Whether they are
loved ones, coworkers, or just strangers you meet on the street just allow
them to be. Allow everything and everyone to be just as they are and you will
see how much better will that make you feel. You can never control anybody
but yourself.
By letting it go it all gets done. The world is won by those who let it go. But
when you try and try. The world is beyond winning. ~ Lao Tzu
3. Your Need to Blame
Give up on your need to blame others for what you have or dont have, for
what you feel or dont feel. Stop giving your powers away and start taking
responsibility for your life. Blame is only self-judgement for things you could
not accept in your own life.
4. Your Victim Perpetrator Mindset
This is a difficult one because we have programmed the entire world into
believing that there are actually victims and perpetrators. All you are seeing
is perspective. The entire universe is created from projected frequencies
which change the vibrational states of all things including people. There are
only projections of these vibrational states and the receivers. The vibrational
universe empowers you, because if you do not like your life the way it is, you
can change how you think and feel about it, and the universe will respond.
In a vibrational universe, there are no victims, only matching vibrations.
Therefore, the victim of a crime is as much responsible as the perpetrator.
This offensive and outrageous statement to many is fully supported by the
laws of the universe.
5. Your Self-Defeating Self-Talk

How many people are hurting themselves because of their negative, polluted
and repetitive self-defeating mindset? Dont believe everything that your
mind is telling you especially if its negative and self-defeating. You are
better than that. You are divine and very powerful creator. Start recognizing
that.
The mind is a superb instrument if used rightly. Used wrongly, however, it
becomes very destructive.~ Eckhart Tolle
6. Your Limiting Beliefs
About you can or cannot do, about what is possible or impossible. Dont
allow your limiting beliefs to keep you stuck in the wrong place. Spread your
wings and fly!
A belief is not an idea held by the mind, it is an idea that holds the mind ~
Elly Roselle
7. Your Concept of Truth
Truth is 360 degrees. Everybody has their own version of the truth along
that path and your version is no more correct than another. Your version of
the truth is dictated by your path and learning experience which is
completely defined by your vibrational state. That is why we are so unique
and capable of creating our own realities. We are what we think. It is much
wiser to agree to disagree than impose your truth on another person whose
learning experience may be the polar opposite of your own, after all your
truth is only YOUR TRUTH not anyone elses.
8. Your Complaining
Give up your constant need to complain about those many, many, many
things people, situations, events that make you unhappy, sad and
depressed. Nobody can make you unhappy, no situation can make you sad
or miserable unless you allow it to. Its not the situation that triggers those
feelings in you, but how you choose to look at it. IT is your perspective. Never
underestimate the power of positive thinking.
9. Your Criticism

Give up your need to criticize all things, events or people that are different
than you. We are all different, yet we are all the same. We all want to be
happy, we all want to love and to be loved, and we all want to be understood.
We all want something, and something is wished by us all. When you
criticize, you are again passing self-judgement for something lacking in your
life that you refuse to let go of.
10. Your Guilt
Guilt is a trick of the mind. It is a game your mind plays with you and its
not very much fun. It brings your attention to ways in which you may be out
of integrity, doing wrong and not honoring yourself, others or the universe at
large. Accept responsibility for yourself, your life and your actions. You
are response-able. You are an adult. You are account-able,meaning, with
every action you take, you account for it. You chose to do it; you must accept
the consequences of it and you did it all for a reasonto learn. If you
continue to feel guilty, you stop learning.
11. Your Need To Impress Others
Stop trying so hard to be something that youre not just to make others like
you. The moment you stop trying so hard to be something that youre not,
the moment you take off all your masks, the moment you accept and
embrace the real you, you will find people will be drawn to you, effortlessly.
Success may have nothing to do with how much money you have or how
many cars you have, but how you choose to live a life of abundance which
comes in many forms, many of which have nothing to do with material
things.
12. Your Resistance to Change
Change is good. Change will help you move from A to B. Change will help
you make improvements in your life and also the lives of those around you.
Follow your bliss, embrace change dont resist it.
Follow your bliss and the universe will open doors for you where there were
only walls ~ Joseph Campbell
13. Your Perceived Pain

All pain is perceived and we all perceive it differently. It affects us all

differently. You cannot interpret the pain of others unless you have
experienced the same pain (i.e. losing a child). It allows us to grow and
shatter barriers that would otherwise be impossible beyond the painful
event. Without some semblance of pain in our lives, it is difficult to learn.
When we let go of our pain, life changes and flows in ways we never dreamed
possible. If you think you cant get rid of your pain, you are only confirming
your self-limiting beliefs and why the pain is there in the first place.
14. Your Labels
Stop labeling those things, people or events that you dont understand as
being weird or different and try opening your mind, little by little. Minds
only work when open.
The highest form of ignorance is when you reject something you dont know
anything about. ~ Wayne Dyer
15. Your Fears
Fear is just an illusion, it doesnt exist you created it. Its all in your mind.
Correct the inside and the outside will fall into place. Most of the limiting
factors on this page stem from fear. Release your fear and everything will
change in your life, almost simultaneously. Many successful people have
achieved great heights only because they have let go of their fear of success.
The only thing we have to fear, is fear itself. ~ Franklin D. Roosevelt
16. Your Excuses
Send them packing and tell them theyre fired. You no longer need them. A
lot of times we limit ourselves because of the many excuses we use. Instead
of growing and working on improving ourselves and our lives, we get stuck,
lying to ourselves, using all kind of excuses excuses that most of the time
are not even real. We sabotage ourselves beyond belief. If you find yourself
making excuses, ask yourself why you are creating the excuse in the first
place?
17. Your Past

We often assume the past looked so much better than the present and the
future looks so frightening, but you have to take into consideration the fact
that the present moment is all you have and all you will ever have. The past
you are now longing for the past that you are now dreaming about was
ignored by you when it was present. Stop deluding yourself. Be present in
everything you do and enjoy life. After all life is a journey not a destination.
Have a clear vision for the future, prepare yourself, but always be present in
the now. Work on this by practicing with simple tasks every day. For
example, when you cut the grass, just think about the grass and nothing
else. When youre washing the dishing, immerse your full presence in dish
washing. Eventually, your life will revolve around your day today, not
yesterday.
18. Your Attachments
This is a concept that, for most of us is so very difficult to grasp, but its not
something impossible. You get better and better at with time and practice.
The moment you detach yourself from all things, (and that doesnt mean you
give up your love for them because love and attachment have nothing to
do with one another, attachment comes from a place of fear, while lovewell,
real love is pure, kind, and selfless, where there is love there cant be fear,
and because of that, attachment and love cannot coexist) you become so
peaceful, so tolerant, so kind, and so serene. You will get to a place where
you will be able to understand all things without even trying. A state beyond
words.
19. Your Resentment
Let go of your internal resentment towards people, situations and events. If
you hold a grudge, you only take power away from yourself and learning
stops. Your resentment towards anything is a result of all of the limiting
qualities on this page. Learn how to forgive. This is true strength.
The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong. ~
Mahatma Gandhi
20. Your Expectations of Yourself and Others
Let go of any expectations of yourself that will limit your growth. If you hold
high expectations for how others should behave, you will often be

disappointed if they do not represent themselves in the manner you

expected. It is only your expectations of people that cause you to judge them
which ultimately is a judgement of yourself. Far too many people are living a
life that is not theirs to live. They live their lives according to what others
think is best for them, they live their lives according to what their parents
think is best for them, to what their friends, their enemies and their
teachers, their government and the media think is best for them. They
ignore their inner voice, that inner calling. They are so busy with pleasing
everybody, with living up to other peoples expectations, that they lose
control over their lives. They forget what makes them happy, what they want,
what they needand eventually they forget about themselves. You have one
life this one right now you must live it, own it, and especially dont let
other peoples opinions distract you from your path.
Sources:
kjmaclean.com
purposefairy.com
abundance-and-happiness.com
essential-practices.com
Credit: Letting Go of These 20 Things Will Redefine Your Outlook on Life
and Change Your Truth, from preventdisease.com

Are You Making These 7 New Age Mistakes?

http://earthweareone.com/are-you-making-these-7-new-age-mistakes/
By Jason
7. You Assume Thoughts Create Your Reality
The Myth: Thoughts create our reality. All you have to do is think about
something, and it will manifest into your life effortlessly!
The Truth: Your thoughts dont create your reality. Your actions do.

Thought merely mitigates the process, and begins the series of causal steps
leading to taking action, and then that action itself is what catalyzes the
results you receive in life.
Your cake doesnt just mix all of its own ingredients at the right ratio, set the
oven, bake itself, cut a slice of itself, put itself on a plate, and then float on
over to the table in front of you.
The initial choice and decision to bake the cake started in your mind, but
unless you prepare the cake by taking physical action and opening the box,
setting the oven, etc it will remain nothing but an idea indefinitely.
If you trace the causal chain backwards from your result, youll see it
looking something like this:
Result > Action > Decision/Choice/Emotional Inclination to Act
In our cake example above, it looks like this:
Cake (result) > Baking in Oven (action) > Mixing Ingredients (action) >
Choosing to Make a Cake (thought)
Choice is always the first step; the choice to think and feel positive and
constructive about a situation or task. Then, action is what bridges the gap
between the information in your mind, and the concrete results you
experience in the world.
So while its technically correct that your thought or choice is the first step
in this chain, its incredibly oversimplified (and deceptive) to claim that said
thought is what manifested the cake.
This single mis-belief is what causes all sorts of aggravation when people
dont see cakes just popping into existence left and right.
6. (You Believe) Either its Effortless, or Youre Going the Wrong
Way/Doing it Wrong
The Myth: Life is effortless when youre on your passion path. When you
come to resistance, thats a sign that youre going about your path
incorrectly and/or not to proceed in that direction!

The Truth: There is no coming to consciousness without pain. People will do

anything, no matter how absurd, in order to avoid facing their own soul. One
does not become enlightened by imagining figures of light, but by making the
darkness conscious Carl Jung
Resistance is the cornerstone of growth and progress.
Our muscles grow stronger because they work through the resistance placed
in front of them.
They dont complain about it.
They dont throw ad hominem remarks in its direction.
They adapt and overcome.
While its true that you should know when any particular endeavor is an
inefficient use of time, energy, and resources if youre still new to personal
development, everything is a learning lesson.
It takes a highly-refined level of consciousness and discernment to know
when the resistance is wrong, too much, or if said obstacle is even truly
worth it. This level of conscious awareness comes from years of experience
with testing, experimenting, and refining yourself; something many New
Age-ers lack, because they insist on remaining inactive from the start.
The only time youre not on your path is when you stop taking action
toward a goal.
Your path only really stalls when you stop getting real-world results and
feedback from the world around you.
The only way to stop getting results in life is to stop taking action.
Lack of strategic, direct personal action is the equivalent of metaphysical
death.
5. (You Think) Money is The Root of All Evil

The Myth: Money is not required to be spiritual, and you should seek to
minimize the influence of money in your life as much as possible. Wealthy
people are only wealthy because they are greedy, dont mind taking
advantage of others, and throw spirituality out the window.
The Truth: Money is an entirely passive tool, which can be leveraged to
create the very freedom and abundance you desire most. Its the
individuals perception and understanding of how money works that dictates
their individual success with it.
Its ironic that most of the people who complain about a lack of money, the
economy, lack of jobs, etc are always the people who dont understand how
business or economics truly work. Those who know and can DO. Those
who dont know (but can learn) and cant (but again, can learn how
to) COMPLAIN about it.
They like to cast out all sorts of assumptions about the people doing the
business, without ever once cracking open a book or loading up a google
search to learn about the incredible amount of organization, discipline, and
perseverance that goes into starting even a small local business.
Little do they know, its not their lack of business understanding thats
hurting them its their lack of will to self-educate themselves on the areas
in their life which are giving them the most resistance.
For most people, their biggest resistance in life is that of money.
The less you understand about money, how it works, how value is created
and translated into money, asset allocation, investing, etc the more money
is going to control your life.
Money is going to behave objectively and do what it does best whether you
adapt and catch on or not. Its in your best interest (no pun intended) to
adapt and overcome this barrier so you can begin putting money to
work for you and your ideas and goals, rather than simply working in circles
to fund them.
Youre completely free to choose to advance your relationship with money, or
continue on as you are.

If you choose to stay put, dont go around insisting that youre more spiritual
because you dont want to approach money in a more constructive way.
Thats anything but spiritual in the long run, and its certainly not
intelligent.
This is the blunt truth, and theres absolutely no way around this dilemma
until you educate yourself and create an individual strategy for gaining
control over money once and for all.
New Age belief systems advocate removing money entirely from ones life,
making one a slave to scarcity, poverty, and limited resources.
Consciousness development systems advocate that you transcend your preconditioned ignorance/relationship to the idea of money, how it works, etc,
and thus remove moneys control over your life.
Ironically, those who foolishly reject money end up serving as slaves to
poverty in the very same way those who dont understand money think they
need to work five day jobs to become rich.
Ignorance on both sides of the equation breeds noting but contempt for both
information and individuals that display a more intelligent approach to
living.
At the end of the day, did you increase your understanding of how money
works, or did you spend your afternoon online making assumptions about
wealthy people youve never even met?
4. You Believe The Law of Attraction is a Substitute for Hard Work and
Serious Personal Effort
The Myth: To get what you want out of life, all you have to do is hold the
intention, and eventually it will manifest. Dont worry about taking lots of
action; simply focus on what you want, sit back, relax, and wait for it to
arrive!
The Truth: Nothing happens until you make it happen. The Law of
Attraction is a tool that facilitates, compliments, and strengthens your
probability of succeeding but only after youre already heavily in motion!

This ones a favorite of the New Age community, because it perfectly follows
their hiding-in-plain-site axiom of try to manifest as much as possible while
taking the least amount of action possible!.
You can read a focused, in-depth analysis on this very subject in my popular
article 5 Reasons Why The Law of Attraction isnt Working for You.
The truth is most New Age ideology is nothing more than romanticized,
entry-level metaphysical thinking mired in scarcity. You should be wanting
to expand you relationship to things like career, money, relationships, health
etc not shirk from them. The idea that you can manifest everything by just
focusing hard enough is the pinnacle of New Age delusion.
Seriously. Go read that article in the link above if you havent yet.
3. You Dont Acknowledge Negativity as Being Valid
The Myth: Avoid negativity in all forms at all costs! Do whatever you must to
suppress your negative thoughts and feelings.
The Truth: Negativity is a stepping stone of personal growth. Negative
emotions show us precisely where the weak spots in our perception and
beliefs lie, and thus exactly which areas we need to work on next.
Fear, worry, and doubt act like compasses pointing us directly to where we
need to go next in order to grow.
Afraid to fail? Go out and fail as fast as you can, so you can overcome that
irrational fear.
95% of fear is entirely irrational. Unless youre being chased by a lion
through the jungle, you have no reason to be afraid of most of what occurs
in modern 21st century Western living. Oh no, my internet connection is
slow! What if I cant download Game of Thrones later on?!
This one kind of ties in with the one on resistance up above. If you merely
assume all negative emotions are signs that youre going the wrong way,
youre going to live a very self-limiting life. Unfortunately, thats precisely
what most people do.

Stay in that comfy job because its too risky to start your own business and
make an abundant living doing something you actually enjoy.
Stay in that boring, unfulfilling relationship because unhappiness is better
than uncertainty.
Keep telling yourself that youre making intelligent choices based on rational
thinking and reasoning, when the reality is the exact opposite.
How has this pattern worked for you over the last five years? Is it
unreasonable to predict that your next five will look very similar?
2. You Believe Youre Already Perfect/Complete
The Myth: You dont need to get involved with personal development and
self-evolution, because youre already perfect and complete. Just be, and
let the rest take care of itself.
The Truth: Youre already perfect in the sense that your potential exists to
be fulfilled and the fulfillment of said potential is your entire reason for
being here. To avoid accepting the responsibility to educate yourself,
experiment, and grow through these challenges is to circumvent your very
lifes purpose.
Using the logic that youre already a complete divine being who simply broke
off from source to come to Earth, and do things such as argue with other
humans about the legalization of plants, animal rights, and solar energy at
the expense of doing some serious hard self-work is a HUGE beginners trap.
The truth is you dont have time for the trappings of this lifeuntil youre
finally living on purpose and expressing your true self to the world. Until you
reach that point, youre just wasting your finite, precious life.
So many New Age advocates believe the only work that needs to be done is
via solving all of the problems out there in the world.
Little do they know, everything out there is as it is because too many people
arent paying attention to whats going on within themselves.

We are all responsible for the mess the world has become, and its not for the
obvious, popular, or comfortable reasons.
Humanity is in a state that can only be described as a full-on crisis of
consciousness. Until more people begin waking up to the power within
themselves, and how their decisions and spending are what impact the
world the most, things will continue to spiral further and further.
In order to correct said chaos, we need more people who are dedicated to
growing into their fullest potential, and guiding others to do the same.
Theres no more time for institutionalized, compartmentalized education.
Take the reigns yourself and learn what you need to get yourself to where
you want to be.
Those who doubt that last bit and find it unreasonable, this last ones for
you:
1. Just Go with The Flow, Man!
The Myth: Everything you need will show up right when you need it. Dont
fret over making things happen; let the universe do all the work! Just sit
back, focus on what you want, and wait for it to show up.
The Truth: Having conscious discernment tailored through experience is
the true secret to success and growth. Sitting around meditating, wishing,
and intending for things to appear without meeting the universe halfway by
taking action in said direction is like an incomplete circuit/taking the
batteries out of something. It doesnt work!
Ah, the pinnacle of New Age foolishness!
Going with the flow is an excuse for the abdication of personal effort and
action.
Thats really the common denominator in all of these points.
New Age thinking condones the fear-consciousness so many find themselves
in.

It offers easy solutions to very hard problems. Unfortunately, New Age

solutions only address the symptoms to the root problems we find within
ourselves.
Unless your life is already on course because youve been busting your ass
toward a focused goal that aligns with your values and expresses your true
self, youre wasting your time. Not in the sense that your efforts are
worthless in the long run, but in the literal sense that youre running out the
clock.
Youre wasting your time because youre neglecting potential within yourself.
This potential could be refined and cultivated to eventually provide the rest
of humanity with a very valuable service that could assist in the massraising of consciousness thats so desperately needed at this point in history.
You are actively denying other people of your value because you refuse to do
the hard work required to fulfill your own potential.
Still, many would rather hop on X-Box Live for hours on end and neglect the
fact that they despise their job, chose the wrong college major (if they went),
hate their relationship/marriage, etc.
This makes New Age (dis)information all the more tempting and palatable for
such people, because it conveniently fills in the cracks where serious effort
and action are required.
Information even the most accurate and valuable is never a substitute for
direct personal application of said information.
Thats the main difference between successful people, and New Age followalongs. One understands that constant action is what produces the types of
results that will free them from the constrains that the New Age crowd
would rather go online and complain about with each other than
intelligently solve.
One understand that progressive knowledge coupled with high-frequency
action is the recipe for success.

The other foolishly believes just having the information is all you need to
become a millionaire.
I wonder which group will become more successful?
Conclusion: Whats The Solution?
The solution to the issues presented in all of the above is to accept the
responsibility of the reality that nobody is going to change or improve
your life for you.
You have to do it.
You and you alone have to accept where you are, realize its not what you
want, and stop rationalizing why you cant begin moving in a new direction.
Every time you avoid courage, you embrace and strengthen your own
cowardice.
This is a serious character flaw, and one that poisons so many highpotential individuals, its not even funny.
The serious solution to all of these issues is to:
1. Educate yourself on the topics which currently act as blocks for you.
2. Start actively applying what youre learning.
3. Refine and adapt your application of this information through time.
This process requires the cultivation of both willpower and courage, but it
also works very, very reliably.
If you only retained one thing from this entire article, let it be
this: your first step is to begin educating yourself on the topics which are
currently acting as blocks for you.
If that doesnt get you moving, go back and re-read 5 Reasons Why The Law
of Attraction isnt Working for You until it motivates you to start making
serious changes to your attitude and behavior.

About the author:

Jason Demakis a frequent Expanded Consciousness contributing writer.
Read more of Jasons articles HERE. Jason is best known for his writings of
consciousness and meditation, and has profound knowledge in each.
Website: http://www.jasondemakis.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jasondemakis
Email: JasonDemakis@Gmail.com
Credit: Expanded Consciousness

How To Stop Saying Yes When You Want To Say No

March 19, 2015 / 1762 views

rejectionLive your life for you not for anyone else. Dont let the fear of being
judged, rejected or disliked stop you from being yourself ~Sonya Parker

I am a sucker for saying yes.

Sometimes I even find myself thinking no, no, no, no and then I blurt out
yes.

Why is it so difficult to say the word no? Its just a word, right?

After feeling trapped for some time by my excessive urge to be agreeable, it

got me thinking.

I asked myself why it was so important for me to please everyone, to the

point that I would feel resentful and stressed because of it.

I realized that I was afraid of saying no because my biggest fear is

rejection. I was afraid that every time I did this, I would disappoint someone,
make them angry, hurt their feelings, or appear unkind or rude.

Having people think negatively of me, for me personally, is the ultimate

rejection. Whether they say what they think of me, out loud or not, does not
matter to me. It is the thought that they look down on me.

And so I realized exactly why I found it so difficult to say no.

I realize that this is not just a challenge that I face, but one that many
people go through every day. Its a heavy burden to carry because with the
urge to say yes also comes a lack of self-confidence and self-value.

If, like me, youre having trouble saying no, this may help.
Saying No Doesnt Mean Youre a Bad Person

Saying no doesnt mean that you are being rude, selfish, or unkind. These
are all unhelpful beliefs that make it hard to say no.

Learning where these beliefs have come from is a great way to learn to let go
of them.

Did you ever wonder why it was so easy to shout the word no when you
were a little kid and why it has become so difficult now? What happened?

Well, as a child, we learned that saying the word no was impolite or

inappropriate.

If you said no to your mum, dad, teacher, uncle, grandparents, and so on,
you were most certainly considered to be being rude, and you would have
probably been told off for it.

Saying no was off limits and yes was the polite and likable thing to say.

Now that we are all adults, we are more mature and capable of making our
own choices, as well as knowing the difference between wrong and right.
Therefore no shouldnt be an off limits word, but rather something that we
decide on ourselves, based on our own discretion.

But sadly, we hold onto our childhood beliefs and we continue to associate
no with being dislikeable, bad mannered, unkind, or selfish. We worry that
if we say no, we will feel humiliated, guilty, or ashamed, and will end up
being alone, rejected, or abandoned.
Knowing Your Value

The second step to learning to say no is realizing that you are valuable,
and choosing your own opinion about yourself over others.

I have learned that if you live your life depending on other peoples approval,
you will never feel free and truly happy.

If you depend on other peoples approval, what you are basically saying is
Their opinion of me is more important than my opinion about myself.

If youre opinion of yourself is actually quite low, remember that:

Your problems do not define you.

Its okay to make mistakesnobody is perfect, and everybody does things
that they regret; this is what makes us human.
What makes a person great is not their looks or achievements, but their
willingness to love others, be humble, and grow as a person.
You are unique, valuable, and important. No one else in this world can
offer what you can.

Is It Really Worth it?

The third step to learning to say no is deciding if saying yes is really

worth it.

After committing to something, doubt eventually sets in and you may begin
to think of ways you can get out of it.

And if you dont have any good excuses, you then have to decide if you are
going to tell the truth or come up with a lie.

Think about the anguish, stress, and resentment that saying yes has
caused you. Wouldnt it be so much easier and straightforward to just say
no in the first place?

I remember this one time that I said yes to something and then later felt so
bad about it that I ended up lying my way out of it. I still feel bad that I lied.

My boss called me one day and was asked if I could work the following
Saturday. As usual, I blurted out a polite Yes, of course, thats no problem
at all. I actually had plans with my boyfriend, which I was really looking
forward to.

Later, I found myself feeling absolutely terrible about having said yes and I
wished that I had just had the guts to say no from the beginning.

Dreading the idea of having to work that day, I called my boss back with the
best excuse I could think of. I told her that I had completely forgotten that it
was my dads birthday that Saturday and that we had a family get-together
(which was certainly not the case).

Looking back, I realize that it really isnt worth it to say yes when you dont
want to. I have a right to say no and shouldnt be afraid of letting other
people down at the cost of my own happiness.

If you have also decided that its worth it to you, and want to learn to say
no, try these simple yet effective tips for doing so with confidence.
Helpful Tips for Saying No

Be direct, such as no, I cant or no, I dont want to.

Dont apologize and give all sorts of reasons.
Dont lie. Lying will most likely lead to guiltand remember, this is what
you are trying to avoid feeling.
Remember that it is better to say no now than be resentful later.

Be polite, such as Thanks for asking.

Practice saying no. Imagine a scenario and then practice saying no
either by yourself or with a friend. This will get you feeling a lot more
comfortable with saying no.
Dont say Ill think about it if you mean no. This will just prolong the
situation and make you feel even more stressed.
Remember that your self-worth does not depend on how much you do for
other people.

Learning to say no has been one of the best things I have done for myself.
Not only has it challenged me to overcome my fear of rejection, it has helped
me to feel in control.

I dont feel trapped, resentful, or guilty anymore. Instead, I feel empowered

and free.

If you want that same feeling of freedom and empowerment, then take
control, challenge yourself, and learn to say no.

Source: How to Stop Saying Yes When You Want to Say No, from
tinybuddha.com, by Chantalle Gerber

Photo credit: Shutterstock

10 Powerful Quotes by Confucius That Can Change Your Life

http://earthweareone.com/10-powerful-quotes-by-confucius-that-canchange-your-life/

Confucius, whose name literally means Master Kong, lived 551-479 BCE.
He was a Chinese thinker and philosopher, whose teachings have deeply
influenced not only Asian thought and life. He presented himself as a
transmitter who invented nothing and he really pointed out the importance
of learning, which is one reason he is seen by Chinese people as The
Greatest Master.
One of the best known sources of Confucius are The Analects, a collection of
his teachings, which was compiled many years after his death. A fountain of
extremely mindful quotes springs from these ancient descriptions.
Many of them are universal and timeless in their beautiful and simple truth
and they are as valid today as on the day they left Confucius mouth. Here
we take a look at 10 of the most inspiring quotes by Confucius.
Confucius says
1. Never impose on others what you would not choose for yourself.
Its the Golden Rule and the essence of real compassion . Not compassion
as in looking down on someone and have pity for another, this is no real
compassion. Compassion means seeing another person 100% equal to
yourself (in value, not in differentials on the surface which ultimately do not
matter). In fact it is seeing yourself in every other person. And therefore you
cannot harm anyone without also harming yourself.
It doesnt mean to lose individuality or self-worth, on the contrary but the
other person earns the same gift.
2. Real knowledge is to know the extent of ones ignorance.
Thats my personal favorite quote since it expresses something very profound
which also is very useful to know: Ignorance is a willful neglect or refusal to
acquire knowledge. It is not widen ones own perspective in order to see a
broader truth. As an example it would be to have racist thoughts and not
realizing that all men are equal.
The ultimate truth therefore is where there is absolutely no ignorance,
meaning where the perspective or consciousness has become one with all
that there is. In Buddhism ignorance (Avidy) is seen as the primary cause

of suffering. Liberation is Enlightenment. Another quote by Confucius here

is Ignorance is the night of the mind, but a night without moon and star.
3. I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.
Those quotes are just perfect. What he is expressing here is that we have to
experience something ourselves in order to really understand it. If we are
hearing something it might be interesting. If we are seeing something it
might be beautiful. But only if we feel in happening to ourselves we can
really know how it is.
Picture something nice as winning an Olympic gold medal or picture
something terrifying as the loss of a loved one. Can you know this by
hearing it or by seeing it? Or do you have to do it and experience it yourself
to really know it?
Along with this realization comes the awareness that you cannot understand
someone or his actions from hearing or seeing it from the outside. You have
to feel empathic compassion for him to really know what it is like. To know
and not to do is really not to know. Only by applying our knowledge we can
validate its harmony with reality, its truth.
4. Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it.
Amazing. It calls for dropping the inner mask through which we constantly
see and evaluate the world, distorted by our wants and belief-systems. Here
we have to look at things as they are. Just like a newborn child would look
at things. Then we are able to really see again, without instant labeling of
what we see and therefore only really seeing our label. If we become able to
do this just for a second without judgment, we can see that everything in
nature is as it should be. And in this natural perfection lies beauty.
5. The Superior Man is aware of Righteousness, the inferior man is
aware of advantage.
Another quote is The object of the superior man is truth. It is the value of
integrity: Do we act to our best knowledge of truth or do we bend ourselves
and violate our integrity in order to gain an advantage? Do we play fair game
or use perfidious tactics?

To be truthful to ourselves is also important to the development of (good)

character. And it is the only straight way to liberation.
6. Wheresoever you go, go with all your heart.
Whatever you do and whatever you commit to, do it fully, give your all one
hundred percent. It is the essence of Carpe Diem Seizing the day and its
surely the best way to be satisfied with what we do and get the best results.
7. Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in getting up every
time we do.
There is no failure, there are only valuable learning experiences. Or as
Thomas Edison about inventing the light bulb said: I have not failed, Ive
just found 10,000 ways that wont work. The important thing is not giving
up, but learning and then improving by using this feedback to get better and
ultimately succeed.
A quote expressing the same principle is A man who has committed a
mistake and doesnt correct it, is committing another mistake.
8. He who learns but does not think, is lost. He who thinks but does
not learn is in great danger.
Confucius explains the connection of learning and reflection. Reflection of
that what we learned by thinking or of the results we get by applying the
knowledge. Study without reflection is a waste of time; reflection without
study is dangerous is a similar quote by Confucius. Learning is only useful
if we connect the learning within our own minds, with what we already
know and what is useful for us. This reflection of any knowledge also saves
us from blindly following any knowledge without checking its truthfulness
and validity to us.
I think everybody experienced learning when we really want this knowledge
and interweave it with what we already know. If there is a need or problem
we want to solve, the consume knowledge much more effective than it
happens for students in many universities.
9. He that would perfect his work must first sharpen his tools.

This quote calls for planning and preparation. This includes getting and
improving the personal skills we need to be successful. If we want to hold
speeches we have to become good with communication skills. If we want to
win a race we have to train for it. If we want to do a big project we need
knowledge in project management. Steven Covey calls it Sharpening the saw,
read about it here.
10. If you look into your own heart, and you find nothing wrong there,
what is there to worry about? What is there to fear?
It shows that our primary work lies within ourselves: to work on ourselves
and improve will automatically take care of the outside world if we use our
abilities then. When we see men of a contrary character, we should turn
inwards and examine ourselves. The solution to problems is not out there.
It is the Inside-Out approach: success and happiness can only be found by
working on ourselves. It also entails the spiritual message to look inside and
to discover ourselves fully.
Source: Confucius says: The Top 10 Wise Confucius Quotes,
from myrkothum.com

7 Signs Your Ego Might Be Out of Control (and How to Tame It!)
http://earthweareone.com/7-signs-your-ego-might-be-out-of-control-andhow-to-tame-it/
Understanding the ego can be a little tricky, so I will try to explain it simply!
Your ego is your self-image, and it allows you to be aware of yourself as a
person separate from everyone else. It is the you that most people typically
relate to. It is not your soul, or your higher self, but rather the mask your
higher self wears in this physical reality to identify itself as an individual.
Because the ego is a mask over the all-loving higher self, it can block out lot
of our inner love and kindness when its relied upon too heavily. While egos
do serve an important service to us, an out of control ego can cause us to
take actions that are unloving and unkind.
Being aware that the ego is not a true representation of your soul can help
you let go of it a bit, and not feel the need to rely on it so much. If you can

let go of your ego a little bit, it will be easier to follow the intuition and
guidance from your higher self, and this will help you make more decisions
based on love and compassion rather than separation and
disconnectedness.
Here are a few signs of an out of control ego. Please realize, we all do these
things from time to time, and thats ok. However, its a good idea to be aware
of these signs, so that when we see them we can recognize that we are
letting our egos get away from us. With awareness an out of control ego, we
can choose to drop the mask when it isnt serving us. We can remember that
the separation is just an illusion, and that were really all in this together.
An Out of Control Ego Will:
1. Complain frequently
2. Argue and fight with others
3. Be defensive whenever criticized
4. Be self-critical, and speak badly about itself
5. Have a hard time apologizing
6. Be very impatient
7. Be judgmental of others
When we see these behaviors in ourselves it is a sign that we are working
with an out of control ego, and we are disconnected from our higher selves.
Each of these actions occurs because the ego deeply believes that it is
separate from everything else in the universe.
Because the ego believes it is separate from everything else, it often feels the
need to justify its importance to itself and others. The ego is secretly afraid
that what makes it different from everyone else might indeed make it
wrong. This is why an out of control ego can be aggressive and hostile-it
wants to prove that it is valid and right.
The higher self will not feel the need to defend or justify itself. It focuses on
the interconnectedness between all of us, rather than the separation that

appears to be real in this physical reality. As a result, a person who is

highly connected will make choices based on compassion, patience and love,
because it realizes that we are all one. It knows that to help another is
simply to help oneself.
For those looking to have a healthier relationship with their egos, daily
meditation is a great treatment. During meditation, one becomes aligned
with their higher self, and can start to observe the egos thoughts from the
higher perspective.
Meditation is all about quieting outside thoughts to connect more deeply
with the oneness. When one becomes skilled in meditation, it becomes
easier to see the ego as a mask over the true self. In time, much of the
destructive chatter from the ego will lift, and the individual will be able to
easily identify when he or she is making ego-based choices.
To be clear, the ego is not a bad thing. In order to experience ourselves as
individuals, we must have egos that can perceive the separation between us.
However, it is our interconnectedness that brings love, happiness and
prosperity, so its important that we maintain a strong connection with our
higher selves.
The point is not try to get rid of the ego or to punish it, but simply to give
the ego less responsibility. To allow the ego to do its job of perceiving the
world, but release it from the responsibility of making decisions on how we
should think and act. By handing over the responsibility of the decisionmaking to the higher self, we make higher vibrational decisions that lead to
more happiness, healthiness, and prosperity.
So, with meditation we can connect back to the oneness and our inner
guidance. Then, we can begin to make choices and decisions based on the
idea that we are all in this together. We can see others as extensions of
ourselves and treat others as we would want to be treated. This is how we
tame an out of control ego, and let the higher self shine through the mask.
About the Author: Andrea Schulman is a former high school psychology
teacher and the creator of Raise Your Vibration Today, which offers daily
Law of Attraction advice. To learn more about Andrea or Raise Your
Vibration Today please follow

her blog, Facebook page, Twitter (@Vibration1111)

or Instagram (@andrea.11.11)

8 Things You Dont Owe An Explanation For

http://earthweareone.com/8-things-you-dont-owe-an-explanation-for/
ver thought about how many people live their lives following someone elses
rules, explaining and justifying their decisions and actions to people who
have nothing to do with their personal affairs? Have you ever thought that
you might be among those people?
What I was trying to do was
No, no, what I meant was
I actually wanted to
Just let me explain.
You will never be able to please everyone. Stop wasting all this energy to do
so. The only people worth explaining yourself to are your friends and family.
But if they are as close to you as you think, they probably get you,
sometimes better than you get yourself. So if you need to give someone an
explanation, go ahead. But if you only do it because you feel obliged to, youd
better cut it off. Especially when it comes to:
1. Your priorities.
We are all different people with different dreams, values and purposes, and
it is absolutely normal that we have different priorities, too. Remember that
you have the right to decide what is important in your life and put it on top
of your list. No explanations needed. It is up to you what you do with your
time and who you spend it with. You shouldnt feel guilty for not fitting into
ones expectations about what you should be putting first.
2. An apology when you are not sorry
An apology without regret is like a car without an engine it will take you
nowhere. Many people apologize just in order to end the argument but isnt
worth anything. When its not coming from the inside of your soul, the
sorry thing is useless because what you seem to be sorry for will either

happen again or nothing will change at all. If you think you were right, do
not apologize.
3. Agreement with something you disagree with
Listen, pay attention, analyze but dont let someone elses voice sound louder
in your head than your own inner voice. Speak your mind. Get rid of the
heaviness that is provoked by unspoken disagreement. You dont have
always to say yes, especially when you want to say no (sounds logical but
in real life situations logic is not a must, is it?). People who have mastered
the art of refusal tend to be happier because they more rarely have to do
something they dont feel like doing.
4. The way you live
You are single, divorced, live with your parents, change your roommates
often, look like you are homeless when you go to the store for a snack. And
so what? If you are happy with the way it is, let it be. You prefer to live with
no marriage? Okay, this doesnt make you less reliable nor does it question
your values. Dont go on justifying your actions to each and every person
who would comment on them. People have to not only stop being so
judgmental, but also to stop letting others opinion influence their choices.
5. The need of time only for yourself
The fear of being taken for antisocial, selfish, overweening is something most
of us have felt at some point in our lives. And this is totally normal. We are
designed to live in a society, in a group, and the process of socialization is
very important for each and every individual. But this doesnt mean that you
cannot spend time by yourself. Just the opposite. Everyone needs to sit
alone with their own thoughts or simply with their own company. You dont
have to apologize for choosing a good book, or some good music and yourself
instead of going out, for example. If you do need this, enjoy it with no
regrets.
6. Your appearance
Fat or skinny, short or tall, blond or redhead? You can pierce your tooth if
you want and this would be your business only because your body belongs
only to you. If you dislike something about the way you look, put effort into

changing it, not into explaining it to others. Luckily, today there is such a
mixture of styles and cultures all over the world that people hardly ever get
surprised by others crazy appearances. Of course, there will always be
those small-minded individuals with their harsh comments and low selfesteem. Just remember that they matter just as much as a sponge does.
7. Your political, religious or sexual preferences
You have the right to have your own opinion in every area. Your attitude
towards religion, politics or sex are things that concern you and yourself.
Having different beliefs than the conventional ones doesnt make you
defected. You have the right to decide which political party you support, who
you pray to, what you do in your bedroom just as much as you can choose
between Coca-Cola and Pepsi. Its a part of your individuality and this is the
only explanation needed.
8. Your choice of relationships
You are dating a guy that is not exactly Mr. Handsome but you find all those
things that make you happy in him. Or you are in love with a woman that is
older than you, and earns more but you complete each other and make a
great team. Yes, some people tend to miss out on the details. They spot the
scandalous part of the story first and are always ready to judge. You can try
to put your picture in someone elses frame, but it most probably wont fit.
And then what would you throw it away or would you enjoy the image
without the frame?
As a conclusion, I would like to make one thing clear. Living for other
peoples approval is like not living at all. Learning to live for yourself is hard
and might take some years until you achieve some progress. The tricky part
is separating the confidence of being the captain of your life from the
arrogance of begging no pardon. As Chris Jami says: There are two
circumstances that lead to arrogance: one is when youre wrong and you
cant face it; the other is when youre right and nobody else can face it.
Make sure you avoid those circumstances while working for your happiness.
Credit: I heart intelligence

9 Ways To Stop Overthinking

http://earthweareone.com/9-ways-to-stop-overthinking-2/

There is a fine line between thinking something through and overthinking.

The problem is that not many people manage to control their thoughts
efficiently and easily fall into the trap of overthinking.
This kind of behavior can do more harm than you might think because it
does not only prevent you from enjoying the present moment, but also
deprives you from making an adequate decision that is not dictated by fear
or misjudgement. Here is a list of ideas on how to escape that mind-trap.
9. Decision making deadlines
Giving yourself a set amount of time for decision making is a great way to
avoid overthinking. Usually, when we are trying to decide what to do,
whether or not to do something, we let our minds wonder and explore all the
possible outcomes of the potential choices.
This isnt necessarily a bad thing but often the decision making process can
keep on going for an excessive amount of time. Not only does this prevent us
from taking action, but it also is a sure way to waste our precious time.
So, next time when you catch yourself struggling with making a decision,
give yourself a time-limit.
For example, when it comes to a small decision, give it 1 minute to decide
and when it comes to a big one- till the end of the day. This strategy is
definitely worth trying because its simple and saves you some time and
headaches.
8. Time-out
Giving yourself a break when you feel like you are not thinking straight helps
a lot. We all have our moments of uncertainty and instability. In such times
forcing yourself to think of a solution to a problem or making a decision can

be really overwhelming.
Taking a break from the negative thoughts by going for a walk or taking a
nap can improve your thinking process significantly. You will feel refreshed
and will be able to resolve the issue you were struggling with easier and
more sufficiently.
7. Fight procrastination
Too many people nowadays are struggling with procrastination. Maybe this
is because in the age we live in there are so many potential distractions that
our minds get easily attracted to and fall into the trap of constantly delaying
the work that should be done.
But procrastinating can also serve you as an excuse to overthink different
scenarios and situations and that can drain your energy really fast. This
issue is not an easy one to resolve because it requires a strong mindset and
tons of determination.
But if you manage to actually become a person of action and fight the
unresourceful habit of procrastination, you will not only have rarer
occasions to overthink but it will also improve your life in many other
aspects.
So, train your mind into resisting the temptations that are distracting you
and become a newer, stronger and more active YOU!
6. Working out
What does a great job at fighting overthinking is working out. Practicing a
sport or simply going to the gym can not only boost your health but it can
also help you organize your thoughts.
Working out regularly can help you arrange your time more efficiently and
can strengthen your will and determination. You will feel more productive
and wont waste time thinking insignificant thoughts.

5. Will this matter a week/month/year from now?

Asking yourself this question can help you realize the level of importance of
the issue you are struggling with. If it is not going to matter even a month
from now, why do you worry so much about it?
Training yourself to use that method in order to get a wider and more
adequate view of your situation, will make it easier for you to let go of the
useless stories that you are obsessing with.
4. Be aware in the present moment
Being content in the now can help you stop overthinking because you will be
focused on what you are doing and feeling right now. People usually think
through things that have either already happened or things that can happen
in the future.
This is why practicing present awareness is so beneficial. What is more
valuable than the present moment after all?
3. Being a control freak can only hold you back
Aiming to control everything that you can in your life isnt going to take you
far. On the contrary, it is more possible to hold you back. Thinking through
something 60 times is a form of control obsession.
When you catch yourself doing it, remind yourself that life is meant to be
lived, not controlled or planned to the last detail. The sooner you realize
that, the happier you will feel because even if you make a wrong choice or
fail while trying to achieve a goal, you can always learn something new.
And of course, next time you can try again more confidently and smarter. All
the people that you look up to have failed at some point of their lives before
they have achieved their dreams. And maybe thanks to these failures, they
have succeeded.
2. Dont think of what can go wrong, but what can go right

In many cases overthinking is caused by one emotion- fear. Falling into its
mind-trap can cause big headaches and excessive worries. The sad truth is
that fear controls many peoples lives. They are used to overthink the
negative things that MIGHT happen to them, the ways that they can fail at
life.
This has unfortunately become an unresourceful thinking pattern that
deprives people from unleashing their true potential and daring to dream
big. If you recognize yourself in these lines, dont worry. You have the power
to overcome your fears and to do great things with your life.
Next time you sense that you are falling into the trap of your fear and start
getting obsessed with negative thoughts, tell yourself STOP! and think of
what can go right, what you CAN achieve. Visualize your dreams and make
them your motivation.
1. Be careful what you brainwash yourself with
We dont always realize this but what we read, listen to, watch and who we
hang out with have a great impact on our way of thinking. Be cautious with
how you decide to spend your time. Choose books and blogs that help you
be the version of yourself you have always dreamed of being.
Overthinking can often be caused by things that influence us from the
outside world. Hanging out with people who encourage you to grow and
support you can really help with overcoming the habit of overthinking.

7 Ways to Change Your Attitude When You Cant Change Anything Else

http://earthweareone.com/7-ways-to-change-your-attitude-when-you-cantchange-anything-else/
mans-lookBy Marc and Angel

Sometimes changing your circumstances isnt possible or simply not

possible soon enough. You cant get to a new job in an instant. You cant
make someone else change against his or her will. And you certainly cant
erase the past. So what options do you have left?

Change your perception, belief or opinion about your circumstances. Doing

so will help you change your attitude and ultimately allow you to grow
beyond the struggles you cant control.

The Greek philosopher Epictetus said it perfectly more than 2,000 years ago:
People are disturbed, not by things (that happen to them), but by the
principles and opinions which they form concerning (those) things. When
we are hindered, or disturbed, or grieved, let us never attribute it to others,
but to ourselves; that is, to our own principles and opinions.

Modern behavioral science agrees too. American psychologist Albert Ellis,

famous for developing rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT), has proven
that how people react to events is determined predominantly by their view of
the events, not the events themselves.

Have no clue how to change your perception of things and improve your
attitude? Here are seven easy ways to start:

Still your mind. In order to gain conscious control of what goes on in

your mind, you need to develop a keen awareness for this process. What
helps is to hold still for a moment, take a deep breath and free your mind of
all the chatter thats going on inside and all around. This makes room for a
change of state, for something new to enter. So give yourself a break. Dont
say you cant. Yes, you have battles out in the world to fight, insecurities to
overcome, loved ones to contend with and goals to achieve, but a break from
it all is necessary. Its perfectly healthy to pause and let the world spin
without you for a while. If you dont, you will burn yourself out. You must

refill your bucket on a regular basis. That means catching your breath,
finding quiet solitude, focusing your attention inward, and otherwise making
time for recovery from the chaos of your routine.
Change your focus. From the awareness of your thoughts and emotions
you become able to consciously redirect your focus. Its time to take it
willingly away from something that drags you down, and zero it in on
something that inspires you. Focus on the next logical, meaningful step.
There are no hopeless situations; there are only people who have grown
hopeless about them. So keep your hope alive through positive awareness.
Dont let the pain make you desperate. Dont let the negativity wear off on
you. Dont let the bitterness steal your sweetness. Spend your energy
moving forward. Change your thoughts and you change your reality. Our
thoughts are the makers of our moods, the inventors of our dreams, and the
creators of our will. Thats why we must sort through them carefully, and
choose to respond only to those that will help us build the life we want, and
the outlook we want to hold as were living it.
Surrender your worries and embrace acceptance. Realize that,
somewhere within us all, there does exist a supreme self who is eternally at
peace. Because inner peace does not depend on external conditions; its
what remains when youve surrendered your ego and worries. Peace can be
found within you at any place and at any time. Its always there, patiently
waiting for you to turn your attention toward it. Peace of mind arrives the
moment you come to peace with whats on your mind. It happens when you
let go of the need to be anywhere but where you are, physically and
emotionally. This acceptance of the way things are creates the foundation
for inner harmony. The need for something to be different in this moment is
nothing more than a worry, and worries simply lead you in circles.
Remember, the same part of you that longs for peace is the part of you that
experiences peace. It is not complicated to achieve and is as close as your
next thought.
Practice gratitude. What you must realize is that you dont really need
more; you just need to appreciate what you have. Its a beautiful and
bittersweet way of thinking all at once. If you dont have what you want now,
you dont have what you want, but you still have enough. Be thankful for
what is, and also be thankful for what has not yet come to you. For that
means there are still many possibilities available. Find peace in the thought

that you cant ever have it all or know it all either. You are always just a
fraction of the whole. For if you werent, there would be nothing more to
experience. Value what you know, and also value the countless things you
dont yet understand. For in what you dont understand, there is the joy of
growth. Life will always be incomplete and a bit asymmetrical. Realize this
and embrace it. Be happy and sad at the same time, be hungry and
thankful at the same time, be nervous and excited at the same time, and be
OK with it.
Reframe your struggles as growing pains. Remind yourself that theres
scarcely any happiness, passion or success without struggle. If the road is
easy, youre likely going the wrong way. Everything that happens helps you
grow, even if its hard to see right now. Circumstances will direct you,
correct you, and perfect you over time. Sometimes these circumstances
knock you down, hard. There will be times when it seems like everything
that could possibly go wrong is going wrong. And you might feel like you will
be stuck in this rut forever, but you wont. When you feel like quitting,
remember that sometimes things have to go very wrong before they can be
right. Sometimes you have to go through the worst, to arrive at your best.
Because our most significant opportunities are often found in times of great
difficulty. Thus, you will face your greatest opposition when you are closest
to your biggest miracle.
Look for the beginning in every ending. Everything in life has to come to
an end sometime. Its important to acknowledge and accept the end of an
era to walk away sensibly when something has reached its conclusion.
Closing the door, turning the page, moving on, etc. It doesnt matter what
you call it; what matters is that you leave the past where it belongs so you
can enjoy the life thats still available to be lived. This ending is not THE
END, its just your life beginning again in a new way. Its a point in your
story where one chapter fades into the next. Take a look at the first page of
this new chapter; its a beautiful one.
When all else fails, use your body. The mind reflects your body by
responding to its levels of tension, rate of breath, speed of movement and
mental focus. Likewise your body mirrors your thoughts, feelings, mood,
and responds to your state of mind, the questions you ask and the words
you speak. So if the mind and body are intrinsically connected meaning
that one has a direct affect on the other it becomes clear that if we directly

and consciously take control of one, it will influence and transform the
other. So by mindfully adjusting how you use your body you can directly
influence your state of mind, and dramatically transform your attitude. Just
imagine youre sitting there in a bad mood, shoulders hanging forward,
shallow breathing and frowning. Go ahead and do this right now to
experience how it influences your state of mind. And then do the opposite:
stand up straight and put a big smile on your face. Take some deep, strong
breaths and stretch your arms into the air. Notice how you feel better?
Bottom line: Take the vehicle your creator has given you and use it! Your
body is the best tool for changing your attitude in an instant.

This post was written by Marc and Angel. If you enjoyed it, make sure you
check out their site and sign up to their amazing newsletter.

Photo credit: Kren

20 Of The Greatest Words Of Wisdom Ever Spoken

http://earthweareone.com/20-of-the-greatest-words-of-wisdom-everspoken/
are some of the greatest words of wisdom that have ever been uttered:
1. You must be the change you wish to see in the world. Gandhi
2. When one door of happiness closes, another opens, but often we look so
long at the closed door that we do not see the one that has been opened for
us. Helen Keller
3. Challenges is what makes life interesting and overcoming them is what
makes life meaningful. Joshua J. Marine
4. Life is never made unbearable by circumstances, but only by lack of
meaning and purpose. Viktor Frankl

5. A mind that is stretched by a new experience can never go back to its old
dimensions. Oliver Wendell Holmes
6. Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated. Confucius
7. Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a
tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid. Albert Einstein
8. In seeking happiness for others, you will find it in yourself. Unknown
9. Time is too slow for those who wait, too swift for those who fear, too long
for those who grieve, too short for thosewho rejoice, but for those who love,
time is eternity. Henry van Dyke
10. I would rather die a meaningful death than to live a meaningless life.
Corazon Aquino
11. Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the
human freedomsto choose ones attitude in any given set of
circumstances, to choose ones own way. Viktor Frankl
12. Falling in love is not a choice. To stay in love is. Unknown
13. The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known
defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their
way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, sensitivity, and
an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a
deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen. Elisabeth
Kbler-Ross
14. The world as we have created it is a process of our thinking. It cannot
be changed without changing our thinking. Albert Einstein
15. He who fears he will suffer, already suffers because he fears. Michel
De Montaigne
16. Success is stumbling from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm.
Winston Churchill

17. True success is overcoming the fear of being unsuccessful. Paul

Sweeney
18. The only way that we can live is if we grow. The only way we can grow is
if we change. The only way we can change is if we learn. The only way we
can learn is if we are exposed. And the only way that we are exposed is if we
throw ourselves into the open. C. Joybell
19. A life spent making mistakes is not only more honorable, but more
useful than a life spent doing nothing. George Bernhard Shaw
20. Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift of God, which
is why we call it the present. Bil Keane
Via: The Unbounded Spirit

How to Recognize An Energy Vampire And What To Do About It

http://earthweareone.com/how-to-recognize-an-energy-vampire-and-whatto-do-about-it/
dzgjfxjby Jocelyn Daher

I will start off by saying that everyone that is reading this article has most
likely had an experience with an energy vampire living in the type of society
we do today.

All of us experiencing this at different levels, whether it be a relationship

where you were so manipulated you started questioning your own sanity.
Having to scribe and keep track of each moment because this person was
convicting you the sky was actually purple or simply a friend or coworker
not being happy for fortunate moments within your life. It is the feeling of
being drained of your energy, your natural joy and life force by someone

around you. You can feel them deliberately or unintentionally sapping and
mutating their surroundings into negativity.

Our main mission here on this planet is to love one another. To join hands
and head and build the higher vibration to shake away all that is lacking.
This energy sapping feeling has to start somewhere in my opinion,
originating from a general expectation for the other person (the energy
vampire) to share this feeling, this mission of mutual elation.

Our main mission here on this planet is to love one another. To join hands
and head and build the higher vibration to shake away all that is lacking.
This energy sapping feeling has to start somewhere in my opinion,
originating from a general expectation for the other person (the energy
vampire) to share this feeling, this mission of mutual elation. The current
societal construct has been built on the opposite ideology telling us
unconsciously on a daily basis since birth, that when we do not get the
emotional energy we need (that should be from sharing) we must then go
into dominating or competing with others. An unconscious competition for
energy underlies all energy vampire conflicts. By dominating or
manipulating others, they get the extra energy they think they need. It feels
good to them but both parties are damaged in the conflict. The truth is
always inherently looming though, that we never have to control, overpower
or manipulate anyone or any situation because each person has a direct line
to source energy, the most abundant and powerful source of energy there
is.The current societal construct has been built on the opposite ideology
telling us unconsciously on a daily basis since birth, that when we do not
get the emotional energy we need (that should be from sharing) we must
then go into dominating or competing with others. An unconscious
competition for energy underlies all energy vampire conflicts. By dominating
or manipulating others, they get the extra energy they think they need. It
feels good to them but both parties are damaged in the conflict. The truth is
always inherently looming though, that we never have to control, overpower
or manipulate anyone or any situation because each person has a direct line
to source energy, the most abundant and powerful source of energy there is.

So what are the different types of psychic vampires and how do you spot
them?

Poor mes make us feel guilty and responsible for them.

This is the person that if you have the flu they have had it way worse than
you or even the one who constantly has the bad relationship, financial state,
and some looming affliction to top it off. Isnt it coincidental that the ones
who have not been awakened to their line to source are also sick, broke and
out of luck-love? Or is that a coincidence at all? These people I see the most
frequently but are also the least harmful as most are doing it from a nonmalicious and most of the time unconscious standpoint. Although I have
experienced some who this is the tip of the iceberg to reel you in to the
layers of manipulation tactics to have you as their constant victim and host.
When you dont show up for their pity party this will come full swing with
their arsenal of guilt trips to try to sap energy and attention. Always try to
keep in mind this poor me attitude simply stems from not receiving enough
love from within.

The Aloof sap energy by showing indifference.

This person is the one who is the too cool for school guy or gal that will
indirectly without saying This person is the one who is the too cool for
school guy or gal that will indirectly without saying anything make you
question whether what you are doing should be celebrated at all. They
wallow in their indifference just long enough to psychologically affect your
processes to where the tables and attention is turned towards them instead
of your original source of joy. This is the guy who is completely but quietly
disgusted by the raise you just got or the amazing lesson you have learned
in life and want to share. There is also a siphoning feeling from what you are
doing to them because their main tactic is to stop the flow of energy as a
control mechanism.anything make you question whether what you are doing
should be celebrated at all. They wallow in their indifference just long

enough to psychologically affect your processes to where the tables and

attention is turned towards them instead of your original source of joy. This
is the guy who is completely but quietly disgusted by the raise you just got
or the amazing lesson you have learned in life and want to share. There is
also a siphoning feeling from what you are doing to them because their main
tactic is to stop the flow of energy as a control mechanism.

Interrogators drain energy by judging and questioning.

These people are the ones who are incessantly and persistently intent to be
right at all cost. Therefore it could be something that is generally known and
they counteract what you are saying by simply wording different or more
precise. These are the ones who are constantly stepping on your heels to try
to get one imaginary (non-existent) step ahead of you by cutting you down
and proving you wrong. Their objective is control and ego boosting since
this is coming from insecurity. Their tactic is to form a mental separation
from the universal truth and to have you question your inner compass and
knowing so that they can be in control over you, themselves and the
surrounding situation.

Intimidators steal energy from others by threat or fear.

In my opinion this is the deepest embedding vampire and the most

sophisticated. This person needs to get close enough to know your personal
fears to use them against you. This is a very primal, reptilian brain tactic
that if you are in fear then they hold the steering wheel to your decisions
and life force energy. This tactic is not to be taken lightly and often follows
with a bribing system. For example: If you dont do this you will compromise
your or others safety. You wouldnt want that would you? Very malicious.
Very deliberate. Perhaps showing the mirror of what the true comfort to any
situation would be instead of the fear. In my opinion, separation or ignoring
is the best counter for this one.

Naturally the next question to ask would be:

How do I protect myself from energy vampires?

I always use this easy three step system:

1. Try to uplift the vampire to a higher vibration.

All things either come from love or are a cry for love. If the person trying to
sap energy from you is All things either come from love or are a cry for love.
If the person trying to sap energy from you is looking for love which is the
feeling of connection to their own line to source then remind them of this.
Whether it be through an act of kindness or simply offering words of
empowerment to their situation. This technique works the best for the poor
me type.looking for love which is the feeling of connection to their own line
to source then remind them of this. Whether it be through an act of
kindness or simply offering words of empowerment to their situation. This
technique works the best for the poor me type.

2. If they are resistant to the vibration raising, you can always protect
yourself.

If you try to offer them love, they resist this process you can always go into
protection mode. Most people see this as building a wall, shutting down or
visualizing a bubble of white light surrounding you. While I think the
visualization is handy because it brings you back to your own line of
connection and remembrance that you are a powerful extension of source,
this is just a band-aid over the splinter from my perspective. Since it is only
a temporary fix to the situation, if you want to keep this person around. The
situation get sticky because we have expectations and they are
understandable and universal expectations. This expectation is to share in
the building and acceleration of the collective consciousness. We have made

an agreement and it feels good to share good vibrations with other people to
help raise humanity to ascension. Therefore when an energy vampire starts
sapping your open energy instead of joining in to build the frequency, you
give them open access becoming the victim. This is only because we lower
our vibration in disappointment because of their reaction or action. We can
stop this access by not being a victim of expectation, we simply expect the
opposite for this person (to continue with the same energy draining behavior
patterns). Recognizing that this is independent of our personal experience.
You then can see that you have to be on the same frequency of an energy
vampire to even become the host.

Another tactic would be a healing exercise I like to do when I am offended

or feel let down by someone which is to ask myself what false belief I am
holding to allow myself to feel let down to begin with. I go into this in great
detail in my article How to Protect Yourself as an Empath if you would like to
know more about this healing pathway.

3. Cut ties of communication or simply ignore them.

Lastly and I say this because I truly believe we are here as mirrors for one
another to help heal one another through sharing but if this person is
persistent enough to be causing you mental and even physical anguish then
it is time to separate yourself whether you do that physically or mentally.
Start focusing on the type of relationships you would like to surround
yourself with and build your environment up with the frequencies you would
like to be vibrating at, this is indirectly energy vampire repellent for two
reasons.

One is that energy vampires need a reaction or your negative attention to

continue being vampiric and two they need to have you be in the frequency
of being the victim. So in my opinion it is useless to try to justify yourself by
teaming up with others against this person like a good guy-bad guy
scenario because lets be honest this is multidimensional. Everyone is

neither all good or all bad, we are just in different levels of healing and
perception. If you start to focus on what you want and less of what they are
doing, you will be surprised at what ease these people disappear. When you
listen to your inner heart compass, your connection to source, you will be
surprised at what power you have over them because the truth is there is
no higher power than another. There is no control, only oneness. Just keep
following your joy.

Also see: All About Shadow People

To sum all of this up, the dynamics to any vampiric situation are quite
simple as you can see, they start trying to draw energy from you, you start
to feel the drama from their control tactic which temporarily leads you away
from that sweet connection point to source. The more you partake in One is
that energy vampires need a reaction or your negative attention to continue
being vampiric and two they need to have you be in the frequency of being
the victim. So in my opinion it is useless to try to justify yourself by teaming
up with others against this person like a good guy-bad guy scenario
because lets be honest this is multidimensional. Everyone is neither all
good or all bad, we are just in different levels of healing and perception. If
you start to focus on what you want and less of what they are doing, you will
be surprised at what ease these people disappear. When you listen to your
inner heart compass, your connection to source, you will be surprised at
what power you have over them because the truth is there is no higher
power than another. There is no control, only oneness. Just keep following
your joy.their lower vibration the more power you give them.

No one wants to admit it but the truth is we have ALL been energy vampires
at one point or another because we have been programmed to gain energy
through childhood traumas and societal programming rather than the
abundant all oneness. The scale and frequency to which we perform energy
vampirism is unique to each person but the first step to healing humanity it
to remind ourselves and others that we are not only loved but a channel for
the universal all knowing, all powerful interconnected source. We should

dive deep and become aware of the subtle energies around us and try to
understand where the false belief is within your subconscious to cause this
to situation to arise, then once recognized replacing it with the truth. When
we do this there is just not any time or space for anything other than
soaking up those warm, yummy, joyful frequencies. Radiating and sharing
these accelerating frequencies with everyone surrounding within this
universal now moment.

This article was inspired by the book The Celestine Prophecy. To learn more
about this book and the entire 9 insights, check out Spirit Science episode
14 below:
12 Ways To Calm The Overactive Mind
1. Eliminate the clutter
The easiest way is to eliminate the clutter. What are the themes to your
overactive thoughts? Many of these thoughts are related to money issues
and our economic subservience to the system of control. Perhaps its time
for a change in jobs or to find a job that you truly love to do? The easiest
way to determine this is to ask yourself, If there was no such thing as
money, then what would I be doing with my life? After having fun or
traveling, you would eventually do something you love to do. At this point,
try to find ways of doing this, even if it means working a job that you hate
while doing this new activity on the side. The worst case scenario is that you
spent time doing something you love to do and helped to eliminate the
clutter from the overactive mind. The best case scenario is that you will find
ways to make an income from it and will be able to quit your present job.
2. Stop watching TV
The television is the biggest form of mind control and plays a large part on
what we think and how we perceive life. In the United States, the entire
mainstream media (TV, radio, newspapers, magazines, text books, etc) is
owned by 6 corporations, all of which have Zionist connections. Is it
remotely possible that there is an agenda behind their programming? Ask
yourself this: During World War II, Precott Bush was arrested for funding
both sides of the war, yet we never learned this in school. Why? Do you

think his son, George H.W. or grandson, George W. would have been elected
president if we were taught this in school?
Your entire thought process of who you are, what you should wear, what you
listen to, what you eat or drink, etc is being manipulated through the
mainstream media. Your overactive mind will continue to process, judge,
compare and contrast that which you are being sold as reality to what is
actually real. If you continue to watch TV, then you will continue to buy into
a false sense of reality which, in turn, will reinforce your current thought
processes and inability to fall asleep peaceably at night. Even when you fall
asleep, your dreams will be affected by that of which predominates your
thought patterns. Once you learn how to declutter your mind, you will find
that your dreams are no longer fear based and at times, will be prophetic.
3. Meditate
One of the biggest excuses that people will give as to why they do not
meditate is they dont have the time.
According the the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Watching TV was the leisure
activity that occupied the most time (2.8 hours per day), accounting for about
half of leisure time, on average, for those age 15 and over. Socializing, such as
visiting with friends or attending or hosting social events, was the next most
common leisure activity, accounting for nearly three-quarters of an hour per
day.
What this statistic is saying is that people would much rather be
programmed by TV than to visit friends and neighbors. It also says that
they would much rather be, literally, programmed than to use that time
constructively, meditating.
Another excuse of why people dont meditate is that they have an overactive
mind and have difficulty clearing their predominant thoughts.
There are many different styles of meditation, so one should experiment
with as many as possible and either find a method that is conducive to
eliminating the clutter or to create one where they are able to find that
inner peace.

The meditation that I recommend to those with an overactive mind is called

an Open Eye Meditation where you place two objects approximately 6 feet
away from you and each other. While trying to focus on these objects, your
mind will not be able to process any other thoughts. I also suggest to try
this technique for more than 5 minutes, as many people will easily give up
too quickly.
4. Remove the ego
Many people will live their entire lives never knowing who they truly are
while pretending to be what society expects them to be. Once again, these
irrational thoughts are reinforced by the mainstream media. Ultimately, we
are spiritual beings having a human experience and our bodies are just
shells for our souls. Once you begin to accept this concept, you will then
begin to realize how we are all connected.
A good way to learn how to remove the ego is to practice empathy by
envisioning how other people may feel.
Through empathy, you will see how our egos help to keep us separated as
individuals instead of a collective consciousness. For example, many people
are too detached from worldwide atrocities, such as famine and starvation in
third world countries. They may think to themselves, If it doesnt affect me,
then it doesnt exist. What if it was YOU who was starving? Would you
want others to know or care or would you prefer to have people say to
themselves, If it doesnt affect me, then it doesnt exist. The truth is that
we are all in this together and if one person is suffering, then we all suffer.
5. Your body is your temple
Diets that are high in sugar and caffeine content may affect your thought
processes. Fluoridated water has been proven to calcify the pineal gland
(your 3rd eye). GMOs have been proven to cause tumors in laboratory
testing of rats. Too much alcohol will generally magnify any issues you are
thinking about, so try to avoid excessive alcohol consumption if you have an
overactive mind. Avoid stimulants.

Be conscious about what you are eating and drinking because these all play
into your vibratory level and will in turn, affect how you think or what youre
thinking about.
Most importantly, listen to your body. If you are experiencing heartburn,
then eat more high alkaline foods instead of taking an antacid. On your day
off, if you are tired, take a nap no matter what time of the day it is. Your
body will always tell you when it is out of synch, so listen to it!
6. Exercise
They say a healthy body is a healthy mind, so if you are physically able to,
then find ways to integrate exercise into your daily routine.
7. Escape time
On your day(s) off, learn how to escape time. In this article, Ill show you 9
ways on how to do this! Time keeps us locked into the constructs of the
work week so on your day off, dont look at your cell phone, dont watch TV
(TV is all scheduled on time) and just wing it in regard to any activities
for that day. Try not to place any time constraints on this particular days
activities.
By escaping time, you are also getting away from the matrix that keeps us
all entrapped as economic slaves to the system, so this will help to eliminate
the overactive minds thought process by giving it one less thing to think
about.
The next time you have a week vacation, try listening to your body as to
when to go to sleep for the entire week. If you feel like taking a nap at 3PM,
do it! Stay up as late as you want and go to bed when your body tells you
that it is time to sleep. Youll find that you will be able to fall asleep easier
and much faster when you listen to your body.
8. Have fun!
Start doing things that you truly enjoy to do. Let your mind focus on fun
instead of trivial items that are out of your ability to control. Youll find that
your thought patterns will change drastically when you are doing things you
enjoy.

9. Release the need to control everything

Many people with overactive minds have the need to remain in control of
most everything in their lives. it is very difficult for a controlling person to
relinquish control because they might feel that if they do not have control
over their circumstances, then they have no control over themselves, which
is not true. Events will come and go whether you control them or not. All
you need to be is responsible for your own actions. When you begin to start
controlling other people, you are creating more things to be concerned about
which in turn will feed the overactive mind.
10. Start a journal and/or dream diary
One way to release the constant flow of thoughts is to start a journal or
dream diary. By simply putting it in writing, you can provide yourself with a
simple outlet to help eliminate the clutter in your mind.
11. Live in the now
The overactive mind is constantly thinking about the past or future. By
living in the now you will be able to release that of which you cannot
control. This doesnt mean that you instantly become unaware of what has
happened or what is about to happen. It is more of a realization that the
past cannot change and the future hasnt occurred, so why waste time
thinking about either?
12. Connect with nature
Find the time to connect with nature, whether its taking a long walk in the
woods or at the beach or where ever brings you inner peace while being
immersed in nature. While in nature, try not to think about every day life
and simply appreciate what nature provides. Try listening to the cadence of
the wind or from a babbling brook. What animal or bird sounds do you
hear?
The Elephant and the Fly
A disciple and his teacher were walking through the forest. The disciple was
disturbed by the fact that his mind was in constant unrest.

He asked his teacher: Why most peoples minds are restless, and only a few
possess a calm mind? What can one do to still the mind?
The teacher looked at the disciple, smiled and said:
I will tell you a story. An elephant was standing and picking leaves from a
tree. A small fly came, flying and buzzing near his ear. The elephant waved it
away with his long ears. Then the fly came again, and the elephant waved it
away once more.
This was repeated several times. Then the elephant asked the fly:
Why are you so restless and noisy? Why cant you stay for a while in one
place?
The fly answered: I am attracted to whatever I see, hear or smell. My five
senses, and everything that happens around me, pull me constantly in all
directions, and I cannot resist them. What is your secret? How can you stay
so calm and still?
The elephant stopped eating and said:
My five senses do not rule my attention. I am in control of my attention,
and I can direct it wherever I want. This helps me to get immersed in
whatever I do, and therefore, keep my mind focused and calm. Now that I am
eating, I am completely immersed in eating. In this way, I can enjoy my food
and chew it better. I control my attention, and not the other way around,
and this helps me stay peaceful.
Upon hearing these words, the disciples eyes opened wide, and a smile
appeared on his face. He looked at his teacher and said:
I understand! My mind will be in constant unrest, if my five senses, and
whatever is happening in the world around me are in control of it. On the
other hand, if I am in command of my five senses, able to disregard sense
impressions, my mind would become calm, and I will be able to disregard its
restlessness.

Yes, thats right, answered the teacher, The mind is restless and goes
wherever the attention is. Control your attention, and you control your
mind.
~ Remez Sasson
Balance
An overactive mind is a sign of imbalance and can be corrected but one
must want to see the change within themselves in order for this to occur.
There is a saying, As within, so without. If your body needs rest, then so
does your mind. If your mind is constantly processing activities, events and
possible scenarios, it will resist sleep by continuing this process, despite
your body telling you that you are tired. This is why it is so important to
listen to your body.
By eliminating the clutter, you will find that in the worst case scenario, you
will continue using your overactive mind in a positive way without fear or the
need to control others. You will also have an increased sense of intuition, an
easier time falling asleep and your dreams will become more prophetic.
About the Author:
Gregg Prescott, M.S. is the founder and editor of In5D andBodyMindSoulSpirit.
He hosts a weekly spiritual show on In5D Radio and promotes spiritual,
metaphysical and esoteric conferences in the United States
through In5dEvents. Gregg is currently working in collaboration withMichelle
Walling, CHLC, in opening a holistic walk-in clinic called Alternative Holistic
Healthcare (AHH) in Sarasota, FL with subsequent subsidiaries around the
world based upon this model.

These 28 carefully selected words of wisdom

truly are some of the most powerful and wisest quotes ever written.
Here they are

1. Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a

tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid. Albert Einstein
2. Before you diagnose yourself with depression or low self-esteem, first
make sure that you are not, in fact, just surrounded by assholes.
Sigmund Freud
3. In seeking happiness for others, you will find it in yourself. Unknown
4. Love is a verb. Love the feeling is a fruit of love, the verb. Stephen
Covey
5. Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the
human freedomsto choose ones attitude in any given set of
circumstances, to choose ones own way. Viktor Frankl
6. He who fears he will suffer, already suffers because he fears. Michel De
Montaigne
7. Success is stumbling from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm.
Winston Churchill
8. You must be the change you wish to see in the world. Gandhi
9. When one door of happiness closes, another opens, but often we look so
long at the closed door that we do not see the one that has been opened for
us. Helen Keller
10. Challenges is what makes life interesting and overcoming them is what
makes life meaningful. Joshua J. Marine
11. If you want happiness for an hour take a nap. If you want happiness
for a day go fishing. If you want happiness for a year inherit a fortune. If
you want happiness for a life time help someone else. Chinese proverb
12. Life is never made unbearable by circumstances, but only by lack of
meaning and purpose. Viktor Frankl
13. A mind that is stretched by a new experience can never go back to its
old dimensions. Oliver Wendell Holmes

14. Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.

Confucius
15. Many people are passionate, but because of their limiting beliefs about
who they are and what they can do, they never take actions that could make
their dream a reality Anthony Robins
16. True success is overcoming the fear of being unsuccessful. Paul
Sweeney
17. The only way that we can live is if we grow. The only way we can grow is
if we change. The only way we can change is if we learn. The only way we
can learn is if we are exposed. And the only way that we are exposed is if we
throw ourselves into the open. C. Joybell
18. If you dont like something, change it. If you cant change it, change the
way you think about it. Mary Engelbreit
19. A life spent making mistakes is not only more honorable, but more
useful than a life spent doing nothing. George Bernhard Shaw
20. Time is too slow for those who wait, too swift for those who fear, too
long for those who grieve, too short for those who rejoice, but for those who
love, time is eternity. Henry van Dyke
21. I would rather die a meaningful death than to live a meaningless life.
Corazon Aquino
22. God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the
courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.
Reinhold Niebuhr
23. Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with
the intent to reply. Stephen Covey
24. We think sometimes that poverty is only being hungry, naked and
homeless. The poverty of being unwanted, unloved and uncared for is the
greatest poverty. We must start in our own homes to remedy this kind of
poverty. Mother Theresa

25. Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift of God, which

is why we call it the present. Bil Keane
26. Falling in love is not a choice. To stay in love is. Unknown
27. The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known
defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their
way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, sensitivity, and
an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a
deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen. Elisabeth
Kbler-Ross
28. The world as we have created it is a process of our thinking. It cannot
be changed without changing our thinking. Albert Einstein
How To Deal With People Who Always Ask For Advice (But Never Take It)
http://earthweareone.com/how-to-deal-with-people-who-always-ask-foradvice-but-never-take-it/
Have you ever had a friend or a person who comes to you in a constant state
of panic, looking for advice in regards to problems in any given area of life?
Perhaps a close friend, acquaintance, or member of the opposite sex who
appears to be more interested in ranting about and perpetuating their
problems than actually solving them?
Does this person seem to come to you constantly, seeking help, sympathy,
and all sorts of emotional drama while NEVER taking the sage advice you
dispense to them time and time again?
If youve answered YES, then
You, My Friend, Are Dealing with an Askhole!
Do these people sound familiar to you?
You know, the types of people who come to you with a novel-sized story
about how other people treat them with disrespect and unfairness?

Yet despite how much solid, logical, and sound advice you give to them
they always come running back, clamoring over the same exact issues that
plague their unlucky existence?
You, my friend, are dealing with an askhole!
The askhole is an all-too-common breed of individual that remains
incredibly unconscious of the basic self-respect issues that are causing
them to run in circles, manifesting the same level of drama with the same
types of personalities.
Its funny that such personalities typically seek to use the Law of
Attraction to their advantage, yet cant seem to understand why they keep
attracting the same flavor of drama over and over and over
If youve ever had any doubts about our reality being a learning
program/gym for consciousness and growth, simply observe how these
people continue to attract the same types of lessons through their
repetitive choosing of the same types of experiences.
Youll learn more about yourself from simply observing these
people than theyll ever learn from your genuine concern and compassion for
them.
And its precisely that genuine concern and compassion that you need to
learn to cut these people off from.
Theyve proven time and time again that they dont actually respect your
efforts to help them.
It would be unwise to place bets on this time being the time they finally
change.
This is because they are self-loathing-emotional-addicts (very, very low
vibrational states to occupy), and your compassion actually places you
closer to the role of an enabler than a helping hand.
You may not have been aware of it initially, but by feeling the need to help
these types of people, you not only enable their low-conscious behavior but

you also lose a bit of your higher vibrational energy in the process of
transfer.
Despite your best efforts, this is why youll notice yourself feeling emotionally
spent after just being around one of these types of personalities for long
enough.
This is Actually a Form of Self-Abuse
Ever notice how people only want you to tell the truth when it either
gets YOU into trouble, and/or benefits them in some way but never when it
inconveniences them?
Double standards are a dead giveaway that someone is in need of an
expansion of consciousness, whether it be you or another party.
The horribly shallow, empty, disconnected feeling you acquire upon helping
someone in a victim state of consciousness is the result of said energy
transfer/loss. Youve just been robbed (more accurately taxed) of your
precious high-vibrational energy by doing something that you would
otherwise assume to be unconditionally loving.
However, this is a trap, especially for people who blindly adopt and
accept New Age information absolutely and without question:
The belief that you only attract that with which you resonate is absolutely
and fundamentally true, but the same freewill that allows you to respond to
any given situation is also active through people of a lower-vibrational
frequency, who are metaphysically drawn to those who behave almost like
beacons for higher-consciousness energy states.
Simply put: the more conscious and empowered you yourself become, the
more you will attract people who will attempt to siphon your light to
expand their own.
This is quite literally the metaphysical equivalent of spiritual panhandling.
Such people want all the answers and results, but dont want to put in the
work for themselves to get there.

You may have heard the term energy vampire in regards to this
phenomena. Parasitic personalities whom are given all the guidance in the
world, yet still refuse to take responsibility for the actions that continue to
perpetuate their misery.
This is because theyre unconscious of the fact that they prefer attention
over solutions to problems, because the constant flow
of attention validates their fragile personality.
They prefer to cling to the misery that gives them identity, because they
refuse to embrace who they actually are.
In order to break this circuit of energy robbery at your expense, you have
to give these people an opportunity to become more conscious of
themselves by becoming a learning lesson for them.
You have to cut these people off completely.
This may initially seem very counterintuitive, but this is honestly and
truthfully the best and most selfless thing you can do to maximize the
learning potential for both people involved.
It not only spares you from spending precious energy that you could be
using to provide value to people who genuinely appreciate your efforts
elsewhere but it creates a break in that persons expectations, and might
just cause enough of a jarring disconnect to shake some sense into their
consciousness!
The Solution? Tell Them Exactly What They DONT Want to Hear!
Your only obligation in this universe is to become the best possible version of
yourself so that you can serve from your highest, most exciting passion in a
way that directly serves others and inspires them to do the same.
You cant do this if youve got people clawing at your ankles because
they refuse to think for themselves and overcome their own unconscious
insecurities.
So, hit them right square between the eyes, and let them know that its
completely their fault because it is.

If that last line seems cold-hearted to you, check and verify that you
yourself are not an askhole.
You are in no way obligated to continue to help people who refuse to take
your advice, and grow themselves in the process. Your obligation then shifts
to making it bluntly obvious that you will not tolerate these people in
your reality.
Im fully aware that this advice sounds harsh, cold, and very un-loving all
things which appear to be the exact opposite of someone who claims to be
enlightened and unconditionally loving.
However, recognize that people are robbing you of energy that could be
better used to help people who are actually in the market for improving their
lives; not for the tire kickers who want everything for free (and then some).
The most loving thing you can do is let them know they need to go elsewhere
to complain and that youll give them one more final push at self-growth.
If you cant think of anything to say to such a person, use the following
script as a guideline:
Your relationship is becoming parasitic, and is draining me of my creative
energy. Ive tried to help you plenty of times in the past, but you keep
repeating the same mistakes. Theres nothing more I can do for you until you
learn to help yourself. Until then, you are taking up time that could be
better spent helping people who actually want to grow and overcome their
problems. Dont waste your time trying to contact me if youre not serious
about growth, because I will only be telling you the things you dont want to
hear from now on, as thats the only thing that will really help you grow.
Maybe if you became a little more aware of how you seem to enjoy
complaining more than growing, youll change. Eventually youre going to
run out of people to complain to, and youll be forced to grow. Have a nice
day.
Conclusion: Stop Feeding NOW
This is no exaggeration; Ive said the above script almost word for word to
multiple people (who always seem to rotate into my life and reality at

particular times of the year), who are always complaining about the same
level of problem. My boyfriend is so and so or My co-workers keep
instigating this and that.
However, the deeper truth and wisdom embedded in this situation contains
a source of incredible self-empowerment for those who are conscious enough
to grasp it.
All there are are lessons for consciousness to experience itself and grow in
the process.
You can either allow people of a lower vibrational pattern (which theyre
choosing, consciously or unconsciously) to lull you into an artificial state of
sympathy and milk you dry of your precious energy (thereby teaching you
more about yourself and where youre currently most unconsciously
vulnerable), or you can choose to become conscious of this ahead of time,
and teach THEM a lesson that will afford THEM the opportunity to grow.
Tough love is still love, regardless of whether the other person is conscious
enough to get it on that level.
The individual portions of ourselves who refuse to take responsibility for
their actions yet expect others to pick up the slack need to be cut off
from the level of emotional feeding that enables them to continue on with
their addiction.
You may have been so caught up with your moral conflict of right and wrong
in regards to handling this type of situation, that you may have missed the
fact that in doing so, you yourself are growing!
Youre taking in more information and integrating more variables of which
you previously were not accountable for. This is the process of conscious
expansion and growth; the integration of knowledge and direct experience
that catalyzes the source energy present in all things.
Your mission may appear to come through as tough love on some days, but
recognize that tough love is the language necessary for those who refuse to
speak and communicate beyond the bounds of their lower-vibrational
experience.

Refuse to be dragged down, and demand they rise up to more

conscious levels of experience!
Have the courage to live and choose consciously and unconditionally, and be
an example for others to do the same!
Also, in case you were wondering throughout the article heres 5 Signs
that YOU Might be An Askhole
About the author:
Jason Demakis a frequent Expanded Consciousness contributing writer.
Read more of Jasons articles HERE. Jason is best known for his writings of
consciousness and meditation, and has profound knowledge in each.
Website: http://www.jasondemakis.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jasondemakis
Email: JasonDemakis@Gmail.co

6 Ways To Train Your Mind To Stay Positive

http://earthweareone.com/6-ways-to-train-your-mind-to-stay-positive/
ts easy to become discouraged when we encounter setbacks on the way to
our goals. When we fall off the horse, it can often be hard to stay positive
and try again. However, the only way we will ever finish the race is by getting
back on and moving forward.
Here are a few ways to deal with setbacks optimistically when you feel doubt
start to creep in. By training your mind to focus on these thoughts, you will
begin to give yourself the motivation you need to keep taking steps toward
your goal:
1. Remember the payoff: In times where you feel particularly down about
your obstacles and setbacks, its a good idea to remind yourself of why you
are reaching for this goal in the first place.

Why do you want it? How will you feel when you finally achieve it? Giving up
on a dream is harder to do when you take a moment to remind yourself of
the payoff.
2. See your setback as a lesson: Life is full of twists and turns, and you
can rest assured that whatever setback you are experiencing in the moment
is preparing you for another bend ahead in the road. Dont see your setback
as a failure, but rather as an opportunity to learn something you need to
know to be successful in the future.
To really internalize this idea, look back into your past for old setbacks and
see if you can identify how those struggles ultimately helped you get to
where you are today.
3. Play the odds game: When you start to feel like your dream might not
come true, look for evidence in the world that dreams come true all of the
time!
How many people in history do you think have reached a goal that at first
seemed impossible? How many times have you or someone youve known
achieved a goal that was at first a long shot?
Before you chalk up a dream to be impossible, remind yourself of just how
possible it is for any of us to achieve one.
4. Remember that all the fun is in the journey: Sure, you may really want
to get that new job/home/relationship right this minute, but the excitement
of getting it will start to die down once you have it! The process of getting to
where you want to be (the searching, the dreaming and the planning) is
really where the fun is.
For example, if youre enjoying a good book, once youre done with it the fun
will be gone! The real excitement is always in the process, rather than the
end game.
When you encounter a setback, tell yourself that this is the universes way of
giving you more time to enjoy the journey.

5. Remind yourself that the longer it takes, the better it will

be: Although we may think that we would like for all of our dreams to
manifest right now, life would be pretty boring if everything we wanted
materialized instantly. Without a challenge there is no feeling of victory.
When you are up against some hard obstacles, pat yourself on the back. You
are working towards something that will make you feel like you are on top of
the world when you finally achieve it!
6. Take ownership of your dream: Remember, this is YOUR dream. If
anyone can achieve it, its you. You thought it up, and youve started moving
in the direction of it. If it wasnt possible, you never would have dreamt it up
in the first place.
Remind yourself of this quote when you feel your confidence slipping: If not
us, who? If not now, when?
Staying optimistic is the only way you will ever achieve a big dream. In times
when you are feeling discouraged, you can gain a little perspective by
focusing on these thoughts. By thinking positive, you will continue to move
forward. Success will be imminent.
Remember, we all have dreams and we all experience setbacks. Theres
nothing wrong with you and theres no reason why you cant get what you
want out of life. Train your mind to face adversity with optimism, and you
will become a person who can make any dream come true.
About the Author: Andrea Schulman is a former high school psychology
teacher and the creator of Raise Your Vibration Today, which offers daily
Law of Attraction advice. To learn more about Andrea or Raise Your
Vibration Today please follow
her blog, Facebook page, Twitter (@Vibration1111)
or Instagram (@andrea.11.11)
Credit: Expanded Consciousness

Spiritual Quotes From Psychologist Carl Jung

Carl Gustav Jung was a Swiss psychiatrist, influential thinker, and founder
of analytical psychology.

Jungs unique and broadly influential approach to psychology has

emphasized understanding the psyche through exploring the worlds of
dreams, art, mythology, world religion and philosophy.

Although he was a theoretical psychologist and practicing clinician for most

of his life, much of his lifes work was spent exploring other realms including
Eastern and Western philosophy, alchemy, astrology, sociology, as well as
literature and the arts.

His most notable contributions include his concept of the psychological

archetype, the collective unconscious, and his theory of synchronicity. Jung
emphasized the importance of balance and harmony.

He cautioned that modern humans rely too heavily on science and logic and
would benefit from integrating spirituality and appreciation of the
unconscious realm.

Jungian ideas are not typically included in curriculum of most major

universities psychology departments, but are occasionally explored in
humanities departments.

Jungs work on himself and his patients convinced him that life has a
spiritual purpose beyond material goals. Our main task, he believed, is to
discover and fulfill our deep innate potential.

Based on his study of Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism, Gnosticism,

Taoism, and other traditions, Jung believed that this journey of
transformation, which he called individuation, is at the mystical heart of all
religions.

It is a journey to meet the self and at the same time to meet the Divine.
Unlike Sigmund Freud, Jung thought spiritual experience was essential to
our well-being.

The work and writings of Jung from the 1940s onwards focused on alchemy.

In 1944 Jung published Psychology and Alchemy, where he analyzed the

alchemical symbols and showed a direct relationship to the psychoanalytical
process.[b]

He argued that the alchemical process was the transformation of the impure
soul (lead) to perfected soul (gold), and a metaphor for the individuation
process.

Spirituality Quotes From Carl Jung

Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you
will call it fate.

Everything that irritates us about others can lead us to an understanding of

ourselves.

As far as we can discern, the sole purpose of human existence is to kindle a

light in the darkness of mere being.

The shoe that fits one person pinches another; there is no recipe for living
that suits all cases.

Your vision will become clear only when you look into your heart. Who looks
outside, dreams. Who looks inside, awakens.

It is on the whole probably that we continually dream, but that

consciousness makes such a noise that we do not hear it.

We meet ourselves time and time again in a thousand disguises on the path
of life.

Reference: In5D
7 Negative People You Need To Ignore

By Marc and Angel

Sadly, some people are so entrenched in seeing the negative side of things
that they leave zero room for positive things to grow. People like this inhabit
our families, work environments and social circles. It can be emotionally
draining just being around them, and you must be careful because their
negative attitudes and opinions are venomous and contagious. Negativity
perpetuates itself, breeds dissatisfaction and clutters the mind. And when
the mind is cluttered with negativity, happiness is hard to come by.
Ignore these people and move on from them when you must. Seriously, be
strong and know when enough is enough! Letting go of negative people
doesnt mean you hate them, or that you wish them harm; it just means you
care about your own well-being. Because every time you subtract negative
from your life, you make room for more positive.

Here are seven such people you might need to put on your ignore list:
1. The hopelessly hostile drama queen.
Some people love to stir up controversy and drama for no apparent reason.
Dont buy in to their propaganda. Stay out of other peoples drama and
dont needlessly create your own.
Dont spew hostile words at someone who spews them at you. Keep your
composure and replace the stink of confrontation with the fragrance of
resolution. The louder the opposition wants to yell, and the more drama
they want to stir, the calmer and more confidently you need to think and
speak. Dont let them get to you.
Be an example of a pure existence; ignore their outlandish antics and focus
onkindness. Communicate and express yourself from a place of peace, from
a place of love, with the best intentions. Use your voice for good to inspire,
to encourage, to educate, and to spread the notions of compassion and
understanding.
When someone insists on foisting their hostility and drama on you, ignore
them and walk away.
2. The person you have failed to please a hundred times before.
Some people are impossible to please; you will not be able to break through
to them no matter what you do. Accept this harsh as a fact of life.
Throughout your lifetime some people will discredit you, disrespect you and
treat you poorly for no apparent reason at all. Dont consume yourself with
trying to change them or win their approval. And dont make any space in
your heart to hate them. Simply walk away and let karma deal with the
things they do, because any bit of time you spend on them will be wasted,
and any bit of hate and aggravation in your heart will only hurt you.
3. The naysayer who always dumps on your dreams.
Stop giving credit to those who discredit your dreams. These people are
punishing your potential by slowly extinguishing your inner flame with their
watered down vision of what you are capable of achieving.

If you give in and let their negativity convince you of who you are, their
madness will wither you away. You will morph into who they say you are,
rather than living honestly as yourself. In this way, these people will steal
your life from you. You will lose track of where their opinion ends and your
reality begins. Their fiction will become your lifes story.
What youre capable of is not a function of what others think is possible for
you. So look beyond their presumptions and mental limitations, and
connect with your own best vision of what YOU are capable of and how
YOUR life can be. Life, after all, is an open-ended journey, and 99% what
you achieve comes directly from what you work to achieve on a daily basis.
4. The manipulator.
Beware of manipulators, or bullies, who try to use their negativity to
intimidate and manipulate your thoughts. If you observe them from a
distance, you will realize that these people are often overly self-referential.
In other words, the people around them (YOU) fit into their plan simply
based on how they can be used or manipulated for their own personal gain.
These people routinely prioritize their own feelings and needs over and above
everyone elses. They will demand that you bend over to help them, but if,
heaven forbid, you need help, they will not be able to stand it.
Bottom line: Some people will say and do anything, thoughtlessly, to get
others to do what they want them to do. Do not accept this behavior as
normal. When someone tries to bully you, stand up for yourself and say,
Not so fast, buddy! Your delusion of superiority is your problem, not
mine. And if they refuse to reason with you, walk away without a fight.

5. The stubborn one who insists you should be someone else.

In the long run, its always better to be disrespected for who you are than
respected for who you are not. In fact, the only relationships that work well
are the ones that make you a better person without changing you into
someone other than yourself, and without preventing you from outgrowing
the person you used to be.

Unfortunately, families and old friends often fail to recognize how youve
changed and grown over the years. They also tend to label you in an unfair
way based on who you used to be; and its easy to end up conforming to
these labels because you remember when they were true. For example, Oh,
Marc always has his head in the clouds, or Angel never could focus on
anything for very long.
Whats important to remember is that youre the only person in the world
who knows whats happening inside your head right now. People who dont
know you well may assume youre someone else entirely. And people who
think they know you well may have pigeonholed you but you know theres
more to you than what they see.
When you ignore their opinions and decide to be who you are, instead of who
they want you to be, you open yourself up to real love, real happiness, and
real success. There is no need to put on a mask. There is no need to
pretend to be someone youre not.
You dont have control over what others think about you, but you do have
control over how you decide to internalize their opinions. Leave them to
their own judgments. Dont feel threatened and dont conform just to please
them. Let people love you for who you are, and not for who they want you to
be. Or let them walk away if they choose. They cant harm you either way;
its their understanding that is faulty, not yours.
6. The unforgiving friend who refuses to forgive you for your mistakes.
The most honorable thing is not to never make mistakes, but to admit to
them when you do make them, and then to follow through and do your best
to make the wrong things right.
Mistakes are part of growing. They are a natural part of every worthwhile
endeavor.
If someone refuses to support you as you grow beyond your past mistakes,
they are now the one thats making a mistake. Holding on to the
unchangeable past is a waste of energy and serves no purpose in creating a
better day today. If someone continuously judges you by your past, holds it

against you, and refuses to forgive you, you might have to repair your
present and future by leaving them behind.
7. The inner critic.
Boom! Wake-up call! Yes, sadly, the inner critic is inside YOU.
Unrelenting self-criticism often goes hand in hand with unhappiness and
anxiety, and its completely unjustified. There is no reason to be your own
biggest critic to harp on yourself for your shortcomings. All you really
need is the courage to be yourself. Your real value is rooted in who you are,
not who you arent.
The flaws you often see in yourself are only the qualities of your own
individuality. There is something unique and special about you. You are
different. You will never be as good as someone else, and they will never be
as good as you. Just as no two snowflakes are alike, your fingerprints are
different from every other being on Earth. You are meant to be different.
You are here to express who you are and enjoy what you have at this very
moment. When you accept this, there is no reason to compare yourself to
someone or something you arent. There is nothing for the inner critic to
complain about.
Every morning when you wake up, think of three things that are going well
in YOUR life at the moment. As you fall asleep every night, fill your mind
with an appreciation for all the small things that went well during the day.
Examine the goodness that is YOUR life, and let your inner critic overhear
the five-star reviews about YOU.
Afterthoughts
When people undermine your dreams, predict your doom, criticize you, and
generally resist the truth about who you are, remember, theyre telling you
their own sad story, not yours. Theyre dumping their own doubts into the
air. Ignore them.
If the person doing this is you (your inner critic), try giving up all the
thoughts and contemplations that make you feel bad, or even just some of
them, for the rest of the day. See how doing that changes your life. You

dont need these negative thoughts. All they have ever given you is a false
self that suffers for no reason.
This post was written by Marc and Angel. If you enjoyed it, make sure
you check out their site and sign up to their amazing newsletter.

How To Triple Your Reading Speed In Just 15 Minutes

http://earthweareone.com/how-to-triple-your-reading-speed-in-just-15minutes/
How much time do you spend reading each day? Most adults read at about
250-300 words per minute (wpm). Unfortunately according to Forbes even
300-400 wpm may not even be enough to stay competitive in this
information-obsessed world (i.e. college students average about 450 wpm).
I used to be a fairly slow reader mainly for fear that when I try to read faster
I start to lose comprehension so would have to backtrack wasting even more
time. Ive always had a love for reading but there are only so many hours in
a day and although my reading list increased over the years my reading
speed had not. I needed a better strategy than more bookmarks.
Over time I began to put together various tricks for faster reading especially
those from Tim Ferris (author of The 4 Hour Workweek) and several other
authorities including websites like Spreeder and ReadingSoft that both
have pretty amazing free online speed reading exercises (I have no affiliation
with these services).
Putting the above resources together, what follows are simple exercises that
you can do that will double or even triple (as in my case) your reading speed
and comprehension. My only regret is that I did not learn these techniques
much earlier so now Id like to share these amazingly simple techniques with
you.
Things You Can Do Right Now to Read Faster

Before we get into the exercise first a little house-keeping. Keep in mind the
following four things before you begin the techniques after this section.
1. Stop Talking To Yourself
Its no coincidence why most people read at about only 200-300 words per
minuteits the same speed that we speak. When you read the brain wants
to vocalize these words and results in limiting your reading speed to your
talking speed. Even if you dont say the words aloud as you read your mind
is speaking these words silently to yourself which is the sameit limits your
reading speed to your talking speed.
Its only natural as this is how we were taught in school to learn to read
word vocalization and sounding things out. If youre reading this however
chances are that you are no longer in grade school yet for most the same old
habit remains. We need to excel past vocalization just as we have
significantly improved our vocabulary and comprehension since those grade
school days.
When you no longer say the words in your head as you read you will notice a
significant increase in your reading speed because your mind is now no
longer tied to the slower speed of your speech.
In short read without verbalizing the words. To make this easier try to read
while chewing gum or even humming to yourself which forces your mouth to
stay preoccupied.
2. Chunk Words Together
Instead of reading a line word-by-word chucking allows you to group words
together so that your eyes can cover the entire line faster. Sites like
Spreeder.com have this in their free web tool with neat features like being
able to adjust the chuck size and speed of the words flashing by.
3. Stop Rereading
As I mentioned earlier my fear was always having to go back and re-read
because I did not comprehend what was just read. This can be because you
daydream when reading (most people do this so space out for a second only

to have to reread). A trick is to use a plain card to cover-up the text that
youve already read. This may not be practical every time you read but keep
in mind the more the following exercises are practiced the less regression or
rereading will be necessary.
4. Use Your Peripheral Vision
When you read the eyes usually start at the beginning of each line as it
continues reading words one-by-one to the end of the line. This is a waste of
your peripheral vision and a waste of time. The best and fastest readers
focus their eyes on at most two words per line. They actually start at the
second or third word in each line (instead of the first word) then over to the
second or third word in from the last word of the line.
In other words, if a single line was ten words they would only focus their
eyes on two. This allows their peripheral vision to see the remaining letters
allowing a quicker read of the line.
First to determine your current wpm baseline you can hop over to
ReadingSoft to take a quick free test. Make a note of this wpm number as
youll then compare it to your new reading speed at the end of this exercise.
So here we go. Grab a pen (to use as a word tracker as we read), a timer, and
a book that you can practice with and lets begin. You will be quite amazed at
how simple this exercise is and how much faster you will be able to read in
just a few minutesI was absolutely blown away.
Method To Increase Reading Speed
1. (Set timer for two minutes): Once your timer begins read each line but
spend no more than one-second per line. You will use your pen to
underline each word (keep the cap on) to give your eye a fixed point to
follow along as you read. Do not be concerned about retention or
comprehension of the passage at this point. This step is all about
speed.
2. (Set time for three minutes): Same as step one except now use no more
than a half-second per line (so you will read two lines in one second).
3. Expanding Field of Vision

a. (Set time for one-minute): Again spend no more than one second
per line but this time begin one word in from the first word of each
line and end one word in from the last line.

b. (Set time for one minute): Same as above except this time start
reading at second word in from beginning of the line and complete
each line focusing your eyes on the second word end from the end of
each line.

c. (Set time for three minutes). Finally focus on the third word from
the beginning and end of each line and only spend a half-second per
line.

This can be pretty tough at first and you more than likely will lose
comprehension as your speed increases. Keep with it. Your brain is like a
muscle and with practice your speed and comprehension will both increase.
Now go back to the ReadingSoft site and using the skills above (up to 3c)
take the test over to get your new wpm. How much faster did you increase?
Was your comprehension just as good? With practice this will become
second nature and you will be amazed at how much more you will be
reading these days!
This article was republished with permission from When You Live in the
Now.
Why Do Things Take So Long To Manifest?

Short answer: Regardless of what types of goals youre attempting to

achieve, its absolutely imperative that you become the type of person who
exemplifies the qualities, characteristics, habits, and behaviors of someone
whos already there.
Long answer: A very large reason for most of the aggravation people
experience when approaching goal setting isnt due to a faulty plan or
strategy.
Its their approach all together.

Intentions are Fuel

When we say your thoughts create your reality, were not implying that if
you start thinking about a sandwich, one will appear right in front of you
instantaneously. Most people understand this, but there are still plenty who
genuinely believe that this is what the LoA is all about. You can immediately
tell such peoples largest barrier is that of patience; they want it now, now,
NOW!
State of being is like the temperature control on your water faucet. Our
neutral state is like having the cold water on; its there instantly and doesnt
take any time at all. When we start turning on the hot water however, we
start feeling a gradual shift from one temperature to the other. On most
sinks this shift is very gradual, and you can still be feeling icy cold water for
several seconds even while the hot water is completely open.
The reason this is a great example is because it illustrates creating an
intention turning on the hot water and knowing with full faith that
its on its way, despite not feeling a shift in temperature immediately.
This is exactly the way our physical reality works.
Why Do Things Take So Long to Manifest?
Our thoughts, desires, and intentions are instantaneous. Their unfoldings,
however, are not so instant.
What time actually is is the intrinsic measurement that naturally takes
place between the distance of two events, represented as points.
An easy way to illustrate what time actually is, is to first assume time
doesnt exist at all. It has no value, no worth; pretend youve never heard of
the concept at all.
Now, youve got two points. At one point you were standing on one side of
town, and at another point you were on the opposite end. What took place
between you being at location A and location B was time. You cant escape
linear time while inside of it, because its a naturally occurring tool for

measurement. You cannot physically move an inch in space without time

elapsing. Theyre relationship is intrinsic and intertwined.
Now heres the kicker: the amount of time which elapses between
manifestation of your goal and your present moment is going to be equally
proportionate to your current state of being.
If youre naturally optimistic and in no rush, youll manifest synchronicity at
a faster and faster rate, because your beliefs arent creating resistance and
blocking immediate environmental responses to your shift.
If youre impatient (like most of the world is), youre just feeding the LoA
more of what you dont want. Basically what your state of being is resonating
with is give me more waiting, which is exactly what you end up manifesting
(instead of what you actually want).
Having the awareness to recognize and capitalize on synchronicity, no
matter how subtle and seemingly insignificant, is the true secret.
This is because
Your State of Being Determines The Types of Synchronicity Youll
Experience
This is the entire reason the article above was constructed as it was.
Simply put, you cant just wish for a million dollars and then expect it to all
materialize all at once in one transaction for you.
While this is absolutely possible for someone who works in an environment
where such quantities of money are moved around, its incredibly
improbable that a grocery store clerk or bus boy is going to receive a million
dollars randomly out of nowhere. This is precisely where most people get
lost, confused, and disenchanted with the Law of Attraction and thats
truly unfortunate.
Its unfortunate that people dont realize how powerful their thinking
isbecause of how theyre currently thinking.

You cant bake a cake without knowing what ingredients you need as well
as those you dont need.
People who get distracted by the romanticized, oversimplified promises of
commonly-discussed LoA material are essentially trying to bake their cake
using the cardboard box that it came in.
They bake the cardboard box right into the mix, then get upset when theyre
chewing on cardboard. This is what happens when you take information
not just LoA information at face value without applying critical thinking.
The content is in the ingredients and how theyre used, not the box
itself.
When your thinking becomes calibrated with how reality actually presents
itself, then youre in a position to influence said reality because youre finally
playing with the rule set its constructed out of.
A huge part of this is becoming increasingly aware of the constraints placed
upon you by your life-long social conditioning.
Social Conditioning is Not Your Friend
Our impatience with change is directly due to the fact that we force
ourselves to live lifestyles that arent us. The difference between who we
actually are and what society has convinced us to be is the root source of
your impatience.
If youre currently working a job you despise (or even merely tolerate), while
spending most of your free time thinking about how you intuitively feel you
should be doing something else with your life, rest assured the true you is
suffocating underneath layers of social conditioning.
Its this very conditioning that causes the skewed logic so many approach
the LoA with.
This is why so many day jobbers want that million to manifest so badly.
They want to escape the life theyve created, because they know its not truly
them.

Its a shallow, limited, semi-reflection of the darkest parts of themselves.

Instead of abundance and self-fulfillment, theyve successfully manifested
the exact opposite.
If you identify with this, use it as an opportunity to recognize how your
bodily sensation and interpretation of fear, worry, and doubt constrict your
thinking, your behavior, and thus what youre manifesting.
The LoA is very active and giving you exactly that which resonates with the
emotional state of being youve been conditioned to adopt as your primary
default setting.
There is no law (no pun intended here) preventing you from swapping these
inputs, and switching out frustration for positivity. Pessimism with
optimism. Fear with knowledge and confidence.
When these inputs are consciously adopted in place of your default
conditioning, your reality WILL begin to change. It might take a few days or a
week, but the shift will occur. Your greatest battle at this point is that of
time, and hanging in there and holding that new state of being despite
being locked into your current circumstances.
Your environment is going to try and pull you back down to your old state of
being, and this is your first true test.
You must persist through the weight of your environment just like your
muscles persist against gravity when lifting a barbell at the gym.
Polarize as Hard and Fast as You Can Tolerate
Most people do not possess the inner strength to persist against opposing
conditions until the shift fully crosses over.
This is exactly why you observe such stark, contrasting balances in things
like wealth and living conditions in this world. The majority of this planet is
polarized toward one extreme or the other in relation to scarcity and
abundance. Those that neither consciously commit to one or the other end
up in the grey zone, where change is the slowest and most subtle of all.

The grey zone is where most middle class people are caught, and with good
reason. This is because even though such group might not be in their ideal
situation, they have very little to actually complain about. All their needs are
met. They have steady paychecks coming in. They can buy food regularly.
They can even afford a few luxuries throughout the year.
Its very hard to consciously admit that your work is uninspiring when it
rewards you with so many material trappings.
Would you leave your current job if you genuinely understood how to not
only make your current wage but much, much more doing work that
genuinely inspires you?
With the abundance consciousness, you will work your way to this state
progressively over time. The first and most important step is to begin the
process of consciously and deliberately polarizing your current state of
being. By switching your state of being to one that represents the end state
of the emotional response youd be feeling when you finally accomplish
your goal, you begin resonating with and attracting those like-experiences
immediately.
Id like to bring this article to a close with a very thought-provoking quote:
Everyone wants a magical solution to their problem, and everyone refuses to
believe in magic. -The Mad Hatter
Food for thought
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About the author:

Jason Demakis a frequent Expanded Consciousness contributing writer.

Read more of Jasons articles HERE. Jason is best known for his writings of
consciousness and meditation, and has profound knowledge in each.
Website: http://www.jasondemakis.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jasondemakis
Email: JasonDemakis@Gmail.com
Credit: Expanded Consciousness

The 100 Best Zen Sayings And Proverbs Of All Time

http://earthweareone.com/the-100-best-zen-sayings-and-proverbs-of-alltime/
Ive always loved the religious philosophy of Zen Buddhism, for many
reasons, and one of those reasons is that just by speaking a few words, Zen
masters are able to transmit tremendously important messages that are of
immense value to all seekers on the path to spiritual awakening. Here you
will find for yourself a collection of some (100!) of the best zen sayings and
proverbs of all time, which will hopefully help you see yourself and the world
with new, fresh eyes.
The Present Moment and Mindfulness
This is the real secret of life to be completely engaged with what you are
doing in the here and now. And instead of calling it work, realize it is play.Alan Watts
The only thing that is ultimately real about your journey is the step that
you are taking at this moment. Thats all there ever is.- Eckhart Tolle
If you miss the present moment, you miss your appointment with life. That
is very serious!- Thich Nhat Hanh
Practice is this life, and realization is this life, and this life is revealed right
here and now.- Maezumi Roshi

If you want to change the world, start with the next person who comes to
you in need.- B. D. Schiers
My experience is that the teachers we need most are the people were living
with right now.- Byron Katie
Wherever you are, be there totally.- Eckhart Tolle
Im here to tell you that the path to peace is right there, when you want to
get away.- Pema Chdrn
When you are present, you can allow the mind to be as it is without getting
entangled in it.- Eckhart Tolle
Guilt, regret, resentment, sadness & all forms of nonforgiveness are caused
by too much past & not enough presence.- Eckhart Tolle
Throughout this life, you can never be certain of living long enough to take
another breath.- Huang Po
Awareness is the greatest agent for change.- Eckhart Tolle
When you do something, you should burn yourself up completely, like a
good bonfire, leaving no trace of yourself.- Shunryu Suzuki
The art of living is neither careless drifting on the one hand nor fearful
clinging to the past on the other. It consists in being sensitive to each
moment, in regarding it as utterly new and unique, in having the mind open
and wholly receptive.- Alan Watts
The intuitive recognition of the instant, thus reality is the highest act of
wisdom.- D.T. Suzuki
Drink your tea slowly and reverently, as if it is the axis on which the world
earth revolves slowly, evenly, without rushing toward the future.- Thich
Nhat Hanh
And when they played they really played. And when they worked they really
worked.- Dr. Seuss
Interbeing

Heaven and earth and I are of the same root,

The ten-thousand things and I are of one substance.- Seng-chao
It really boils down to this: that all life is interrelated. We are all caught in
an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny.
Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.- Martin Luther King, Jr.
Preparing food is not just about yourself and others. It is about
everything!- Shunryu Suzuki
Things derive their being and nature by mutual dependence and are
nothing in themselves- Nagarjuna
Nothing ever exists entirely alone. Everything is in relation to everything
else.- Buddha
We are here to awaken from our illusion of separateness.- Thch Nhat
Hanh
Heaven & earth & I are of the same root. Ten thousand things & I are of one
substance.- Sng-chao
Awakening and Everyday Life
If we dont occupy ourself with everything, then peaceful mind will have
nowhere to abide.- Shen-hui
Flow with whatever may happen and let your mind be free: Stay centered by
accepting whatever you are doing. This is the ultimate.- Chuang
The Buddha talked about saving all beings from delusion, not converting
them to a new religion.- Buddhism Now
Let your mind wander in the pure and simple. Be one with the infinite. Let
all things take their course.- Chuang Tzu
Let go over a cliff, die completely, and then come back to life after that
you cannot be deceived.- Zen Proverb
People sleep, and when they die they wake.- Muhammad

Today, you can decide to walk in freedom. You can choose to walk
differently. You can walk as a free person, enjoying every step.- Thich Nhat
Hanh
When an ordinary man attains knowledge, he is a sage; when a sage
attains understanding, he is an ordinary man.- Zen Proverb
The personal life deeply lived always expands into truths beyond itself.Anais Nin
Each step along the Buddhas path to happiness requires practising
mindfulness until it becomes part of your daily life.- Henepola Gunaratana
Power over others is weakness disguised as strength. True power is within
& available to you now.- Eckhart Tolle
Body and mind dropped off.- Dogen describing enlightenment
Self-realization is effortless. What you are trying to find is what you already
are.- Ramesh Balsekar
When the mind is perfectly clear, what is is what we want.- Byron Katie
The way out of life & death is not some special technique; essential thing is
to penetrate to the root of life & death.- Bukko
The aim of spiritual life is to awaken a joyful freedom, a benevolent and
compassionate heart in spite of everything.- Jack Kornfield
People usually consider walking on water or in thin air a miracle. But I
think the real miracle is not to walk either on water or in thin air, but to
walk on earth. Every day we are engaged in a miracle which we dont even
recognize: a blue sky, white clouds, green leaves, the black, curious eyes of a
child our own two eyes. All is a miracle.- Thch Nhat Hanh
Not thinking about anything is Zen. Once you know this, walking, sitting,
or lying down, everything you do is Zen.- Bodhidharma
Its not about approving or liking, but just being able to allow the world to
be the way it is without resenting, hating, or judging it.- Buddhism Now

Only when you can be extremely pliable and soft can you be extremely hard
and strong.- Zen Proverb
It all depends on you. You can go on sleeping forever, you can wake up right
this moment.- Osho
To understand everything is to forgive everything- Gautama Siddhartha
Any enlightenment which requires to be authenticated, certified, recognized,
congratulated, is false, or at least incomplete.- R.H. Blyth
To follow the path, look to the master, follow the master, walk with the
master, see through the master, become the master.- Zen Proverb
Learning Zen is a phenomenon of gold & dung. Before you learn it, its like
gold; after you learn it, its like dung.- Zen Proverb
Reality and the True Nature of Things
You are a function of what the whole universe is doing in the same way that
a wave is a function of what the whole ocean is doing.- Alan Watts
At the still-point in the center of the circle one can see the infinite in all
things.- Chuang Tzu
No snowflake ever falls in the wrong place.- Zen Proverb
Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing there is a field. Ill meet you
there.- Rumi
Why is the tao so valuable? Because it is everywhere, and everyone can use
it. This is why those who seek will find.- Lao Tzu
Do not seek the truth, only cease to cherish your opinions.- Seng-tsan
Any experience of reality is indescribable!- R. D. Laing
No thought, no reflection, no analysis, no cultivation, no intention; let it
settle itself.- Tilopa

Youre never given more pain than you can handle. You never, ever get more
than you can take.- Byron Katie
In the scenery of spring, nothing is better, nothing worse; the flowering
branches are; some long, some short.- Eicho
There is no mistake in nature.- Byron Katie
Still water has no mind to receive the image of the migrating geese.- Zen
Proverb
All the things that truly matter, beauty, love, creativity, joy and inner peace
arise from beyond the mind.- Eckhart Tolle
As a bee gathering nectar does not harm or disturb the color & fragrance of
the flower; so do the wise move through the world.- Buddha
Zazen is an activity that is an extension of the universe. Zazen is not the life
of an individual, its the universe thats breathing.- Dogen
The whole moon and the entire sky are reflected in one dewdrop on the
grass.- Dogen
Tao in the world is like a river flowing home to the sea.- Lao Tzu
Try to imagine what it will be like to go to sleep and never wake up now
try to imagine what it was like to wake up having never gone to sleep.- Alan
Watts
You are an aperture through which the universe is looking at and exploring
itself.- Alan Watts
Things are as they are. Looking out into the universe at night, we make no
comparisons between right and wrong stars, nor between well and badly
arranged constellations.- Alan Watts
Through our eyes, the universe is perceiving itself. Through our ears, the
universe is listening to its harmonies. We are the witnesses through which
the universe becomes conscious of its glory, of its magnificence.- Alan Watts

Who would then deny that when I am sipping tea in my tearoom I am

swallowing the whole universe with it and that this very moment of my
lifting the bowl to my lips is eternity itself transcending time and space?D.T. Suzuki
Impermanence
One must be deeply aware of the impermanence of the world.- Dogen
True Self and No-Self
The practice of Zen is forgetting the self in the act of uniting with
something.- Koun Yamada
The self divides into ten billion distinct illuminating spirits. Distinguish
these without falling into names and classifications.- Hongzhi1
To study Buddhism is to study the self. To study the self is to forget the self.
To forget the self is to be awakened by all things.- Dogen
Melting our attachment to self is the most powerful medication for bringing
mental and emotional imbalances in check.- Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche
I dont let go of concepts I meet them with understanding. Then they let go
of me.- Byron Katie
The Zen expression Kill the Buddha! means to kill any concept of the
Buddha as something apart from oneself. Peter Matthiessen
When you hear that all beings are Buddha, dont fall into the error of
thinking theres more than one Buddha.- Zen Graffiti
Have good trust in yourself not in the One that you think you should be,
but in the One that you are.- Maezumi Roshi
Direct Experience
Zen has no business with ideas.- D.T. Suzuki
What is important is not the right doctrine but the attainment of the true
experience. It is giving up believing in belief.- Alan Keightley

The menu is not the meal.- Alan Watts

Trying to define yourself is like trying to bite your own teeth.- Alan Watts
My finger can point to the moon, but my finger is not the moon. You dont
have to become my finger, nor do you have to worship my finger. You have to
forget my finger, and look at where it is pointing.- Osho
To accept some idea of truth without experiencing it is like a painting of a
cake on paper which you cannot eat.- Suzuki Roshi
The Way and Non-Striving
If you are unable to find the truth right where you are, where else do you
expect to find it?- Dogen
The meaning of life is just to be alive. It is so plain and so obvious and so
simple. And yet, everybody rushes around in a great panic as if it were
necessary to achieve something beyond themselves.- Alan Watts
Life isnt as serious as the mind makes it out to be.- Eckhart Tolle
Man suffers only because he takes seriously what the gods made for fun.Alan Watts
Muddy water is best cleared by leaving it alone.- Alan Watts
The greatest effort is not concerned with results.- Atisha
When I feel like dancing, I dance. I dont care if anyone else is dancing or if
everyone else is laughing at me. I dance.- Rachel Danson
Every being is in search of truth, but small fears go on preventing you.Osho
All true artists, whether they know it or not, create from a place of no-mind,
from inner stillness.- Eckhart Tolle
I have lived with several Zen masters all of them cats.- Eckhart Tolle

The search for happiness is one of the chief sources of unhappiness.- Eric
Hoffer
The resistance to the unpleasant situation is the root of suffering.- Ram
Dass
For things to reveal themselves to us, we need to be ready to abandon our
views about them.- Thch Nhat Hanh
A follower of the way has neither form nor shape, neither root nor trunk;
nor dwelling place; like a fish leaping in the water.- Rinzai Zen proverb
I cannot tell you any spiritual truth that you dont know already. All I can
do is remind you of what you have forgotten.- Eckhart Tolle
Via: The Unbounded Spirit
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Reboot Your Life: 20 Mental Barriers You Should Let Go Of

February 12, 2015 /

4546 views

12-before-let-goYou are in an imaginary hot air balloon. Its just you and all
of your belongings in the wicker basket. Something went wrong and you are
losing altitude fast. You will hit the ground in less than ten minutes if you
dont come up with something quick.

The only immediate solution is to get rid of excess weight and throw off at
least half of your belongings. Its that or hit the ground in ten. You look at
the things and hesitate for a few seconds but then you do what you have to
do and start throwing the things you have gathered half your life one by one.
The cargo gets lighter, the descent slows down then you are floating up again
back to altitude. You are relieved beyond comprehension.

This happens to all of us in less dramatic circumstances. We attach

ourselves to things that we have accumulated over the years. Some of them
might have some practical value. Others we just have attached ourselves
sentimentally to over time. Some others are just clutter.

Our mental life follows the same fate. We carry with us a lot of things in our
heads along the years Our life story, emotional attachments, beliefs and
other things which can linger in our minds for many years.

Some of them are useless ideas that drag us down considerably. Some are
emotional debris from difficult moments in our past. Some are just beliefs
which we have attached ourselves to for no apparent justifiable reason.
Some others are just self-destructive habits and fears.

So if you were in the hot air balloon situation, which of these mental
barriers should we let go? I have listed down 20 here. Do you have any
more?

1. Let go of attachments: According to Buddhist Philosophy, attachment is

one of the roots of all suffering. I cant agree more. We attach ourselves to all
sorts of things even the most self-slapping stupid notions in the universe.
Are you attached to something? How much are you attached? Is it keeping
you back from something? Is it making you suffer? Look at it straight
through break the illusion. Know that every attachment can be detached.

2. Let go of guilt: Guilt has absolutely no function whatsoever. Think about

it what could guilt possibly resolve? It just holds you imprisoned to selfmortification and sorrow.

3. Let go of Negative thinking: Pessimistic thoughts and negative attitudes

keep you locked in a dark aura that permeates in everything you do. Its a
dangerous line to follow. Know that thoughts influence the world around us.
Enough said.

4. Let go of self-criticism: Many times we are our biggest pain in the neck.
We criticize ourselves with the best of intentions but then go over the
acceptable limit. Criticism then turns to disempowering messages. Let go of
it and be kind and gentle to yourself.

5. Let go of prejudice: Prejudice keeps you bitter and resentful. It restricts

your opportunities to connect meaningfully with others.

6. Let go of compulsive thinking: Do you keep on doing something just

because you feel you have to do it without any apparent reason? Its time to
honestly reflect on its usefulness and its side-effects.

7. Let go of the need for others approval: We often tend to seek approval by
others. This is an attention-seeking behaviour and one which threatens our
self-confidence and authenticity.

8. Let go of limiting beliefs: Most of our limits are self-imposed. Life doesnt
have defined limits. Our beliefs do. Learn to identify those beliefs which
narrow down your possibilities for action and let go of them.

9. Let go of grudges: Let me put it this way grudges are bad for your heart.
Keep them long enough or numerous enough and your health will eventually
suffer. Research is showing the relationship between heart disease and
emotions such as anger and grudges.

10. Let go of the Ill do it tomorrow attitude: This is a delaying tactic of

your subconscious saboteur trying to keep you from accomplishing
important tasks. Try to be aware of it when you think it and consciously
push yourself to do at least the first part of it. Naturally you will then
continue the whole task because the hard part is only the beginning.

11. Let go of anxious thoughts: These are born out of our fear of the
unknown and uncertainty about the future. The thought that something
unpleasant may happen is only an unreal thought we have created
ourselves. Ask yourself: Is this thought based on real evidence?

12. Let go of past heartbreaks: A heartbreak can take quite a long time to
heal. Your heart is locked as your mind keeps on hovering over the same
thought. The thing to realize is that in heartbreaks it is not the loss that
make you suffer but the idea you create in your heads about that loss.

13. Let go of bad memories: Sometimes we remember unpleasant things that

stir up some sad feelings in us. Bad memories make you relive those sad
moments in the present. Keep them where they are in the past.

14. Let go of useless things: We also attach ourselves to things of all sort.
Sometimes we clutter our life with useless objects. Let go of them and
simplify your working and living environment.

15. Let go of bad company: If there are people around you that are insincere,
harbour envy, are highly pessimistic or disempowering, keep away from
them.

16. Let go of the idea that you are a product of your past: One very common
mistake we fall into is the belief that we are determined by our past
experiences. This limits our view on future possibilities since we are stuck in
believing that the future can only be more of the same as our past.

17. Let go of identifying yourself with your job/role: This is one of the risks
of modern day life. Since roles are always becoming more specialized we
think that we are part of our roles. This makes us lose perspective of our
true nature.

18. Let go of counterproductive habits: These are the repetitive patterns of

behavior that obstruct or distract you from constructive and productive
behavior. They can be anything from watching too much TV and overeating
to self-destructive behavior such as drug abuse.

19. Let go of taking things too personally: Very often we are disturbed
emotionally because we interpret peoples words and actions from a very
subjective perspective. When we take things personally we get irritated, hurt
and disappointed. When you look at life from a more detached and objective
point of view, we stay emotionally balanced and focused on our priorities.

20. Let go of the ticking clock: Time is one of our biggest sources of stress.
Well, not time really but our perception of it. Sometimes we are enslaved by
the concept of time even in our moments of leisure. This has devoured a lot
of our genuine freedom and space. Learning to spend moments without the
constant awareness of time can be liberating and finally productive.

9 Behaviors That Push People Away From You

Ever since the act of communication exists people are trying to become
better and better at it. In the past we used to understand each other with
body language, further in time languages developed, and now we got to the
point where technology-based communication took over.
But thousands of centuries have passed and people still havent found the
way to get along with each other. One of the reasons for this is that our
behaviors pretty often tend to be confusing which can result is nerve-racking
arguments or losing friends. People are different and there is no way for
everyone to get along with everyone else. But sometimes we act in a wicked
manner without even realizing it, or the consequences of it which can easily
drift people away from us.
So here is a list of 9 behaviors that can push people away from you. Trying
to dominate over people Its good to be a leader. The ability to keep things
under control is a quality that not many people possess. But it is really
important to know what you have the right to control. Constantly forcing
your will upon your friends can be overwhelming for them.
This kind of behavior isnt something that people can easily put up with, so
be careful because it may cost you some of your friendships. No one enjoys
being told what to do. This is why understanding that compromise is what
moves us along together is really important for your relationships with
people. Stubbornness wont do the trick. Being judgemental Judging people
can play you a bad joke, if it is a behavior that has become a habit for you.
We, people, can act differently depending on our current situation and on
the people we are with. This is why judging people isnt a good idea. A
person will usually show you only as much of themselves as they wish to
when communicating with you. Have in mind that before you conclude who
somebody is for you. You never know how they are feeling on the inside or
what is going on with their lives at that moment.
Being negative all the time As I observe people lately, what I notice is a mass
aspiration for positive thinking and positive attitude towards life, despite all
the bullshit we deal with in our daily routine. Its like people are finally

realizing that positivity attracts positivity and the opposite negativity

brings about more negativity. This is why negatively disposed people who are
complaining all the time, whining about this being hard and that being
tough are very likely to alienate people from themselves.
Just compare spending a day with someone you have to comfort all the time,
listening to their pessimistic points of view and overall disapproval of
everything around them, with spending a day with a person who cherishes
the small things in life, smiles and looks life on its bright side. Both good
and bad energy are contagious, so who would you choose? Lacking delicacy
Saying the wrong thing at the wrong time can sometimes cause a lot of
drama but it has happened at least once to most of us. Lacking delicacy is
another thing.
Its when jokes go beyond the borders of the friendly rudeness (we all have
those friends with whom insulting each other is the way we show our love),
its when you touch someone on the raw, its when you use your friends
weaknesses against them just to defeat them in an argument. As Mark
Twain says, its better to remain silent and be thought a fool than open ones
mouth and remove all doubt. Dont give up on straight- forwardness, just
keep in mind that words sometimes come out as bullets, so watch your
aiming.
Living in the virtual reality One of the best definitions of our generation is
the generation with heads bowed down. We walk, we travel, we
communicate with our eyes staring into the phones screens. It would be no
surprise if after a decade or two anatomists start studying the smartphone
as a part of the human hand. Everyone has experienced going out with
friends and instead of talking they all browse their virtual life, not realizing
theyre missing on the real one. Some people tend to lead a completely
different life on the social networks, presenting themselves as different
people than they actually are, happier than they feel, wiser than they would
ever be.
It doesnt matter what the Wi-Fi password is, your friends are right where
you need them to be next to you, not on your Facebook news feed. Being
self-centered Putting yourself first is essential for growing into a successful
and content individual. But make no mistake being self-centered and blind

for the presence of others as equal people is another story. If your only topic
when in a conversation tends to be you and you get fed up with listening to
other peoples stories, problems and opinion, then youd better change
having friends with having a mirror. Because friendship is not a one-way
street but treated as such, it will probably reach the no outlet sign anytime
soon.
Taking everything way too seriously How many times have you drawn back
from somebody just because it seemed to you that there was something
unpleasant behind their words, or a joke touched you on a weak spot? Have
in mind that very often people do that without meaning it, jokes arent
supposed to be rude, neither do they aim to hurt your feelings. Dont go
looking into every single word, being afraid that someone is making fun of
you or hiding an agenda. This speaks for weakness and insecurity, and
makes you the least fun person to be with. Its also a projection of your own
ways and habitudes. Taking everything too seriously can also refer to those
situations when you get upset for completely insignificant things, such as
missing the bus or losing 10 bucks Repeat after me: This Is No Big Deal!
The deeper you dig into the dirt, the dirtier you will end up being. Lacking
punctuality This concerns not only arriving on time.
A punctual person is someone who stays behind their words, whose
promises dont fade overnight, who acts according to the prompts. Not being
able to be present at the exact appointed time can make your friends
nervous and unwilling to make arrangements with you.
This can have a seriously negative impact on your job performance, too. In a
more figurative way, lacking punctuality is connected to the values of an
individual, which tend to change with the weather. No one would ever choose
to rely on such a person. This is a certain way to alienate people. Becoming
a workaholic There is nothing better than falling in love with your job and
being dedicated to it.
But the positive aspects of this can easily turn into a negative facet of your
life. Not having time for anything other than work can turn into negligence
for the closest people around you and yourself. When you are too dedicated
to your job, you risk reaching a point where nothing is as important as
work- neither you family, nor your health. Be careful when you choose your

priorities because losing people you treasure is not worth any money you
earn.
Did any of those behaviors sound familiar to you? If you have found yourself
in any of them, dont be paranoid that you will lose all your friends because
you possess some negative qualities. WE ALL DO! The point here is to stop
for a second and think about them. A recognized problem is a half-solved
problem. Believe in your goodness but always doubt your flawlessness!
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to Follow us too.

Karma: Not The Mainstream Version The Real One

January 25, 2015 /

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karmBy: Collective Evolution. Karma is a concept taught by various cultures

throughout human history, and is an idea that dates back thousands of
years. Despite its proliferance, the idea of karma seems to be generally
misunderstood and frequently tossed around without any real
understanding of its true meaning.
What is Karma?

In the Bhagavad Gita (one text out of many from multiple cultures that
speak of karma), there are constant dialogues about how to attain whats
referred to as moksha. Moksha is the release from the cycle of rebirth; a
sort of transcendent state or freedom from the world we currently know a
world in which our senses deceive us. Its a state of bliss that can only be
attained when we have freed ourselves from the web of Karma. Once we

reach that point our soul is ready to move on to another experience that
goes beyond rebirth.

According to Hindu philosophy, the only higher activity one can engage in
other than performing selfless, fruitful action is the quest and cultivation of
spiritual knowledge, contemplation and truth.

Lets take a look at what karma really means:

The Principle of Karma requires that the experiences of the individual

being, based on his actions during the lifetime, are imprinted in the subtle
body, which will therefore have to possess some organized structure of fine
matter as mental state within it, and will accordingly be impelled to move to
specific locations for rebirth. The principle of Karma is fundamentally based
on this very concept that the deeds of today shape the future events for man
the most intelligent of beings is gifted with the discriminating ability in
addition to the instinctive habits that all other creatures possess.
Paramahamsa Tewari (source)

The general idea is that every time we perform an action a cause is created
that will have corresponding effects. Again, Karma literally translates to
action or deed and included within that action are your thoughts and
intentions. The karma principle makes it clear that the universe will
respond to you in this life and/or the next. Actions have consequences,
and thoughts do as well.

I personally like to leave out good and bad when it comes to the
consequences of our actions. For example, a human being can have what we
call a good experience or what is perceived as a bad experience. The
truth of the matter is that they are experiences, regardless of how we
perceive them and choose to label them. We can either choose to grow from
these experiences and learn from others, untangling ourselves from the web

of karma, or we can continue viewing them as bad (for example) and

prevent ourselves from moving forward.

According to some Indian philosophies, like Jainism, Karmas are invisible

particles of matter existing all around us. Our souls attract these karmas
through various actions. For example, every time we get angry we attract
karmas, just as when we are deceitful or greedy. Likewise, every time we kill
or hurt someone we attract karmas. According to Janism these karmas form
layers upon layers over our souls and keep us from realizing our true
potential and our ability to hear our souls voice.

I find it very interesting that the philosophy and concept of karma is

discussed in various ways by multiple cultures, religions and philosophers
over a period spanning thousands of years.
Karma Yoga

Again, karma is all about action. In Hindu philosophy, its believed that
purified minds will be the ones to partake in jinana yoga, what is also
known as the yoga of knowledge. As mentioned earlier, this quest for truth
and contemplation was believed to be a superior act of being as opposed to
performing karma yoga (good deeds without care for their rewards or
consequences, selfless acts), but both are paths to the same destination.

Performing karma yoga is all about performing acts that can benefit the
planet(s), acts that stem from the hearts intent strictly for the benefit of the
world(s) or others. This is important to remember, because many can
perform good deeds in order to benefit themselves, reap the rewards, get to a
specific destination or to look good in the eyes of others. Performing acts
from an incorrect place within your heart is not doing your karma, but
rather, performing a selfish act in the disguise of good deeds something
that might actually cause you to accumulate more karma instead. Karma is
all about the place you are coming from within, which brings me to my next
point.

The Difference Between Karma and the Mainstream Idea of It

When I refer to the mainstream idea of karma I am more so referring to the

idea and energy behind the statement theyll get whats coming to them as
well as the idea that performing good deeds will provide you with good
rewards.

Although good deeds might come full circle and have positive fruition, just
as bad deeds do, karma has absolutely nothing to do with people getting
whats coming to them as a result of their bad actions. Its about learning
from your experiences, not about receiving the consequence of your negative
action for the sake of receiving it. The focus needs to be on achieving
personal growth as a result of your deeds; even if we are not consciously
aware of it, there is growth occurring at the soul level. Karma is an
opportunity to move forward. If you see somebody hurting another person
and then you see that aggressor hurt or suffer afterwards, its not your place
to point your finger and say karma, or they got what was coming to them.
Karma is accumulated so we can eventually rid ourselves of it, learn what
we need to learn from this human experience, and move on. It has nothing
to do with the energy of judgement and blame.

Furthermore, if you do good deeds while under the belief that good deeds
will be reciprocated, you are completely contradicting the idea of Karma.
Why? Because performing karma is all about action that comes from a
selfless place within your heart, for no reward, for the good of the world. If
you have the idea in your head that you will somehow be rewarded, or you
are engaging in acts of good will for others to see, or trying to move forward
in your career or other aspects of your life, you might in fact be wrapping
yourself up in even more karma. The most important thing to consider is the
intent and the reasons behind your actions.

Actions performed without desire for rewards with spiritual consciousness

contribute to the fulfillment of liberation. When fulfillment is achieved one

attains the ultimate consciousness and liberation is automatically included.

By performing actions in this manner a living being becomes verily a being
of non-action. Renunciation is relinquishing the desire for rewards attached
to appropriate actions. Performing actions in spiritual consciousness
without desire leads to liberation. (source)

There is a quote I saw that was floating around the internet not long ago
that stated:

Karma, no need for revenge. Just sit back & wait, those who hurt you will
eventually screw up themselves & if youre lucky, God will let you watch.

The idea that one can take joy in another persons misery is not at all
indicative of the theory of karma. Judgement has no place with regards to
the theory of karma. Its all about lessons and opportunities for spiritual
growth.
Collective Karma

The universe that we inhabit and our shared perception of it are the results
of a common karma. Likewise, the places that we will experience in future
rebirths will be the outcome of the karma that we share with the other
beings living there. The actions of each of us, human or nonhuman, have
contributed to the world in which we live. We all have a common
responsibility for our world and are connected with everything in it. The
14th Dalai Lama

Just as we accumulate karma as individuals, we do it on a collective level.

Our actions as one giant human race will have consequences, and weve
seen that time and time again. One of the biggest examples is how we are
operating here on planet Earth, as well as our relationship with the
environment and other life forms that share the planet with us.

I think its important to question what exactly we are doing here what we
are thinking and how we are acting, and to then examine what type of
reality we are manifesting as a result of those thoughts and actions. After
all, quantum physics is shedding light on just how important human
consciousness is, and how factors associated with consciousness are
affecting our physical material world. You can read more about that here.

I will leave you with this quote, as it is a completely separate topic yet still
related to the idea of karma in some way.

Broadly speaking, although there are some differences, I think Buddhist

philosophy and Quantum Mechanics can shake hands on their view of the
world. We can see in these great examples the fruits of human thinking.
Regardless of the admiration we feel for these great thinkers, we should not
lose sight of the fact that they were human beings just as we are. Dalai
Lama (source)

**This is a very brief, condensed explanation of Karma according to Hindu

Philosophy. Please keep in mind that the idea of Karma is present in various
ancient cultures that have roamed the Earth through various stages of
human history.

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25 Life Changing Lessons to Learn from Paulo Coelho

January 15, 2015 /

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feature_image_template177-620x400By: Purpose Fairy

Life has a way of testing a persons will, either by having nothing happen
at all or by having everything happen at once. ~ Paulo Coelho

I read my first personal development book in 2007 and that book also
happened to be the first book I ever read in English, up until that moment.
And then, in 2008, something amazing happened, I found The Alchemist
and thats when I fell in love with Paulo Coelhos work.

Today I would like to share with you 25 beautiful Life Changing Lessons to
learn from this amazing man, Paulo Coelho.

Enjoy

1. When you want something, the whole universe conspires to make it

happen.
And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to
achieve it.

2. Detach from all things and you will be free.

When I had nothing to lose, I had everything.

Now that she had nothing to lose, she was free.

3. We are all here for a purpose.

No matter what he does, every person on earth plays a central role in the
history of the world. And normally he doesnt know it.

Everybody has a creative potential and from the moment you can express
this creative potential, you can start changing the world.

4. The only thing standing between you and your dream are your fears.
Dont give in to your fears. If you do, you wont be able to talk to your
heart.

There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the fear
of failure.

5. Mistakes are part of life.

Everything tells me that I am about to make a wrong decision, but making

mistakes is just part of life. What does the world want of me? Does it want
me to take no risks, to go back to where I came from because I didnt have
the courage to say yes to life?

6. Really important meetings are planned by the souls long before the bodies
meet.

Really important meetings are planned by the souls long before the bodies
see each other. Generally speaking, these meetings occur when we reach a
limit, when we need to die and be reborn emotionally. These meetings are
waiting for us, but more often than not, we avoid them happening. If we are
desperate, though, if we have nothing to lose, or if we are full of enthusiasm

for life, then the unknown reveals itself, and our universe changes
direction.

We can also allow our Soulmate to pass us by, without accepting him or
her, or even noticing. Then we will need another incarnation in order to find
that Soulmate. And because of our selfishness, we will be condemned to the
worst torture humankind ever invented for itself: loneliness.

7. Every experience, either good or bad, comes with a lesson.

There are moments when troubles enter our lives and we can do nothing to
avoid them. But they are there for a reason. Only when we have overcome
them will we understand why they were there.

8. Do not seek for love outside of you.

Love is not to be found in someone else but in ourselves; we simply awaken
it. But in order to do that, we need the other person.

9. When you change, the whole world changes with you.

When we love, we always strive to become better than we are. When we
strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better
too.

10. No reason is needed for loving.

One is loved because one is loved. No reason is needed for loving.

11. Mind your own business.

Everyone seems to have a clear idea of how other people should lead their
lives, but none about his or her own.

12. When someone leaves, its because someone else is about to arrive.
When someone leaves, its because someone else is about to arrive.

No one loses anyone, because no one owns anyone. That is the true
experience of freedom: having the most important thing in the world without
owning it.

13. Love is an untamed force.

Love is an untamed force. When we try to control it, it destroys us. When
we try to imprison it, it enslaves us. When we try to understand it, it leaves
us feeling lost and confused.

14. Wherever your heart is, there you will find your treasure.
Remember that wherever your heart is, there you will find your treasure.

15. Judge not.

We can never judge the lives of others, because each person knows only
their own pain and renunciation. Its one thing to feel that you are on the
right path, but its another to think that yours is the only path.

16. Children have valuable lessons to teach you.

A child can teach an adult three things: to be happy for no reason, to
always be busy with something, and to know how to demand with all his
might that which he desires.

17. Appreciate the contrast of life.

Never be ashamed, he said. Accept what life offers you and try to drink
from every cup. All wines should be tasted; some should only be sipped, but
with others, drink the whole bottle. How will I know which is which? By
the taste. You can only know a good wine if you have first tasted a bad one.

18. Nobodys responsible for how you feel or dont feel.

In love, no one can harm anyone else; we are each responsible for our own
feelings and cannot blame someone else for what we feel.

19. Your beliefs shape you and make you who you are.
You are what you believe yourself to be.

20. Let go of the need to explain yourself.

Dont explain. Your friends do not need it, and your enemies will not believe
you.

21. Love changes everything.

It is not time that changes man nor knowledge the only thing that can
change someones mind is love.

22. Dont mistake elegance with superficiality.

Elegance is usually confused with superficiality, fashion, lack of depth. This
is a serious mistake: human beings need to have elegance in their actions
and in their posture because this word is synonymous with good taste,
amiability, equilibrium and harmony.

23. When you do work from your soul, the critics wont hurt you.

I write from my soul. This is the reason that critics dont hurt me, because
it is me. If it was not me, if I was pretending to be someone else, then this
could unbalance my world, but I know who I am.

24. Each day brings a miracle of its own.

You can become blind by seeing each day as a similar one. Each day is a
different one, each day brings a miracle of its own. Its just a matter of
paying attention to this miracle.

25. Embrace your authenticity

You must be the person you have never had the courage to be. Gradually,
you will discover that you are that person, but until you can see this clearly,
you must pretend and invent.

If you want to be successful, you must respect one rule Never lie to
yourself.

What is your favorite quote from Paulo Coelho? What is one lesson you have
learned from this incredible man? You can share your comment in the
comment section below.

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15 Things You Dont Owe Anyone At All (Though You Think You Do)

January 7, 2015 /

20631 views

15_Things_You_Don_t_Owe_Anyone_At_All_Though_You_Think_You_Do_Man
y choices we make in liferanging from what we do, to how we conduct
ourselves, and who we interact withare subject to prying questions and
commentary from those around us. Family members, friends, and even total
strangers, it often seems like everyone has an opinion on the things we do,
no matter how small or insignificant those things might seem to us.
Sometimes people go so far as to ask you to explain yourself for the
decisions or choices you make in your own life. You might feel obliged to
respond, but some things are really no one elses business and you dont
owe anyone an explanation at all for the following 15 thingsthough you
think you do.
1. You dont owe anyone an explanation for your living situation.

Whether you are cohabiting with your ex-boyfriend or ex-girlfriend, crashing

in different motel rooms across the country, or living with your parents for a
while when you are past your twenties, you dont have to explain yourself to
anyone for who you live with and why if you dont want to. If you are fully
aware of your living situation, then it means you have your own reasons for
being in that situation that are nobody elses business.

2. You dont owe anyone an explanation for your life priorities.

You have your own ideas about the things that would make you and your
loved ones truly comfortable and happy, which is your main priority. Since
we are all unique individuals with different values, dreams and aspirations,
your core priorities will be different from the next persons. You dont owe
anyone an explanation for what you determine is your core priority in life.
That is your personal business not other peoples business.

3. You dont owe anyone an apology if you are not sorry.

If you dont regret your actions, still think someone is wrong about
something or dont care much for their forgiveness, you dont have to
apologize. Many people are too quick to offer apologies and try to mend
wounds that are not yet ready to be mended, which only serves to aggravate
the wound and bring more problems. You really dont have to apologize if
you are not sorry or your side of the story hasnt been heard.

4. You dont owe anyone an explanation for requiring alone time.

You might worry that you will come across as rude, anti-social or aloof
when you cancel plans or other obligations because you need some time
alone to reboot, unwind or just enjoy a good book by yourself. However,
spending time alone is a completely normal, natural and necessary practice
that more people should adopt. Take your alone time confidently because
you dont owe anybody an explanation for it.

5. You dont owe anyone your agreement on their personal beliefs.

Just because someone shares their personal beliefs passionately doesnt

mean you have to sit there and nod in approval to everything they say. If you
dont share in their beliefs, it is unfair to yourself and to the other person to
suppress your own thoughts and feelings and pretend you agree with them.
Its okay and better to disagree with them gracefully instead of bottling up
your disapproval and frustrations.

6. You dont owe anyone a yes to everything they say.

You have a right to say no whenever there is no compelling reason to say yes.
In fact, the most successful people in the world are those who have mastered
the art of saying no to everything that is not a priority. Acknowledge other
peoples kindness and be grateful for it, but dont be afraid to politely decline
anything that takes your focus away from your core goals and priorities.
Thats how to get ahead.

7. You dont owe anyone an explanation for your physical appearance.

You might be slender, plump, tall, short, pretty, plain or whatever, but you
dont have to explain yourself to anyone for why you look how you do. Your
physical appearance is your own business and you are obligated only to
yourself. Physical appearance shouldnt determine your self-worth.

8. You dont owe anyone an explanation for your food preferences.

There are certain foods that you just dont like at all for different reasons,
including taste preference and health issues. You dont have to explain to
anyone at all why you prefer certain foods. Your food preference is a matter
that is best left to you. If anyone pesters you about why you are eating (or
not eating) certain foods, shrug it off and just say you feel better eating (or
not eating) those foods.

9. You dont owe anyone an explanation for your sex life.

As long as it happens with another consenting adult, you dont owe anyone
an explanation for where, when and how you conduct your sex life. You can
wait for marriage, try one-night stands or experiment with same sex
encounters to your hearts pleasure and still not have to explain your sexual
preferences to anybody.

10. You dont owe anyone an explanation for your career or personal life
choices.

Sometimes circumstances force us to choose between work and having a

life. The decision is not always easy and you might end up choosing work,
not because you dont care about your family or social life, but because you
are working on something that will give you security in the future. Either
way, you dont owe others an explanation for choosing a career over your
personal life (or vice versa) as long as you are confident about what you are
doing and why you are doing it.

11. You dont owe anyone an explanation for your religious or political views.

Whether you are a Democrat, Republican, Catholic, Protestant or Muslim,

that is your own personal choice. You dont owe anyone an explanation for
why you are what you are and believe what you believe. If someone cant
accept you for who you are, that is their personal dogmanot yours.

12. You dont owe anyone an explanation for being single.

Whether you are single by design or by default that is nobodys business.

Being single is not a personality disorder. You are free to be in a relationship
or not. Besides, you are far more than your relationship status and
singlehood is just one of those social labels no one should really care about.

13. You dont owe anyone a date just because they asked.

Someone might be nice, good looking and you may even be a little interested,
but you dont owe them a date just because they ask. If you feel deep down
you dont want to go on that date, then dont. You may offer a reason for
declining, but keep it brief and stick to your decision.

14. You dont owe anyone an explanation for your decision about marriage.

Whether or not you choose to get married and have kids or stay unmarried
and be childfree, that is your own personal decision. Even your mom who is
dying for grandchildren should understand that marriage is a personal
decision and not suited for everyone. She should respect your decision about
it no matter how hard it is to swallow.

15. You dont owe anyone an explanation for your relationship choices.

Sometimes people make inappropriate commentary about your romantic

relationship(s), which is really none of their business. You might overhear
comments like you are not the perfect couple or you should find someone
else. However, you are not answerable to anyone but yourself for your
relationship choices. Live your life and never, ever leave or stay in a
relationship just because someone else says you have to. Make your own
mistakes if you must, but learn from them always.

by Jordan Lejuwaan

1. Memorize something everyday.Not only will this leave your brain sharp
and your memory functioning, you will also have a huge library of quotes to
bust out at any moment. Poetry, sayings and philosophies are your best
options.

2. Constantly try to reduce your attachment to possessions.Those who are

heavy-set with material desires will have a lot of trouble when their things
are taken away from them or lost. Possessions do end up owning you, not
the other way around. Become a person of minimal needs and you will be
much more content.

3. Develop an endless curiosity about this world.Become an explorer and

view the world as your jungle. Stop and observe all of the little things as
completely unique events. Try new things. Get out of your comfort zone and
try to experience as many different environments and sensations as
possible. This world has so much to offer, so why not take advantage of it?

4. Remember peoples namesso that they feel appreciated and for your own
future benefit when you want something from that person. To do this, say
their name back to them when they introduce themselves. Then repeat the
name in your head a number of times until you are sure you have it.
Continue to use their name in conversation as much as possible to remove
any chance of forgetting it. If youre still having trouble, make up a rhyme
about their name: Dan the Man or Natalie flatters me.

5. Get fit!Its ridiculous to think that we have one body, one sole means of
functioning, and people are too lazy to take care of themselves. Fit bodies
lead to better health, confidence and more success with romantic endeavors.
Id say those are very good reasons to get in shape.

6. Learn to focus only on the present.The past is unchangeable so it is futile

to reflect on it unless you are making sure you do not repeat past mistakes.
The future is but a result of your actions today. So learn from the past to do
better in the present so that you can succeed in the future.

7. Even more specifically, live in THIS moment.Even 10 minutes ago is the

past. If you live purely in this moment you will always be happy because
there is nothing wrong in this split-second.

8. Smile more often.Whenever you get a grin on your face, your brain is
releasing serotonin, the happy hormone. Smiling is the natural way to force
yourself to be happy. Many people even smile for five minutes straight in the
morning to get themselves in a great mood for the day. It is a very powerful
tool that is utilized less and less as we grow older and need happiness more
than ever. Just remember that while happiness leads to smiles, smiles also
lead to happiness.

9. Drink water.Hydration is tremendously important for overall health. Soda

has absolutely ZERO nutritional content; its like pouring a punch of sugar
and syrup into your cup. Instead, fill it with life-replenishing water. It may
taste plain at first if youre coming off of a heavy soda-drinking streak, but
youll soon find yourself addicted to it. 10 glasses per day is optimal, how
many have you been getting lately?

10. Dont take life so seriously!Learn to laugh at the little things and this
whole existence thing will be a whole lot easier. Be amused by your
mistakes and failures and be thankful that you learned your lesson and
wont mess up like that again. And most importantly do things that you
enjoy! Life is not strictly business, it can be mixed with pleasure.

11. Think positive thoughts.When you find yourself thinking a negative

thought, stop it immediately by any means necessary. Slap yourself in the
face, yell something positive at the top of your lungs or jump up and down.
Do whatever it takes to get back to a positive mindset as such is essential for
continual happiness and success.

12. Read books.Knowledge is power. If youre looking for some mind-blowing

books to read, check out 8 Books That Will Violent Shift Your Perspective.

13. Get in the sun.Superman was completely re-energized when he flew out
to space and soaked in some rays and you can do the same right outside
your front door (if you live in a constantly dreary place, my apologies). The
sun feels amazing: your entire body will be coursing with warmth and life.

14. Help others.Ill just give you a plethora of reasons why this is a
MUSTHelping people has a ripple effect. If you help someone they will feel
more obliged to help someone else, and so on. Pay it forward
You grow by giving and helping others. It can change you in ways you never
expected
Your relationship with that person will become stronger
Its the most fulfilling thing you can do on this planet. It not only feels
amazing physically, you also feel like a good person
You might be able to call in a favor later when you need some help
Karma (if you believe in it)
Because there are more people in this world than just you

15. Set aside a specific time to worry each day.Ponder all of your problems
and anxieties during that time so that they will not distract you during work
or moments of pleasure. This way you can be extremely efficient with your
time and avoid focusing on negative things as much as possible. If you get
all of your worry out of the way and have the mental fortitude to keep from
reverting back to them, you will be much happier on the daily.

16.Be honest at all times.Lies lead to nothing but trouble. Being known as
trustworthy is an excellent trait to maintain and essential to having
integrity.

17. Sleep less.Fully adjusting to a new sleep cycle can take up to 21 days so
dont give up if you feel tired after switching to 5-hour nights. The required
8 hour/night is for normal people. If youre reading THIS article on THIS
site, you are not normal. So figure out how much sleep YOU really need and
adjust accordingly. As enjoyable as sleep is, waking existence is much more
fulfilling and efficient. IF this really sparks your interest, check out alternate
sleep cycles with which you can be fine off of 2 hours of sleep per day.

18. Read Bringers of Light and Conversations with God by Neale Donald
Walsch.These books will help you decide what you want to do in this life and
how to get to that point. They will also profoundly change the way you look
at the purpose of existence. Read them!

19. Figure out what your goals and dreams are.So many people wander
aimlessly through life simply go for whatever small thing they want moment
by moment. Instead, decide what your perfect life consists of and begin to
put the steps in motion to reach that place. The most satisfying thing in the
world (yes, better than sex, much better) is overcoming a challenge and
reaching a goal. We are the happiest when we are growing and working
towards something better.

20. Start your day off right.Wake up and set aside an hour for personal
development activities (meditation, self-introspection, observing nature, etc.)
Do the things that make you feel blissful, optimistic and empowered so that
you can set a positive tone for your day. I guarantee that once you start
doing this, your days will be more enjoyable and fulfilling. Today is going to
be the best day of your life.

21. Utilize The Burning Method.Whenever a fear or worry or complaint

comes to mind, close your eyes and imagine writing down the thought on a
piece of paper. Then proceed to light the paper and fire and watch it

disintegrate. Even better, actually write it down and burn it. You wont have
any problem ridding your mind of the thought after doing this.

22. Travel. Anyone who has ever gone anywhere will tell you that traveling is
one of the most exciting and life-changing activities that you can do.
Observing a different culture will expand your mind while making you
further appreciate the life you already live. This goes back to becoming an
explorer: this world is your jungle so go explore! Who knows, maybe youll
find a place you love so much that you decide to move. Imagine the positive
repercussions a new environment could have on your life.

23. The Rubber Band MethodThis is the third and final way to rid yourself of
negative thoughts (hopefully by now you have figured out that this is very
important!). Place a rubber band around your wrist and snap it against your
skin anytime a negative thought finds its way into your head. This operant
conditioning technique associates a slight pain with negative thoughts like
Pavlov associated food/salivation with the sound of a bell. Sounds a bit
cruel at first but it only stings for a second, I promise. Plus the outcome,
having only positive thoughts, far outweighs a little slap on the wrist here
and there.

24. Learn to be unaffected by the words of others.Most people get very upset
when they are called negative names by others, but there is a simple trick to
overcoming this. Here it is: If I went up to you and called you a fire hydrant,
would you be upset? Of course not. Obviously you are not a fire hydrant, you
are a human being. The same concept applies to when someone calls you
something that you know you are not. They are foolish for saying such
things, so why would you react with such anger? The only exception is when
someone calls you something that is true! In this case, you should thank
them for alerting you to a weakness, one that you can now work on changin

25. Read Zen and the Art of Happiness by Chris Prentiss.This book will
give you the knowledge and instruction to be happy at all times regardless of

the circumstances. Yes, this sounds like an oversimplification of happiness,

but I assure you that this book will change you in an amazing way.

26. Develop the ability to forgive.Forgiveness is something that most people

fail miserably at even thought its so simple. Grudges only bring more
misery to those who hold them and prevent good relations with the target.
YOU makes mistakes all of the time so why not have mercy when other do?
Remaining angry feels horrible while forgiving someone brings a refreshing
sensation to the mind and healing to the relationship.

27. Be the person that makes others feel special.Be known for your kindness
and sympathy.

28. Learn to lucid dreamor to realize when you are dreaming so that you can
control your dreams. Sleep feels good, but its rather boring and
unproductive. With lucid dreaming under your belt, night-time can be even
more exciting than when you are awake. You can do anything: fly, travel to
other planets, party with a celebrity, get intimate with your dream boy/girl,
etc. Many lucid dreams have also reported being able to speak directly with
the subconscious during dreams by demanding to be taken to it after
becoming lucid. For those that know a thing or two about your
subconscious, that is a BIG deal.

29. Visualize daily.It has been said and proven time and time again that
what you focus on is what you get. If you complain all of the time, you will
run into more of the things you complain about. The same goes for good
things like health, wealth and happiness. So spend some time in the
morning imagining yourself achieving whatever it is that you currently
desire. Focus is key in this exercise, so choose a quiet environment where
you wont be disturbed. If youre having trouble focusing and continually find
that your mind has wandered to something else, read about meditation in
the following life tip. There is a lot more to this concept, so check out the full
article on visualization and the law of attraction here.

30. Meditate everyday for at least 20 minutes.In this modern world where
everyone is so connected to everything else via cell phones, TV and internet,
most people rarely enjoy the beauty of silence. The ability to quiet your mind
and relax your body is an art and skill that everyone should develop. Simply
sit somewhere, preferably in nature, and focus on your breathing or try to
think about nothing. This is going to be extremely hard at first! You might
find it boring or just plain impossible to think of nothing, but you will get
better and you will learn to love it. Post-meditation, you will feel extremely
clear-headed and.. well, just plain wonderful. The only way to really
understand this sensation is to try it.

31. Learn to control your mind.What kind of skilled human are you if you
cannot even control your own thoughts? While the human mind is described
as being a stream of consciousness, that does not mean you cant decide
where your stream flows. Techniques like meditation and the 3 ways to flush
out negative thoughts will aid you immensely in learning to control your
mind.

32. Learn to control your emotions.The only person that can make you
unhappy is you! You are the one that decides to be affected by the words
and actions of others. Realize this so that the next time you experience a
negative emotion, you can find the strength within yourself to overcome it.

33.Take a class in speed reading.Books are full of information that can

enhance your knowledge-base, vocabulary and yourself as a person. Speed
reading is an easy way to get at this info faster so that you can have more
time for other endeavors.

34.Relax!This one is for you workaholics out there (myself included). Yes,
work is very important and productive but you need to take some time to
chill out everyday or you are going to burn out faster than a candle with no
oxygen. Additionally, you need to reward yourself for a job well done. Whats

the use of doing all of that work if you cant have a little fun from time to
time anyways?

35. Work on making good first impressions.Practice a strong, firm

handshake and the small talk that generally goes along with meeting
someone for the first time. People wont know what to think of you if you
have nothing more to say beyond My name is _______, nice to meet you.
Also make sure you remember names, as mentioned previously. Who knows,
you may be going into business with or marrying this person youre meeting
for the first time if you make a good impression. Be sure and make an
excellent one.

36. Learn to use your eyes to their full potential:Make constant eye contact
when in conversation. Looking away (especially down) is a sign of inferiority
and uncertainty. Instead, look at your conversation partner dead in the eyes
and keep them locked on

Master the piercing stare. You know when someone looks at you and it feels
like they can see into your soul? Well thats not a hereditary characteristic, it
just takes practice. Work on sharpening your gaze in the mirror. Youll know
you have it when its intimidating to continue looking at yourself
Master the one-eyebrow raise. This one isnt necessary by any means, but
hey, why not? Pick a brow to learn with and go look in a mirror. Raise both
of your eyebrows but use your hand to hold down the brow that you want to
stay down. This will probably feel very stupid at first but if you keep trying,
you will eventually pin down the muscle you need to flex to get that one brow
up

37. Be mysterious.Dont let off everything about you and definitely leave out
some major details. There is something both alluring and mesmerizing
about someone who no one knows fully about. Im not saying to confide in
no one or to alienate yourself. Just think James Bond.

38.Come up with a life mantra.You know, like Carpe Diem or Live life to
the fullest, but not as clich. Make it something that really hits home with
you so that you will actually stick to it. Make sure it not so specific that it
rarely applies but also not so general that its not personal.

39. Get good at something.Call it a hobby or a passion, whatever it is, just

get damn good at it. Your occupation does not count! Make it something that
you can practice often enough to excel at. Examples: Magic tricks, surfing,
ping-pong, creating short films, and unicycling. It can be anything but I
would recommend choosing something that: 1) You are passionate about 2)
You can bust out at any moment to display your skills for any discerning
crowd. My mind goes immediately to aerobatics and break dancing, but
thats just me.

40. Work out those abs.Above any other muscle group in the entire body, the
abs are the most important. They constitute your core, the center point of
your body. Your ability to balance comes almost completely from the
strength of your abdominal muscles and balance is vital to performance in
any physical activity. Summary: theyre very important. For more info on
how to work out your abs, check out this video.

41. Keep your brain sharp.The majority of people are stuck in ruts. They go
to the same job everyday, hang out with the same friends and eat at the
same places. While that may feel safe, its not the most stimulating lifestyle
for your brain. Those synapses have been built up enough, so try something
that you do NOT know how to do! Buy a model car kit, master the art of
sudoku or crosswords, or go pick up another major at your nearest college.
The point is you need to be learning new things to keep your brain honest.
Form new synapses by forcing your mind to work in ways it has not worked
before. Just like physical workouts, doing too much of the same exercise will
eventually give no results. Switch it up!

42. Read something inspirational right before bed and afterwaking.This will
set get you in a great mood for sleep and for the day. Read anything from a
famous speech to your favorite self-improvement book. Try to read
something that gets you really excited in the morning especially so that
youll leave your house beaming with energy and wonder.

43. Do what you love.There is a huge difference between making a life and
making a living; which one are you making right now? So many spend their
entire lives trying to make as much money as possible so that they can
afford to do what they really want later. It makes no sense to settle in life
until youre 65 so that you can retire and do what you want when youre
already WAY past your prime. We only live life once so why wouldnt you
want to spend it pursuing your bliss? To do anything else would be a tragic
waste of the freedom you are allowed if you are reading this right now. Follow
your bliss and you will be a thousand times more happy than your
retirement date and 40+ years younger. But first you need to figure out what
you love to do

44. Choose your friends wisely.You are affected far more than you think by
the people you spend your time with. Do your friends share your values? Do
they encourage you when you speak of your goals and dreams or do they
scoff? Make sure the people around you are conducive to the lifestyle you
want to lead or you will find yourself being dragged again and again into
behavior that distances you from your desires. Friends with a habit of
producing negative thoughts will especially hinder you. This can be a hard
task to follow through with if you realize you good friend is one of these
saboteurs, but you must be firm! Dont let anyone get in the way of you
being all that you can be.

45. Dont burn bridges.By that I mean maintain your relationships with
people even if you think you are never going to see them again. For example,
if you are quitting your job, dont chew out your boss before leaving! You
might run into him/her again later and life and wish you had never severed
ties so harshly. You never know when you might need the help of someone

you knew in the past. Plus there is already too much hatred in this world,
why add more towards the people you interact with?

46.Keep a journal/diary.It sounds like a very monotonous habit at first, but

when you get into it, that little book will become a great way to organize your
thoughts and track your growth over the years. Most of us already stay
awake in bed at night pondering the events of the day anyways so why not
document those thoughts in an organized fashion? That will allow you to
look back and observe how your way of thinking has changed over time.

47. Read New Pyscho-Cybernetics by Dr. Maxwell Maltz.This book will

explain why the content of your thoughts has such a profound effect on your
life through religious, philosophical and scientific arguments. A must read
for completely understand who this life thing works.
48. Learn to use and trust your subconscious/intuition.When you spend
time in silence everyday, listen not for words but for a feeling that tells you to
do something. Do not mistake your own reasoning and thoughts for those of
your subconscious. If you can track where the thought came from, (this
thought led to that thought which led to this thought, etc.) then it was not
from your subconscious. Learning to accurately discern between the two will
allow you to tap into knowledge that you dont consciously have.

49. Develop a charismatic personality.You know, the kind of personality that

is surrounded by people constantly and is the life of the party. Start
visualizing yourself as THAT person. Maybe take a short course on dynamic
speaking and learn some jokes. Take the time to learn some party tricks and
sleight of hand. Most importantly, believe that you already are charismatic
even if you fail at being the center point of the next party. Lie to yourself
constantly and tell yourself that you are more warm and gregarious than
Ronald Regan. Belief is the first step! Reality will come soon after.

50. Love is all there is.If you truly want to be a master of life, let love be in
your every action. Love your friends, family and enemies alike. This is the

most difficult thing to do out of this entire list, which is why it is listed at
#50. But if you accomplish this, you will be seen as a leader among everyone
that allows hate, envy, disgust and all other negative emotions into their
lives. Think Gandhi. Love is so rare in this world when compared to the
massive presence of hate that by exuding love, you will immediately see
yourself and the people around you change. Love. Love. Love.

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A Power-Packed Guide to Motivation: How to Motivate Yourself to Take

Positive Action
December 30, 2014 /

1993 views

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How to Harness Motivation as a Force for Greater Well-Being

Is a powerful positive motivation pushing you forward? Or is a negative

motivation holding you back from your full potential? Can you tell the
difference? And if a negative force is motivating you, what can you do to
change that?

In order to begin harnessing your motivation as a powerful force for taking

action and improving the quality of your life you need to understand a few

things. The first of those is that theres ultimately two kinds of motivation:
positive motivation and negative motivation.
Positive Motivation

Positive motivation moves us towards greater well-being. The prime

examples of positive motivation are compassion, love, and wisdom. Positive
motivation moves us away from stress and destructive egocentric behaviors
and brings us closer to so many things that bring us peace and happiness.

This is because positive motivation is in line with reality. What I mean by

that is, if your motivation is greed and youve convinced yourself that you
need lots of money in order to be happy, the fact that this idea isnt in line
with the way that life is will be the very thing that tortures you.

Youll continue to amass riches only to find that the more money you have
the worse you feel because the further you feel from peace and happiness.
Not in a general sense, someone with money can be happy, but because you
expectedto find happiness by becoming rich.

On the other hand, motivating yourself through cultivating and expressing

compassion for others will bring you peace and happiness because
connecting with and helping others is one of the greatest sources of
happiness that exists.

Thats the way the world is. Were built to connect, work together with, and
help one another. Its in our very DNA. And by doing so we experience a deep
sense of joy.

But dont take my word for it. Think youre being motivated by some lessthan-positive factors? Go out and do something for someone else. While and
after you do it be mindful of how your mood changes.

This isnt some its not for everyone kind of thing. When we connect, work
together with, and help others we become happier.

Thats just one example of positive motivation. The love you feel for your son,
daughter, wife, or husband can also be a positive motivation. Love is the
primary and most often seen positive motivation there is.

Whatever it is, were always motivated by something. But when were

motivated by negative factors we need goals and ambition to drive us.
Otherwise, our motivation eventually dies out.

With positive motivation we no longer need ambition to act. Our actions

become effortless. What needs to get done gets done. No matter how
difficult, we act with diligence and resolve as long as is necessary to get the
job done and we obtain a great sense of peace and joy by acting from a place
of positive motivation.
Negative Motivation

Negative motivation, such as greed or a thirst for power over others, distorts
our view of reality. These motivations are rooted in egocentric ideas that
dont match up with the way that life really is. And as a result, negative
motivation moves us towards stress, anger, frustration, depression, and
overall lesser well-being.

The path of negative motivation is like walking in a circle one mile so that
you can slam your head on a brick wall. Over, and over, and over. Walk

around. Slam your head. Walk around. Slam your head. Youll never get
what youre looking for because your desire is misguided. And worse, youre
causing yourself all kinds of pain.

You want what everyone else wants. You want the same thing the Buddha
wanted when he set out on the spiritual journey that eventually led him to
awakening. But you might not recognize its true form yet.

You might think the peace and happiness you want comes in the form of
money, praise, or power over people. But that wont ever bring you peace or
happiness. Just stress, anger, and frustration.

You need to look deeply into what motivates you. Take time to sit down and
meditate on your ambitions and motivations. What do you want? Why do
you want it? As always, your practice should guide you. Be mindful of what
motivates you to action in your work and personal life.

This couldnt be more important. You could be motivated by a fear of

someone, and as a byproduct, stay somewhere you dont want to stay, do
something you dont want to do, or become someone you dont want to be.

You could find that youre motivated by money or to have power over people
and that youve been running in circles for years. Whats worse, most of us
do these things for years without even noticing it.

We never take time to sit back and really look at ourselves. To look deeply
and mindfully is to shine a light of great healing on ourselves.

We should learn how to use this light every day so that we can open up the
path to true peace and happiness for ourselves and for those around us.

The Source of Our Motivation and Overcoming the Destructive Nature of Our
Self-Centered Mindset

The last, but still very important, point Id like to cover in this section is the
root of our motivation. Weve covered positive and negative motivation, but
you may or may not have noticed that the source of positive motivation is
open and inclusive of all people while negative motivation is completely selfcentered.

Were naturally self-centered. Its just human nature. Likely programmed in

us from thousands of years ago, to be self-centered is the best way to protect
our physical well-being. The paramount objective in life for humans since
weve been around.

To be selfless is a state of greater evolution and higher consciousness. Its a

partially awakened state beyond our naturally self-centered mindset. This
self-centered mindset is the root of all negative motivation and the cause of
much, if not all, of our suffering.

We want money, power, fame, praise, approval, and a laundry list of other
things so that we can fan our ego. But the ego isnt on your side. It doesnt
have your best interest in mind. Its an absolute robot intended on
protecting the foundation of your mind, even at the cost of your own wellbeing.

By living with mindfulness we can develop the ability to identify these selfcentered motives. And once we do, we have the choice to change them.
Change them to what? The true serving and nourishing kinds of ambitions
and motivations: compassion, love, understanding, joy, and wisdom.

Before any work is done towards learning how to harness motivation, you
need to identify where your self-centered mindset (the ego) has placed its
claws. But this isnt difficult to do. In order to begin making yourself more
conscious to this, aside from practicing mindfulness, you can keep these
questions with you and ask yourself them from time to time:

Is what Im doing just for me?

Is what Im doing potentially harmful to others?

Am I acting with the best interest of everyone involved?

Whats my primary motivation behind doing this?

Why am I really doing this?, or

Why didnt I do that?

How to Motivate Yourself to Do Anything in 4 Simple Steps

Back when I worked in sales we had bi-weekly meetings. On the surface, the
meetings looked like accountability sessions with classes for training. But
really, the purpose of the meetings was just to motivate us.

During those meetings we were supposed to talk about and learn various
things, but we ended up just getting a motivational talk 95% of the time.
Developing the ability to motivate yourself was one of the most important
factors in being able to exist in such a rough business.

Most of us were aware of the shallow and temporary nature of the motivation
one gets from something like a motivational speech or YouTube video, but we
still needed it to stay focused at times.

If you need to motivate yourself with such things often times youll find
youre just banging your head where its not supposed to be. But, without
even knowing it, thats exactly what a lot of us were doing.

But while we fed off of these meetings, speeches, and other shallow forms of
motivation, everyone in the office also read books like Think and Grow Rich
and listened to audio tapes from people like Tony Robbins.

We did this because we were aware of the deeper level of motivation and
these were the resources that could help us identify our source for deep or
great motivation as well as harness it to become successful.

We typically identified this deep or ultimate level of motivation as our

reasons or our why. Wed constantly meet successful people both from
our own office and abroad, and each and every one of them always said the
same thing: you need to know why you do what you do and that reason
should be clear and compelling.

When you think about it you need to have a churning in your stomach. Not
always literally, but sometimes. This essentially just means you need to have
a strong emotional connection to that reason. This could be your son, your
daughter, your wife, husband, or a combination. One of my friends was
working for his recently deceased mother because he wanted to make her
proud.

You might have noticed a trend here: our deep or ultimate motivators are
people. Specifically, those people closest to us. Our loved ones.

Next, as an extension of that, you wanted something from the work that
youre doing for yourself and for those loved ones. Those were an extension
of your reason or why and essentially your ultimate goal or goals.

At the office I worked at pretty much all of us were very money motivated. As
was I, at that time. Instead of, Im working to put food on the table, it
would be more like, I want to become financially independent and be able to
provide for my family anything they ever need. Money will no longer ever be
an issue. That was a real dream to us.

And visions like that worked like a charm. As I mentioned, all of the most
successful sales people, who built teams in the hundreds and thousands
and made 6-7 figures preached the same thing.

Years later, as Ive had the time to experiment and confirm this in my own
life, Ive come to see that while there was a lot of misguided effort in that
office they still held a lot of wisdom with regards to motivation The four
steps to developing your ultimate motivation are:

You need to know whyyoure doing what youre doing. You need to find
your reason or reasons. Is it your son? Think if this person wasnt here,
would I be here or have the same drive?. This is why you want what you
want. The root cause of all or the majority of your motivation. If you dont
feel you have this, dont worry. You can get. I mean the motivation, not the
kid
Dream true.Set compelling, ambitious, yet sensible goals. You need to
dream true. Know what you REALLY want. Back in the office we called it
dreaming big, but I decided to change that. What people really meant when
they said dream big was to dream true. This is the part where you take
those people, yourself included, that you care about and ask yourself what

you really want for them. This is essentially where you set your intention or
major goals for your life.
That reason or reasons need to be crystal clear.You need to know
EXACTLY what you want, not a general idea. There can be no doubt in your
mind of what you want. This is the part where you formulate a vision. A
clear formulating of your dream into a vision for your life in the future. This
vision needs to be crystal clear. This means that if you live for your son or
daughter, and you want to provide for him and teach him good morals,
standards, and any important principles which are important to you to pass
on to your son, then you know exactly what those are and how youre going
to do it. Visualize the great man or woman your son or daughter can become
and know that, while you cant control someone else, youre going to give
your all to instill the wisdom youve obtained from your life into him in order
to ensure that he has the best opportunity to find peace and happiness in
his own life.
You need to keep those reasons in front of you every single day. This is
what you live for. This reason or reasons need to be up on the back of your
office door in the form of a dream board, they need to be in your pocket in
written form to be read once if not twice a day, or any other way that you
know will effectively and constantly remind you. This is the fuel that powers
the machine. Even the greatest dream can be forgotten easily if it isnt kept
in front of you and visualized constantly.

Everyday Motivation

What if its a smaller everyday task? Of course, this can seem unimportant,
but even big dreams are a collection of smaller actions. Sometimes,
especially on difficult days, you need to take motivation wherever you can
get it, so heres a couple useful tips for generating additional motivation in a
general:

Tackle small tasks first.This will build your confidence and make you
want to do more. Motivation is very much like an old train. You need to keep

tossing coal into the boiler in order to keep the train going. If you stop, the
train stops. On any given day if you can learn how to generate a little energy
or confidence you can build on that easily. You can use the path of
progressive accomplishments to build temporary motivation during a tough
day. This exercise is great for building confidence but it also gives you the
motivation to do more. Ive used this many times and it works like a charm.
Dont think so much.Oftentimes, the more you think the more likely you
are to talk yourself out of what youre doing. Especially if its something you
already dont want to do. We can often be our worst enemy, and thats
usually because of this inner dialog. Learn to do more and think less and
youll find yourself having become more productive as well as happier. And
then sometimes, if youve been putting something off, you just need to shut
your mind off altogether and do it. If you decided previously that something
is the right thing to do, but youre having a hard time pushing yourself to do
it, then put everything down, stop thinking, and get up and do it. Whether
you need to walk, talk, call, type, or execute something, get up and start
doing it without thinking.
Practice mindfulness. Moving on from the last point, one of the ways we
become unmotivated is that we talk ourselves out of things. This is the inner
dialog I mentioned in the last point. We always make things bigger in our
heads than they really are. By practicing mindfulness youll begin to quiet
your mind and give yourself a healthy tool which allows you to get out of the
trap of your mind and fully into the present moment to do whatever it is you
need to do. The importance of this fact on productivity cant be overstated.
Have fun.Dont overlook this point. Two people can do the same thing and
one will find joy in it while the other will find it boring. And this is simply a
matter of effort. That is, making the effort to enjoy what youre doing vs.
convincing yourself something is monotonous and boring. Dont take
anything for granted, even the smallest task. Appreciate every little thing in
life and find out how to enjoy the daily tasks that you wouldnt normally find
enjoyable. Trust me, this is a big deal. And, it works. The first place Id start
towards making this possible is with the last point: practice mindfulness. Be
fully present for whatever it is that you do whether its rebuilding your patio
or completing a project. Also, look deeply into what you do during your work.
See what you typically overlook and draw a deeper connection to the work
that you do. What does this have to do with motivation? Finding joy in your

work or practice can generate huge amounts of motivation. In fact, if you

love what you do, this can often be all or most of what you need.

Aspects of Motivation

I wanted to end with a few last notes about motivation. I talked about these
earlier but I want you to keep these points in mind when thinking about
motivation:

Motivation is your fuel. Its progressive. That is, if you accomplish even a
small or simple task then youll develop motivation to do more and often
larger things. Learn how to get yourself going in the morning with varying
tasks and youll learn how to generate motivation for the rest of the day. For
this reason, a strong morning routine can really help you start each day off
right.
The deeper the motivation, the better. The deeper, the greater the
motivational factor, the more motivation thats generated and the more often
its going to work. Even the best motivational factor (love for our son or
daughter, for instance) wont motivate you 100% of the time, so you need
more than just your why in place, but that is by far the single most
important thing you can do towards keeping and building motivation.
Sometimes your primary motivation wont be enough. Your ultimate why
is the most powerful force you have towards keeping motivated. But youll
need more. YouTube videos in the morning (theres some great ones), music
that pumps you up, pictures that generate specific emotions, thinking about
various aspects of your dream/vision, the eyes of a child at a shelter you
volunteer at, or some little confirmation that youre on the right path. It
could be any of a million various little things. Whereas your major
motivation pulls you like a great locomotive, minor motivational factors are
those things which can rehabilitate you and fix up any damages on the
locomotive after a rough day.
Motivation can be positive or negative. Negative motivation is what we
naturally gravitate towards and its self-centered nature causes us much

suffering. Positive motivation is what you should work on developing and is

effortless because it moves you towards a purer and more selfless form of
motivation. Keep something in mind though: theres a strong positive in
negative motivation. To be mindful of a negative motivation is to receive a
great insight into a major affliction which is holding you back. So dont beat
yourself up if you begin to notice that youre motivated by something
negative. Not only is it perfectly normal, but noticing this is a huge step in
the direction of positive change.

Whether you have goals or not, we all have intentions. We all plan or intend
to do things each day, week, month, and year of our life and motivation is
the underlying factor which propels us to take action.

Compassion, love, joy, and wisdom are all extremely powerful motivating
factors which move us as well as those around us towards greater wellbeing. And these motivating factors are more powerful than any of the
traditional negative motivational factors such as greed, power over people, or
approval.

Look deeply and mindfully within yourself in order to identify your deepest
motivations. And, if necessary, begin to steer yourself in a new and more
conscious direction. Harnessing motivation as a force for good, like so many
other things in life, is ultimately about becoming more conscious.

Devote yourself to living mindfully, both in the present moment and mindful
of your actions at large, and youll develop the ability to wield motivation as
a powerful force for action.

Are you on Tsu yet? Its a new social media platform that pays you for
creating and sharing content! Thousands of people have already joined. Its
just like Facebook, it takes seconds to join, and even easier to use! And best
of all you can reach 100% of your friends and audience, and NO Censorship.

You can only join by Invite, and this is an invitation from us to you. Click
here to join! and be sure to Follow us too.

Source: A Power-Packed Guide to Motivation: How to Motivate Yourself to

Take Positive Action, from buddhaimonia.com, by Matt Valentine

The 10 Most Important Ways to Simplify Your Life

December 29, 2014 /

14662 views

simple-life-1024x768

Modern life can be overwhelming.

We have smartphones, tablets, desktops computers and TVs in our faces all
day long. This causes mental dispersion- a sort of chaos of the mind. Were
now connected to the rest of the world 24/7. This is great, but it also has its
disadvantages.

We spend so much time looking at screens instead of real people, put so

much focus on building virtual friends instead of nurturing a small group of
close friends in our daily life and technology has made us so fanatical about
trying to keep up with a million things at once that our productivity sinks,
our minds never rest and we gradually build up stress and anxiety.

This on top of our obsession over material items are the major reasons our
lives have become over-complicated. We connect happiness to getting the
next new gadget or some other toy or trophy to the point where, unless we
get it, our minds are never at peace. And when we do get it, the feeling
quickly dissipates like sand sifting through our hands. Then, were off to
acquire something else to get the feeling back.

This cycle of consumption never results in peace. It never brings us true

happiness. Only stress, anxiety, anger and frustration.

By shedding our need for more, simplifying our lives and accepting the
present moment as it is we cultivate the grounds for true happiness. A
happiness not built upon outside forces, but upon our own inner peace.

At its essence, simplifying your life is about removing distractions. Its about
finding peace in the breathing room you gain from removing those
distractions and mindfully choosing to place your time with that which
matters most to you in life: be it your children, wife or husband, mother or
father and/or your spiritual practice/faith.

There are many ways to remove distractions and simplify your life if you only
take a second to look around. Below is simply a list of the major categories
which you can use to jump-start the process of simplifying your life. Feel free
to think of your own ways to simplify your life.

Start simplifying, reducing and de-cluttering today and youll not only have
room to breathe but more time to spend doing whats most important to you.
The 10 Most Important Ways to Simplify Your Life

(In no particular order)

1. Simplify your finances

First, put as many things on autopilot as possible. This means set your
paycheck up on direct deposit (if it isnt already) and set your bills up to
automatically deduct from your account when theyre due.

Also, set up a savings account and have it auto deduct every week when you
get your deposit. If you cant afford to save much right now thats OK, just
start by saving a few dollars a week. Whatever you can afford, whats most
important is that you establish the habit now.

Second, reduce the number of accounts you have. Most importantly, take
the shredder to your credit cards. They just waste your money and build bad
spending habits. Its too easy to miss a payment and have your interest rate
skyrocket to something crazy and then youre locked in debt and your credit
score takes a hit. The one exception to this would be a prepaid credit card
for the purpose of building your credit.

If youre neck-high in credit card debt and that isnt an option then you can
consolidate your credit. This will take all of your credit card accounts and
combine them into one easy to manage monthly payment. It will also take all
of those annoying phone calls and letters off your back.

Third, examine your monthly bills. Look to see if theres any you dont
actually use regularly. Maybe you havent watched much TV in the past few
months. It could be something small like a TV service such as Netflix or
Hulu (with membership) or something larger like your cable bill. I did this a
while back and found nearly $120 (aside from reducing our number of
monthly bills).

Lastly, pay for weekly expenses with cash. This is something Ive just started
doing so I wont say much about it. But, it seems to be working great and Im
really excited about it. By doing this youll avoid the confusion of trying to
look at your online banking and match up what you spent with your
available balance. This is a headache.

Each week take out the amount that youve pre-decided for each weekly
expense category (groceries, gas, diapers?!, fun) and separate them into
stacks. You can hold them with money clips, in envelopes or any other way
that works for you. This makes your weekly finances extremely clear and
simple to work with.
2. Simplify email

If your email situation is anything like mine was, it can get out of hand
without proper maintenance. About 90% of my emails go to one account
now, but at one point, I had 5 or so email accounts and was checking my
email some 10-15 times a day.

Start by consolidating your email accounts. Closely examine exactly why you
use each email account. By doing so youll probably find that a few of those
are either useless or can be combined with another account.

Next, unsubscribe from email lists you never use or gain any value from.
This could be iTunes if you never gain any value from what is on the email
list, Target if you dont shop at Target enough to care whats on their emails
(or if you do and just dont care to see their emails either way like me) or
some other company which you never had any particular interest in
receiving emails in the first place.

I know for me there were quite a bit. This should help reduce the amount of
emails you receive daily and leave the emails of greater importance.

Lastly, now that youve simplified your email accounts, set up a system. Most
importantly establish a schedule where you only check your email once or
twice a day. Commit to yourself that you wont open up your email outside of
that block of time.

If email is an important part of your day block out however much time you
need and get to work. Focus on the high important emails first and get to
however many others you can in the rest of that block of time. After that,
move on. Dont let email rule your life and dont be scared of leaving emails
unread.
3. Reduce screen time

This is a big one. Screens are a major force for distraction and mental
dispersion in modern life as I mentioned earlier.

First, reduce your TV time or stop watching it altogether. If you only reduce
your TV time then at least watch online where theres little to no
commercials (depending on the platform you use). This will save you time,
reduce your commercial exposure and put you in better control of your time.
You might not have to catch your favorite show when its on anymore, maybe
you can just record it, but this way you never even have to do that. And
cable is far more expensive then even multiple online viewing platforms at
once.

Next, reduce the amount of time youre on your smartphone. Id suggest

going through your smartphone and deleting any unused apps. When you
have way too many possible distractions on your phone you tend to pick it
up and look for things to distract yourself with. This is one of the more
dangerous distractions in our everyday life because its always there with us.
By drastically reducing the amount of times you pick your phone up in a
given day youll notice youll have a calmer and less dispersed mind.

I did a thorough check-up of my phone and found that I rarely used or had
no need for roughly 70% of the apps I had downloaded. I reduced the
number of apps on my phone to 1/2 of one page and put any rarely used or
undelete-able apps (iPhone) into their own folder and threw them on the
second page where I would never lay eyes on them. This drastically reduced
the amount of time Id waste each day playing around on my phone doing
nothing particularly important.
4. Giveaway unused / unnecessary material possessions

Like most people, you probably have quite a few unused / unnecessary
material items which are taking up space and cluttering your life. Most of us
dont notice the effect it has on us. But when you take the time to clear away
the material clutter in your life youll find yourself with room to breath that
you never knew you had. Its pretty liberating to disconnect yourself from
material items.

Depending on whether or not you have kids (a big one), a significant other, a
house (another big one), what you do for a living / enjoy doing on your off
time and whether or not youre a pack rat you can have varied amounts of
clutter.

I have known some pack rats in my life. Their emotional attachment to

material items isnt healthy. It just keeps you from finding that true,
renewable and limitless happiness that exists when you find out that
happiness doesnt exist outside of you in material items. And the worst part
is its so difficult to notice when you suffer from it.

So how will you know whats clutter and what isnt? Use the same
benchmark weve used for every other category so far: do you ever use it?
does it provide any value? No? Trash it. Do you use it but it wastes your time
and provides no positive value for you or anyone around you? Trash it. After

that gather everything up and look at whats most important. Then see if
anything else comes to mind thats unnecessary. Whats left are the
essentials.
5. Simplify your actions

We try to handle so many things at once. Both men and women are
pressured in different ways from society at large, but, both are expected to
do so many things at once, do them all perfectly and all the while keeping a
smile on their face. We dont notice that this affects the way we act.

But we dont have to follow along with this agenda. In fact, keeping up with
the Jones only sets you further behind from accomplishing your dreams
and goals. In order to establish the life we want we need to be willing to be
honest with ourselves and those around us. When necessary,you need to be
able to tell yourself, and those around you, NO.

In order to establish the life we want we also need to be able to focus.This is

how I created measurable changes in my own life. I focused on one major
thing at a time until my entire life had changed. And Im still working on
things today just the same way.

Youll still juggle from time to time, thats an aspect of modern life thats
difficult to get around. But you can greatly reduce this. And, this doesnt
mean you cant put extra attention towards one of those things. By
simplifying your life at large it makes it that much easier to focus on one
area and really create measurable improvements.

The bottom line is dont spread yourself thin. If you do, you wont do a good
job on any of the things youre trying to do. Focus on one or a few tasks at a
time and give 100% of yourself to them.
6. Simplify your thoughts

You might not generally consider your thoughts as an aspect of simplifying

your life, but its one of the most important areas you can do so. Modern life
is filled with distractions. These distractions over-complicate life as much as,
if not more than, anything else.

This is when we go back to the practice of mindfulness. The easiest way to

do this and begin quieting your mind is to start practicing sitting
meditation. Sitting meditation is the most concentrated form of mindfulness
and therefore will have the greatest effect towards what were trying to
achieve: a more quiet mind.
7. Reduce social distractions

Everyone is on social media these days. You might visit Facebook once a
week, check Twitter every couple of days or use multiple social accounts on
a daily basis. Whatever your frequency or preference its hard to escape the
pull of digital socializing these days.

But as great a resource as they can be for staying connected with friends,
family, companies and any of your other favorite people, they can become a
major distraction. They can, and will, keep you from enjoying life without
you even knowing it.

Making friends online is a lot easier to do then in person. And perhaps

because of that theres an addicting quality to it. I know people who have at
certain points made it a habit to check their Facebook, Twitter or Instagram
accounts some 20, 30 or more times a day. Work on keeping your social time
online to a minimum.

Being social online isnt bad though. As I mentioned it can be a very good
thing. Just make sure youre careful about what conversations you take part

in. Dont follow people or take part in conversations just for the sake of
gossiping or talking negatively about something or someone. that wont serve
you and will just bring bad vibes your way. You dont need that complicating
your life.
8. Stop multi-tasking

Multi-tasking is a myth. There. I said it. OK, sometimes its possible. But it
doesnt get us the results we once thought it did. Multi-tasking only makes
us -less- productive, more scattered and reduces the quality of our work.

Multi-tasking also causes us stress and anxiety. We werent meant to take

on 2-3 things at the same time. Were most effective when we focus on one
activity at a time and give 100% of ourselves to that activity.

So dont fool yourself. No matter how much more productive you think you
are while attempting to multi-task, youre not. Youre only hurting yourself
and forcefully complicating your life.
9. Pre-plan your meals

When I say menu-fy meal times Im really talking about simplifying meal
time. Whether youre single or have a family, figuring out what youre going
to eat (especially at dinner) can be a real headache. We live in an age where
were provided with so many different options that just deciding what to eat
for dinner can be a task in itself (and sometimes a debate!).

Unless youre a robot Im assuming you eat every single day, probably a few
times a day. So do yourself a favor: take some time to list out all the various
dishes and foods you eat on a semi-regular basis. Separate this list based on
meal time: breakfast, lunch, dinner and any other time you usually eat (after
work out, for instance).

Also list out some things under a snack category. If you take the time to
think of some healthy snacks youll find yourself snacking on not-so-great
things less often.

Second, sub-separate those categories into two sections based on the meals
you cook/prepare and restaurants/fast food locations you visit.

Third, take this list and each week plan out your meals. We plan our meals
on Sunday but you can do it whenever fits best for you. This method also
helps reduce the amount of times you eat out each week. And you dont have
to be so specific. You can buy milk & cereal and some berries and figure
youll have those on various days for breakfast without actually deciding
which days specifically.

Lastly, go to the store that same day and buy all of the ingredients youll
need for the coming week. Let me tell you that from experience youll
sometimes forget things and still have to run by the store, but it will reduce
the amount of times you need to do so in a given week. Especially if you
have kids

This method of pre-planning meals has greatly simplified the meal time
process for me and my family. It reduces headache, cuts down on time,
reduces grocery store runs and gives you that time back to enjoy with your
loved ones.
10. Become a conscious consumer

So youve simplified your life in 9 major areas. Youre feeling pretty good. You
have breathing room, less clutter, less distractions, less complications and
life in general has just become more peaceful and enjoyable.

But you need to maintain this in order for it to continue. You need to
become a conscious consumer. Let your mindfulness guide you here.When
considering consuming or purchasing something new ask yourself: do I
need this? Or can I live without it?, will this take time away from
something else thats important to me? Am I OK with that? and will this
contribute to my life in a positive way?

This includes all 9 categories. When you consider adding an account or a

new bill to your financial situation, when you consider taking on a new goal
or responsibility, when you consider trying out a new social network because
a friend asks you to join her or when you consider buying something new for
your home. In all of these scenarios ask yourself the questions I listed above.

I cant tell you what the right choice is to make, only you can do that. But as
long as stay mindful and make a conscious decision you can maintain a
simpler and more peaceful lifestyle.

Are you on Tsu yet? Its a new social media platform that pays you for
creating and sharing content! Thousands of people have already joined. Its
just like Facebook, it takes seconds to join, and even easier to use! And best
of all you can reach 100% of your friends and audience, and NO Censorship.
You can only join by Invite, and this is an invitation from us to you. Click
here to join! and be sure to Follow us too.
7 Clever Ways to Deal with Highly Judgmental People

When you judge another, you do not define them, you define yourself. ~
Wayne Dyer
Whenever I come in contact with highly judgmental people I do my best to
put myself in their shoes and understand why they behave the way they do
and why do they feel the need to point the finger at those around them.

You see, I really believe that underneath it all we are all good, kind and
loving beings but because of the many challenges that life sends our way
and because of the many struggles that we all face, some of us become bitter
and resentful. When that happens, we begin to project our own pain and
suffering in the form of blame, judgment and criticism onto the world
around us.
Today I want to share with you 7 clever ways to deal with highly judgmental
people in a more positive and loving way.
1. Dont take things personally
If someone you know is judging you harshly, know that it is probably
because they judge themselves harshly. They speak to you in the same way
they speak to themselves. Dont take it personally. Dont make their
negativity your own. Dont let their toxic words go to your heart. Dont poison
yourself with things that have little or nothing to do with who you are.
Dont take anything personally. Nothing others do is because of you. What
others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream. When
you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you wont be the
victim of needless suffering Miguel Ruiz
2. Look beyond appearances
Learn to look beyond appearances, to really see and hear what their soul,
not their ego, wants you to see and hear.
Look beyond appearances, behind the harsh and toxic words and see if you
can find that place within them where love, beauty and kindness resides.
Look for the for the good in people and trust that by doing so you will help
bring out the good that lies in them.
When another person makes you suffer, it is because he suffers deeply
within himself, and his suffering is spilling over. He does not need
punishment; he needs help. Thats the message he is sending. ~ Thch Nht
Hnh
3. Embrace a compassionate attitude
When people are feeling down, unhappy, lost and disconnected from
themselves and the world around them, thats when they begin to project

their own darkness onto the people they interact with, thats when they start
judging the world around them. Its when we are unhappy with ourselves
that we begin to judge, blame and criticize those around us.
Treat everyone with respect, love and compassion, including those who
judge and criticize you harshly, not necessarily because they deserve it but
because you do. Appreciate the contrast and silently thank them for the
many lessons they are teaching you.
A truly compassionate attitude toward others does not change even if they
behave negatively or hurt you. ~ Dalai Lama XIV
4. Look for the lesson
Believe it or not, everyone you come in contact with has something to teach
you. Theres a lesson for you to learn but also to teach. Just like Lao Tzu
said it more than 2500 years ago, a good man is a bad mans teacher and a
bad man is a good mans job.
What is a good man but a bad mans teacher? What is a bad man but a
good mans job? If you dont understand this, you will get lost, however
intelligent you are. It is the great secret. ~ Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching
Get in the habit of looking for the meaning behind every interaction and
every experience life sends your way. Look for the lesson, look for the
meaning and be willing to use every interaction and every experience to
become a better but not bitter human being.
5. The world is your mirror
We but mirror the world. All the tendencies present in the outer world are
to be found in the world of our body. If we could change ourselves, the
tendencies in the world would also change. As a man changes his own
nature, so does the attitude of the world change towards him. This is the
divine mystery supreme. A wonderful thing it is and the source of our
happiness. We need not wait to see what others do. ~ Mahatma Gandhi
I have come to realize that whenever I lose control over my thoughts and
whenever my thinking isnt that positive and uplifting, thats when things
start to go wrong in my world. And thats when I encounter people who judge
not only those around them but they also judge me.

Like attracts like. If theres darkness within, there will be darkness without.
The world is our mirror, it reflects back whats already within us. If the
people that come your way are filled with negativity and toxicity and if you
feel that you have many interactions of this kind, you might want to start
purifying your thoughts and cleansing your own inner world. Because if you
make the inner world pure, the outside world will be pure as well and so will
be all of your interactions.
6. Adopt an attitude of gratitude
I have learned silence from the talkative, toleration from the intolerant, and
kindness from the unkind; yet, strange, I am ungrateful to those teachers. ~
Khalil Gibran
Get into the habit of expressing your gratitude and appreciation for every
interaction and every experience life sends you way, no matter if good or
bad. Use them all to enrich your life and who you are, to grow, to expand
and to become the beautiful and wonderful being you were born to be.
7. Focus your energy and attention upon those who love and appreciate
you
We live in a world full of people and no matter how kind and loving you are,
there will always be someone who will have a problem with you simply
because they have a problem with themselves. Dont take their behavior
personally. Dont waste your time judging the people who judge you, instead,
channel your energy on loving the people who love you. Use your precious
time and energy to show your love and appreciation to those who love and
adore you.
When you meet anyone, remember it is a holy encounter. As you see him
you will see yourself. As you treat him you will treat yourself. As you think of
him you will think of yourself. Never forget this, for in him you will find
yourself or lose yourself. ~ A Course In Miracles
Did it ever happened to start judging someone simply because they were
judging you and not like them simply because they didnt seem to like you?
And how do you deal with judgment and criticism? I really want to know
what are your thoughts on this. You can share your insights by joining the
conversation in the comment section below.

Are you on Tsu yet? Its a new social media platform that pays you for
creating and sharing content! Thousands of people have already joined.
Its just like Facebook, it takes seconds to join, and even easier to use! And
best of all you can reach 100% of your friends and audience, and NO
Censorship. You can only join by Invite, and this is an invitation from us to
you. Click here to join! and be sure to Follow us too.
Via: Expanded Consciousness

10 Tips to Help You to Spot a Liar

To help you spot a liar, we have collected here a brief list of 10 giveaways
indicating a person may be bending the truth:
1. Facial muscular twitching. The brain tries to prevent the face from
showing any feedback.
2. No eye contact. His eyes will look away. If the room has a door, thats
where hell look.
3. Crossing of arms and/or legs. This is defensive instinct.
4. Tight-lipped smile. This second forced smile used both sexes to feign
sincerity.
5. The pupils of eyes narrow.
6. Fast talking. A liar wants to get it over with.
7. The head will shake no when giving a yes answer or vice versa.
8. Hiding his hands. Men find it easier to lie with their hands in their
pockets.
9. Mispronouncing words or mumbling. A liar thinks he is not lying
when he does this.
10.
Overstated friendliness/laughing. He wants you to like him so
you will believe him.

Reboot Your Life: 20 Mental Barriers You Should Let Go Of

You are in an imaginary hot air balloon. Its just you and all of your
belongings in the wicker basket. Something went wrong and you are losing
altitude fast. You will hit the ground in less than ten minutes if you dont
come up with something quick.
The only immediate solution is to get rid of excess weight and throw off at
least half of your belongings. Its that or hit the ground in ten. You look at
the things and hesitate for a few seconds but then you do what you have to
do and start throwing the things you have gathered half your life one by one.
The cargo gets lighter, the descent slows down then you are floating up again
back to altitude. You are relieved beyond comprehension.
This happens to all of us in less dramatic circumstances. We attach
ourselves to things that we have accumulated over the years. Some of them
might have some practical value. Others we just have attached ourselves
sentimentally to over time. Some others are just clutter.
Our mental life follows the same fate. We carry with us a lot of things in our
heads along the years Our life story, emotional attachments, beliefs and
other things which can linger in our minds for many years.
Some of them are useless ideas that drag us down considerably. Some are
emotional debris from difficult moments in our past. Some are just beliefs
which we have attached ourselves to for no apparent justifiable reason.
Some others are just self-destructive habits and fears.
So if you were in the hot air balloon situation, which of these mental
barriers should we let go? I have listed down 20 here. Do you have any
more?
1. Let go of attachments: According to Buddhist Philosophy, attachment is
one of the roots of all suffering. I cant agree more. We attach ourselves to all
sorts of things even the most self-slapping stupid notions in the universe.
Are you attached to something? How much are you attached? Is it keeping
you back from something? Is it making you suffer? Look at it straight
through break the illusion. Know that every attachment can be detached.

2. Let go of guilt: Guilt has absolutely no function whatsoever. Think about

it what could guilt possibly resolve? It just holds you imprisoned to selfmortification and sorrow.
3. Let go of Negative thinking: Pessimistic thoughts and negative attitudes
keep you locked in a dark aura that permeates in everything you do. Its a
dangerous line to follow. Know that thoughts influence the world around us.
Enough said.
4. Let go of self-criticism: Many times we are our biggest pain in the neck.
We criticize ourselves with the best of intentions but then go over the
acceptable limit. Criticism then turns to disempowering messages. Let go of
it and be kind and gentle to yourself.
5. Let go of prejudice: Prejudice keeps you bitter and resentful. It restricts
your opportunities to connect meaningfully with others.
6. Let go of compulsive thinking: Do you keep on doing something just
because you feel you have to do it without any apparent reason? Its time to
honestly reflect on its usefulness and its side-effects.
7. Let go of the need for others approval: We often tend to seek approval
by others. This is an attention-seeking behaviour and one which threatens
our self-confidence and authenticity.
8. Let go of limiting beliefs: Most of our limits are self-imposed. Life
doesnt have defined limits. Our beliefs do. Learn to identify those beliefs
which narrow down your possibilities for action and let go of them.
9. Let go of grudges: Let me put it this way grudges are bad for your
heart. Keep them long enough or numerous enough and your health will
eventually suffer. Research is showing the relationship between heart
disease and emotions such as anger and grudges.
10. Let go of the Ill do it tomorrow attitude: This is a delaying tactic of
your subconscious saboteur trying to keep you from accomplishing
important tasks. Try to be aware of it when you think it and consciously
push yourself to do at least the first part of it. Naturally you will then
continue the whole task because the hard part is only the beginning.

11. Let go of anxious thoughts: These are born out of our fear of the
unknown and uncertainty about the future. The thought that something
unpleasant may happen is only an unreal thought we have created
ourselves. Ask yourself: Is this thought based on real evidence?
12. Let go of past heartbreaks: A heartbreak can take quite a long time to
heal. Your heart is locked as your mind keeps on hovering over the same
thought. The thing to realize is that in heartbreaks it is not the loss that
make you suffer but the idea you create in your heads about that loss.
13. Let go of bad memories: Sometimes we remember unpleasant things
that stir up some sad feelings in us. Bad memories make you relive those
sad moments in the present. Keep them where they are in the past.
14. Let go of useless things: We also attach ourselves to things of all sort.
Sometimes we clutter our life with useless objects. Let go of them and
simplify your working and living environment.
15. Let go of bad company: If there are people around you that are
insincere, harbour envy, are highly pessimistic or disempowering, keep away
from them.
16. Let go of the idea that you are a product of your past: One very
common mistake we fall into is the belief that we are determined by our past
experiences. This limits our view on future possibilities since we are stuck in
believing that the future can only be more of the same as our past.
17. Let go of identifying yourself with your job/role: This is one of the
risks of modern day life. Since roles are always becoming more specialized
we think that we are part of our roles. This makes us lose perspective of our
true nature.
18. Let go of counterproductive habits: These are the repetitive patterns
of behavior that obstruct or distract you from constructive and productive
behavior. They can be anything from watching too much TV and overeating
to self-destructive behavior such as drug abuse.
19. Let go of taking things too personally: Very often we are disturbed
emotionally because we interpret peoples words and actions from a very

subjective perspective. When we take things personally we get irritated, hurt

and disappointed. When you look at life from a more detached and objective
point of view, we stay emotionally balanced and focused on our priorities.
20. Let go of the ticking clock: Time is one of our biggest sources of stress.
Well, not time really but our perception of it. Sometimes we are enslaved by
the concept of time even in our moments of leisure. This has devoured a lot
of our genuine freedom and space. Learning to spend moments without the
constant awareness of time can be liberating and finally productive.
Are you on Tsu yet? Its a new social media platform that pays you
for creating and sharing content! Thousands of people have already
joined. Its just like Facebook, it takes seconds to join, and even easier
to use! And best of all you can reach 100% of your friends and
audience, and NO Censorship. You can only join by Invite, and this
is an invitation from us to you. Click here to join! and be sure
to Follow us too.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
The Article was written by Gilbert Ross you can find him
on Facebook,Twitter, Google+ and his blog Soulhiker and more importantly
you can take his course at Udemy.
Credits: Myscienceacademy

30 Things To Start Doing For Yourself. #5 Is Absolutely Vital

December 12, 2014 /

11851 views

feature_image_template67-620x400Marc and Angel are the authors of 1000

Little Things Happy Successful People Do Differently. Heres their amazing
list of 30 things to start doing for yourself. If you enjoy this, be sure to visit
their website for more inspirational advice and tips for life.

#1. Start spending time with the right people. These are the people you
enjoy, who love and appreciate you, and who encourage you to improve in
healthy and exciting ways. They are the ones who make you feel more alive,
and not only embrace who you are now, but also embrace and embody who
you want to be, unconditionally. (scroll down for more)

#2. Start facing your problems head on. It isnt your problems that define
you, but how you react to them and recover from them. Problems will not
disappear unless you take action. Do what you can, when you can, and
acknowledge what youve done. Its all about taking baby steps in the right
direction, inch by inch. These inches count, they add up to yards and miles
in the long run.

#3. Start being honest with yourself about everything. Be honest about
whats right, as well as what needs to be changed. Be honest about what you
want to achieve and who you want to become. Be honest with every aspect of
your life, always. Because you are the one person you can forever count on.
Search your soul, for the truth, so that you truly know who you are. Once
you do, youll have a better understanding of where you are now and how
you got here, and youll be better equipped to identify where you want to go
and how to get there. Read The Road Less Traveled.

#4. Start making your own happiness a priority. Your needs matter. If you
dont value yourself, look out for yourself, and stick up for yourself, youre
sabotaging yourself. Remember, it IS possible to take care of your own needs
while simultaneously caring for those around you. And once your needs are
met, you will likely be far more capable of helping those who need you most.

#5. Start being yourself, genuinely and proudly. Trying to be anyone else is
a waste of the person you are. Be yourself. Embrace that individual inside
you that has ideas, strengths and beauty like no one else. Be the person you
know yourself to be the best version of you on your terms. Above all, be
true to YOU, and if you cannot put your heart in it, take yourself out of it.

#6. Start noticing and living in the present. Right now is a miracle. Right
now is the only moment guaranteed to you. Right now is life. So stop
thinking about how great things will be in the future. Stop dwelling on what
did or didnt happen in the past. Learn to be in the here and now and
experience life as its happening. Appreciate the world for the beauty that it
holds, right now.

#7. Start valuing the lessons your mistakes teach you. Mistakes are okay;
theyre the stepping stones of progress. If youre not failing from time to time,
youre not trying hard enough and youre not learning. Take risks, stumble,
fall, and then get up and try again. Appreciate that you are pushing
yourself, learning, growing and improving. Significant achievements are
almost invariably realized at the end of a long road of failures. One of the
mistakes you fear might just be the link to your greatest achievement yet.

#8. Start being more polite to yourself. If you had a friend who spoke to
you in the same way that you sometimes speak to yourself, how long would
you allow that person to be your friend? The way you treat yourself sets the
standard for others. You must love who you are or no one else will.

#9. Start enjoying the things you already have. The problem with many of
us is that we think well be happy when we reach a certain level in life a
level we see others operating at your boss with her corner office, that
friend of a friend who owns a mansion on the beach, etc. Unfortunately, it
takes awhile before you get there, and when you get there youll likely have a
new destination in mind. Youll end up spending your whole life working
toward something new without ever stopping to enjoy the things you have
now. So take a quiet moment every morning when you first awake to
appreciate where you are and what you already have.

#10. Start creating your own happiness. If you are waiting for someone
else to make you happy, youre missing out. Smile because you can. Choose

happiness. Be the change you want to see in the world. Be happy with who
you are now, and let your positivity inspire your journey into tomorrow.
Happiness is often found when and where you decide to seek it. If you look
for happiness within the opportunities you have, you will eventually find it.
But if you constantly look for something else, unfortunately, youll find that
too. Read Stumbling on Happiness.

#11. Start giving your ideas and dreams a chance. In life, its rarely about
getting a chance; its about taking a chance. Youll never be 100% sure it will
work, but you can always be 100% sure doing nothing wont work. Most of
the time you just have to go for it! And no matter how it turns out, it always
ends up just the way it should be. Either you succeed or you learn
something. Win-Win.

#12. Start believing that youre ready for the next step. You are ready!
Think about it. You have everything you need right now to take the next
small, realistic step forward. So embrace the opportunities that come your
way, and accept the challenges theyre gifts that will help you to grow.

#13. Start entering new relationships for the right reasons. Enter new
relationships with dependable, honest people who reflect the person you are
and the person you want to be. Choose friends you are proud to know,
people you admire, who show you love and respect people who reciprocate
your kindness and commitment. And pay attention to what people do,
because a persons actions are much more important than their words or
how others represent them.

#14. Start giving new people you meet a chance. It sounds harsh, but you
cannot keep every friend youve ever made. People and priorities change. As
some relationships fade others will grow. Appreciate the possibility of new
relationships as you naturally let go of old ones that no longer work. Trust
your judgment. Embrace new relationships, knowing that you are entering

into unfamiliar territory. Be ready to learn, be ready for a challenge, and be

ready to meet someone that might just change your life forever.

#15. Start competing against an earlier version of yourself. Be inspired by

others, appreciate others, learn from others, but know that competing
against them is a waste of time. You are in competition with one person and
one person only yourself. You are competing to be the best you can be. Aim
to break your own personal records.

#16. Start cheering for other peoples victories. Start noticing what you like
about others and tell them. Having an appreciation for how amazing the
people around you are leads to good places productive, fulfilling, peaceful
places. So be happy for those who are making progress. Cheer for their
victories. Be thankful for their blessings, openly. What goes around comes
around, and sooner or later the people youre cheering for will start cheering
for you.

#17. Start looking for the silver lining in tough situations. When things are
hard, and you feel down, take a few deep breaths and look for the silver
lining the small glimmers of hope. Remind yourself that you can and will
grow stronger from these hard times. And remain conscious of your
blessings and victories all the things in your life that are right. Focus on
what you have, not on what you havent.

#18. Start forgiving yourself and others. Weve all been hurt by our own
decisions and by others. And while the pain of these experiences is normal,
sometimes it lingers for too long. We relive the pain over and over and have a
hard time letting go. Forgiveness is the remedy. It doesnt mean youre
erasing the past, or forgetting what happened. It means youre letting go of
the resentment and pain, and instead choosing to learn from the incident
and move on with your life.

#19. Start helping those around you. Care about people. Guide them if you
know a better way. The more you help others, the more they will want to
help you. Love and kindness begets love and kindness. And so on and so
forth.

#20. Start listening to your own inner voice. If it helps, discuss your ideas
with those closest to you, but give yourself enough room to follow your own
intuition. Be true to yourself. Say what you need to say. Do what you know
in your heart is right.

#21. Start being attentive to your stress level and take short breaks. Slow
down. Breathe. Give yourself permission to pause, regroup and move
forward with clarity and purpose. When youre at your busiest, a brief recess
can rejuvenate your mind and increase your productivity. These short
breaks will help you regain your sanity and reflect on your recent actions so
you can be sure theyre in line with your goals.

#22. Start noticing the beauty of small moments. Instead of waiting for the
big things to happen marriage, kids, big promotion, winning the lottery
find happiness in the small things that happen every day. Little things like
having a quiet cup of coffee in the early morning, or the delicious taste and
smell of a homemade meal, or the pleasure of sharing something you enjoy
with someone else, or holding hands with your partner. Noticing these small
pleasures on a daily basis makes a big difference in the quality of your life.

#23. Start accepting things when they are less than perfect. Remember,
perfect is the enemy of good. One of the biggest challenges for people who
want to improve themselves and improve the world is learning to accept
things as they are. Sometimes its better to accept and appreciate the world
as it is, and people as they are, rather than to trying to make everything and
everyone conform to an impossible ideal. No, you shouldnt accept a life of
mediocrity, but learn to love and value things when they are less than
perfect.

#24. Start working toward your goals every single day. Remember, the
journey of a thousand miles begins with one step. Whatever it is you dream
about, start taking small, logical steps every day to make it happen. Get out
there and DO something! The harder you work the luckier you will become.
While many of us decide at some point during the course of our lives that we
want to answer our calling, only an astute few of us actually work on it. By
working on it, I mean consistently devoting oneself to the end result. Read
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.

#25. Start being more open about how you feel. If youre hurting, give
yourself the necessary space and time to hurt, but be open about it. Talk to
those closest to you. Tell them the truth about how you feel. Let them listen.
The simple act of getting things off your chest and into the open is your first
step toward feeling good again.

#26. Start taking full accountability for your own life. Own your choices
and mistakes, and be willing to take the necessary steps to improve upon
them. Either you take accountability for your life or someone else will. And
when they do, youll become a slave to their ideas and dreams instead of a
pioneer of your own. You are the only one who can directly control the
outcome of your life. And no, it wont always be easy. Every person has a
stack of obstacles in front of them. But you must take accountability for
your situation and overcome these obstacles. Choosing not to is choosing a
lifetime of mere existence.

#27. Start actively nurturing your most important relationships. Bring

real, honest joy into your life and the lives of those you love by simply telling
them how much they mean to you on a regular basis. You cant be
everything to everyone, but you can be everything to a few people. Decide
who these people are in your life and treat them like royalty. Remember, you
dont need a certain number of friends, just a number of friends you can be
certain of.

#28. Start concentrating on the things you can control. You cant change
everything, but you can always change something. Wasting your time, talent
and emotional energy on things that are beyond your control is a recipe for
frustration, misery and stagnation. Invest your energy in the things you can
control, and act on them now.

#29. Start focusing on the possibility of positive outcomes. The mind must
believe it CAN do something before it is capable of actually doing it. The way
to overcome negative thoughts and destructive emotions is to develop
opposing, positive emotions that are stronger and more powerful. Listen to
your self-talk and replace negative thoughts with positive ones. Regardless
of how a situation seems, focus on what you DO WANT to happen, and then
take the next positive step forward. No, you cant control everything that
happens to you, but you can control how you react to things. Everyones life
has positive and negative aspects whether or not youre happy and
successful in the long run depends greatly on which aspects you focus on.
Read The How of Happiness.

#30. Start noticing how wealthy you are right now. Henry David Thoreau
once said, Wealth is the ability to fully experience life. Even when times are
tough, its always important to keep things in perspective. You didnt go to
sleep hungry last night. You didnt go to sleep outside. You had a choice of
what clothes to wear this morning. You hardly broke a sweat today. You
didnt spend a minute in fear. You have access to clean drinking water. You
have access to medical care. You have access to the Internet. You can read.
Some might say you are incredibly wealthy, so remember to be grateful for
all the things you do have.

10 Little Habits that Steal Your Happiness

Written by: Angel Chernoff, MarcAndAngelHackLife | You ultimately become

what you repeatedly do. If your habits arent helping you, theyre hurting
you. Here are a few examples of the latter that will steal your happiness if
you let them:
1. FOCUSING ON EVERYONES STORY EXCEPT YOUR OWN.
Dont be so satisfied with the success stories of others and how things have
gone for them that you forget to write your own. Unfold your own tale and
bring it to life. You have everything you need to become what you are
capable of becoming. Incredible change happens when you decide to take
control. This means consuming less and creating more. It means refusing to
let others do your thinking, talking, and deciding for you. It means learning
to respect and use your own ideas and instincts to write your passage.
If you want your life story to soar to new heights, youve got to clear a path,
reduce the time-sinks and burdens weighing you down, and pick up the
things that give you wings. Keep your best wishes and your biggest goals
close to your heart and dedicate time to them every day. If you truly care
about what you do and you work diligently at it, theres almost nothing you
cant accomplish.
2. WAITING FOR THE PERFECT MOMENT.
Dont buy into the myth of the perfect moment. Moments arent perfect;
theyre what you make them. So many people wait around for the stars to
align to do what theyre here to do. The perfect moment, the perfect
opportunity, the perfect state of being, etc. Wake up! These states of
perfection are myths. They do not exist.
Your ability to grow to your highest potential is directly related to your
willingness to act in the face of imperfection. You will come to succeed not
byfinding a perfect moment, but by learning to see and use lifes
imperfections perfectly. Read The Power of Now

3. WORKING FOR NOTHING MORE THAN A PAYCHECK.

Work without interest is imprisonment. Even if you arent super-passionate
about your work, youve got to at least be interested in it. When you design
a lifestyle in which your work is something you suffer through daily strictly

to pay your bills, you end up spending your entire life wishing you had
someone elses.
Think about it. This is your life; your work will fill a large percentage of it.
Its not all about the money; its about you. Ignore the propaganda,
especially from people who say, Dont let your work define you. Reverse
this message and mediate on it: I will do work that defines me. When the
essence of who you are defines at least some slice of the work you do for a
living, that work generates fulfillment.
Bottom line: Interest in your work puts quality in your output and
happiness in your mind. Dont settle for a paycheck. Shuffle around until
you find work that interests you.
4. HARBORING FEELINGS OF HATE.
As Martin Luther King Jr. so profoundly said, Darkness cannot drive out
darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can
do that. Truth be told, when we harbor feelings of hate, it eventually gets
the best of us. It takes control of us. We forget why we hate, what we hate,
and whom we hate we simply hate for the sake of hating. And then,
naturally, we begin to hate ourselves too.
Everything and everyone you hate rents permanent space in both your head
and heart. So if you want to eliminate something or someone from your
mind, dont hate. Instead, disconnect yourself, move on, and dont look
back. Read The Mastery of Love

5. HOLDING TIGHT TO WORRIES AND FEARS.

Someday when you look back over your life youll realize that nearly all of
your worries and anxious fears never came to fruition they were completely
unfounded. So why not wake up and realize this right now. When you look
back over the last few years, how many opportunities for joy did you destroy
with needless worry and negativity? Although theres nothing you can do
about these lost joys, theres plenty you can do about the ones that are still
to come.
You will find that its necessary to let some things go simply for the reason
that theyre heavy on your heart and soul. Let go of them. Dont clamp

shackles to your own ankles. Its incredibly easy to enjoy more of your life
right now, no matter what the situation. Its just a matter of letting go of the
layers of nonsense that are weighing you down.
Let go of your worries and fears, of your rage and jealousy, of your need to
always be right and control others. Let go of your pretentiousness and your
need to have everything your way. Underneath all these layers of nonsense
there is a happy, productive person. When you start peeling them off and
simply appreciating everything for what it is, life can be wonderfully
fulfilling.
6. DWELLING ON DIFFICULTIES.
A bad day is just a bad day. Choose not to make it anything more. Times of
adversity will inevitably affect the conditions in which you live and work; yet
you dont have to let it affect who you are and where youre headed. Take
note of the setbacks and adjust to them, but dont expand on them by
making them a bigger part of your life.
Every day brings new lessons and new possibilities. There is always a way
to take the next step forward on the path youve chosen. Events may be
terrible and inescapable at times, but you always have choice if not when,
then how, you may endure and proceed onward.
7. CONSTANTLY SEEKING FLEETING CONTENTMENT.
There are two variations of contentment in life fleeting and enduring. The
fleeting type is derived from instants of material comfort, while the enduring
type is attained through the gradual growth of your mind. At a glimpse it
might be difficult to decipher one from the other, but as time rolls on it
becomes vividly obvious that the latter is far superior.
Enduring contentment sustains itself through lifes ups and downs, because
through them your mind remains confident and at peace. On the other
hand, when lifes fleeting changes have the ability to ruffle your mind into a
frenzy, even the most elaborate physical comforts wont make you any
happier for very long.
8. TRYING TO MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE ALL AT ONCE.

If you want to make a difference in the world, start with the world around
you. Making a big difference all at once is usually impossible, and the
process of trying is extremely stressful. However, instantly making a
difference in a few lives is entirely possible and usually fairly easy. You just
have to focus on one person at a time and start with the one closest to you.
Work to make a bunch of small splashes, and let the ripples spread
naturally. If you want to change a persons mind or mood, sometimes you
have to change the minds or moods of the people around them first. For
instance, if you make one person smile, their smile just might make others
smile too. In this subtle way, you can touch the masses with your
thoughtfulness without stressing yourself out.
9. HOLDING ON TO SOMEONE WHO HURTS YOU.
Sometimes you have to walk away from people, not because you dont care,
but because they dont. When someone hurts you time and time again,
accept the fact that they dont care about you. Its a tough pill to swallow,
but its necessary medicine. Do NOT strive to impress them any further.
Waste not another second of your time trying to prove something to them.
Nothing needs to be proven. Do not act with any thought of them ever
again.
10. OVER-AMPLIFYING THE IMPORTANCE OF PHYSICAL
ATTRACTIVENESS.
Infatuating yourself with someone simply for what they look like on the
outside is like choosing your favorite food based on color instead of taste. It
makes no sense. Its innate, invisible, unquantifiable characteristics that
create lasting attraction.
Just as some people enjoy the smell of mint, while others prefer the scent of
cinnamon, there is an undeniable, magnetic draw that attracts you to the
qualities of certain people, places, and things. Sometimes its even the scars
your soul shares with them that reels you in and creates the very hinges
that hold you together in the long run.
Are you on Tsu yet? Its a new social media platform that pays you
for creating and sharing content! Thousands of people have already

joined. Its just like Facebook, it takes seconds to join, and even easier
to use! And best of all you can reach100% of your friends
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10 Toxic Habits That Drain Your Energy

November 16, 2014 /

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10-toxic-habits

Its time to break the habits that have been holding you back. Respect
yourself enough to let go of the mindsets and routines that have been
sucking you dry.

Marc and Angel, two passionate writers, life-hackers and admirers of the
human spirit, have come up with an amazing list of 7 Reason To Stop
Proving Yourself to Everyone Else. If you like their list, make sure you check
out their site and sign up to their amazing newsletter!

Bear with me for a moment. You know when youre driving to an unfamiliar
place, blasting the radio while simultaneously watching your GPS spit out
directions? Then you suddenly get to that one part of the route thats
ridiculously confusing, so you lower the volume even though it has no direct
impact on the way you read the directions?

That is your life. The radio noise you need to cut out to concentrate? That
is the needless, energy-sucking noise in your head.

Turning down the radio in the car re-energizes your mind and offers you
clarity when you need it most. You dont really think about how or why this
makes such a huge difference, you just know that it does.

Now its time to apply this same principle to all the other noise in your life,
starting with the noise in your head.

But how?

The first step is to eliminate toxic, energy-sucking habits that support this
noise. With over ten years of experience as life coaches behind us, here are
ten such habits Angel and I have seen thousands of people struggle with,
again and again:

Pretending like everything is OK when it isnt. Do you feel overwhelmed?

Do you feel like giving up? Theres honestly no shame in it. You are not a
robot; and even if you were, youd still need to stop for maintenance
sometimes. Theres no shame in admitting to yourself that you feel
exhausted, doubtful, and low. This is a natural part of being human. The
simple fact that you are aware of this means you are able to turn things
around. Its okay to fall apart for a little while. You dont always have to
pretend to be strong, and theres no need to constantly prove that everything
is going well. You shouldnt be concerned with what other people are
thinking either cry if you need to its healthy to shed your tears. The
sooner you do, the sooner you will be able to smile again.
Letting pain from the past devastate the present. I am stronger because
of the hard times, wiser because of my mistakes, and happier because I have

known sadness. The same is true for you. Every difficult conversation you
have had included someone who was teaching you something about
yourself. Every trying situation contains an opportunity for deeper selfreflection and learning. Every irritant, heartbreak, frustration,
disappointment, and fearful moment is a teacher. Remember, nothing is as
bad as it seems. Nothing. Theres a benefit and a blessing hidden in the
folds of every experience and every outcome. So dont you dare give up on
today because of the way things looked yesterday. Dont even think about it.
Every day is a new day to try again. (Read The Road Less Traveled.)
Believing that your best days are either in front of you or behind you.
You spend your whole life stuck in the labyrinth, thinking about how youll
escape one day, and how incredible it will be, and imagining that pristine
future keeps you going, but you never do it. You just use the future to
escape the present. This is precisely what keeps so many of us stressed and
unhappy. The flipside is true as well obsessing about the past. What you
need to accept is that there are only two days in the year that nothing can
be done. One is yesterday and the other is tomorrow. So today, this
moment, is the right time to love, to laugh, to work and to live boldly. Yes,
this moment needs your undivided attention, for this is the only time and
place you are truly alive.
Trying to hold on to who you were before one of lifes storms. Hard times
are like strong storms that blow against you. And its not just that these
storms hold you back from places you might otherwise go. They also tear
away from you all but the essential parts of your ego that cannot be torn, so
that afterward you see yourself as you really are, and not merely as you
might like to be. This is a great thing. It may seem impossible now, but one
day you will look back at the storms you have weathered and give a silent
thank you. For many of us, it is the storms of our lives that have given us
compassion, kindness, and gentleness that we otherwise may not have
known and that we can now give away to others, because these qualities
are inside of us. (Angel and I discuss this in detail in the Adversity chapter
of 1,000 Little Things Happy, Successful People Do Differently.)
Resisting change and growth. You must consistently check with yourself
and ask: Am I committed to feeling good, or am I committed to growing?
Because growth does not always feel good, and feeling good does not always
provide growth. Neither is wrong, as long as there is balance. The

important thing is to remember that being uncomfortable is important too,

and this discomfort often arrives right on time. Dont avoid it embrace it.
Channel your energy into progress. All growth begins at the end of your
comfort zone. When youre feeling uncomfortable, know that the change
taking place in your life is a beginning, not an ending.
Worrying and worrying and worrying and never taking action. Worry is
the biggest enemy of the present moment. It does nothing but steal your joy
and keep you very busy doing absolutely nothing at all. Its like using your
imagination to create things you dont want. Break this negative habit! It is
far better to be exhausted from effort than to be tired of doing nothing but
worrying. Dont waste your effort avoiding effort. Go ahead and get it done.
Today, ask yourself what is really important and then have the courage to
build your day around your answer.
Sacrificing all of your Self for everyone else. Dont sacrifice yourself too
much, because if you do, there will be very little left that you can give to
anyone, even those you love dearly. Whenever you feel trapped and its
difficult to breathe, let me remind you dont forget to secure your own
oxygen mask first. Taking care of yourself does not make you selfish; it
makes you selfless. In fact, its the truest form of selflessness one can
experience. Only through attentive self-care can you care for others. In
order to truly have a loving, supportive relationship with someone else, you
need to learn how to be your own best friend first. Its all about falling in
love with yourself first and sharing that love with others who appreciate you,
rather than looking for love to compensate for a self-love deficit.
Taking everything personally. There is a huge amount of freedom that
comes to you when you take nothing personally. And rarely do people do
things because of you anyway. They do things because of them. So even
when it seems personal, it probably isnt. Remember this. And when you
find yourself feeling angry, heartbroken, or victimized by the actions of
another, see if you can you find within you any seed of softness, some place
deep within that understands how much pain that person must be in, how
burdened their soul must be, how devastatingly hardened they must be in
their heart in order to behave in a way that is surely out of alignment with
their own integrity. (ReadThe Four Agreements.)

Letting negative thoughts get the best of you. Dont believe everything
you hear even in your own mind. Choose to be miserable and youll find
plenty of reasons to be miserable. Choose to be happy youll find plenty of
reasons to be happy. It is this simple 99% of the time. Talking about our
problems is our greatest addiction. Break this negative habit. Talk about
your joys, your loves, and your dreams instead. Be outrageously and
unreasonably positive. Be funny and creative and ridiculous and joyful all
at the same time. Itll make you feel better.
Refusing to let go a little and open up to uncertainty. True happiness
takes courage. Im talking the vulnerable, put yourself out there and risk
looking like a fool sort of courage. Its not easy, to push the limits of your
vulnerability, to dig deeper and deeper into the core of who you are as an
individual and not only love and accept the imperfect parts of yourself, but
also expose them to others. Youve got to be willing to break free from the
norm, appear uncool and stop caring so much about what everyone thinks.
Its about taking a stand. In fact, weve ALL got to take the time to slow
down, to break away from the crazy pace in life and take a minute to sit and
stare at the sky without checking for the next text, watch the sunset without
uploading it to Instagram, and just free ourselves to be ourselves. Weve got
to shelve our egos and say yes to the present moment, to love, to opening
ourselves up to being hurt beyond hurt again, and above all, to saying yes
to taking chances.

THE FLOOR IS YOURS

If you can relate to any of these toxic habits, remember, you are not alone.
We all get caught up in our own heads sometimes, doing things that hold us
back from our true potential. The key is awareness recognizing these
habits and changing them.

So, whats one toxic habit or thinking pattern that sometimes drains your
energy? How do you cope? Leave a comment below and share your insight
with us.

Are you on Tsu yet? Its a new social media platform that pays you for
creating and sharing content! Thousands of people have already joined. Its
just like Facebook, it takes seconds to join, and even easier to use! And best
of all you can reach 100% of your friends and audience, and NO Censorship.
You can only join by Invite, and this is an invitation from us to you. Click
here to join! and be sure to Follow us to.

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20 Things to Stop Letting People Do to You

http://earthweareone.com/20-things-to-stop-letting-people-do-to-you/
By Marc and Angel
Its time to
1. Stop letting people drag you into needless arguments. Never waste
your time trying to explain yourself to people who have proven that they are
committed to misunderstanding you. And dont define your intelligence or
self-worth by the number of arguments you have won, but by the number of
times you have said, This needless nonsense is not worth my time!
2. Stop letting people drown you with their negativity. Positivity is a
choice. Choose wisely. Be smart enough to walk away from the negativity
around you it is never worth your while, ever.
3. Stop letting people make you feel ashamed of your scars. Scars
remind us that our past is real, and that we have grown beyond it. Every
scar has a story. Dont be afraid to tell it and own it.
4. Stop listening to those who berate you for your honest mistakes. To
grow strong and wise, you must have the courage to make mistakes. Allow
yourself to be a beginner. No one starts off being excellent.

5. Stop letting others blind you from YOUR truth. Today, the only
person you should try to be better than is the person you were yesterday.
Prove yourself to yourself, not others.
6. Stop letting people bully you. Bullying is not OK. Period. There is no
freedom on Earth that gives someone the right to assault who you are as a
person. Sadly, some people just wont be happy until theyve pushed your
ego to the ground and stomped on it. What you have to do is have the nerve
to stand your ground. Dont give them any leeway. Nobody has the power to
make you feel small unless you give them that power.
7. Stop letting friends be untrue to you. What is a true friend?
Someone who loves you just the way you are, but still inspires you to be a
better person. BE a true friend to others, and keep only true friends close to
you.
8. Stop letting the same people lie to you over and over again. If
someone fools you once, shame on them. If someone fools you twice, shame
on you. If you catch someone lying to you, speak up. Some people will lie to
you repeatedly in a vicious effort to get you to repeat their lies over and over
until they effectively become true. Dont partake in their nonsense. Dont
let their lies be your reality.
9. Stop letting people take advantage of you. Sometimes people dont
notice the things we do for them until we stop doing them. This is NOT
right! Realize this. You deserve better. You deserve to be with people who
make you smile friends who dont take you for granted friends who wont
leave you hanging.
10. Stop letting people treat you like a back-up plan. Dont settle to
simply be someones downtime, spare time, part time, or sometime. If they
cant reliably be there for you when you need them most, theyre not worth
your time.
11. Stop letting the wrong people get between you and the right ones.
Dont let the people who refuse to love you keep you from the people who do
love you. Spend time with those who make your world a little brighter

simply by being in it. Someday you will either regret not doing so, or you
will say, Im glad I did.
12. Stop letting hateful people motivate you to hate them back. As
Gandhi once said, An eye for an eye will only make the whole world blind.
Regardless of how despicable another has acted, never let hate build in your
heart. Fighting hatred with hatred only hurts you more. When you decide
to hate someone you automatically begin digging two graves: one for your
enemy and one for yourself.
13. Stop letting people leave grudges in your mind. Remember, the first
to apologize is the bravest. The first to forgive is the strongest. The first to
move forward is the happiest. Always.
14. Stop letting people use your past to poison your present. Life is too
short to tirelessly struggle with old news and those who refuse to let it go.
Some people cannot stand that youre moving on with your life and so they
will try to drag your past to catch up with you. Do not help them by
acknowledging their behavior. Keep moving forward. Practice acceptance
and forgiveness. Letting go of the past is your first step to happiness.
15. Stop letting people convince you that change is a bad thing. The
things we cant change often end up changing us. This change happens for
a reason. Roll with it. It wont be easy, but it will be worth it in the end.
16. Stop letting people steer you away from meaningful pursuits. If you
can smile when no one else is around, you really mean it. So dont let other
people get between you and the ideas and activities that truly move you.
17. Stop letting people dump on your dreams. Life will test you to see
how serious you are about pursuing a particular path. And sooner or later
you may face negative feedback from others. When this happens, remember
not to let anyone crush your spirit. If you are passionate about something,
pursue it, no matter what anyone else thinks. Thats how dreams are
achieved.
18. Stop letting naysayers talk you out of putting in the extra effort.
Hard times often lead to greatness. Keep the faith. It will be worth it in the
end. The beginnings to great things are always the hardest.

19. Stop letting people convince you of their quick-fix schemes.

Anything worth achieving takes time and dedicated effort. Period. Honestly,
I used to believe that making wishes and saying prayers changed things, but
now I know that wishes and prayers change us, and WE change things.
20. Stop letting people tell you that you need more to be happy.
Thankfulness is the start of happiness. Be sure to appreciate what youve
got. Be thankful for the little things in life that mean a lot.
Are you on Tsu yet? Its a new social media platform that pays you
for creating and sharing content! Thousands of people have already
joined. Its just like Facebook, it takes seconds to join, and even easier
to use! And best of all you can reach 100% of your friends
and audience, and NO Censorship. You can only join by Invite, and
this is an invitation from us to you. Click here to join! and be sure
to Follow us to.
This post was written by Marc and Angel. If you enjoyed it, make sure
you check out their site and sign up to their amazing newsletter
Photo credit: Neil Moralee

==
How Can 12 Laws Of Karma Change Your Life

http://earthweareone.com/how-can-12-laws-of-karma-change-your-life/
This law of cause and effect is not a punishment, but is wholly for the sake
of education or learning.
A person may not escape the consequences of his actions, but he will suffer
only if he himself has made the conditions ripe for his suffering. Ignorance
of the law is no excuse whether the laws are man-made or universal.

To stop being afraid and to start being empowered in the worlds of karma
and reincarnation, here is what you need to know about karmic laws.
1. THE GREAT LAW

- As you sow, so shall you reap. This is also known as the Law of Cause
and Effect.
- Whatever we put out in the Universe is what comes back to us.
- If what we want is Happiness, Peace, Love, Friendship Then we should
BE Happy, Peaceful, Loving and a True Friend.
2. THE LAW OF CREATION

- Life doesnt just HAPPEN, it requires our participation.

- We are one with the Universe, both inside and out. Whatever surrounds
us gives us clues to our inner state.
- BE yourself, and surround yourself with what you want to have present in
your Life.
3. THE LAW OF HUMILITY

- What you refuse to accept, will continue for you.

- If what we see is an enemy, or someone with a character trait that we find
to be negative, then we ourselves are not focused on a higher level of
existence.
4. THE LAW OF GROWTH

- Wherever you go, there you are.

- For us to GROW in Spirit, it is we who must change and not the people,

places or things around us.

- The only given we have in our lives is OURSELVES and that is the only
factor we have control over.
- When we change who and what we are within our heart our life follows suit
and changes too. THE
5. LAW OF RESPONSIBILITY

- Whenever there is something wrong in my life, there is something wrong in

me.
- We mirror what surrounds us and what surrounds us mirrors us; this is
a Universal Truth.
- We must take responsibility what is in our life.
6. THE LAW OF CONNECTION

- Even if something we do seems inconsequential, it is very important that it

gets done as everything in the Universe is connected.
- Each step leads to the next step, and so forth and so on.
- Someone must do the initial work to get a job done.
- Neither the first step nor the last are of greater significance,
- As they were both needed to accomplish the task.
- Past-Present-Future they are all connected
7. THE LAW OF FOCUS

- You can not think of two things at the same time.

- When our focus is on Spiritual Values, it is impossible for us to have lower

thoughts such as greed or anger.
8. THE LAW OF GIVING AND HOSPITALITY

- If you believe something to be true,then sometime in your life you will be

called upon to demonstrate that particular truth.
- Here is where we put what we CLAIM that we have learned, into actual
PRACTICE.
9. THE LAW OF HERE AND NOW

- Looking backward to examine what was, prevents us from being totally in

the HERE AND NOW.
- Old thoughts, old patterns of behavior, old dreams
- Prevent us from having new ones.
10. THE LAW OF CHANGE

- History repeats itself until we learn the lessons that we need to change our
path.
11. THE LAW OF PATIENCE AND REWARD

- All Rewards require initial toil.

- Rewards of lasting value require patient and persistent toil.
- True joy follows doing what were suppose to be doing, and waiting for the
reward to come in on its own time.
12. THE LAW OF SIGNIFICANCE AND INSPIRATION

- You get back from something whatever YOU have put into it.
- The true value of something is a direct result of the energy and intent that
is put into it.
- Every personal contribution is also a contribution to the Whole.
- Lack luster contributions have no impact on the Whole, nor do they work
to diminish it.
- Loving contributions bring life to, and inspire, the Whole.
Are you on Tsu yet? Its a new social media platform that pays you
for creating and sharing content! Thousands of people have already
joined. Its just like Facebook, it takes seconds to join, and even easier
to use! And best of all you can reach 100% of your friends
and audience, and NO Censorship. You can only join by Invite, and
this is an invitation from us to you. Click here to join! and be sure
to Follow us to.
Source: Bliss Returned, Raven Emrys via Social Consciousness

10 Toxic Behaviors that Kill Your Confidence

Two decades ago, when the bullies at our high school called her a nerd for
being a virgin and a straight-A student, my best friend Sara smiled and
confidently said, Thank you. Im really proud of it. She honestly was.
What those bullies said never bothered her one bit. And this is just one tiny
example of Saras incredible self-confidence.
I was reminded of Sara this morning when I received an email from a blog
subscriber named Lane who is struggling with a similar bullying issue at a
small community college where hes taking classes. After describing his
predicament in detail, he ended his email with this:

I love your book and blog. Both have helped me get through a very low
point in my life. But even though Ive made progress, I often struggle with
my self-confidence. These bullies really get the best of me. And I know my
shattered confidence is really taking a toll on me. Therefore, what I need
now more than ever is to learn how to walk in a more confident persons
footsteps, by changing the behaviors that kill my confidence.
So, pulling from a decade of experience as a life coach, in an effort to help
Lane walk more closely Saras footsteps, here are some toxic, confidencekilling behaviors to avoid:
1. Getting caught up in lots of needless drama. Some people love to
stir up controversy and drama for no apparent reason. Dont buy in to
their propaganda. Stay out of other peoples drama and dont
needlessly create your own. Instead, imagine what would happen if
you spent this entire day, and every day hereafter, with all your energy
directed toward your most positive possibilities. Rather than being
annoyed, be amused. Instead of getting angry, become curious. In
place of envy, feel admiration. Life is too short to argue, fight or be
negative in any way. Count your blessings, value the people who
matter and move on from the drama with your head held high.
2. Seeking approval from everyone around you. Confident people
have no interest in pleasing everyone they meet. They are aware that
not all people agree on things, and thats just how life works. They
focus on the quality of their relationships, instead of the quantity of
them. So never let the opinions of the masses define who you are or
what you can or cant do. When you let go of the need to impress
everyone, thats when you begin to be truly impressive to the few
people who actually matter. And when you earn the trust and respect
of these select few people, no matter where you go or what you try, you
will do it with confidence because you know the people who matter
are behind you.
3. Making excuse after excuse after excuse. Have a plan thats bigger
than your excuses. There is so very much to touch, to do, to create,
and to experience. Confident people take ownership of their thoughts
and actions. They dont blame the traffic for being tardy at work
they know THEY were late. They dont excuse their shortcomings with
excuses like I dont have time or Im just not good enough they
make the time and they keep on improving until they see results.
Even a tiny effort is infinitely more productive than a big, impressive

excuse. So stop seeing every obstacle as an excuse and start seeing

those obstacles as forming a pathway to your goals.
4. Ignoring or second-guessing your intuition. Intuition is very real
and something that is never wise to ignore, because it comes from
deep within your subconscious and is derived from your previous life
experiences. If everyone else is telling you yes but your gut is telling
you otherwise, its usually for a good reason. When faced with
difficult decisions, seek out all the information you can find, become
as knowledgeable as you possibly can, and then listen to your Godgiven instincts. Believe in yourself. Know that trusting your intuition
is equivalent to trusting your true self; and the more you trust your
true self, the more control you have of making your goals and dreams
come true.
5. Disempowering yourself with weak language. Confident people use
words with intention. Consider the difference between these two
aspiring bloggers: One says, Yes, I am a blogger. You like meditation
and yoga too? Excellent! We need to connect check out my new
mindfulness guide I just posted at vs. Well, I am trying to blog but
am not sure I am doing it right (nervous giggle). I wish I had started
sooner blah, blah. Who do you think gets the most views,
comments and social shares? Bottom line: If youre trying to build
something or become something, own it and speak like you mean it.
6. Thinking, Why me? Why me? On the contrary, confident people
think, Why not me? Sadly though, many people feel they have to
wait: to be hired, to be good enough, to be chosen like the old
Hollywood clich, to somehow be discovered. But confident people
know that access is basically universal these days (especially if youre
online reading this article). They can connect with almost anyone
through social media. (Everyone you know knows someone you
should know.) They know they can attract their own funding, create
their own products and services, build their own networks of clients
and partners, choose their own path they can choose to follow their
dreams. And very quietly, without calling too much attention to
themselves, they go out and do it.
7. Needing to always be right. Confident people take a stand not
because they think theyre always right, but because theyre not
scared to be wrong. Cocky, conceited people tend to take a position
and then preach, argue, and totally disregard differing opinions or
points of view. They know theyre right (even when theyre wrong)

and they want (actually, they need) you to know it too. Their behavior
isnt a sign of confidence, though; its the trademark of a bully. Truly
confident people dont mind being proven wrong. They know that
finding out what is right is a lot more important than being right. And
when theyre wrong, theyre secure enough to back down graciously
and appreciate the lesson learned.
8. Talking just to hear yourself talk. Begging for attention by talking
constantly is just another mask for insecurity. Thus, confident people
are often quiet and unassuming, and they listen as much if not more
than they speak. They already know what they think, so they want to
know what you think. Follow in their footsteps by asking open-ended
questions on the topic of discussion, and give others the freedom to be
thoughtful, introspective and resourceful. Ask questions like: What do
you do? How do you do it? What have you learned from it? What
would you do differently if you were starting over? And so forth. Ask
these questions to learn, because you know a lot, but not everything,
and the only way to learn more is to listen more.
9. Letting success get to your head or failure get to your heart. If
success makes you arrogant, you havent really succeeded. If failure
makes you determined, you havent really failed. Period. Think about
success and failure differently. Dont take everything that goes wrong
personally, and dont get a big head when everything goes right either.
Be a humble, life-long learner. Create, enjoy, learn, love, experience,
succeed, fail, persevere, make mistakes, make progress, take risks,
and find the treasure in each day.
10.
Hiding from new life experiences. Get out there. Let life
touch you. Yes, it will hurt sometimes. But the pain will be much
deeper if you build an impenetrable wall around yourself your own
100-foot tall wall of comfort your own self-inflicted prison sentence.
Life is too short for that. Dont let the fear of making the wrong
decision prevent you from making any decision at all. You have too
many beautiful places to go. Today is full of possibility. Now, do
something about it.
Afterthoughts
If you only remember two words from this whole article, let them be: Learn
and Believe.

Learn: As in learn through experience. Learn from others. Remain

humble, open-minded and teachable. Put yourself out there and let it all
sink it. Push yourself to the edge of your comfort zone, so you can expand it
and grow a little more confident every day.
Believe: As in believe in yourself and your ability to succeed. Believe in
your intuition, especially when you have to choose between two good paths.
Believe that the answers are out there waiting. Believe that life will surprise
you again and again. Believe that the journey is the destination. Believe
that its all worth your while. Believe that you are confident enough to see it
through.
Are you on Tsu yet? Its a new social media platform that pays you
for creating and sharing content! Thousands of people have already
joined. Its just like Facebook, it takes seconds to join, and even easier
to use! And best of all you can reach 100% of your friends
and audience, and NO Censorship. You can only join by Invite, and
this is an invitation from us to you. Click here to join! and be sure
to Follow us to.
This post was written by Marc and Angel. If you enjoyed it, make sure
you check out their site and sign up to their amazing newsletter.
Photo by: Ranna Nicolau
Credit: Marc and Angel
9 Choices Your Future Self Will (Definitely) Regret

We all have something at the back of our minds that we wish to have done
differently or havent done at all. We often ask ourselves what could be
different if we tried harder to be better. Here is a list of things you will regret
in the long run.
1. Letting other people shape your world

You are the architect of your own life. When you know who you really are
and what you want most, you have discovered two of the most important
things in your life. But it takes courage and persistence to actually go after
what you want to achieve. This kind of responsibility is feared by many
people and usually they allow others to create their dreams for them. Maybe
it is because they arent brave enough to create their own life path or are too
scared to do it alone. And maybe its because they fear they are going to be
judged and considered crazy. But the truth is, if you have people who
disagree with you, that means you are standing for something you believe in.
This is more beneficial for you because it means you are listening to your
heart. And you will never regret that.
2. Sticking to your bad old habits
Most people have bad habits that they want to change. But sadly, not many
have the will and patience to break their old unresourceful manners and
build new healthier ones. In the long run, you might look back on your life
and wish you had started changing what you dislike about yourself earlier.
Of course, it is not an easy thing to do, but it is definitely worth it. Aim to be
the strongest version of yourself and dont settle with less than you deserve.
Dont wait for the change to happen, make it happen.
3. Giving up
Failure isnt necessarily a bad thing. It is just a new opportunity to learn
something, to grow and to try again when the time comes. In life, things
dont always unfold the way we expect but that shouldnt be a reason to give
up. Successful people are never the ones who surrendered. They are the
ones who keep going even when the road gets rough. Youve probably heard
the saying that a smooth sea never made a skillful sailor.
4. Hiding your real self (behind a mask)
It can be overwhelming to keep the person you really are hidden all the time.
Not expressing the emotions you feel and the way you think can only make
you feel miserable and disconnected from your circle of friends. Wearing a
mask is a risky thing to do because someday you might realize you have lost
yourself by trying to impress other people. Not knowing who you really are
can be a really scary experience. So, dont try to satisfy other peoples
expectations of you. Just be your true self and listen to your own inner

voice. In that way you will stay true to yourself and you wont need anyones
approval.
5. Constantly waiting for the right time
Many people will come up with different excuses for not taking action NOW.
Some wait until tomorrow, others wait for the right time or for a sign. The
problem is that they think they have more time than they actually do. This
might hold them to wait forever. If you have dreams, take action towards
them today. Not tomorrow, nor next week. Now is the second best time to
start. The best moment was actually yesterday.
6. Tolerating negative energy
Negative energy can be contagious. Feeding your soul with unresourceful
energy will steal your joy and make you feel tired. Choose wisely what kind
of people you let in your life because their energy can affect you directly. So,
do you want grumpy and hateful people by your side or do you want positive
and loving ones? The choice is yours.
7. Striving to control every little thing
Life is meant to be lived, not perfected. Dont struggle with things that are
out of your control. Sometimes what we all need is to relax and let life
happen to us. You dont have to know what exactly is going to happen next.
8. Not taking care of your health
Many people live fast-paced lives and forget to pause and think about how
they treat their bodies. Many underestimate the power of having a nutritious
diet and breaking a sweat a few days of the week. So spend some time to
educate yourself on how to improve your bodys functions and your mind will
follow.
9. Being lazy
Being lazy and stuck in one place for too long wont get you far. As well as
dreaming and planning too much and doing too little. Remember that you
are responsible for your life and staying in your comfort zone wont win you
any battles. So quit slacking and start building the life of your dreams! You
know you deserve it.

Are you on Tsu yet? Its a new social media platform that pays you
for creating and sharing content! Thousands of people have already
joined. Its just like Facebook, it takes seconds to join, and even easier
to use! And best of all you can reach 100% of your friends and
audience, and NO Censorship. You can only join by Invite, and this is
an invitation from us to you. Click here to join! and be sure to Follow
us to.
Source: 9 Choices Your Future Self Will (Definitely) Regret,
from iheartintelligence.com
Image credit: Magdalena Roeseler

22 Unnecessary Attachments Carefree People Dont Have

Life is about attachments. Its about picking up things along the way until
we have a bag full of relics and lessons from the past. Our load gets heavier
with each passing year until we no longer remember what its like to walk
without a heavy burden.
We attach ourselves to so many things that soon we find that our natural
right to freedom is nothing more than an illusion. We attach ourselves to
people, opinions and superficial objects, like money and time.
We glue ourselves to abstract notions and think that life is in the things
around us, next to us and instead of us. We put our worth in intangible
notions and unreliable people and wonder why we cant find real happiness.
Something the Tibetan monks will teach you is that happiness comes with
scarcity. With fewer attachments comes a larger sense of internal peace as
you get closer to yourself, shedding the unnecessary layers.
As you try to navigate your life, remember that the heavy burdens you carry
can be let go. You will be not only happier, but liberated, when you learn to
let go of everything around you.

The Approval Of Others

People are going to have opinions of you as long as they have breath in their
lungs. Do yourself a favor and stop letting them waste any of yours.
Social Media
Social media platforms comprise the root of all heartache. If you dont want
to see what your ex is posting or those horrible pictures of you when you got
too drunk, just get off social media. Trust me, you can learn to live without
them and you will find that life is a lot simpler on the other side.
Time
Counting the minutes is the first step to refusing to live in the moment and
the second step towards wrapping your happiness in moments yet to come.
You are better than that, live by the ticking of your desires, not your clock.
Your Exes
In the words of Macbeth, Whats done is done. There is no need to hold on
to your exes anymore than holding on to a dirty sponge. Throw it away
before it creates a bigger mess and leaves you wondering why you didnt just
get a new one to begin with.
Fads
Fads are like Kim Kardashian. You think its beautiful, then you start to see
it everywhere and suddenly all you want to do is get rid of it.
Indecision
Being indecisive will get you nowhere in life. It will keep you shackled to the
pavement as you refuse to take the next step. Do yourself a favor and start
making choices, because consequences and regrets are better than nothing
at all.
The Past
Its called the past for a reason and thats where it should stay. Bringing
your past into the future is only denying yourself the present.
Bad Television

I know its a guilty pleasure, but its also sucking the life from you. Five
hours spent watching girls rip out each others extensions and scream about
stolen catchphrases are five hours you can never get back.
Regrets
There is nothing you can do now, so wasting your time and energy lamenting
over everything youve done wrong in life will only give you more regrets.
Nostalgia
We all wish we could go back to the carefree days of our youth, but unless
you invent time travel, youre stuck under the stressful burden of being an
adult. Dreaming of the good days behind you is as fruitless as daydreaming
of better days in front of you.
Parents Money
It doesnt matter if you have a trust fund of $5 million, if you dont learn to
make your own money, youre just an ignorant bum with $5 million dollars.
The joys of life come from earning for yourself.
Mass Approval
Its one thing to ignore one persons opinion of you, but societys is another
thing entirely. The crowd is like a black hole that will try and suck you in.
Those who resist are those who stay alive.
Bad People
You know who they are, even if you dont want to admit it to yourself. They
are the ones who always leave you with a bad taste in your mouth. They are
usually very nice to your face, but you should move on before your back gets
covered in spit.
Self-Doubt
If you dont have confidence in yourself, what can you have confidence in?
Theres no room for self-doubt in a world thats going to judge your every
decision. Lighten your load and start trusting yourself.
Guilt
Life is too short for the bitter taste of guilt. Its a pill you dont have to

swallow and the sooner you stop taking it the better youll feel.
Comparisons
Comparing yourself to models will break your heart. Comparing yourself to
anyone will keep you from knowing your own. You are the only standard you
must compare yourself against.
Filters
You look good under the Mayfair filter that same way I look good under
candlelight. But life isnt filled with candles and X-Pro II filters, so stop
living the lie and learn to accept yourself with no filter.
The Ideal
The ideal is a dream and dreams are for sleeping. Stop wasting your life and
your hopes on nothing more than a mere illusion. Prepare for the un-ideal
and your life will be filled with surprises.
What Ifs
What ifs are like the chicken pox. They are easy to catch and impossible not
to scratch (rhyme not intended). You must resist the urge to avoid long-term
scarring.
Closed Doors
If its closed behind you, theres no need to look back. If its closed in front of
you then you must spend your time trying to open it.
Toxic Friendships
Friends, like your past, must be shed when theres no more room in your
future for them. Evaluate those relationships closest to you and decide
which bring you the most growth and true happiness.
Prejudices
Whether you were raised with them or grew around them, take a serious
look at what youre judging and decide if its worth the stigma.
Are you on Tsu yet? Its a new social media platform that pays you
for creating and sharing content! Thousands of people have already

joined. Its just like Facebook, it takes seconds to join, and even easier
to use! And best of all you can reach 100% of your friends and
audience, and NO Censorship. You can only join by Invite, and this is
an invitation from us to you. Click here to join! and be sure to Follow
us to.
Via: Expanded Consciousness
Photo: Sean Suddes
Credit: Elite Daily

9 Harsh Truths of Life (and How They Can Help You Live Better)

feature_image_template77-620x400The expression the truth hurts is one

we are very familiar with. We resist telling the truth to ourselves and to
others because it is painful to face a reality that is different from the
comfortable worlds we create for ourselves. Eventually, these worlds will fall
away as reality intrudes. Dont be afraid of reality. Use it to your advantage.
Here are nine harsh truths that will allow you to see the world more clearly
and offer you the opportunity to live more powerful and authentic lives:

1. You are not the center of the universe

We tend to think people care about us and our needs as much as we do.
They dont. They care about themselves and their needs.

Opportunity: Use this to your advantage. Dale Carnegie in his book How to
Win Friends and Influence People said Talk to someone about themselves
and theyll listen for hours. Ziz Ziglar puts it even more plainly when he
said You can have everything in life that you want if you just give enough
other people what they want.

2. Achieving your goals will be harder than you imagined

It always is. Whether its losing weight, starting a new business, writing a
blog, raising a family, you will encounter this truth.

Opportunity: I once heard this advice about exercising that will change the
way you approach life difficulties: When you think you cant do another rep,
or take another step, go a little further. It is those little extra steps that
make all the difference. When you feel like quitting, go a little further. This
is where breakthrough lives.

3. The things that matter most in life are spiritual, not physical
Its easy to accumulate things in order to feel like you have accomplished
something. Most rich people (the honest ones) will tell you that it only makes
a difference in the short term. Its harder to grasp the spiritual, or
immaterial. They cannot be collected, hoarded, bought, or sold. These are
love, respect, passion, morality and empathy. These things are all about
relationships. In the end, relationships are all that matter.

Opportunity: Learn to appreciate this truth and you will be freed from
materialism. You will be happy when you have a lot and when you have a
little. You will learn to cherish the important relationships in your lives.

4. You will always have critics

You could be the nicest person on earth, someone out there will not like you
for who you are, what you do, or what you stand for. You simply cannot be
all things to all people.

Opportunity: Stop trying to be all things to all people. Focus on your natural
strengths. The people who appreciate these will form a strong tribe around

you. Caveat, the number of your critics will increase but this will be a sign of
success.

5. If you are not failing, you are not living

We tend to like to play it safe. We dont like to fail. We dont like being
vulnerable to rejection. The most successful, happiest people have failed
multiple times. The harsh truth is that you cannot achieve the tangible and
intangible signs of success if you are not willing to fail.

Opportunity: Dont be afraid of failure. Consider every setback as a step

toward success. You will be released from the invisible chains that keep
people from trying new things or daring to pursue a dream.

6. In order to receive, you must give

One of the quickest paths to unhappiness is hoarding. It is hard to give away

the things we value. But if we hoard, the thing we cherish will lose its value
and will instead become a burden.

Opportunity: Lighten your load. Give of your resources, time, and self. You
will be cured of your spiritual obesity.

7. People will hurt you

It may happen intentionally or unintentionally. It still hurts. They may say
something unkind, steal from you, lie to you, spread rumors about you, be
difficult coworkers or bosses, etc.

Opportunity: Dont be tempted to strike back. Show grace to this person.

Forgive them. Your example will give them an opportunity to transform their
lives. You will also experience more peace in difficult situations.

8. You do not control every part of your reality

Things often do not go the way we expect. There are always unanticipated
problems or blind spots you just could not anticipate.

Opportunity: Become more flexible and nimble. This will keep you from
getting stuck.

9. You will die.

We all know it but nobody says it quite that bluntly. We pretend that we have
all the time in the world. You dont. Every second is a precious, limited
resource. Not only that, for most of us, we do not know when death will
come. When it does, it will likely be a painful experience.

Opportunity: Stop procrastinating. Live. Learn. Love. Know that suffering

and pain are a part of life. You will become more resilient and even joyful in
the face of suffering. The unimportant will be stripped away. It will sharpen
your focus on what matters most.

May these truths be a starting point for a life that is authentic, loving, rich,
and fearless.

May they set you free.

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6 Powerful Techniques for Developing Your Intuition

HJ: Developing your intuition is more a process of rediscovery than anything

else and that is because your intuition is an immutable part of your being that
cannot be destroyed or lost. We are all born with strong inner connection to
our intuitive senses but as we grow older we typically surpress or ignore these
messages in favor of logical/rational thinking. This is reinforced by a society
which generally places little value on intuition, thinking it is nothing more than
a crude emotional reaction to external stimuli, which could not be further from
the truth.
Intuition is actually vastly more powerful, accurate and complex than
rational/logical thinking, which is highly limited by the belief structure of ones
mind. Intuition, on the other hand, taps into a larger, multidimensional field of
awareness/knowledge to give us highly specific guidance as to what is best
for us at any given moment. It can see into the future and guide us to avoid
calamities or towards those things which further our personal development
and dreams. However, in order to take full advantage of this incredible skill
we all posses, we must trust it deeply. Doubt is the enemy of intuition and it
the single biggest hurdle we must overcome when learning to embrace and
trust our inner guidance.
The article below presents you with six powerful techniques for developing
your intuition and successfully overcoming any lingering doubt and distrust
that may be holding you back from accessing its full potential.
- Truth
Six Ways to Strengthen Your Intuition
Try these easy ways to boost your inner strength and listen to the whispers
of your soul.

By Kirsten Harrell, PsyD | Positive Thinking Mag

Everyone has intuitive potential men and women. It is a natural talent that
everyone possesses. It is not something special limited to only a few gifted
individuals. As a child, you freely accessed your intuition. Unfortunately,
over time you likely received negative feedback from your peers, teachers,
or family. You likely began to doubt your intuitive voice and shut down this
channel of information. The good news is that with a little patience and
practice you can strengthen and hone your intuition to create a valuable
guidance system.
The first and most important thing that you can do to develop your intuition
is to acknowledge and honor the intuitive messages that you are currently
getting. Your intuitive voice is still there, you just need to tune into it. Start
paying attention to and trusting those little hunches or gut feelings that you
have. If you did nothing more than start honoring your intuitive impulses,
you would find a dramatic improvement in your intuitive abilities.
1. Clearing your mind
It is easier to hear the whispers from the soul when your mind is quiet and
open. You likely have lots of thoughts running through your mind at any
given moment. You probably spend much of your day multi-tasking. All of
this noise makes it difficult to hear your intuitive voice. It is important to
find some ways to quiet your mind. You cant shut off your thoughts
completely, but you can learn to slow them down. Let all the distracting
thoughts flow out of your mind. Let them go. Picture your thoughts floating
away on a cloud. Focus on your breathing and allow your mind and body to
relax more with each breath. You might even try counting down from 10 to 1
and allow yourself to relax more with each count. Once your mind is clearer,
you can then access your intuition.
2. Meditation
There are many forms of meditation and all are excellent ways to get
centered and quiet the mind. Even a few minutes of meditation daily can
increase your ability to hear your intuitive voice. Meditation is like priming
the pump. As you get used to being in a meditative state, you will find that it
is easier to hear the whispers from your soul and to distinguish these

messages from other mental chatter. If you are new to meditation you might
try sitting quietly and focusing your attention on a candle flame. When your
awareness drifts (and it will), simply bring your attention gently back to the
flame. You can also try focusing your attention on a short phrase or word
(mantra) that you repeat over and over to yourself. Remember that the key is
to gently bring your mind back to your focus point. Getting frustrated will
only interfere with the process.
3. Imagery
You can use imagery to help you access intuitive answers to your questions.
Imagine yourself in a quiet place in nature, surrounded by beauty and
wonder. Make this image as vivid as possible by using all of your senses.
Spend a few moments simply enjoying this place in your minds eye. Then,
imagine a treasure chest nearby. You feel excited as you approach the chest
because you know that the answer to your question is inside. Take a deep
breath and imagine yourself opening the treasure chest. Dont try to control
this, let your intuitive mind guide you. Trust that whatever is inside the
chest is your answer. You might receive a very clear answer or you might get
a symbol that doesnt make logical sense to you. Either way, it is exactly
what you need. Trust that if the answer is not clear right away, it will
become clear over time. Over the next few days, be open to feelings, songs,
conversations, or any synchronistic events. Be patient! If you become
frustrated or try to force an answer, you will block the flow of intuition.
4. Dreams
While you are sleeping and your conscious mind is at rest, your soul has the
opportunity to bring intuitive information to you through your dreams.
When you are working on a problem and looking for your intuitive guidance,
take some time before you fall asleep to ask for an answer to come to you
through your dreams. Be sure to keep a journal by your bed so that you can
record your dreams the moment you wake up. Your answers may come
symbolically and may need some interpretation. Look for the emotions and
themes of your dreams and see if this sheds light on your problem. If the
answer still is not clear, be patient and remain open. You may find more
clarity with time.

5. Affirmations
You can use affirmations to focus your mind. It is best to use affirmations
with some form of relaxation (such as deep breathing) in order to get the
combined effects of a relaxed body and focused or centered mind.
Affirmations are a terrific way to tap into the power of your subconscious
mind to help you reach your conscious desires. Affirmations should be
concise sentences stated in a positive way. When creating an affirmation
remember to state what it is that you want, not what you dont want.
Another important guideline is to always use the present tense when
creating your affirmations. The following are a few examples of affirmations
to increase your intuitive abilities. I trust my intuition. My intuitive voice is
consistently accurate. I access my intuition easily.
6. Practice
It is important to practice using your intuition. When you first start
practicing you may want to begin with small issues that do not have a
significant impact on your life. For example, try to guess who is calling
before you pick up your phone. Guess which elevator will show up first when
you are standing in front of a bank of elevators. Practicing with these simple
issues will allow you to stay relaxed and focused without too much
distraction from fear or other mental chatter. As you practice, you will get
better at recognizing your intuitive impulses and you will gain confidence in
using this skill. The more confident you feel about identifying your intuitive
voice, the more you will trust it and be able to act on it. As you practice
using your intuition and build your skill, you will find that your intuitive
voice is a precious resource an indispensable gift. You can use this inner
wisdom to guide you in all of your decisions at work, at home, and at play.
The more you use and trust your intuition, the stronger it will get and the
more confident you will feel about it. The whispers from your soul will
always guide you to the path that is for your highest good.
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for creating and sharing content! Thousands of people have already
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an invitation from us to you. Click here to join! and be sure to Follow

us to.
Via: Expanded Consciousness
Source: Healing Journal
How to Stop Giving a F*ck What People Think

Were all guilty. Every day from the moment we wake up, we live our lives
caring what other people think of us.

This post originally appeared on Medium.

Authors note: This article was inspired by the work of Julien Smith and The
Flinch.

We accept the status quo for what it is because everyone around us does. We
tip toe our way through life by doing things in order to please others, not
because its what we believe in. Eventually our actions, appearances, and
lives become molded by how we think other people perceive us. How are
these pants going to make me look? What will my colleagues think if I spoke
out? Are those people talking shit behind my back? If I take this job, what
will my friends and family think of me?

Just writing that paragraph alone gave me a headache. Its exhausting. Its
dreadful. It has to stop. Living a life that follows the ideal notions of what
other people think is a terrible way to live. It makes you become the
spineless spectator who waits for other people to take action first. It makes

you become a follower. Worst of all, it makes you become someone who
doesnt take a stand for anything.

Today is the last day we live a life dictated by others. Today, were going to get
to the bottom of the truth. Today is the day we stop giving a F@$%.

No One Really Cares

Believe it or not, were not that special. We go through our days thinking
about how other people might be judging us. But the truth isthose people
are thinking the exact same thing. No one in todays smartphone-crazed
society has time in their schedule to think more than a brief second about
us. The fact of the matter is, when we do have time get our thoughts
straight, were too busy thinking about ourselves and our own shortcomings
not others.

A study done by the National Science Foundation claims that people have,
on average, 50,000 plus thoughts a day. This means that even if someone
thought about us ten times in one day, its only 0.02% of their overall daily
thoughts. It is a sad but simple truth that the average person filters their
world through their ego, meaning that they think of most things relating to
me or my. This means that unless you have done something that directly
affects another person or their life, they are not going to spend much time
thinking about you at all.

Ive always enjoyed watching performers trying to hustle for some change at
New York City train stations. These guys simply dont give a F@$%. But the
more interesting observation I made is how the spectators react. Rather
than watching the actual performers, most people are looking around to see
how other people are reacting. If people were laughing, they would start
laughing too. But if people werent paying attention, they would also pay no
mind.

Even when provided with the blatantly obvious opportunity to judge

someone, people are still thinking about how others may perceive them.
Once you understand that this is how peoples minds works, its a big step
towards freedom.

You Cant Please Everyone

Its impossible to live up to everyones expectations. There will always be

peopleno matter what we say or how we treat themthat will judge us.
Whether youre at the gym, at work, taking the train, or even online playing
Call of Duty. Even now its happening. You will never be able to stop people
from judging you, but you can stop it from affecting you.

Think about the worst thing that could possibly happen when someone is
judging you or what youre doing. I guarantee that chances arenothing will
happen. Absolutely nothing. No one is going to go out of their busy lives to
confront us, or even react for that matter. Because as I mentioned before, no
one actually cares. What will happen is that these people will actually
respect you for claiming your ground. They may disagree with you, but
theyll respect you.

Start standing up for what you believe incauses, opinions, anything.

Youre going to have people that disagree with you anyways, so why not
express how you truly feel? Ive learned that its better to be loved by a few
people you care about, than to be liked by everyone. These are family,
friends, your spousethe people who love you for who you are, and the
people who will be there for you during your worst times. Focus on these
people. Theyre the only people that matter.

You Reap What You Sow

Worrying too much about what other people think can become a selffulfilling prophecy, because the way we think starts to become the way we
behave.

These individuals become people-pleasers and are overly accommodating to

others, thinking it will stop them from being judged. In fact, the opposite is
true. Most people dont like push-overs and are turned off by it. The
behavior we use in an attempt to please others, can actually cause the
opposing effect. This means that if youre a push-over, then youre going to
be attracting others in your life who are also push-overs. Vice versa. This
can be quite a dangerous path to go down if you dont recognize its
consequences.

ts been said that we are the average of the five people we hang out with the
most. When we start to attract and associate with the same people that
share our weaknesseswere stuck. We stop growing, because theres no
one to challenge us to be better. We start thinking that this is the norm and
we remain comfortable. This is not a place you want to be.

Now lets talk about the cure. Here are five ways to stop giving a F@$%.

Reclaiming Your Freedom

1. Know Your Values

First and foremost. You need to know whats important to you in life, what
you truly value, and what youre ultimately aiming for. Once you know who
you really are and what matters to you, what other people think of you

becomes significantly less important. When you know your values, youll
have something to stand up forsomething you believe in.

Youll stop saying yes to everything. Instead, youll learn to say no when
friends pressure you to go bar-hopping, or when a tempting business
opportunity distracts you from your business. When you have your values
straight, you have your shit straight.

2. Put Yourself Out There

Now that you know what your values are, its time to put yourself out there.
This can be done several ways. Here are a few suggestions:

Blogging

Wearing a polka-dot sweater

Public Speaking

Flirting/Asking someone out

Keep in mind that when youre doing any of these activities, you have to
speak your mind. Be honest with yourself and what you share, because the
world doesnt need another conflict-avoider who does what everyone else
does.

3. Surround Yourself with Pros

Surround yourself with people who are self-assured, and live life without
comprising their core values. These people will rub off on you quickly.

One of my best friends, Cody, has been a big influence on me. Having spent
the summer with him, Ive observed countless times where he strongly
voiced his opinion on controversial topics. What I learned was that he was
simply voicing opinions that people already had in their heads, but were too
afraid to voice. People admired him for being so honest and direct, even
when they disagreed with his views. Thanks for not giving a F@$%, Cody.

4. Create a Growth List

OK, now were getting personal. I havent told anyone this, but I have this list
called the Growth List. A Growth List is comprised of all the things in life

that makes you uncomfortable. These are fears, insecuritiesanything that

gives you the jitters. Heres how it works.

You start by writing all the things that make you feel uncomfortable. Then
one-by-one, you do them. Once you complete the task, you move on to the
next. Repeat.

My first growth task was taking a cold shower (The Flinch). I turned the
water as cold as it could get, and I could feel my body shake before I even
entered the shower. This was the inner bullshit voice in my head talking. It
was hard at first. But surprisingly, it got easier the second time. Then even
easier the third time. Before I knew it, my body stopped shakingI was no
longer uncomfortable; Id conquered my fear.

This exercise does wonders. I have yet to find a better way to get out of my
comfort zone. You can read all the books in the world about being confident
or getting over your fears, but if you dont take action, youre just someone
whos read how to ride a bicycle without ever having ridden one.

5. Travel Alone

If youre looking for an ultimate transformation that combines all of the

points above, you should travel alone. Traveling with other people can be
fun, but you wont get the opportunity to truly get out of your comfort zone.
Youll be exposed to different social cultures, break social norms that you
didnt even know existed, and ultimately, be forced to burst out of your small
bubble.

Bring as little as possible, and fit everything into one backpack. Plan
nothing, except for a one-way flight ticket to your destinationfigure

everything else out when youre there. Trust me, youll be just fine. It wont
be easy initially, but dont get discouraged. Being comfortable with the
uncomfortable will grow with time. I continue to struggle with it everyday, as
do many others. But you need to get started today.

The world is already full of people who obey the status quo. But the people
who dont give a F@$% are the ones that change the world. Be the latter.
Start living life the way you want, be fearless like you once were as a child,
and always, always stand up for the truth. Someone has to.

Are you on Tsu yet? Its a new social media platform that pays you for
creating and sharing content! Thousands of people have already joined. Its
just like Facebook, it takes seconds to join, and even easier to use! And best
of all you can reach 100% of your friends and audience, and NO Censorship.
You can only join by Invite, and this is an invitation from us to you. Click
here to join! and be sure to Follow us to.

About the Author:

Sean Kim is an entrepreneur, new-born writer, and striving life hacker. He

loves voicing his passion on seeking freedom, personal development, and
entrepreneurship. Sean loves meeting new people and you can start a
conversation with him on Twitter @sseankim.

Via: Expanded Consciousness

Source: Medium

7 Things You Should Stop Expecting from Others

The biggest disappointments in our lives are often the result of misplaced
expectations. This is especially true when it comes to our relationships and
interactions with others.
Tempering your expectations of other people will greatly reduce unnecessary
frustration and suffering, in both your life and theirs, and help you refocus
on the things that truly matter.
Which means its time to
1. Stop expecting them to agree with you. You deserve to be happy. You
deserve to live a life you are excited about. Dont let the opinions of others
make you forget that. You are not in this world to live up to the expectations
of others, nor should you feel that others are here to live up to yours. In fact,
the more you approve of your own decisions in life, the less approval you
need from everyone else.
You have to dare to be yourself, and follow you own intuition, however
frightening or strange that may feel or prove to be. Dont compare yourself to
others. Dont get discouraged by their progress or success. Follow your own
path and stay true to your own purpose. Success is ultimately about
spending your life happily in your own way.
2. Stop expecting them to respect you more than you respect
yourself. True strength is in the soul and spirit, not in muscles. Its about
having faith and trust in who you are, and a willingness to act upon it.
Decide this minute to never again beg anyone for the love, respect, and
attention that you should be showing yourself.
Today, look at yourself in the mirror and say, I love you, and from now on
Im going to act like it. Its important to be nice to others, but its even more
important to be nice to yourself. When you practice self-love and selfrespect, you give yourself the opportunity to be happy. When you are happy,
you become a better friend, a better family member, and a better YOU. (Angel
and I discuss this in more detail in the Self-Love chapter of 1,000 Little
Things Happy, Successful People Do Differently.)
3. Stop expecting (and needing) them to like you. You might feel

unwanted and unworthy to one person, but you are priceless to another.
Dont ever forget your worth. Spend time with those who value you. No
matter how good you are to people, there will always be one negative person
who criticizes you. Smile, ignore them, and carry on.
In this crazy world thats trying to make you like everyone else, the toughest
battle youll ever have to fight is the battle to be yourself. And as youre
fighting back, not everyone will like you. Sometimes people will call you
names because youre different. But thats perfectly OK. The things that
make you different are the things that make YOU, and the right people will
love you for it.
4. Stop expecting them to fit your idea of who they are. Loving and
respecting others means allowing them to be themselves. When you stop
expecting people to be a certain way, you can begin to appreciate THEM.
Pay close attention, and respect people for who they are and not for who you
want them to be. We dont know most people half as well as we believe we
do; and truly knowing someone is a big part of what makes them wonderful.
Every human being is remarkable and beautiful; it just takes a patient set of
eyes to see it. The more you get to know someone, the more you will be able
to look beyond their appearance and see the beauty of who they truly are.
(Read The Mastery of Love.)
5. Stop expecting them to know what youre thinking. People cant read
minds. They will never know how you feel unless you tell them. Your boss?
Yeah, he doesnt know youre hoping for a promotion because you havent
told him yet. That cute guy you havent talked to because youre too shy?
Yeah, you guessed it, he hasnt given you the time of day simply because you
havent given him the time of day either.
In life, you have to communicate with others regularly and effectively. And
often, you have to open your vocal cords and speak the first words. You have
to tell people what youre thinking. Its as simple as that.
6. Stop expecting them to suddenly change. If theres a specific behavior
someone you care about has that youre hoping disappears over time, it

probably wont. If you really need them to change something, be honest and
put all the cards on the table so this person knows how you feel and what
you need them to do.
For the most part though, you cant change people and you shouldnt try.
Either you accept who they are or you choose to live without them. Its might
sound harsh, but its not. When you try to change people, they often remain
the same, but when you dont try to change them when you support them
and allow them the freedom to be as they are they gradually change in the
most beautiful way. Because what really changes is the way you see them.
(Read A New Earth.)
7. Stop expecting them to be OK. Be kinder than necessary, for
everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle, just like you. Every smile
or sign of strength hides an inner struggle every bit as complex and
extraordinary as your own.
Remember that embracing your light doesnt mean ignoring your dark. We
are measured by our ability to overcome adversities and insecurities, not
avoid them. Supporting, sharing and making contributions to other people
is one of lifes greatest rewards. This happens naturally if we allow it,
because we all share very similar dreams, needs and struggles. Once we
accept this, the world then is a place where we can look someone else in the
eye and say, Im lost and struggling at the moment, and they can nod and
say, Me too, and thats OK. Because not being OK all the time, is perfectly
OK.
Afterthoughts People rarely behave exactly the way you want them to. Hope
for the best, but expect less. And remember, the magnitude of your
happiness will be directly proportional to your thoughts and how you choose
to think about things. Even if a situation or relationship doesnt work out at
all, its still worth it if it made you feel something new, and if it taught you
something new.
Your turn What would you add to this post? What do you need to stop
expecting from others? Leave a comment below and share your thoughts
with the community.

Like this article? Then join the Conversation with many others in EWAO !
This post originally appeared on Marc and Angel.

10 Clever Ways to Deal with the Ups and Downs of Life

You know, lately I have been feeling very strange. Strange in the sense that
one moment Im up, flying high as a kite, feeling ecstatic, grateful and full of
love. While the next moment I am down, feeling all fearful and anxious, as if
something horrible had happened, or is about to happen.
And I have to confess that Ive learned a lot from these ups and downs and
thats why I decided to write this blog post. What follows are 10 clever ways
to deal with the ups and down of life.
Enjoy!
1. Stop looking for the source of your unhappiness.
Life has its ups and downs. Its perfectly normal. Trying to find the source of
your unhappiness will only bring you even more unhappiness. So stop it!
Stop asking yourself: Why do I feel so bad? What is causing me to
experience al these ups and downs? Why am I so unhappy. And instead, ask
yourself: What makes me happy? What are the things that cause me to
experience joy and gratitude? And let your mind look for those things, the
things that make you feel good, and no longer the things that cause you to
feel burned out, anxious, fearful and unhappy.
No one should ever ask themselves that: why am I unhappy? The question
carries within it the virus that will destroy everything. If we ask that
question, it means we want to find out what makes us happy. If what makes
us happy is different from what we have now, then we must either change
once and for all or stay as we are, feeling even more unhappy. ~ Paulo
Coelho, The Zahir
2. Cut yourself some slack.

Theres nothing wrong with feeling down from time to time. Theres nothing
wrong with feeling cranky, angry and irritated. You cant always be happy. I
used to think you can but I no longer think so. So just cut yourself some
slack. Allow yourself to feel whatever you are feeling without judging and
condemning yourself for not being perfect. For not being the positive
person you thought yourself to be. Understand that positive people get angry
too. Positive people have bad days as well. So just be gentle with yourself.
Dont burden yourself in vain. Allow whatever you are feeling to just be,
without labeling it as good or bad.
As a human being, anger is a part of our mind. Irritation also part of our
mind. But you can do anger come, go. Never keep in your sort of your
inner world, then create a lot of suspicion, a lot of distrust, a lot of negative
things, more worry. ~ Dalai Lama
3. Dont believe everything you think.
I am a person of extremes. When Im feeling high, I cant imagine my life
being any different. When Im feeling down, I cant imagine my life being any
different. And this kind of thinking is beneficial when Im feeling high, but
when Im low, its not really helping me. And Im learning more and more
about faith and about trusting the wisdom of life. Im learning more and
more about recognizing that fearful thoughts are damaging thoughts,
illusionary thoughts. And that only those thoughts that come from love are
real.
The primary cause of unhappiness is never the situation but thought about
it. Be aware of the thoughts you are thinking. Separate them from the
situation, which is always neutral. It is as it is. ~ Eckhart Tolle
Dont believe everything you think. Especially if your thoughts come from a
fearful place. Instead, look for reasons to smile, to be grateful and to
appreciate all that life has offered you. Look for things that will help you
think kind and loving thoughts. For that will help strengthen your trust and
faith.Trust that things will eventually change and that the Sun will shine on
your street again. Be led by your hopes, dreams and aspiration. Not pushed
around by your fears, problems and difficulties.

Faith includes noticing the mess, the emptiness and discomfort, and letting
it be there until some light returns. ~ Anne Lamott, Plan B: Further
Thoughts on Faith
4. Blame it on no one.
Blaming external forces for what you feel is not a good idea, for that only
puts you in a weak spot. Making you feel powerless, a victim of your
circumstances. Blame it on no one. Stop giving your powers away and start
taking responsibility for whatever it is that you are experiencing.
Because of your belief in external things you think power into them by
transferring the power that you are to the external thing. Realize you
yourself are the power you have mistakenly given to outer conditions. ~
Neville Goddard, Your Faith is Your Fortune
5. You are never upset for the reason you think.
Life has an interesting way of being. Of showing us the things that are
hidden deep within ourselves. An interesting way of presenting us the
things that require our attention, healing and forgiveness. Theres a great
line in A Course in Miracles that goes like this: I am never upset for the
reason I think. And its true. Theres always more to that which bothers
us. We are never angry, upset, because of the reason we think.
If things in your life arent going the way you have hoped for, do not despair.
Do not get mad. Instead, look to see where you arent behaving in kind and
loving ways. Look to see if there are past wounds that still require healing,
people or experiences that you havent yet forgiven and things you are
clinging on to but need to let go of.
You must understand the whole of life, not just one little part of it. That is
why you must read, that is why you must look at skies, that is why you
must sing, and dance, and write poems, and suffer, and understand, for all
that is life. ~ Krishnamurti
6. Pain demands to be felt.
If theres pain and discomfort in your heart, in your body and in your life,
give it your full attention. Dont try to run away. Dont fight and resist your

uncomfortable feelings. Love your pain away. Embrace and accept whatever
you are feeling. Welcome the bad just as you welcome the good, with love
and appreciation. Because pain, just like joy, happiness and many of the
other positive emotions we so desperately seek, wants to be acknowledged. It
demands to be
Thats the thing about pain, Augustus said, and then glanced back at me.
It demands to be felt. ~ John Green, The Fault in Our Stars
7. With discomfort comes growth.
With every problem and with every challenging situation life sends your way,
comes a great lesson. Something you need to learn and master. Something
that will help you grow, expand and evolve into the wonderful being you were
born to be. So start looking at your bad days, at your problems and
difficulties as opportunities for growth.
View all problems as challenges. Look upon negativities that arise as
opportunities to learn and to grow. Dont run from them, condemn yourself,
or bury your burden in saintly silence. You have a problem? Great. More
grist for the mill. Rejoice, dive in, and investigate. ~ Bhante Henepola
Gunaratana
8. Forgive the past. Release yourself.
Forgive the past. Let it all go. Release yourself from the chains you have been
wearing around your ankles. Releases yourself from the self made prison
you have placed yourself in all this time by not wanting to forgive. Let it all
go. Let go of anger, bitterness and resentment. Forgive yourself. Forgive your
life and forgive those who might have treated you unkindly. Forgive and you
will be free. Cleanse your mind and heal your heart.
Understand that forgiveness is a gift, a precious gift that you give to yourself
to be free, to be at peace and to be happy. You dont forgive because you are
weak, but because you are wise enough to understand that holding on to
anger and resentment will only deprive you of the many wonderful gifts that
life has to offer you.
9. Embrace your dark side.

Jess C. Scott once said that The brightest light casts the darkest shadow.
And Im starting to think this is true. As you start working on purifying,
cleansing and healing your life more and more each day, wanting to live a
meaningful, happy, healthy and balanced life, more of your shadows start to
surface. As if theyre asking you to bring light where there was once
darkness, forcing you to face, love and embrace all that yo are. With both
the good and the bad. With both your darkness and your light.
We all need to look into the dark side of our nature thats where the
energy is, the passion. People are afraid of that because it holds pieces of us
were busy denying. ~ Sue Grafton
10. This too shall pass.
No matter what you are currently experiencing in your life and no matter
how bad and painful it may look and feel, it is very important to remember
yourself that no storm lasts forever. It will eventually come to pass. And until
that happens, to make things easier for yourself, look for things to do, things
that will take your focus away from what you are currently feeling and
experiencing. Do something that makes you feel good, something that makes
you feel happy and excited. Go out for a walk. Watch a funny movie. Eat
some ice cream. Go for a massage. Do things that dont require too much
thinking and too much intellectual work. Put your mind to rest and just go
have some fun. De-stress yourself and de-stress your life. And always
remember:
Life isnt as serious as the mind makes it out to be. ~ Eckhart Tolle
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Source: 10 Clever Ways to Deal with the Ups and Downs of Life,
from purposefairy.com, by Luminita D. Saviuc

The Top 5 Regrets of The Dying

By: Collective Evolution. A palliative nurse recorded the most common regrets of the dying
and put her findings into a book called The Top Five Regrets of The Dying. Its not
surprising to see what made the list as they are all things that touch each of our lives as we
struggle to pay attention to and make time for things that we truly love. Below is the list of
each regret along with an excerpt from the book. At the bottom is also a link to the book for
anyone interested in checking it out.
One thing on regret before we get to the list. Its important to remember that whatever stage
we are at in life, there is no need for regret. The process of regret is one that provides nothing
but suffering for ourselves as we begin to allow the past to dictate how we should feel now.
Instead, we can use the past as a reference point to understand what adjustments we would
like to make moving forward. The adjustments do not have to come out of pain, sorrow,
regret or judgment, but simply a choice to do things in a different way. We are learning all the
time, we can very quickly slow that learning process down by getting stuck in the idea of
regret. When it comes to making changes, be at peace with the past and remember that each
moment is a new choice.
1. I wish Id had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of
me.
This was the most common regret of all. When people realise that their life is almost over
and look back clearly on it, it is easy to see how many dreams have gone unfulfilled. Most
people had not honoured even a half of their dreams and had to die knowing that it was due to
choices they had made, or not made. Health brings a freedom very few realise, until they no
longer have it.
2. I wish I hadnt worked so hard.
This came from every male patient that I nursed. They missed their childrens youth and
their partners companionship. Women also spoke of this regret, but as most were from an
older generation, many of the female patients had not been breadwinners. All of the men I
nursed deeply regretted spending so much of their lives on the treadmill of a work existence.
3. I wish Id had the courage to express my feelings.
Many people suppressed their feelings in order to keep peace with others. As a result, they
settled for a mediocre existence and never became who they were truly capable of becoming.
Many developed illnesses relating to the bitterness and resentment they carried as a result.
4. I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends.
Often they would not truly realise the full benefits of old friends until their dying weeks and
it was not always possible to track them down. Many had become so caught up in their own
lives that they had let golden friendships slip by over the years. There were many deep regrets

about not giving friendships the time and effort that they deserved. Everyone misses their
friends when they are dying.
5. I wish that I had let myself be happier.
This is a surprisingly common one. Many did not realise until the end that happiness is a
choice. They had stayed stuck in old patterns and habits. The so-called comfort of
familiarity overflowed into their emotions, as well as their physical lives. Fear of change had
them pretending to others, and to their selves, that they were content, when deep within, they
longed to laugh properly and have silliness in their life again.
Like this article? Then join the Conversation with many others in EWAO !
Source:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Top-Five-Regrets-Dying/dp/1848509995/ref=sr_1_1?
ie=UTF8&qid=1367096226&sr=8-1&keywords=top+regrets+of+the+dying

The Importance Of Attitude: How Changing Your Attitude Will Change Your
Life

In order to consciously evolve and master ourselves, our attitude in each

moment is what we should focus on as our gauge of personal mastery. We
are beings of perception, and the quality of our perception is determined by
our attitude. This is the importance of attitude. An individual who has the
openness, honesty, and subtlety to perceive the nuances of their attitude in
each moment, and the concentration necessary to make corrections as
necessary is truly an unlimited person. For it is our attitude which
determines the reality we live in and the opportunities and experiences we
are available to.

Two individuals can be in the pouring rain while one is having the time of
their lives, and the other is soaked, cold, and in essence, miserable. The
difference is not in the environment, but in their perception of the
environment. And that is where attitude comes in.

The reason why attitude is an excellent focal point of our attention is

because our attitude is what gives us direct insight into our thoughts,
beliefs, and emotions in each moment. Many of our beliefs operate on the
level of our subconscious mind, therefore they are nearly invisible to us.
Moreover, our emotional state is not always obvious.

If we are habitually depressed or angry or hopeless, a time will come when

this feels normal. And when we maintain these energies for long enough, we
wont realize our emotional state until we have felt its opposite. For example
we wont realize how bored or listless we were until we have felt radical
enthusiasm and inspiration, or we wont realize how empty we have been
until we have felt love. Therefore only by the experience of a new way of
being can we see how we were and how we have been.

This new experience of being is literally a shift attitude. A shift in perception

and a shift in feeling if you will. If we can pay attention to our attitude, and
become aware enough to identify the nuances of our attitudes, then we can
discover the limitations of our beliefs, thoughts, and emotional states which
may have become so habitual that we may not even notice their detrimental
effects and the ways in which they limit us.
Making and Maintaining Attitudinal Shifts

I have found in my life that they key to learning and growth is always
consistency. Consistency in our actions, and most importantly in what we
focus our attention on. Specifically, our attitude, because it is our attitude
which determines our reality, and one of the most efficient way to reprogram
our subconscious minds and thus change our lives is to make and maintain
attitudinal shifts in each moment.

Our beliefs ultimately determine our attitude and perception of the reality
around us, therefore instead of struggling to fish out these deeply ingrained
beliefs one by one (and there are multitudes), it is more direct and efficient
to change what we perceive by consciously changing our attitude. By doing

so we experience literally a different set of energy/information and thus

when our subconscious minds are consistently flooding with new perceptual
and experiential information, over time new beliefs are formed which are in
alignment with the attitudes we have consciously chosen.

We can either consciously shift our attitude in order to change our beliefs, or
we can remain unconscious and allow our attitude to be determined
subconsciously by our subconscious beliefs. Many of which, possible the
majority, are limiting.

By being able to consistently make attitudinal shifts, we will gain the

subtlety to be able to do so consciously and in a way where the attitudinal
shifts we make are done so in order to align more with source, and align
with who we truly are and who we are inspired to become. But even more
important than making these attitudinal shifts is the ability to maintain
them. And the only way to do so is through consistent and diligent practice
(the power of commitment).

One way is to literally practice new attitudes, new perspectives, and new
ways of feeling. I am not talking here about artificially creating and adopting
attitudes because we have already done that. That is what much of our
personality is, and precisely what our ego is. A new way to go about this
business of personal transformation is to pay attention in our lives and
consciously make the attitudinal shifts necessary so that we can maintain
connection to intention (the universe).

Many of our programmed behaviors and beliefs which define our habitual
attitude are obstructive and incongruous with who we really are and our
highest potential. And when those habitual attitudes set in they distort the
flow of the universe and higher consciousness through us. When our
personality is incongruous with our true nature, it obstructs our connecting
link with spirit when it is engaged and the flow of intention (universal
consciousness) through us is hindered.

Once you feel intention, you will know it. Meditation will bring you to this
awareness, but even still these attitudinal shifts require subtlety which can
only be gained with practice over time. And while it seems a difficult task at
first, we have to ask ourselves, isnt our effort involved completely justifiable
if the result is the establishment and maintenance of a conscious
connection with the universe, with intention, that grows deeper and more
profound over time? Moreover, is it not worth it to train ourselves to live at a
level of consciousness where we experience and consistently unleash
amazing abilities and potential within us, and truly feel unlimited?

Feeling unlimited is not some vague belief, it is an unquenchable lust for life
and excitement that surges from the depths of our being when we
consciously feel and sense that we have no limitations. It is not a belief but
an experiential fact. And that experience can be achieved through the lens of
our attitude.

The importance of attitude is that it is the basis for everything in our lives.
Our attitude determines how we react to adversity, our ability to grow and to
learn, our ability to overcome challenges, and create bonds with others. And
our attitude as it is now is the product of a lifetime of instilled beliefs,
programming, and in my opinion, brainwashing.

As sinister as it sounds, it is true, simply because the way we have been

taught to perceive reality is so far off from the true nature of reality. And
whether it was intentional or the result of ignorance, it really doesnt matter.
The fact is that it happened, and why it happened isnt all that important to
me. What is important however is that we take responsibility for ourselves in
this moment so that we can consciously reverse it in order to grow,
transform, evolve, and experience these exalted levels of consciousness for
ourselves.
Changing Your Attitude

When I talk about attitude what I really mean is how we habitually feel and
perceive the world. However, this in turn is determined by our personality
which in itself is founded on our beliefs as a result of life experiences and
our programming. To change our attitude, one way is to change directly how
we see the world in our imagination and consciously instill new feelings
within ourselves based on these new images (which is a highly effective
process for manifestation and transformation which I will cover in-depth in a
later article).

The simpler method is to just concentrate on consciously feeling differently

where appropriate.

I know this works because I did it for the first time when I was in grade 9. I
literally concentrated as much as it was possible for me to concentrate to
literally change my attitude and how I habitually felt, and the result was
that I changed aspects of my personality. In hindsight I realize that I did this
in a direction I would not choose to take today because it led to self-pity. But
I have no regrets because I see now that it was an essential learning
experience in itself which led down a path of even greater learning
experiences (many disguised as misfortune, and suffering).

Changing our attitude is not an event but a continuous process, as

everything related to mastery and evolution undoubtedly is. You dont have
to change all at once. Instead just make the most relevant attitudinal shifts
to you in your daily life and reinforce them consistently until they become
your new attitude. And as you do this you will find yourself naturally moving
on to new areas, and new levels of subtlety.

If it is most relevant for you in this moment to get in shape, then create an
exercise routine and follow it daily while consciously changing your attitude
towards yourself, and even your attitude towards hard work, physical
exertion, commitment, and discipline which are all lessons I have personally
learned through physical training. Or if you are learning a language or

studying a difficult course in school, consciously shift your attitude towards

your memory, towards your intelligence and so on.

Notice when you unconsciously adopt the attitude of being overwhelmed, or

doubting your intelligence, or perceiving as if your memory is poor when you
are learning something new. Or when you adopt the attitude of I Cant.
Sometimes I notice my attitude first by a face that I feel myself making, and
that is a trigger to realizing I am feeling an emotion that doesnt resonate
with my unlimited nature.

In these moments take a second and concentrate with everything you have
on feeling differently about what you are facing, whatever it may be. It could
be self-doubt, or an uncontrollable nervousness about talking to that girl or
boy you are infatuated with.

Remember a time when you felt confident and assume that feeling in your
body in this instant. When you change how you feel when confronted with
these circumstances you are changing your attitude. And eventually with
diligent practice and repetition this new feeling and attitude you have
conditioned yourself to feel will be your new response to similar
circumstances in the future.

But at very least you will have the ability to change your feelings and
attitude consciously which is the height of self-mastery and self-awareness.
A superpower that I cannot stress the importance of enough.
The Importance of Attitude

In essence there are a lot of major and truly subtle shifts that we can make
regarding our relationship to everything. Our attitude towards financial
wealth for example is another important one. Our attitude towards adversity,
towards challenges, towards hard work, towards learning from within,

towards success, towards self-reliance and independence, towards freedom,

towards our dreams, towards people you disagree with, towards people you
dont like, towards parts of yourself you dont like, and on, and on, and on

And at is our attitudes towards all things in our lives which determine our
reality. This is the importance of attitude. Your attitude towards financial
wealth is what determines your financial wealth. Your attitude towards
success, or towards love, is what determines your success and determines
the love you feel. And it is my conviction that changing our attitude is a
practice at the heart not only of personal growth and mastery, but of
consciousness evolution. Right alongside self-discipline. For it is our attitude
towards reality in general which determines what reality is for us. But if we
can consciously shift our attitude over time, we will shift our personality
drastically, and we will also change our reality by degrees until we live at a
new level of being.

And one day, we will shift our attitude and personality to such a finely tuned
degree that we are in complete alignment with the universe. And at that time
we will cease to be individuals with an ego (What is Ego?), and we will
become individuals expressions of universal consciousness.

This thing that we call our personality is but the culmination of our beliefs
and social programming, and in no way is it something sacred which is
unique to us except the aspects of our personality that are defined by
qualities such as love, kindness, generosity, creativity, and true spiritual
power. For those are not qualities of the ego, they are qualities of the
universe, our true selves, which is shining through us.

Our uniqueness is found in how we express the divine energies being

channeling through us, not in the pettiness and limitations of our ego.

Thus by consistently shifting our attitude we are not battling the ego or
living from it either. We are simply opening up new channels for expressing
the universe and ourselves, and opening a doorway to new ways of being
and to a new experience of reality.

You cannot control what is currently happening to you in your life, but what
you can control is your attitude towards what is happening in your life, in
every respect. And thus by shifting your attitude, you also shift your
perspective and change what you attract into your life. This is the
importance of attitude.

What we call our ego is not our individuality, rather it is the aspect of
ourselves which stands in contradiction to our true nature: it is the
expression of our subconscious programming which opposes our true self.
The intention therefore is not to remove the ego, but to align it so well with
our infinite nature that our ego and infinite nature become completely
congruous.

Then we will always be expressing the truth of who we are, which is

invariable divine love, creativity, wisdom, and power. That is the true nature
of each and every one of us.

By making and maintaining attitudinal shifts that keep us at levels of higher

consciousness, over time these attitudinal shifts become subconscious
habits and thus our subconscious mind maintains higher levels of
consciousness for us. Instead of fighting with ourselves constantly, in the
ongoing battle between our ego and our infinite self, it is much more
intelligent (and easier in the long run) to concentrate on aligning them.

Our attitude is the focal point of that alignment.

You are personally responsible for everything in your life, once you
become aware that you are personally responsible for everything in your
life. - Bruce Lipton

About the Author

Brandon West is the creator of Project Global Awakening. A website

dedicated to the research of a variety of scientific and spiritual disciplines,
and applying that knowledge to help you live an inspired life and change the
world. Follow Project Global Awakening on Facebook, and Twitter.

This article is offered under Creative Commons license. Its okay to

republish it anywhere as long as attribution bio is included and all links
remain intact.

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18 Ways Youre Making Your Life Harder Than It Has To Be

When we were young life was easier, right? I know sometimes it seems that
way. But the truth is life still is easy. It always will be. The only difference
is were older, and the older we get, the harder we make things for ourselves.

You see, when we were young we saw the world through simple, hopeful
eyes. We knew what we wanted and we had no biases or concealed agendas.
We liked people who smiled. We avoided people who frowned. We ate when
we were hungry, drank when we were thirsty, and slept when we were tired.

As we grew older our minds became gradually disillusioned by negative

external influences. At some point we began to hesitate and question our
instincts. When a new obstacle or growing pain arose, we stumbled and fell
down. This happened several times. Eventually we decided we didnt want
to fall again, but rather than solving the problem that caused us to fall, we
avoided it all together.

As a result, we ate comfort food and drank alcohol to numb our wounds and
fill our voids. We worked late nights on purpose to avoid unresolved
conflicts at home. We started holding grudges, playing mind games, and
subtly deceiving others and ourselves to get ahead. And when it didnt work
out, we lived above our means, used lies to cover up lies, and ate and drank
some more just to make ourselves feel better again.

Over the course of time, we made our lives harder and harder, and we
started losing touch with who we really are and what we really need.

If youre nodding your head, here are some ways youre likely making your
life harder than it has to be, and some ideas on simplifying things:

1. You look to everyone else for the answers only you can give yourself. For
much of our lives especially at the beginning we get told what do, how to
think, what looks good, what success is, etc. You dont have to buy into
any of it anymore. Feel free to peel back the layers. Think for yourself.
Listen to your Self. Break the mold. When you stop doing what everybody
else wants you to do and start following your own intuition, you will find
exactly what you are looking for.

2. You let others make you feel guilty for living your life. As long as youre
not hurting anyone else, keep living your life YOUR way. Sometimes we get
lost in trying to live for someone else, trying to meet their expectations, and
doing things just to impress them. Take a moment and think about it. Are

you doing things because you truly believe in them? Remember your own
goals. Live, do and love so that you are happy, because when it comes down
to it, relationships can end in an instant, but you will live with yourself for
the rest of your life.

3. You allow toxic people to get the best of you. You dont ever have to feel
guilty about removing toxic people from your life. It doesnt matter whether
someone is a relative, romantic interest, colleague, childhood friend or a new
acquaintance. You dont have to make room for people who cause you pain
or make you feel small. Its one thing if a person owns up to their behavior
and makes an effort to change. But if a person disregards your feelings,
ignores your boundaries and continues to treat you in a harmful way, they
need to go. (Read Toxic People.)

4. You are part of the drama circle. How would your life be different if you
walked away from drama, gossip and verbal defamation? Let today be the
day you speak only about the good you know of other people and encourage
others to do the same. Those that refuse to support you CAN be ignored by
you. Its as simple as that. Incredible things happen when you distance
yourself from negativity and those who create it. Dont get caught up in
drama. Just walk on by.

5. You assign negative intent to other peoples actions. Another driver cut
you off in traffic. Your friend never texted you back. Your colleague went to
lunch without you. Everyone can find a reason to be offended on a daily
basis. So what caused you to be offended? You assigned negative intent to
these otherwise innocent actions. You took it as a personal insult a slap in
the face. Dont do this to yourself. Dont take things personally. Dont
assign negative intent to the unintentional actions of others. Let today be
the day you look for the good in everyone you meet.

6. You are too worried that people will steal what you have. Let this be your
wake-up call, especially if youre an artist, writer, entrepreneur or creative

type: There is always more to be gained from sharing knowledge than from
hoarding it. Dont worry about people stealing your work; worry about the
moment they stop. Be honest, helpful and undeniably good at what you do.
No clever marketing scheme, social media buzzword, or competitor can be a
substitute for that, ever. Whenever people want what you have, regardless of
the circumstances, youre doing it right.

7. Youre trying to compete with everyone else. If you compete with

everyone else, you will become bitter. If you compete with a previous version
of yourself, you will become better. Its as simple as that.

8. You have been too much of a taker. One way to deal with stress and loss
is to immerse yourself in doing good for others. Volunteer. Get involved in
life. It doesnt even have to be a big, structured event. Say a kind word.
Encourage someone nearby. Pay a visit to someone who is alone. Get away
from your self-preoccupation for a while. When it comes down to it, there
are two types of people in this world. There are givers and there are takers.
Givers are happy. Takers are still unhappily wondering whats in it for them.

9. You focus on popularity over effectiveness. Seek respect, not attention.

It lasts longer and its far more useful in the end. Do things and build
things that make a lasting difference. And above all, never confuse
popularity with effectiveness. Being popular means youre liked for a while.
Being effective means youve made a difference.

10. You keep cutting corners and taking the easy way out. Do what is
right, not what is easy. And do the right thing even if no one else will ever
know. Why? Because YOU will know.

11. You focus on every point in time other than now. You cant change
yesterday, but you can ruin today by worrying about tomorrow. Be present.
Tomorrow will reveal itself exactly as it should, just as yesterday already has.

12. You are stuck on your mistakes. Its important that we forgive
ourselves for making mistakes. We need to learn from our errors and move
forward. Make a pact with yourself today to not be defined by your past.
Sometimes the greatest thing to come out of all your hard work isnt what
you get for it, but what you learn from it. A happy, successful life, after all,
is not a life absent of problems, but one thats been able to rise above them.
(Angel and I discuss this in detail in the Adversity chapter of 1,000 Little
Things Happy, Successful People Do Differently.)

13. You have an all or nothing mentality. Theres no such thing as perfect
success, just as theres no such thing as perfect failure. This is why labeling
things in extremes all or nothing success or failure is an exercise in
futility. What does exist, however, is a continuous series of imperfect
moments filled with infinite possibilities and opportunities. Appreciate the
grey area between the extremes the journey the experiences. And above
all, never let success get to your head or failure get to your heart.

14. You expect life to always be happy. The world can be a difficult place.
You may experience suffering, heartbreak and loss. These circumstances
can take a toll on your happiness, but do not lose hope. Think about the
Yin and Yang in Chinese philosophy, which states that opposite forces are
often interconnected. In suffering, you can find great strength, in
heartbreak you can find resilience, and in loss you can find a renewed
appreciation for life. Life is always Yin and Yang. Opposites are
interdependent and interconnected. You cant completely shield yourself
from sadness without also shielding yourself from happiness.

15. You keep thinking about worst-case scenarios. - Sometimes your mind
unnecessarily wrestles with events that arent even remotely likely. Your
sore throat is life threatening. Your lost drivers license fell into the hands of
a miscreant looking to steal your identity. Negativity like this only breeds
more negativity. Its a happiness riptide. It will carry you away from shore,
and if you dont swim away it will pull you under. The bottom line is that

you can see the world through a lens of doubt and despair or hope and
excitement. Its your choice. Either way, you will someday arrive at the
same destination. The only question is: Do you want to arrive with a frown
or a smile?

16. Youre letting loss devour you. Sometimes you have to work at
happiness. Some hurdles in life are too difficult to clear simply by adopting
a positive mindset. Do you need to forgive someone? Do you need to let go
of a failed relationship? Do you need to come to terms with the death of a
loved one? Life is full of loss. But, in a sense, true happiness would not be
possible without it. It helps us appreciate the good times. It helps us grow.
If youre struggling to see the light, youre not alone. Find someone who
understands and talk to them. Reach out for support. Dont let loss devour
you. (Read Second Firsts.)

17. You avoid facing the truth. The truth does not cease to exist when it is
ignored. You cannot find peace by avoiding things. You have to feel it to
heal it. Bring your fears and weaknesses front and center and shine a
blazing spotlight on them. Because the only way out is through. The pain
of facing the truth is SO worth it in the long run, I swear.

18. You put off making decisions. Bad decisions are almost always better
than no decisions at all. Indecisiveness just delays, while bad decisions
teach us to yield better ones. In the end, we most often regret the chances
we didnt take, the relationships we were afraid to have, and the decisions
we waited too long to make.
YOUR TURN

As you know, when we stop doing the wrong things and start doing the right
things, life gets easier. It just makes sense. So how have you been making
your life harder than it has to be? What can you do today to simplify
things? Leave a comment below and let us know.

Like this article? Then join the Conversation with many others in EWAO !

Credits: Written by Marc Chernoff of Marc and Angel Hack Life, where this
was originally featured.Guest contributor.

Featured image credits: JustinDeeter.com

Letting Go of These 20 Things Will Redefine Your Outlook on Life and
Change Your Truth

There are some things in life not worth keeping. Letting go of negative qualities which
dominate your ego will only lead to a greater sense of self and happiness. We hold on to so
many things that cause us a great deal of pain, stress and suffering and instead of letting
them all go, we cling on to them. We attach ourselves to their energy on a daily basis. Isnt it
time to reprogram ourselves and our lives? Isnt it time to change our truth?
1. Your Need to Always Be Right
There are so many of us who cant stand the idea of being wrong wanting to always be
right even at the risk of ending great relationships or causing a great deal of stress and
pain, for us and for others. We love to right-fight. Its just not worth it. Whenever you feel the
urgent need to jump into a fight over who is right and who is wrong, ask yourself this
question:
Would I rather be right, or would I rather be kind? ~ Wayne Dyer.
What difference will that make? Is your ego really that big? Ultimately everybody has their
own perspective. Yours is only one and it may be no more correct than another.
2. Your Need For Control
Be willing to let go of your need to always control everything that happens to you and around
you situations, events, people, etc. Whether they are loved ones, coworkers, or just
strangers you meet on the street just allow them to be. Allow everything and everyone to
be just as they are and you will see how much better will that make you feel. You can never
control anybody but yourself.

By letting it go it all gets done. The world is won by those who let it go. But when you try
and try. The world is beyond winning.
~ Lao Tzu
3. Your Need to Blame
Give up on your need to blame others for what you have or dont have, for what you feel or
dont feel. Stop giving your powers away and start taking responsibility for your life. Blame
is only self-judgement for things you could not accept in your own life.
4. Your Victim Perpetrator Mindset
This is a difficult one because we have programmed the entire world into believing that there
are actually victims and perpetrators. All you are seeing is perspective. The entire universe is
created from projected frequencies which change the vibrational states of all things including
people. There are only projections of these vibrational states and the receivers. The
vibrational universe empowers you, because if you do not like your life the way it is, you can
change how you think and feel about it, and the universe will respond. In a vibrational
universe, there are no victims, only matching vibrations. Therefore, the victim of a crime is as
much responsible as the perpetrator. This offensive and outrageous statement to many is fully
supported by the laws of the universe.
5. Your Self-Defeating Self-Talk
How many people are hurting themselves because of their negative, polluted and repetitive
self-defeating mindset? Dont believe everything that your mind is telling you especially if
its negative and self-defeating. You are better than that. You are divine and very powerful
creator. Start recognizing that.
The mind is a superb instrument if used rightly. Used wrongly, however, it becomes very
destructive.
~ Eckhart Tolle
6. Your Limiting Beliefs
About you can or cannot do, about what is possible or impossible. Dont allow your limiting
beliefs to keep you stuck in the wrong place. Spread your wings and fly!
A belief is not an idea held by the mind, it is an idea that holds the mind
~ Elly Roselle
7. Your Concept of Truth
Truth is 360 degrees. Everybody has their own version of the truth along that path and your
version is no more correct than another. Your version of the truth is dictated by your path and

learning experience which is completely defined by your vibrational state. That is why we are
so unique and capable of creating our own realities. We are what we think. It is much wiser to
agree to disagree than impose your truth on another person whose learning experience may be
the polar opposite of your own, after all your truth is only YOUR TRUTH not anyone elses.
8. Your Complaining
Give up your constant need to complain about those many, many, many things people,
situations, events that make you unhappy, sad and depressed. Nobody can make you unhappy,
no situation can make you sad or miserable unless you allow it to. Its not the situation that
triggers those feelings in you, but how you choose to look at it. IT is your perspective. Never
underestimate the power of positive thinking.
9. Your Criticism
Give up your need to criticize all things, events or people that are different than you. We are
all different, yet we are all the same. We all want to be happy, we all want to love and to be
loved, and we all want to be understood. We all want something, and something is wished by
us all. When you criticize, you are again passing self-judgement for something lacking in
your life that you refuse to let go of.
10. Your Guilt
Guilt is a trick of the mind. It is a game your mind plays with you and its not very much fun.
It brings your attention to ways in which you may be out of integrity, doing wrong and not
honoring yourself, others or the universe at large. Accept responsibility for yourself, your life
and your actions. You are response-able. You are an adult. You are account-able, meaning,
with every action you take, you account for it. You chose to do it; you must accept the
consequences of it and you did it all for a reasonto learn. If you continue to feel guilty, you
stop learning.
11. Your Need To Impress Others
Stop trying so hard to be something that youre not just to make others like you. The moment
you stop trying so hard to be something that youre not, the moment you take off all your
masks, the moment you accept and embrace the real you, you will find people will be drawn
to you, effortlessly. Success may have nothing to do with how much money you have or how
many cars you have, but how you choose to live a life of abundance which comes in many
forms, many of which have nothing to do with material things. Check out Kim Malchuks
video Tasting Rain.
12. Your Resistance to Change

Change is good. Change will help you move from A to B. Change will help you make
improvements in your life and also the lives of those around you. Follow your bliss, embrace
change dont resist it.
Follow your bliss and the universe will open doors for you where there were only walls
~ Joseph Campbell
13. Your Perceived Pain
All pain is perceived and we all perceive it differently. It affects us all differently. You cannot
interpret the pain of others unless you have experienced the same pain (i.e. losing a child). It
allows us to grow and shatter barriers that would otherwise be impossible beyond the painful
event. Without some semblance of pain in our lives, it is difficult to learn. When we let go of
our pain, life changes and flows in ways we never dreamed possible. If you think you cant
get rid of your pain, you are only confirming your self-limiting beliefs and why the pain is
there in the first place.
14. Your Labels
Stop labeling those things, people or events that you dont understand as being weird or
different and try opening your mind, little by little. Minds only work when open.
The highest form of ignorance is when you reject something you dont know anything
about.
~ Wayne Dyer
15. Your Fears
Fear is just an illusion, it doesnt exist you created it. Its all in your mind. Correct the
inside and the outside will fall into place. Most of the limiting factors on this page stem from
fear. Release your fear and everything will change in your life, almost simultaneously. Many
successful people have achieved great heights only because they have let go of their fear of
success.
The only thing we have to fear, is fear itself.
~ Franklin D. Roosevelt
16. Your Excuses
Send them packing and tell them theyre fired. You no longer need them. A lot of times we
limit ourselves because of the many excuses we use. Instead of growing and working on
improving ourselves and our lives, we get stuck, lying to ourselves, using all kind of excuses
excuses that most of the time are not even real. We sabotage ourselves beyond belief. If
you find yourself making excuses, ask yourself why you are creating the excuse in the first
place?

17. Your Past

We often assume the past looked so much better than the present and the future looks so
frightening, but you have to take into consideration the fact that the present moment is all you
have and all you will ever have. The past you are now longing for the past that you are
now dreaming about was ignored by you when it was present. Stop deluding yourself. Be
present in everything you do and enjoy life. After all life is a journey not a destination. Have
a clear vision for the future, prepare yourself, but always be present in the now. Work on this
by practicing with simple tasks every day. For example, when you cut the grass, just think
about the grass and nothing else. When youre washing the dishing, immerse your full
presence in dish washing. Eventually, your life will revolve around your day today, not
yesterday.
18. Your Attachments
This is a concept that, for most of us is so very difficult to grasp, but its not something
impossible. You get better and better at with time and practice. The moment you detach
yourself from all things, (and that doesnt mean you give up your love for them because
love and attachment have nothing to do with one another, attachment comes from a place of
fear, while lovewell, real love is pure, kind, and selfless, where there is love there cant be
fear, and because of that, attachment and love cannot coexist) you become so peaceful, so
tolerant, so kind, and so serene. You will get to a place where you will be able to understand
all things without even trying. A state beyond words.
19. Your Resentment
Let go of your internal resentment towards people, situations and events. If you hold a
grudge, you only take power away from yourself and learning stops. Your resentment towards
anything is a result of all of the limiting qualities on this page. Learn how to forgive. This is
true strength.
The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.
~ Mahatma Gandhi
20. Your Expectations of Yourself and Others
Let go of any expectations of yourself that will limit your growth. If you hold high
expectations for how others should behave, you will often be disappointed if they do not
represent themselves in the manner you expected. It is only your expectations of people that
cause you to judge them which ultimately is a judgement of yourself. Far too many people
are living a life that is not theirs to live. They live their lives according to what others think is
best for them, they live their lives according to what their parents think is best for them, to
what their friends, their enemies and their teachers, their government and the media think is
best for them. They ignore their inner voice, that inner calling. They are so busy with pleasing
everybody, with living up to other peoples expectations, that they lose control over their

lives. They forget what makes them happy, what they want, what they needand eventually
they forget about themselves. You have one life this one right now you must live it,
own it, and especially dont let other peoples opinions distract you from your path.
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Credit: Prevent Disease

Five Steps Toward A Better Life

When it comes to finding happiness, many of us seem to be looking for it in all the wrong
places, wasting time and energy, not realizing that the root of happiness is within each and
every one of us, in our hearts. Allowing ourselves to experience genuine happiness is to
become happiness, it is wanting happiness to be a part our lives with all our hearts and being
open to receiving it no matter what form it might take.
Today I would like to share with you the five steps that will help you on this journey toward
experiencing the real happiness you have been searching up until this very moment
1. Surround yourself with people who love and accept you
Surround yourself with people who allow you to be you, for who you are, not for what they
want you to be.
You know those people who are always eager to help you change, even if you dont want to
change? I believe in change, I embrace change, but when a person doesnt want to change or
is not ready to change, forcing her to do just that is quite disturbing. You simply cant help
somebody who doesnt want to be helped.
I can tell you from my own experience that, when you accept and love people
for what they are, and you treat them, not as if they arent complete or
whole, not as if they are inferior to you, that is when you are in fact helping
them.
Goethe said it so beautifully, that:
When we treat a man as he is, we make him worse, but when we treat a man as he should
be, as he could be, we promote him to what he should be and could be, we help him grow,
and you help him become more than he already is.
And this is what I call THE POWER OF NON-INTERFERENCE!

2. Cultivate new, positive and empowering habits

It is said that negative habits are easy to form but hard to live with, while on the other hand,
positive and empowering habits are harder to form but a lot easier to live with. Just think
about how easy it is to form the habit of procrastination for example, which is a negative
habit, in case you thought otherwise.
Now lets try to cultivate a new and positive habit. We want you to wake up every morning an
hour earlier to exercise, meditate or I dont know, you could pick whatever positive habit you
want. You will tell yourself that you must do it, you want to do it, you have to do it, and in the
morning, when the alarm clock rings, what do you do? You turn it off and you continue
sleeping saying to yourself: I will wake up earlier tomorrow. Yes! Tomorrow I will definitely
do it! Is that O.K.?
3. Invest in yourself
The way I see it, there is no greater investment than the investment you make in yourself,
because, just like Eckhart Tolle said it:
You can lose something that you have but you can never lose something that you are.
You are your most precious treasure, and if you choose to dig without instead of digging
within, you will never find real happiness, you will never find long term happiness, only short
and superficial happiness. Learn to see yourself as your most valuable possession, work on
doing just that.
4. Lighten your load
You know how people always complain that they dont have enough, and that they need
more, they want more, they must have more? Well, let me ask you this question: Right now,
do you really need more? More clothes, more shoes, more money, more stuff, more of
everything? I mean, do you really need more than you already have, right this very moment,
not in the future, not in an hour, not in a week, a month or a year, but now!
Take time to think about it, if you need it, but chances are that the answer will be NO.
According to the 20/80 rule, we only use 20% of the things we have, only 20% and even
so, we always complain that there isnt enough and that we dont have enough.
I am not against having money, I am not against having beautiful things, stuff, etc., but the
idea is to look over those things you no longer need, to look over those things you no longer
use, and give them away, make room for new things, better things to come your way. I am
100% sure that you feel better now, knowing that you dont just have to give stuff away just
to lighten your load, but because you need to make room for new stuff to come your way,
right?

5. Take time to recover

People nowadays work way too much and whenever they take a break, that is if they take
one, whenever they take a vacation, some time off, instead of enjoying themselves, instead of
being present in whatever it is that they are doing, they are thinking about what needs to be
done at work, what they should do when they go back to work, whether it was a good idea to
take a vacation or not, whether they should go back to work earlier, etc. And of course, this
isnt only about those people who have a job, but for all those people who are always so
busy.
I want you to read these incredible words that came from no other than Leonardo Da Vinci,
who clearly understood the importance and power of resting and recovery, the importance of
taking some time off from your work:
Every now and then go away, have a little relaxation, for when you come back to your work
your judgment will be surer. Go some distance away because then the work appears smaller
and more of it can be taken in at a glance and a lack of harmony and proportion is more
readily seen.
You see, if we could all take some time and think about what truly makes us happy, we would
come to the conclusion that our own happiness is not something that depends on how others
treat and look at us, but rather on how we treat ourselves, how we love ourselves and how we
treasure and work with the time we have been given here on this amazing planet.
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Credit: Waking Times

Using Your Thoughts to Better Your Reality

Theres something to be said for focusing on the positive. Actually, metaphysicians and
personal life coaches will tell you that focusing on the positive is everything. Theyll tell you
that and theyll tell you that your subconscious mind drives the reality around you. So if
youre subconsciously, or consciously, focused on the negative, your subconscious mind will
steer you right there.
Metaphysicians will also tell you that we create all, or most of the problems in our lives, just
by this mis-thinking. Then theyll tell you that the Universe is programmed to give us exactly
what our subconscious mind and our conscious thoughts and words request. So, if you repeat
a negative thought over and over, even subconsciously, chances are youll acquire it in the

physical realm because youve manifested it. If you keep repeating a positive one, it works
the same way.
When you start to see how this may be taking place in your life, it almost begs you to start
watching your thoughts, even down to everyday little jokes.After all,why would we want to
create the negative because were merelythinking or talking it into being? Doesnt it make
more sense to make some mental shifts and talk and think the positive into being? Personal
coaches will tell you that the latter, plus the action to get there, will often get you to where
you want to be.
Focusing on what you want, not what you dont
In some cases, its the difference between focusing on what you do want and taking the action
to get there, instead of focusing on what you dont want. Sometimes it takes some word
twisting toget your thoughts into the right place once you become aware of your patterns of
thought and realizethat they focus moreon the negative. But, hey, if were not here on earth to
learn and grow, what in the world are we here for?
In other cases, it seems hard to focus on the positive because we already see the negative
manifestations in our lives. In these cases, its best to use thoughts and words like, I am
manifesting abundance. Or, I am intending vibrant health. Or on a global scale, I am
manifesting a peaceful world. Just insert whatever positive outcome you desire to come into
being.
And while its not a good idea to pretend that the bad isnt happening, it is a good idea to find
the solutions to what you can do about a bad situation. Or just acknowledge that the bad is
there and still focus on the positive.
When you understand that all were seeing around us is a reflection of worldwide
consciousness and what weve created and have allowed to be done to us, we start to see that
elevating human consciousness is really our solution out of this mess. Because when millions
of people around the world are radiating love energy at core level, we simply wont see all of
the problems that we currently do. Most people currently radiate some level of fear.
Quite simply, when we are radiating love, well be manifesting a better reality just by being
higher vibrational beings with higher vibrational thoughts and actions. Higher consciousness
beings also wouldnt poison the society or the earth, as its just contradictory in nature.
Pharmaceuticals and other unnatural and toxicchemicals lower your vibrationwhereas
removing thetoxins of the past by deep cleansing raises it. In addition to keeping your mind
in a positive space, its a powerful technique to change your life by changing your vibration.
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Read Full Article

Credit: Natural News

The Truth of Finding Happiness

Finding happiness is an endless search a different career, relationship, holidays, material

possessions, lifestyle, etc. It left me feeling quite the opposite. The result was more
unhappiness, more dissatisfaction and less fulfillment.
So many people are currently embroiled in this search of finding happiness. Sadly, most
people are searching for this in the wrong place. Places that exist outside of themselves.
The search will continue as long as the search continues.
If you want to end the search, there are 3 things that you must do.
1)

Be prepared to go where others will not.

The search for truth does not involve looking anywhere outside of yourself. This might be a
hard fact to conceive. You have been brought up believing that pleasures all arise outside.
This is not true, and its leading most of you to misery. The fact is that all the pleasure and
enjoyment that you need is deep within you. The other fact is that this can be one of the
hardest places to go. You are more scared of going within than spending your life searching
for the truth and coming up short. Some people believe that they have the courage to go
within but most of the time this is superficial. They are too scared to strip away the layers and
see the real truth. They believe its easier to live with the pain of not knowing. The pain of not
knowing means you spend your life searching for something that you already have at your
disposal.
To find the truth you have to be prepared to go where others will not. This means that you
have to be beyond the mind. It will be momentary to begin with and then for longer and
longer periods. The more you can do this, the more you increase your consciousness. The
majority of people live unconsciously for their whole life.
When you go within you have to be brave enough to confront yourself, your behaviours and
all your past conditioning. However, there you will find freedom from all the pain your mind
has been creating.
I am not going to explain the HOW here. Eckhart Tolle has written a whole book, The Power
of Now, which explains this so clearly and eloquently. I would be doing a huge disservice
trying to summarise this into a couple of paragraphs. The point is that you have to become the

observer/watcher of your thoughts and emotions (mind) and learn how to come into the
present moment. It is a life changing book and one I highly recommend.
2)

Be prepared to lose yourself to find yourself

You have misconceptions of who you are. You have given yourself an identity and have been
working hard to build this up over the years. The more egotistical you are, the bigger this
identity becomes. It is based on everything that you have or believe that you are your status,
wealth, physical appearance, possessions, beliefs. These identifiers are all based on shaky
ground. Shake them too much and your sense of self diminishes. You become sad and
miserable. The thought that your identity may be taken away can make you scared and even
aggressive.
When you go deeper within, you will realise that the identity that you have given yourself has
little to do with who you really are. You will realise that all of the above mentioned can be
taken from you at any time. True liberation comes when you accept that these things will
come and go without changing who you are.
When confronted with the truth, this can be a hard lesson to learn. When the ego and the
identity are threatened, the loss of self can seem life ending. This really is a blessing, even if
it may not seem like it at the time. This may have to happen several times, before someone
raises their consciousness to a higher level. Rather than viewing these as disastrous moments,
they should be seen as what they are an opportunity to break through. Its an opportunity to
break-through all the crap in to genuine awareness and presence.
So beware, sometimes you have to lose yourself to find yourself. Hanging in there, resisting
the truth is self destructive and harmful to everyone around you. You have to let go of a lot.
You have to surrender a lot of what you believed to be true in order for this to happen.
Be brave, its worth it.
3)

Be prepared to give of yourself to others

When you raise your levels of consciousness, you will naturally attract others to you. This
will happen whether you like it or not. The danger is beginning to help before you are truly
ready. It can be easy to get drawn back into the dysfunction of the mind.
If this is the case, you will quickly be given a set of circumstances that will test if you are
ready to help others. It will become clear to you and those around whether you are ready for
this.
When the time is right, you will naturally start to help those who are ready and willing to
open to new levels of consciousness. This is a two-way process. The benefits are not only for
those that you are helping. Through relationship and genuine giving, you lose yourself. That

is, you lose your mind identity. This raises your energy even higher. It is self perpetuating and
one of the great joys of living.
I am thankful my search has now ended. It may take courage to go where others wont and to
lose yourself but its worth it. I now know that no matter what life throws at me or no matter
what my circumstances are, I am still me. I am at peace. For me, a deep sense of peace is far
superior to fleeting moments of happiness.
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Credit: Waking Times
About the Author:
Kelly Niven writes about personal growth, spirituality and mental health at Life is Now. Her
passion is to help others maximise their mental health as they grow and manage lifes
changes. Please visit her website at www.lifeisnow.co.uk. You can also find Kelly on Twitter
- @KellyNiven
This article is offered under Creative Commons license. Its okay to republish it anywhere as
long as attribution bio is included and all links remain intact.

20 Ways Sitting in Silence Can Completely Transform Your Life

Silence is a source of great strength. ~Lao Tzu

For over two years I spent one out of every four weeks in silence. At the time I was living at a
Zen Monastery and every month we would have a week-long silent retreat.
During this retreat we sat meditation in silence, ate in silence, worked in silence, and only
communicated through hand gestures and written notes.
At first living like this was hard, but over time I learned to grow to appreciate silence. By the
time I left I learned that silence was my friend and teacher.
What did silence teach me?

1. Satisfaction
I used to think I needed to watch TV every night. But at monastery I went without and
discovered I didnt need it.
Silence taught me to be happy with less. Pick something thats weighing you down and let it
go. Your life will thank you.
2. Expression
When you can only talk by writing a note, you only say whats important. Before the
monastery I talked a lot but said little.
Silence taught me that a few simple words well spoken have more power than hours of
chatter. Think of one simple thing you can say that would help someone feel better and say it.
3. Appreciation
Being able to speak makes life easy, but when I couldnt talk I learned how much I relied on
others.
Silence taught me to appreciate the value of relating to others. The next time you see your
friends or family, try to really listen. Deep listening expresses deep appreciation.
4. Attention
Several times at my first retreat I thought my phone was vibrating. But then I would
remember I didnt have my phone. It showed me how my phone divided my attention.
Silence taught me how important it is to let go of distractions. The next time you are with
someone you care about, try turning off your phone and putting it away. It will make paying
attention easier.
5. Thoughts
I once sat a retreat next door to a construction project. What amazed me was how easily my
thoughts drowned out the noise. I realized if my thoughts were this loud, Id better make
them as wise as possible.
Silence taught me the importance of shaping my thinking. Take time each day to notice your
thoughts and let go of thoughts that dont serve you.
6. Nature
Because I sat retreat in every season, I know that the sound of wind in fall is different than it
is in winter.
Silence taught me to notice nature. Take a short walk outside in silence and youll discover
the wisdom and peace that nature has to offer.

7. Body
During retreat I noticed that whenever I got lost in thought, I lost track of my body. And when
I focused on my body, my thoughts would calm down.
Silence taught me to be in my body. Close your eyes and ask, What sensations do I feel in
my hand? Learning to feel your body can calm your troubled mind.
8. Overstimulation
Whenever I went into town after retreat, the world seemed so loud and fast. I came to realize
how much our senses have to process most of the time.
Silence taught me the importance of reducing the stimulation. Enjoy some quiet time
everyday. The less you see and hear, the more settled your mind can become.
9. Sound
People would come to the monastery and remark how quiet it was. But living at the
monastery I knew all the noises, from frogs, to owls, to the sound of sandals on the sidewalk.
Silence taught me that the world is a rich texture of sounds. Sit in front of your house and
close your eyes. Youll be amazed at what you hear if you listen long enough.
10. Humanity
During retreat I was surrounded by imperfect people who were doing their best. Some were
happy, some were sad, but all were wonderfully human.
Silence taught me that people display great beauty. Find a good spot to people watch with an
open heart. What you see may inspire you.
11. Space
For a long time anytime something difficult came up, I would just distract myself. But retreat
taught me that if I avoided something it would never go away.
Silence taught me that space helps me face hard times. The next time you face something
difficult, pause and honor whatevers arising.
12. Love
I used to think love was this big thing. But in retreat I found that I felt love for so many
things.
Silence taught me that love can be simple. Think of someone you havent said I love you to
recently and tell them.
13. Courage
I used to think courage was about facing danger, but during retreat I realized that real courage
is about facing yourself.

Silence taught me the courage it takes to be still. When we stop moving everything were
running from catches up. The next time you are afraid, stop and wait for it to pass. There is
immense courage inside your heart.
14. Perseverance
Every retreat reminded me that speaking is easy, but staying quiet is hard.
Silence isnt flashy, but it has an immense power to endure. The next time someone doubts
you, instead of disagreeing, silently vow not to give up. Action is speaks volumes.
15. Faith
I often ask for reassurance or feedback. But living is silence meant I had to trust my instincts.
Silence taught me to have faith in myself. The next time you begin to feel anxious, sit in
silence and see if you can find the space of deep faith that lives in your heart.
16. Honesty
I used to lie so I wouldnt have to explain myself. But when I couldnt talk I began to notice
this impulse and how much it degraded my integrity.
Silence taught me the importance of telling the truth. Notice times where you tell little lies
and try telling the truth instead. It isnt always easy but its the first step to trusting ourselves
and others.
17. Gratitude
During retreat I didnt have a lot of comforts. It helped me see how much I took for granted
and how much I had to be grateful for.
At the end of every day sit in silence and ask yourself what am I grateful for. Youll be
amazed at the blessings you discover.
18. Simplicity
I used to love drama and conflict. But at retreat I found I was happier when I kept it simple.
Silence taught me that simplicity and joy are close companions. Pick one space in your home
you could simplify. Keep it simple for one month and enjoy the ease it offers your life.
19. Connection
I used to think I had to talk in order to feel connected. I realized during retreat that I can feel
connected just by being near people I care about.
Silence taught me that words can get in the way. Do something in silence with someone you
love. It will be awkward at first but eventually you will see what it means just to be in
someone presence.

20. Truth
I studied philosophy in college and I thought I could read about truth. But retreat taught me
that truth is found in silence.
Silence has taught me a deeper truth than words ever could. Sit in silence once a week and
feel the truth in your heart. Its there whether you can express it in words or not.
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Source: tinybuddha.com
Photo credit: Hartwig HKD

Train Your Brain To Let Go Of Habits 10 Methods For Creating New Neural
Pathways

When you understand how neural pathways are created in the brain, you get a front
row seat for truly comprehending how to let go of habits. Neural pathways are like
superhighways of nerve cells that transmit messages. You travel over the superhighway many
times, and the pathway becomes more and more solid. You may go to a specific food or
cigarettes for comfort over and over, and that forms a brain pathway. The hopeful fact,
however, is that the brain is always changing and you can forge new pathways and create new
habits. Thats called the neuroplasticity of the brain.
I used to drive with one foot on the brake and the other on the accelerator, and I wanted to
train myself to drive with one foot only. It took some time, as I had a strong neural pathway
for two-footed driving. But because I had the will to do it, I built a new pathway, and I
rewired or reprogrammed my brain. You can remove a behavior or thought or addictions
directly from the brain.
Because of neuroplasticity, the brains ever-changing potentials, anything is
possible. People whove had strokes can retrain their brains to function again by building
new pathways. Smokers and overeaters and many others can learn new behaviors and
attitudes and can transform their lives.
Whether you work with others on their habits or you work with your own (or both), you
can apply these understandings to boost your success.
Some Powerful Ways to Retrain the Brain

1. IDENTITY THE HABIT YOUD LIKE TO TRANSFORM AND SET THE

INTENTION.
You may remember the punch line The light bulb has to want to change. You have to have
a high intention to change as well. If there is this high intention, then creating new pathways
in your brain is bound to happen.
2. OBSERVE WHAT THE OLD HABIT OR PATHWAY IS DOING IN YOUR
LIFE.
Look at feelings, thoughts, and how the body is responding to the habit, and see what results
youre creating in your life. Be the witness, and be aware.
3. SHIFT YOUR FOCUS.
This is very important. To create a new neural pathway, you take the focus off the old habit,
and then that old habit eventually falls away. Dont pay attention to the donuts and cakes.
Take your awareness and focus it on good, wholesome, healthy delicious foods.
4. USE YOUR IMAGINATION.
You can build new neural pathways not only with new behaviors, but through the
imagination. Just imagine the new behaviors over and over and over. Keep repeating that in
your mind so you build new pathways. Focus your mind and retrain your brain.
5. INTERRUPT YOUR THOUGHTS AND PATTERNS WHEN THEY ARISE.
Say no or cancel when an old thought or impulse comes in, and say, I dont have to do
that anymore. Then turn toward the new neural pathway youre building and keep on going
in the right direction.
6. USE AVERSION THERAPY.
This isnt everyones cup of tea. Its an optional path. I like to call it the maggots on the
chocolate cake technique. I used to love candies and sweets, and when I stopped eating
them, I still had to pass by them when I walked by the candy store in town. I used aversion to
train my brain to walk on by: Thats junk, I said to myself. Its made in factories,
sickeningly sweet, makes me feel bad. The company makes it so sweet just to addict buyers. I
dont want any of that. So I talk myself out of it. Ive use it with many clients (only those
who say they want it) on smoking, junk food, cocaine and many other behaviors.
7. CREATE A SPECIFIC PLAN AND CHOOSE WHAT TO DO INSTEAD.
When you get specific, its easier to build new neural pathways. You make it official.
Decide if you want to exercise instead of overeating or if you want to eat fruit instead of

candy. Just keep focused on the new choice. You may want to create affirmations and
anchors to reinforce your choices. This can be Im free or Im in control. Reinforce this
with energy therapies like EFT or other techniques.
8. TRANSFORM THE OBSTACLES.
Look at whats in the way. Look at secondary gain what youve been getting out of the old
habits or pathways. Look at the stress in your life and how you can handle it differently. Get
your mind in the place of possibility. Handle the emotions and thoughts and get on a new
superhighway in your mind.
9. CONNECT WITH YOUR HIGHER SOURCE FOR INSPIRATION AND
SUPPORT.
Listen to our guidance. Know you have the Force within you, and therefore you have great
power. Meditation creates new pathways and brain changes. Actual studies have been done
on the brains of monks to show meditations effect on neural circuits of the brain.
10. TRANSFORM AND MAKE THE SHIFT.
Know that transformation is always possible and that you can create new brain pathways
whenever youre ready to make the shift. When you keep your mind in the I can do it!
space, you get a clear sense that youre done with the old and on a new beam now.
Some people feel were being rewired spiritually for anew era. Theres great upheaval now in
our world. And theres a process of transformation happening on earth in which huge changes
are taking place for all of humanity. You have to be present in the moment, overcome your
fears, and get to know the Infinite source so you can be a vehicle for the light to predominate
on the earth.
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Credits: www.marilyngordon.com
12 Things My Grandmother Told Me Before She Died

When my grandmother, Zelda, passed away a few years ago at the age of 90, she left me with
a box of miscellaneous items from her house that she knew I had grown to appreciate over
the years. Among these items is an old leather-bound journal that she aptly named her
Inspiration Journal.
Throughout the second half of her life, she used this journal to jot down ideas, thoughts,
quotes, song lyrics, and anything else that moved her. She would read excerpts from her

journal to me when I was growing up, and I would listen and ask questions. I honestly credit
a part of who I am now to the wisdom she bestowed on me when I was young.
Today I want to share some of these inspiring excerpts with you. Ive done my best to sort,
copyedit, and reorganize the content into twelve inspiring bullet points. Enjoy.
1. Breathe in the future, breathe out the past. No matter where you
are or what youre going through, always believe that there is a light at
the end of the tunnel. Never expect, assume, or demand. Just do
your best, control the elements you can control, and then let it be.
Because once you have done what you can, if it is meant to be, it will
happen, or it will show you the next step that needs to be taken.
2. Life CAN be simple again. Just choose to focus on one thing at a
time. You dont have to do it all, and you dont have to do it all right
now. Breathe, be present, and do your best with whats in front of
you. What you put into life, life will eventually give you back many
times over.
3. Let others take you as you are, or not at all. Speak your truth even
if your voice shakes. By being yourself, you put something beautiful
into the world that was not there before. So walk your path
confidently and dont expect anyone else to understand your journey,
especially if they have not been exactly where you are going.
4. You are not who you used to be, and thats OK. Youve been hurt;
youve gone through numerous ups and downs that have made you
who you are today. Over the years, so many things have happened
things that have changed your perspective, taught you lessons, and
forced your spirit to grow. As time passes, nobody stays the same, but
some people will still tell you that you have changed. Respond to them
by saying, Of course Ive changed. Thats what life is all about. But
Im still the same person, just a little stronger now than I ever was
before.
5. Everything that happens helps you grow, even if its hard to see
right now. Circumstances will direct you, correct you, and perfect
you over time. So whatever you do, hold on to hope. The tiniest
thread will twist into an unbreakable cord. Let hope anchor you in
the possibility that this is not the end of your story that the change
in the tides will eventually bring you to peaceful shores.

6. Do not educate yourself to be rich, educate yourself to be happy.

That way when you get older youll know the value of things, not the
price. In the end, you will come to realize that the best days are the
days when you dont need anything extreme or special to happen to
make you smile. You simply appreciate the moments and feel
gratitude, seeking nothing else, nothing more. That is what true
happiness is all about.
7. Be determined to be positive. Understand that the greater part of
your misery or unhappiness is determined not by your circumstances,
but by your attitude. So smile at those who often try to begrudge or
hurt you, show them whats missing in their life and what they cant
take away from you.
8. Pay close attention to those you care about. Sometimes when a
loved one says, Im okay, they need you to look them in the eyes, hug
them tight, and reply, I know youre not. And dont be too upset if
some people only seem to remember you when they need you. Feel
privileged that you are like a beacon of light that comes to their minds
when there is darkness in their lives.
9. Sometimes you have to let a person go so they can grow.
Because, over the course of their lives, it is not what you do for them,
but what you have taught them to do for themselves that will make
them a successful human being.
10.
Sometimes getting the results you crave means stripping
yourself of people that dont serve your best interests. This allows
you to make space for those who support you in being the absolute
best version of yourself. It happens gradually as you grow. You find
out who you are and what you want, and then you realize that people
youve known forever dont see things the way you do. So you keep the
wonderful memories, but find yourself moving on.
11.
Its better to look back on life and say, I cant believe I did
that, than to look back and say, I wish I did that. In the end,
people will judge you in some way anyway. So dont live your life
trying to impress others. Instead live your life impressing yourself.
Love yourself enough to never lower your standards for anyone.
12.
If youre looking for a happy ending and cant seem to find
one, maybe its time to start looking for a new beginning. Brush
yourself off and accept that you have to fail from time to time. Thats

how you learn. The strongest people out there the ones who laugh
the hardest with a genuine smile are the same people who have
fought the toughest battles. Theyre smiling because theyve decided
that theyre not going to let anything hold them down, theyre moving
on to a new beginning.
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Source: marcandangel.com

7 Reasons to Stop Proving Yourself to Everyone Else

Sometimes we try to show the world we are flawless in hopes that we will be liked and
accepted by everyone, but we cant please everyone and we shouldnt try. The beauty of us
lies in our vulnerability, our complex emotions, and our authentic imperfections. When we
embrace who we are and decide to be authentic, instead of who we think others want us to be,
we open ourselves up to real relationships, real happiness, and real success.
There is no need to put on a mask. There is no need to pretend to be someone youre not.
You have nothing to prove to anyone else, because
1. The people worth impressing just want you to be yourself.
In the long run, its better to be loathed for who you are than loved for who you are not. In
fact, the only relationships that work well in the long run are the ones that make you a better
person without changing you into someone other than yourself, and without preventing you
from outgrowing the person you used to be.
Ignore the comparisons and expectations knocking at your door. The only person you should
try to be better than is the person you were yesterday. Prove yourself to yourself, not others.
The RIGHT people for you will love you for doing so, and they will appreciate all the things
about you that the WRONG people are intimidated by. Bottom line: Dont change so people
will like you; be patient, keep being your amazing self, and pretty soon the RIGHT people
will love the REAL you.
2. No one else really knows whats best for YOU.
Dont lose yourself in your search for acceptance by others. Walk your path confidently and
dont expect anyone else to understand your journey, especially if they have not been exactly
where you are going. You have to take the stepsthat are right for you; no one else walks in
your shoes.

Let others take you as you are, or not at all. Speak your truth even if your voice shakes. By
being true to yourself, you put something breathtaking into the world that was not there
before. You are stunning when your passion and strength shines through as you follow your
own path when you arent distracted by the opinions of others. You are powerful when you
let your mistakes educate you, and your confidence builds from firsthand experiences when
you know you can fall down, pick yourself up, and move forward without asking for anyone
elses permission.
3. YOU are the only person who can change YOUR life.
In every situation you have ever been in, positive or negative, the one common thread is you.
It is your responsibility, and yours alone, to recognize that regardless of what has happened
up to this point in your life, you are capable of making choices to change your situation, or to
change the way you think about it. Dont let the opinions of others interfere with this
prevailing reality.
What youre capable of achieving is not a function of what other people think is possible for
you. What youre capable of achieving depends entirely on what you choose to do with your
time and energy. So stop worrying about what everyone else thinks. Just keep living your
truth. The only people that will fault you for doing so are those who want you to live a lie.
4. Societys materialistic measurement of worth is worthless.
When you find yourself trapped between what moves you and what society tells you is right
for you, always travel the route that makes you feel alive unless you want everyone to be
happy, except you. No matter where life takes you, big cities or small towns, you will
inevitably come across others who think they know whats best for you people who think
theyre better than you people who think happiness, success and beauty mean the same
things to everyone.
Theyll try to measure your worth based on what you have, instead of who you are. But you
know better than that material things dont matter. Dont chase the money. Catch up to the
ideas and activities that make you come alive. Go for the things of greater value the things
money cant buy. What matters is having strength of character, an honest heart, and a sense
of self-worth. If youre lucky enough to have any of these things, never sell them. Never sell
yourself short.
5. Life isnt a race; you have nothing to prove.
Everyone wants to get to the top of the mountain first and shout, Look at me! Look at me!
But the truth is, all your happiness and growth occurs while youre climbing, not while
youre sitting at the top. Enjoy the journey by paying attention to each step. Dont rush
through your life and miss it. Forget where everyone else is in relation to you. This isnt a
race. You get there a little at a time, not all at once.

Let go of the foolish need to prove yourself to everyone else, and youll free yourself to
accomplish what matters most to you. Sometimes you have to remind yourself that you dont
have to always be and do what everyone else is being and doing.
6. The path to all great things passes through failure.
You are an ever-changing work in progress. You dont have to always be right, you just have
to not be too worried about being wrong. Screwing up is part of the process. Looking like a
fool sometimes is the only way forward. If you try too hard to impress everyone else with
your perfection, you will stunt your growth. You will spend all your time looking a certain
way, instead of living a certain way.
Its impossible to live without failing sometimes, unless you live so cautiously that you arent
really living at all youre merely existing. If youre too afraid of failing in front of others,
you cant possibly do what needs to be done to be successful in your own eyes. You have to
remember that it doesnt matter how many times you fail or how messy your journey is, so
long as you do not stop taking small steps forward. In the end, those who dont care that
failure is inevitable are the ones that reach their dreams. YOU can be one of them.
7. Its impossible to please everyone anyway.
Some people will always tell you what you did wrong, and then hesitate to compliment you
for what you did right. Dont be one of them, and dont put up with them.
When you run into someone who discredits you, disrespects you and treats you poorly for no
apparent reason at all, dont consume yourself with trying to change them or win their
approval. And be sure not to leave any space in your heart to hate them. Simply walk away
and let karma deal with the things they say and do, because any bit of time you spend on
these people will be wasted, and any bit of hate and aggravation in your heart will only hurt
you in the end.
Afterthoughts
You dont need a standing ovation or a bestseller or a promotion or a million bucks. You are
enough right now. You have nothing to prove. Care less about who you are to others and
more about who you are to yourself. You will have less heartaches and disappointments the
minute you stop seeking from others the validation only YOU can give yourself.
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Source: marcandangel.com

15 Things You Should Give Up To Be Happy

Here is a list of 15 things which, if you give up on them, will make your life a lot easier and
much, much happier. We hold on to so many things that cause us a great deal of pain, stress
and suffering and instead of letting them all go, instead of allowing ourselves to be stress
free and happy we cling on to them. Not anymore. Starting today we will give up on all
those things that no longer serve us, and we will embrace change. Ready? Here we go:
1. Give up your need to always be right
There are so many of us who cant stand the idea of being wrong wanting to always be
right even at the risk of ending great relationships or causing a great deal of stress and pain,
for us and for others. Its just not worth it. Whenever you feel the urgent need to jump into a
fight over who is right and who is wrong, ask yourself this question: Would I rather be
right, or would I rather be kind? Wayne Dyer. What difference will that make? Is your ego
really that big?
2. Give up your need for control
Be willing to give up your need to always control everything that happens to you and around
you situations, events, people, etc. Whether they are loved ones, coworkers, or just
strangers you meet on the street just allow them to be. Allow everything and everyone to be
just as they are and you will see how much better will that make you feel.
By letting it go it all gets done. The world is won by those who let it go. But when you try
and try. The world is beyond winning. Lao Tzu
3. Give up on blame
Give up on your need to blame others for what you have or dont have, for what you feel or
dont feel. Stop giving your powers away and start taking responsibility for your life.
4. Give up your self-defeating self-talk
Oh my. How many people are hurting themselves because of their negative, polluted and
repetitive self-defeating mindset? Dont believe everything that your mind is telling you
especially if its negative and self-defeating. You are better than that.
The mind is a superb instrument if used rightly. Used wrongly, however, it becomes very
destructive. Eckhart Tolle
5. Give up your limiting beliefs
Give up your limiting beliefs about what you can or cannot do, about what is possible or
impossible. From now on, you are no longer going to allow your limiting beliefs to keep you
stuck in the wrong place. Spread your wings and fly!

A belief is not an idea held by the mind, it is an idea that holds the mind Elly Roselle
6. Give up complaining
Give up your constant need to complain about those many, many, maaany things people,
situations, events that make you unhappy, sad and depressed. Nobody can make you unhappy,
no situation can make you sad or miserable unless you allow it to. Its not the situation that
triggers those feelings in you, but how you choose to look at it. Never underestimate the
power of positive thinking.
7. Give up the luxury of criticism
Give up your need to criticize things, events or people that are different than you. We are all
different, yet we are all the same. We all want to be happy, we all want to love and be loved
and we all want to be understood. We all want something, and something is wished by us all.
8. Give up your need to impress others
Stop trying so hard to be something that youre not just to make others like you. It doesnt
work this way. The moment you stop trying so hard to be something that youre not, the
moment you take off all your masks, the moment you accept and embrace the real you, you
will find people will be drawn to you, effortlessly.
9. Give up your resistance to change
Change is good. Change will help you move from A to B. Change will help you make
improvements in your life and also the lives of those around you. Follow your bliss, embrace
change dont resist it.
Follow your bliss and the universe will open doors for you where there were only
walls Joseph Campbell
10. Give up labels
Stop labeling those things, people or events that you dont understand as being weird or
different and try opening your mind, little by little. Minds only work when open. The
highest form of ignorance is when you reject something you dont know anything
about. Wayne Dyer
11. Give up on your fears
Fear is just an illusion, it doesnt exist you created it. Its all in your mind. Correct the
inside and the outside will fall into place.
The only thing we have to fear, is fear itself. Franklin D. Roosevelt
12. Give up your excuses

Send them packing and tell them theyre fired. You no longer need them. A lot of times we
limit ourselves because of the many excuses we use. Instead of growing and working on
improving ourselves and our lives, we get stuck, lying to ourselves, using all kind of excuses
excuses that 99.9% of the time are not even real.
13. Give up the past
I know, I know. Its hard. Especially when the past looks so much better than the present and
the future looks so frightening, but you have to take into consideration the fact that the
present moment is all you have and all you will ever have. The past you are now longing for
the past that you are now dreaming about was ignored by you when it was present. Stop
deluding yourself. Be present in everything you do and enjoy life. After all life is a journey
not a destination. Have a clear vision for the future, prepare yourself, but always be present in
the now.
14. Give up attachment
This is a concept that, for most of us is so hard to grasp and I have to tell you that it was for
me too, (it still is) but its not something impossible. You get better and better at with time
and practice. The moment you detach yourself from all things, (and that doesnt mean you
give up your love for them because love and attachment have nothing to do with one
another, attachment comes from a place of fear, while love well, real love is pure, kind,
and self less, where there is love there cant be fear, and because of that, attachment and love
cannot coexist) you become so peaceful, so tolerant, so kind, and so serene. You will get to a
place where you will be able to understand all things without even trying. A state beyond
words.
15. Give up living your life to other peoples expectations
Way too many people are living a life that is not theirs to live. They live their lives according
to what others think is best for them, they live their lives according to what their parents think
is best for them, to what their friends, their enemies and their teachers, their government and
the media think is best for them. They ignore their inner voice, that inner calling. They are so
busy with pleasing everybody, with living up to other peoples expectations, that they lose
control over their lives. They forget what makes them happy, what they want, what they
need.and eventually they forget about themselves. You have one life this one right now
you must live it, own it, and especially dont let other peoples opinions distract you from
your path.
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Source: Purpose Fairy

Joe Rogan-Rethink Your Life

Transcript:
Youre a fucking human being.
Its all ridiculous. Its not that you know, being a Muslim isnt ridiculous, but being a Jew is.
Everything is ridiculous. Being a Catholic is ridiculous, being a Protestant is ridiculous; being
a Baptist is ridiculous, being a Buddhist is ridiculous, being an anything is ridiculous. You
attach yourself and your mind to any ideology. You are going to be on a road, and that road
may or may not leave you in a good direction. But youre going to stay on that fucking road,
if youre attached to an ideology.
And it could be a terrible road. It could be a road of circumcising your daughters clitoris,
because thats a fucking tradition. I mean these fucking crazy bitches in Africa that cut holes
in their lip and stretch them out to put plates on. Why is that? Because they got on a fucking
road, theyre stuck with that road, regardless of rational thinking. They didnt use rational
thinking at all. They just adapted a predetermined pattern of behavior that makes life so much
more simple. And thats what every fucking religion is. The problem is no one knows. You
cannot know. You can have your own beautiful personal experiences. You could have been
the person that was actually touched by God. And its not that, you know, yoga is the answer
or fucking mushrooms is the answer. Theres just questions.
The human race is stuck in a giant quagmire when it comes to our behavior and our thinking
about our behavior and until were honest about that, were never going to evolve.
For lot of people now, religion can give you inspiration, but there comes a certain point in
time, where you have to proper train yourself. And we have to recognize that, all this morality
that youve developed is good, because it is good to treat other people good its good to treat
other people the way you would like to be treated yourself. Its a fucking golden rule, and
there is a reason for it and that reason is that, were connected in some strange way that we
dont totally understand. Unless you are good to other people around you, unless youre kind
and friendly, and warm and loving youre not going to fucking enjoy this life. Youre just not.
There are going to be problems everywhere you go, you are going to have problems
everywhere you go, you got to figure out a way to enjoy this fucking life.
Its not because of Jesus. Its not because of Moses. Its not because of anybody that may or
may not have ever existed. Its because thats how you fit in better in the world. Thats how
you stay positive. And it doesnt have to be some shit that was written five thousand years
ago on fucking animal skins. That doesnt have to be the golden rule because its old. You
know. Thats dumb.

We need to figure out like now today. What is the best way to live your life? What is that you
know there got to be ways you could be putting forward the most positive energy. I mean, we
know objectively whats causing pollution. We know objectively whats causing birth defects
and were taking in too much chemicals and not enough vitamins. We know objectively all
this stuff. We know how to organize our world and yet we dont do it. We know how to
organize our health and yet very few people do it. We know all these things. The right path to
like being like a happy, healthy person is to do all the shit that we already know youre
supposed to do. Take care of your body, take care of your health, take care of your mind, your
stress, meditate, be kind. We all know that. You ask anybody they know how to get by and to
be the most evolved version of you you could be.
Healthy foods in your body. Many, many vegetables, vegetables, a lot of good, good quality
protein, a lot of water, stop the sodas, stop the bullshit, start working out your body and get a
better sense of like how this machine feels when its moving, its flowing better. There is less
tension in it, your mind feels like relaxed and you enjoy every single moment of the day
better. Step one, everybody knows that step right?
Whats step two? Be cool to people, be nice to as many people as you can. Smile at as many
people as you, have them smile back at you. Tip well when you go to restaurants. Just do the
most you can. What else? Do what you want to do with your life, right? Dont be doing
something you dont enjoy. Dont do something thats, dont get locked into, doing something
crazy because you need money. Dont, dont do that. Do what you want to do. Do what the
fuck it was that that you really want to do because if someone else is doing it, you can do it.
You know, I mean everybody makes their own path through this world, but a lot of people
dont follow the path that they really fucking feel pulled to, you know, its for whatever
reason, they have negative programming. You know when they were a kid someone told them
they couldnt do it, or told them to take the shortcut or take the short route, thats a sad thing
now. We talk to dudes, especially of talented dudes and they dont follow up with what they
are going to do, you know
Joe Rogan Rethink Your Life. You attach yourself and your mind to any ideology. You are
going to be on a road, and that road may or may not leave you in a good direction. But youre
going to stay on that road, if youre attached to an ideology.
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Source: Expanded Consciousness

4 Things to Do When Positive Thinking Doesnt Help

The best way out is always through. ~Robert Frost

Earlier this year my partner, our son, and I all moved to Santa Barbara from Oregon. People
move all the time, but for us it was a huge step.
My partner had a new exciting dream job and we were eager to experience the sunshine of
California. But our son was only six months old at the time, and we were leaving both our
families and all of our friends. On top of that, I was leaving my successful private practice in
Chinese Medicine to become a stay-at-home-mom.
I knew it was going to be hard, but I was determined to turn the move into a positive
new opportunity for myself. It was a chance to renew my commitment to blogging,
perhaps work on that book Ive been talking about writing, maybe start a coaching
practice?
We arrived in January, excited to find sunny skies and mild weather, while our friends and
family were complaining about the rain. We both started a cleanse, determined to start the
New Year off to a healthy start. We walked more, took our son out for strolls.
My partner went off to work, and I was determined to dive into re-inventing my business. All
I needed was determination, the right attitude, and everything would just come flowing my
way, right?
Friends would call and ask me how I was: GREAT! I would answer, determined to keep a
smile on my face.But it wasnt great. Nothing was working. In the few spare minutes I had
between chasing a six-month-old, I would try and write. But I was stuck and I couldnt figure
out why.
I even hired a life coach, thinking all I needed was someone to point me in the right direction.
The first thing she said was You are back at square-one, its not time to be making plans. I
burst into tears.
She explained how I had to take the time to grieve my old life. I had to grieve the loss of my
career, my identity, friends, family, even the loss of my favorite grocery store if that is what it
took.
No wonder nothing was working! I was so determined to think positively about my new
transition I didnt even take time to feel sad.
It was like I hadnt even landed in my new home; I was just walking around about a foot off
the ground in a bubble of everything is fine, when really, I wasnt fine, I was sad.
I took her advice and it made all the difference. Here is what I learned about when positive
thinking can actually slow you down:

Feel your feelings; just dont attach meaning to them.

I was so afraid to feel sad because I thought I would be blocking myself from positive
experiences. The trick was letting myself feel the sadness without attaching a story to it. Like
I will never find friends or I will never get my practice started. It was the negative stories
that werent helpful, not my feelings.
Feelings are just like the weather; they cant be controlled and they are always changing. I
found that if I just let myself be in the sadness, it passed so much quicker.
Take the time you need for yourself.
Shortly after this realization I took some time just for myself. I quit blogging, quit
planning, quit putting so much pressure on myself, and just let myself be sad. I cried. I
napped when my son napped.
Planning and being busy were just another way for me to avoid how I was feeling. I needed
time to turn inward, not expand outward.
Even in grief there is room for gratitude.
This was a hard one because I wanted to blame my unhappiness on our new home. But as
hard as I tried, the beauty and charm of our new home won me over.
As I took time for myself, I made sure to be grateful that we had landed in such a beautiful
spot. Having something to be grateful for really helped me keep my head above water.
The time for dreaming will come again.
At one point I thought it was never going to shift, but then it did. Little by little, I began being
excited by life here. I stopped feeling like I was missing something so much. With that shift
came new friendships, new business opportunities, even a renewed sense of fun and
adventure in my relationship.
This was the magic I was looking for; it had to come from a place of true, grounded joy, not
hollow optimism that I thought I had to fake.
There is nothing wrong with trying to keep a positive attitude, but it cant come at the
expense of your true feelings.
Only by allowing yourself to be present with more difficult emotions can you begin to move
through them and create space for a new experience. Real happiness comes only when the
positive thoughts in your head are aligned with the true joy in your heart.
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Source: tinybuddha.com
Photo credit: Man under raincloud image

29 Signs Youre Doing Just Fine (Even If It Doesnt Feel Like It)

Happiness is not the absence of problems, but the ability to keep things in perspective and
deal with them.

We all have days, weeks, months and for some even years of feeling anxious and
uncertain. Its a vague feeling you cant quite put your finger on. From the outside, people
think you have it all together, but they cant see whats going on in your head. Emptiness fills
your thoughts and emotions all too often, nagging at you throughout the day. You set goals
but they never satisfy your ego. You always feel a day late and a buck short. The search can
seem almost endless.
And a question continues to spin in your mind: Why cant I just be happy?
The good news is you dont have to live like this. There is a better way to view the world that
will lead to what you seek. The first step, though, is to stop searching. You will never find
happiness by continually looking for it in another time and place. When you focus on the lack
of something in your life, what you want will always elude you.
Angel and I often tell our coaching clients theyre doing so much better than they give
themselves credit for. Most of us are so busy trying to make something big happen, we forget
to pause and appreciate all our little victories.
Rather than dwelling on whats missing in your life, start looking at what you have. This isnt
just about material possessions; its about all the goodness in your life. When you focus on
the abundance you already have, the negative feelings that come from lacking something else
gradually fade from your conscious. Living isnt an easy thing to do, but it can be enjoyable
when you start to see the good instead of focusing on the bad.
Having trouble seeing the goodness? Heres a list of things you have to smile about some
obvious signs youre doing just fine in life:
1) You have the freedom to live your life the way you want to live it. If you often worry
about what youre going to do with your life your career, your family, the next step, etc., be
grateful. All details aside, this means you have ambition, passion, drive, and the freedom to
make your own decisions.

2) You are courageously walking your own path. When people argue with you and
challenge your decisions, remind yourself that you dont have to do what everyone else is
doing. Youve got to do whats right for you, even if some people disagree.
3) You are making difficult decisions and acting upon them. How well you play the
game of life comes down to the sum of your choices. You know this. Whatever you decide,
dont be the chess piece, be the chess player.
4) You are working hard for people and causes you believe in. Working hard for
something you dont care about is called stress; working hard for something you love is
called passion.
5) You are choosing to be happy in your own way. When you stop chasing everyone
elses definition of happiness, you begin to see that the decision to be happy has been
available all along.
6) You see obstacles in front of you because you are not settling. If you settle for just
anything, there wouldnt be any obstacles in your way, but then you would never know what
you are capable of either. Because your obstacles are your opportunities. Obstacles are put in
your way to help you determine if what you want is really worth fighting for.
7) You have made the best of some tough situations. Smiling doesnt always mean youre
happy with everything. Sometimes it just means youre strong enough to accept it and make
the best of it.
8) You have come a long way. Do not judge your failed attempts and mistakes as an
indication of your future potential, but as part of your growth process. Your past has given
you the strength and wisdom you have today, so celebrate it and use the knowledge youve
gained. Dont let it haunt you and hold you back.
9) You havent quit and you arent planning on it. People rarely quit over the last thing
that happened. Instead they quit a tiny bit each day. Trying to fix the last thing misses the
point. Keep this in mind.
10) You do your best to accept what you cant change. Moving on is never an easy thing,
but if you start accepting things for what they are itll be a lot easier. Acceptance is always
the key to moving forward and making positive changes that are within your control.
11) You arent scared to fail forward. The biggest difference between wildly successful
people and total failures is that successful people fail more often, instead of just once.
12) You havent let fear get in your way. You have to wonder how many people are afraid
to die, in part, because they often realize too late that they were afraid to live.

13) You still believe in the possibilities that lie ahead. Accept what is, let go of what was
and have faith in what could be. Remember, life does not have to be anywhere near perfect to
be wonderful.
14) You dare to dream every day. Dr. King gave the famous I have a dream speech not
the I have a plan speech. Its our dreams that change the course of history, not just our
plans. Keep dreaming.
15) You have a vision for your future. Vision is the ability to talk about your future with
such clarity, its as if you are talking about your past.
16) You havent let the judgments of others stop you. Keep listening to your intuition,
and make this your lifelong motto: I respectfully do not care. Say it to anyone who passes
judgment on something you strongly believe in.
17) You are doing what you can with what you have. The secret to living the life of your
dreams is to start living the life of your dreams, right now, to any degree that you already can.
18) You are doing your best to provide value. No one is entitled to success. To remain
successful, you must constantly find new ways to add value. Keep putting your heart, mind
and soul into even your smallest acts. This is one of the great secrets of lasting success.
19) You go out of your way to help people. Service is not doing what is required of us.
Service is doing more than is required of us. Remember, successful people are always
looking for ways to help others. Unsuccessful people are always asking, Whats in it for
me?
20) You arent scared to express your love, openly. Love is great when spoken, but
greatest when shown. So if you care about someones wellbeing, show it. Keep doing little
things daily to show the people around you that you care.
21) You continue to make a difference. Have you ever thought about how much your
actions mean to others? Maybe that smile you gave to a stranger today made their bad day
better. Maybe that hello you gave to a colleague today made them realize people actually
notice them and care. Maybe that money you gave to a homeless man today gave him hope.
Maybe spending time with someone special today made them forget their problems for a
while. Keep it up.
22) You have enough right now to live comfortably. You didnt go to sleep hungry last
night. You awoke this morning with a roof over your head. You had a choice of what clothes
to wear. You have access to clean drinking water and electricity. You are online right now.
You have plenty to be comfortable. Being wealthy is a mindset. Want less and appreciate
more.

23) You havent let rampant materialism get the best of you. Our lives are not defined
by the things we possess. Our lives are defined by the things we pursue. Make sure what you
own, never owns you.
24) You are reasonably healthy. In other words, if you got sick today you could recover.
Never underestimate the gift of your health. Its the greatest wealth you will ever own. Its the
foundation for every chance at happiness and success life has to offer. Your body is the only
place you will truly ever live.
25) Your relationships are less dramatic than they use to be. Keep forgoing the drama
and ignoring the negativity. Dont let ignorance stop you from being the best you can be. Just
keep doing what youre doing being sincere and kind, and promoting what you love, rather
than bashing what you hate.
26) You have escaped from some very toxic relationships. Dont worry too much about
people who dont worry about you. Know your worth! When you give yourself to someone
who doesnt respect you, you surrender pieces of your soul that youll never get back.
27) You know deep down that you are not alone. Next time you feel all alone, remember,
again, that you are not.
28) You have great people in your life who are standing beside you. Know that its less
important to have more friends and more important to have real ones. And remember, its
during the toughest times of your life that youll get to see the true colors of the people who
say they care about you. Dont take these people for granted. Look around and appreciate
them, right now.
29) You have a home. A house is a home when it shelters the body and comforts the soul.
But a home isnt always a physical structure, or a specific location on a map. Home is
wherever the people you love are, whenever youre with them. Its not a defined place, but a
space in your heart and mind that builds upon itself like little bricks being stacked to create
something stable that you take with you for your entire life, wherever you may go.
Recognizing these little victories in your life on a daily basis can take you from a mindset of
wishing you had more, to a mindset of joyful appreciation.
Your turn
What would you add to the list? Whats something positive about you and your life situation
that you often overlook? Please leave a comment below and let the community know.
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18 Things You Can Do Right Now To Become a Loving, Positive Person

We live in denial of our inherent negativity for the most part, and often wonder why the
world around is so mean and reckless. Unlike dogs we may not be born eternal optimists, but
positivity is something that can be imbibed even if a tad forcibly; such as by trying to tweak
our sense of humour, the way we react to a given situation, by being more pleasant and
believing others too have a mind, and by smiling each time somebody says thank you.
While positivity is a state of mind, the answer lies in our perspective. Here are 18 things you
can do right now to becoming a more loving and positive person.
Its one thing to wax eloquent on positivity, but quite another to be a positive person at heart.
Despite believing to have a positive outlook, we invariably weigh the cons first. Whats more,
we prefer needless sarcasm for humour, manage a wry smile when something is genuinely
funny, and believe deep down that the glass is actually half empty.
18 Things To You Can Do To Change Your Outlook:
1. Have the desire: To become a positive person one must have a strong desire to be positive.
And the desire will come only if you are convinced that becoming a positive person will
enhance the quality of life. Positivity is like an aura, and you know you are a positive person
when people start trusting you, random people become polite with you, colleagues at work
respect your positive outlook and you start building rapport easily.
2. Believe in all possibilities: About what you can or cannot do. About what is possible or
impossible. Dont allow your limiting beliefs to keep you stuck in the wrong place. Spread
your wings and fly! Once you realize all is possible, the doors of limitation that were closed
in your mind will open be connected to all those aspects of consciousness.
3. Be realistic: Do not try to become a saint. Becoming a positive person does not mean you
can never have any negative emotion or encounter any negative situation. It is the overall
attitude that matters and your reaction to every experience. Dont get bogged down by failure,
and disappointed when your expectations are not met. Understand that everything is of
service to you. All experiences are neutral and our perception is what creates our positive or
negative outlook.
4. Experience empowerment rather than criticism: Give up your constant need to
complain and criticize about those things people, situations, events that make you
unhappy, sad and depressed. Nobody can make you unhappy, no situation can make you sad
or miserable unless you allow it to. When you criticize, you are passing self-judgement for
something lacking in your life that you refuse to let go of. Never underestimate the power of

positive thinking. For every opportunity you feel the inclination to criticize, try to think about
how that specific situation is serving or benefiting others.
5. Experiment: Be a keen observer. Use everyday life incidents to see how you can manage
them in a more positive manner. These will serve as perfect instances to turn your outlook
more positive. For starters, contemplate how you could have better handled a situation by
being less hostile and more indulgent. Come up with five ways that could have saved the day,
and learn to take things at face value sometimes. Remember, your ability to trust the other
person also reflects your genuineness.
6. Accept responsibility: Guilt is a trick of the mind. Accept responsibility for yourself, your
life and your actions. You are response-able. You are an adult. You are accountable, meaning, with every action you take, you account for it. You chose to do it; you must
accept the consequences of it and you did it all for a reasonto learn. If you continue to feel
guilty, you stop learning.
7. Speech and body language: Try and make positive words a part of your daily lingo, and
work on your body language in way that you come across as friendly and approachable. Look
amused when something is amusing, laugh when something is funny, congratulate when
credit is due, and give others a chance to narrate their side of the story. Never think you are
the only interesting, knowing one around.
8. Be yourself: You are unique. Enjoy your uniqueness. Nobody in the world is just like you.
Stop trying so hard to be something that youre not just to make others like you. The moment
you take off all your masks, the moment you accept and embrace the real you, you will find
people will be drawn to you, effortlessly.
9. Company: One way to becoming positive is to seek positive company as both positivity
and negativity are infectious. If the people you spend most of your time with are grumpy or
have a pessimistic standpoint, youll find yourself inadvertently mirroring the same emotions
with others. In order to inculcate positivity it is imperative that your friend circle is a positive,
energetic, and a happy bunch. Youll find yourself carrying the same positivity everywhere
you go.
10. Think here and now: The past and future often set us on a path of emotional turmoil. We
often assume the past looked so much better than the present and the future looks so
frightening, but you have to take into consideration the fact that the present moment is all you
have and all you will ever have. The past you are now longing for the past that you are
now dreaming about was ignored by you when it was present. Stop deluding yourself. Be
present in everything you do and enjoy life. After all life is a journey not a destination. Have
a clear vision for the future, prepare yourself, but always be present in the now.
11. Activities: Do not remain idle and brood. Take up positive activities with others or in
isolation. Share a joke, narrate a pleasant incident, take part in sporting activities, go for a run

in the evening after work, have healthy sex, and youll find yourself bubbling with positive
energy.
12. Take it easy: Everyday life is bound to give you shocks. Be prepared to minimise impact
and shrug it off. For instance, you may get too hassled everyday while driving to work or
trying to park your car. When you accept the fact that certain things cannot be changed, youll
be more at ease with yourself and those around too.
13. Drop your expectations: Let go of any expectations of yourself that will limit your
growth. If you hold high expectations for how others should behave, you will often be
disappointed if they do not represent themselves in the manner you expected. It is only your
expectations of people that cause you to judge them which ultimately is a judgement of
yourself. Far too many people are living a life that is not theirs to live. They live their lives
according to what others think is best for them, they live their lives according to what their
parents think is best for them, to what their friends, their enemies and their teachers, their
government and the media think is best for them. They ignore their inner voice, that inner
calling. They often forget what makes them happy, what they want, what they need. You have
one life this one right now you must live it, own it, and especially dont let other
peoples opinions distract you from your path.
14. Maintain a diary: Instead of recounting all events of the day, filter out only the positive
ones and make a note of them. It could be anything trivial from your bus arriving on time,
your mom cooking a delicious breakfast, to remembering to pay the bills on time. When we
look for positivity in the little things that make our lives worthwhile, we leave no room for
negativity. Try consciously practising this for 10 days, and at the end of day ten when you
read your diary back youll only have memories of all the good things that happened to you.
15. Meditate: Not only does it secrete happy hormones but also creates a sense of awareness
within you. You will learn to control your breathing, and by way of it, control your mind from
wandering. Every time you meditate, you feel a surge of positive energy through your body
that calms your nerves, soothes your mind, elevates your mood, and not to mention enhances
your level of tolerance.
16. Embrace change: Change is good. Change will help you move from A to B. Change will
help you make improvements in your life and also the lives of those around you. Follow your
bliss, embrace change dont resist it.
17. Re-invent your need to be right: There are so many of us who cant stand the idea of
being wrong wanting to always be right even at the risk of ending great relationships or
causing a great deal of stress and pain, for us and for others. We love to right-fight. Its just
not worth it because the state of being right is all subjective with so many layers and
perspectives of truth. Whenever you feel the urgent need to jump into a fight over who is
right and who is wrong, ask yourself this question:Would I rather be right, or would I rather
be kind? ~ Wayne Dyer.

18. Say thank you: Thank god, thank your parents, friends, and thank yourself for all the
hard work you did, for everything you achieved. Saying thank you frequently makes you
humble, and a humble person is seldom cynical.
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5 Signs Its Time to Say No

Raised in a culture taught to please, its the rare individual who has courage
to stand up for what they believe in and speak their truth. Quite simply, its
frightening to voice ones unique opinion and expression because free
thought and integrity of action are easy targets for abusers of all kinds.

However holding in ones personal expression and truth is extremely

damaging on an energetic level. The throat chakra, associated with
communication and speaking ones truth, is commonly blocked in people of
this age. Stagnant, withheld energy can manifest as physical problems later
on, and contribute to a decreases sense of happiness overall.

While having compassion and willingness to please others can be a positive

character trait, it is essential you also honor your own truth and divine
expression.

Five signs you are not sharing your truth and need to speak up for yourself
more often follow:

You Spend More Time on OTHER Peoples Tasks Than Your Own

Theres nothing wrong with seeking to help others and be of service, but
when you are constantly giving away your valuable energy in exchange for
approval or acceptance, something is wrong.

You are inherently perfect in every way possible, are completely worthy of
love and acceptance, and do not have to prove anything by taking on more
tasks than you are physically able to handle. Saying yes to every project
that comes your way is a sign that you are still seeking to find acceptance
outside of yourself, and this can limit the amount of time your spend on
your own endeavors. If its a bothersome issue, it may be time to say no
and move on.

You May Have a Throat Concern

Deficient energy in the throat chakra manifests in some of the following

ways: having teeth problems, mouth concerns, speech problems, thyroid
issues, neck and shoulder pain, lymphatic congestion, asthma, ringing in
the ears, neck ache, immunity problems, hearing issues, and sore throats
(among many possible issues).

While there may be more than one cause related to the above-stated
issues, not speaking your truth or failing to stand up for yourself (saying
no) can be a contributor to physical imbalances in this region.

You Find Yourself Resentful

A clear sign you are over-taxing yourself and are not honoring your
highest expression is if you start to become resentful of those around you.
True, honest communication depends upon both parties contributing kind
and rational expression. But if you are withholding your truth, you may
likely start feeling emotions of anger, pain, jealousy, or frustration.

At this point, its time to say no to your submissive attitude and kindly
speak with the other individual involved (who may be completely oblivious,
and is not aware of your concern), or take a good look at what you are doing
so resentment can be removed from your life.
Credit: OccupyCFS.com

Credit: OccupyCFS.com

You Crave Freedom

Children grow up being told that the only way to do anything with their
lives is to obtain a high-paying job working underneath others. This means
people remain in a position where they are constantly under pressure of
being fired for messing up, and have limited creative freedom they can
express. You all beings are creators! Therefore it is only natural that you
would one day wish to venture outside the drawn up limitations of those
before you and fly.

You might crave freedom, yet dont know how to act on that ambition. This
is a sign you will soon say no to living in an outdated trend, and instead
follow your dreams. If you have faith in the creator and your highest
purpose, you will succeed because you were born to.

It Doesnt Feel Right

Your intuition is a powerful gift; all people have it, but to listen and heed
the internal advice you feel is a strength. If something doesnt resonate with
you, pay attention to it. Sometimes its not the most popular mode of action,

but you do know best, and if that means saying no to protect yourself,
honor that and speak up to feel better.

The truth you have to share is worthy of being heard. Never doubt that you
are something extraordinary, something incredible, because you are Spirit
the eternal essence made manifest in you. Own your words, free your
expression, and have the courage to say no when occasion warrants it.

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Ten Choices You Will Regret in 10 Years

If only These two words paired together create one of the saddest phrases
in the English language.

Here are ten choices that ultimately lead to this phrase of regret, and how to
elude them:

Wearing a mask to impress others. If the face you always show the world
is a mask, someday there will be nothing beneath it. Because when you
spend too much time concentrating on everyone elses perception of you, or
who everyone else wants you to be, you eventually forget who you really are.
So dont fear the judgments of others; you know in your heart who you are
and whats true to you. You dont have to be perfect to impress and inspire
people. Let them be impressed and inspired by how you deal with your
imperfections.
Letting someone else create your dreams for you. The greatest challenge
in life is discovering who you are; the second greatest is being happy with
what you find. A big part of this is your decision to stay true to your own
goals and dreams. Do you have people who disagree with you? Good. It
means youre standing your ground and walking your own path. Sometimes
youll do things considered crazy by others, but when you catch yourself

excitedly losing track of time, thats when youll know youre doing the right
thing. Read The 4-Hour Workweek.
Keeping negative company. Dont let someone who has a bad attitude
give it to you. Dont let them get to you. They cant pull the trigger if you
dont hand them the gun. When you remember that keeping the company of
negative people is a choice, instead of an obligation, you free yourself to keep
the company of compassion instead of anger, generosity instead of greed,
and patience instead of anxiety.
Being selfish and egotistical. A life filled with loving deeds and good
character is the best tombstone. Those who you inspired and shared your
love with will remember how you made them feel long after your time has
expired. So carve your name on hearts, not stone. What you have done for
yourself alone dies with you; what you have done for others and the world
remains.
Avoiding change and growth. If you want to know your past look into
your present conditions. If you want to know your future look into your
present actions. You must let go of the old to make way for the new; the old
way is gone, never to come back. If you acknowledge this right now and take
steps to address it, you will position yourself for lasting success. Read The
Power of Habit.
Giving up when the going gets tough. There are no failures, just results.
Even if things dont unfold the way you had expected, dont be disheartened
or give up. Learn what you can and move on. The one who continues to
advance one step at a time will win in the end. Because the battle is always
won far away and long before the final victory. Its a process that occurs
with small steps, decisions, and actions that gradually build upon each
other and eventually lead to that glorious moment of triumph.
Trying to micromanage every little thing. Life should be touched, not
strangled. Sometimes youve got to relax and let life happen without
incessant worry and micromanagement. Learn to let go a little before you
squeeze too tight. Take a deep breath. When the dust settles and you can
once again see the forest for the trees, take the next step forward. You dont
have to know exactly where youre going to be headed somewhere great.
Everything in life is in perfect order whether you understand it yet or not. It
just takes some time to connect all the dots.

Settling for less than you deserve. Be strong enough to let go and wise
enough to wait for what you deserve. Sometimes you have to get knocked
down lower than you have ever been to stand up taller than you ever were
before. Sometimes your eyes need to be washed by your tears so you can see
the possibilities in front of you with a clearer vision again. Dont settle.
Endlessly waiting until tomorrow. The trouble is, you always think you
have more time than you do. But one day you will wake up and there wont
be any more time to work on the things youve always wanted to do. And at
that point you either will have achieved the goals you set for yourself, or you
will have a list of excuses for why you havent. Read The Last Lecture.
Being lazy and wishy-washy. The world doesnt owe you anything, you
owe the world something. So stop daydreaming and start DOING. Develop a
backbone, not a wishbone. Take full responsibility for your life take
control. You are important and you are needed. Its too late to sit around
and wait for somebody to do something someday. Someday is now; the
somebody the world needs is YOU.

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Credits: Marc and Angel

Lifting the Veil How to Strengthen Psychic and Intuitive Abilities

Environmental conditions can often produce a hyper-sensitive empath.

When I came into the world aware in-vitro, I acquired a hyper-vigilant survival mechanism of
empathically and psychically needing to connect with everyone around me to gauge their
behavior / mood / thought patterns, thus strengthening myintuitive muscles over time
making me a good intuitive.
Some are asking how to even recognize their own psychic abilities. I want to speak to this
and go into greater detail plus give a few pointers. Then I want to address in this article what
makes a good intuitive good.
In todays article, its important to address the concept of veils or as some people call them,
blocks. When you consider the myriad layers or realms of realities that surround us in our

waking walking life it is a blessing to be sure that we even have veils. We can be thankful for
our veils and the important task or role they play in our lives.
Veils are wonderful because when we can master them we can lift them at will to take a peek
into other spaces and places. If we didnt have these natural built-in veils we would have a
difficult time deciphering the layers or realms surrounding us, trying to differentiate between
what is our reality and what is another reality. There are those of us who are capable
of seeing for example several people sitting at a table yet we only see one person. Others are
sitting there at the table with one person present, yet many are there. Some can actually see
everyone there and to them, they all look real and cannot seem to tell them apart from one
another. Ive associated this lack of veils or the ability to veil with those who are
schizophrenic. I have run this concept/theory past psychotherapists, psychologists and
psychics in the industry all who thought my theory was plausible and a good explanation.
Lending further credibility to my theory is the article posted on Melbourne Universitys
website about a University of Melbourne team who examined a group of people deemed to
be at ultra high risk of developing psychosis and found those that went on to develop
schizophrenia, rather than other forms of psychosis, all displayed the inability to identify
smells. This deficit was present before the onset of any significant clinical symptoms of
psychosis.
In my opinion and my findings about the nose itself, this observation makes sense. If a person
had their veils in place they would also have a sense of smell. The old adages the nose
knows, follow your nose, its right under your nose, I smell a rat, sniff out
danger, and so on all lend a sense that we are using our olfactory extrasensory perceptive
tool to facilitate or assist our inner knowing or perception. Without this, we are more prone to
having our veils not only lifted but permanently damaged/removed. When I think about
people who have rhinoplasty I have to wonder if they eventually suffer from something
similar. Or perhaps this might cripple their noses ability to not only smell the scents of the
world as they had pre-surgery but also to sense the world around them.
CAN VEILS BE MISUSED?
If veils are used properly or identified they can clearly delineate the start/stop points of a
reality or realm. They can be rather subtle and if I can attempt an explanation here, I will.
Some however look at veils and call them blockages, blocks or barriers to their own psychic
abilities. I feel these are nothing more than beliefs or systems that are bought into in order
for us to feel we are not or cannot connect. Strangely, the belief that we are not connected is a
misnomer we are always connected no matter what we try and do. It is not possible to not
be connected.
It definitely can be much easier to allow our own baggage or blocks to keep us from
knowing. We must not confuse being veiled with being blocked as these are two different
things altogether.

HOW TO DISCERN THE START/STOP POINT OF A PARTICULAR VEIL

The extra sensory perception tool I use most is actually my nose. In the ancient art of Jin Shin
Jyutsu, a 5000 year old modality similar in some ways to acupressure recognizes in its main
central flow, the nose as a point on the path. Truly, the nose knows. The nose appears to act as
a sort of inner antennae. Generally, unless your nose is tiny, your nose is the first body part
that leads you into a new space physically as well as metaphysically. I observe myself during
a reading with a client and catch myself inclining my head in a particular direction,
sometimes its to hear the words being spoken to me or to catch a particular feeling being
relayed, and yet all the time I am following my noses sensibility and trusting my built-in
guidance systems to lead me in the right direction.
TRAVERSING FROM VEIL TO VEIL
When we get into the space of traveling through the spaces there are a couple
considerations: being in the veil and being between veils for starters. To be in one is to be
engaged, simply put, in some form of communication or communion with another. To be
between veils is to be taking focus off one space and placing it on another space. In a way it
is like traveling on earth. We want to take a trip to Hawaii, we have to drive to the airport,
hop on a plane and travel thousands of miles until we reach our destination airport, and from
there we hit the beaches. Within a veil there are many worlds or realms right in the same veil;
there are veils within veils; like there are in an airport within the airport there are shops,
stores, malls, bathrooms, luggage area, check-in counters, video play rooms, all these spaces
within one place, and of course the airport is within a city limit that has many other places to
visit besides the airport itself. When traveling meta-physically you can really have a lot of fun
discovering new places and meeting new people.
Getting from veil to veil feels as if you are simply placing your attention to another space.
That is the gist of it really. If you get to the point of trusting that what you are seeing and
experiencing is real and not an illusion then you will be just fine. It is those folks who distrust
what their inner eye, or third eye, reveals; they trip themselves up by doubt and then
confusion sets in. Stay clear and trust yourself, then simply turn your attention to another
space and you are there.
CAN ONE GET LOST IN THE VEILS?
I once was experiencing an OBE (out of body experience) several years back when this was
quite new to me. I laid there quite relaxed and unaware of what was happening. Suddenly I
found myself separating from myself in a way that was very strange. I felt light and as if my
real self was being pumped into a giant Macys Day Parade balloon. This part of me was
floating above my body like a balloon of higher consciousness. I felt waves of rushing
relaxed kundalini warmth at the same time. Feeling secure I continued filling this giant
etheric balloon not really knowing what was going to happen and so I remained quite curious
throughout the process.

After a time I felt as if I was getting ready to do something more than just float above myself.
It was then that I became afraid and thought I would lose myself in some way, the self on the
bed. In a panic I quickly returned to my body on the bed.
After reflecting on this sometime later, I realized how important it was to recognize that there
were indeed tethers of silver cord connecting my physical body on the bed and the floating
version of myself.
What is really important to remember is that while exploring veils you may think you could
get lost but in fact you are never away from yourself. Nevertheless, if you remain timid try
concentrating or focusing on the silver cord of connection that always exists between your
higher consciousness self and your physical body, and actually connects with your other
bodies (i.e., epikinetic, electromagnetic, and so on).
With these teachings you may find that they open up new vistas of understanding and they
may also invite more questions. I encourage you to write me with anything you want to share.
I am so happy to assist you in the deeper space inploration.
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Source

15 Powerful Beliefs that Will Free You from Negativity

When I was a teenager I was the primary target of an extremely persistent bully at my high
school. One day I came home in tears and wrote this on the whiteboard hanging on my
bedroom wall: I hate bullies. They make me feel like a loser.
The next day, while I was at school, my grandmother erased what I wrote on the whiteboard
and replaced it with this: An entire body of water the size of the Pacific Ocean cant sink a
ship unless it gets inside the ship. Similarly, all the negativity in the world cant bring you
down unless you allow it to get inside your head.
And from that day forward I felt better. I made a conscious decision to stop letting the bully
get inside my head. I changed my beliefs about his level of importance in my life.
It isnt easy to remain positive when negativity surrounds you, but remember that you have
full control over what you choose to believe. You can effectively defend yourself against all

kinds of negativity by adopting simple, yet powerful, beliefs that support a positive outlook in
the face of seemingly negative circumstances.
Below you will find 15 such beliefs that have helped free me from the grips of negativity. I
have these beliefs written down in my journal, and I review them on a regular basis, as
needed, just to keep them fresh in my mind. I hope you will join me by adopting them into
your own belief system as well
1. What other people say about me is their problem, not mine.
Dont take other peoples negativity personally. Most negative people
behave negatively not just to you, but to everyone they interact with.
What they say and do is a projection of their own reality. Even when a
situation seems personal even if someone insults you directly it
oftentimes has nothing to do with you. What others say and do, and
the opinions they have, are based entirely on their own self-reflection.
2. I am free to be ME. Can you remember who you were before the
world told you who you should be? Happiness is found when you stop
comparing yourself to everyone else and what they want. Stop living
for other people and their opinions. Be true to yourself. You are the
only person in charge of your life. The only question is: What do you
want to do with the rest of it?
3. Life isnt perfect, but it sure is great. Our goal shouldnt be to
create a perfect life, but to live an imperfect life in radical amazement.
To get up every morning and take and good look around in a way that
takes nothing for granted. Everything is extraordinary. Every day is a
gift. Never treat life casually. To be spiritual in any way is to be
amazed in every way.
4. Its okay to have down days. Expecting life to be wonderful all the
time is wanting to swim in an ocean in which waves only rise up and
never come crashing down. However, when you recognize that the
rising and crashing waves are part of the exact same ocean, you are
able to let go and be at peace with the reality of these ups and downs.
It becomes clear that lifes ups require lifes downs.
5. Even when Im struggling, I have so much to be grateful for.
What if you awoke today with only the things you were thankful for
yesterday? We tend to forget that happiness doesnt come as a result
of getting something we dont have, but of appreciating everything we
do have. Stress thrives when your worry list is longer than your

gratitude list. Happiness thrives when your gratitude list is longer

than your worry list. So find something to be thankful for right now.
6. Every experience is just another important lesson.
Disappointments and failure are two of the surest stepping-stones to
success. So dont let a hard lesson harden your heart. When things
go wrong, learn what you can and then push the tragedies and
mistakes aside. Remember, lifes best lessons are often learned at the
worst times and from the worst mistakes. We must fail in order to
know, and hurt in order to grow. Good things often fall apart so better
things can fall together in their place.
7. Not everything is meant to stay. Change can be terrifying, yet all
positive growth and healing requires change. Sometimes you have to
find the good in goodbye. Because the past is a place of reference, not
a place of residence. Be strong when everything seems to be going
wrong, keep taking small steps, and eventually you will find what
youre looking for. Learn to trust the journey, even when you do not
understand it.
8. Being wrong is the first step to being right. Sometimes the wrong
choices bring us to the right places. To be creative and productive in
life, you must first lose your fear of being wrong. And remember, a
fear like this can only survive inside you if you let it live there.
9. I do not need to hold on to whats holding me back. You are not
what has happened to you; you are what you choose to become. Its
time to break the beliefs and routines that have been holding you
back. Respect yourself enough to walk away from anything that no
longer grows you. Listen to your intuition, not your ego. When you
stop chasing the wrong beliefs, you give the right ideas a chance to
catch you.
10.
My happiness today is simply the result of my thinking.
Happiness starts with you not with your relationships, not with your
job, not with your money, but WITH YOU. It is not always easy to find
happiness in ourselves, but it is always impossible to find it
elsewhere. Regardless of the situation you face, your attitude is your
choice. Remember, you cant have a positive life with a negative
attitude. When negativity controls your thoughts, it limits your
behavior, actions, and opportunities. If you realized how powerful
your thoughts were, you would try your best to never think another
negative thought again.

11.
Who I spend quality time with matters. Surround yourself
with people who lift you higher those who see the great potential in
you, even when you dont see it in yourself.
12.
Drama and judgments are a waste of perfect happiness.
Make a promise to yourself. Promise to stop the drama before it
begins, to breathe deeply and peacefully, and to love others and
yourself without conditions. Promise to laugh at your own mistakes,
and to realize that no one is perfect; we are all human. Feelings of
self-worth can flourish only in an atmosphere where individual
differences are appreciated, mistakes are tolerated, communication is
open, and rules are flexible.
13.
Most people are judging me far less than it seems. The
truth is, while youre busy worrying about what others think of you,
theyre busy worrying about what you think of them. Crazy? Yes, but
true. The good news is this knowledge instantly frees you to let loose
and do more of what YOU want. And while doing so, youll also
liberate others to do the same.
14.
I can make the world a happier place. Do your best to help
one person every day in some small way. By becoming the answer to
someones prayer, we often find the answers to our own. When the
people around us are happier, its a lot easier to smile.
15.
The work is worth it. Lose the expectation that everything in
life should be easy. It rarely is. In fact, there are no shortcuts to any
place worth going. Enjoy the challenge of your achievements. See the
value in your efforts and be patient with yourself. And realize that
patience is not about waiting; its the ability to keep a good attitude
while working hard on your dreams. Its knowing deep down that the
work is well worth it in the end.
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Source: Marc and Angel
This Revolutionary Way Of Using Psychedelics Can Enhance Mental
Function & Physical Ability

Micro-dosing is taking sub-perceptual (6-25 microgram LSD, 0.2-0.5 gram dried

mushrooms, 50-75 microgram mescaline HCL) while keeping up with ones daily

activities, engaging in extreme sports, appreciating nature or enhancing ones spiritual

practice.
This manner of integrating psychedelics, also known as a psycholytic dose, doesnt inhibit
ego-functioning as the heroic Terence McKenna dose does. It can be much easier integrated
into everyday functioning. What are the benefits of taking psychedelic micro doses?
Athletic Performance
James Oroc, the author of the amazing book Tryptamine Palace: 5-MeO-DMT and the
Sonoran Desert Toad, while writing about the secret affair between psychedelics and extreme
sports, stated that while taking psychedelics at lower doses, the cognitive functioning,
emotional balance, and physical stamina were actually found to be improved.
Virtually all athletes who learn to use LSD at psycholytic dosages believe that the use of
these compounds improves both their stamina and their abilities. According to the combined
reports of 40 years of use by the extreme sports underground, LSD can increase your re- flex
time to lightning speed, improve your balance to the point of perfection, increase your
concentration until you experience tunnel vision, and make you impervious to weakness or
pain.
LSDs effects in these regards amongst the extreme-sport community are in fact legendary,
universal, and without dispute. - James Oroc
Sprituality
Myron Stolaroff, while writing about the usefulness of psychedelics in the practice of
buddhism, argues that low doses of psychedelics can be extremely beneficial to improve ones
meditation practice.
The use of low doses often can be much more effective in dealing with our psychic
garbage. Many do not care for low doses because they can stir up uncomfortable feelings,
and they prefer to transcend them by pushing on into higher states, but it is precisely these
uncomfortable feelings that must be resolved to achieve true freedom.
With low doses, by focusing directly on the feelings and staying with them without aversion
and without grasping, they will in time dissipate.Resolving ones repressed feelings in this
manner clears the inner being, permitting the True Self to manifest more steadily.The
surfacing of buried feelings that this procedure permits often can bring new understanding of
ones personality dynamics
Creativity and Problem Solving
In the 60s the creativity enhancing effects of psychedelics were already hailed as
revolutionary, and these famous trippers would certainly agree. One significant study

investigated the effect of 100 micrograms of LSD on top of the field experts who had been
struggling with a hard problem for months. Their solutions were reviewed by a panel of other
experts in the same field. As Tim Doody reports;
LSD absolutely had helped them solve their complex, seemingly intractable problems. And
the establishment agreed.
The 26 men unleashed a slew of widely embraced innovations shortly after their LSD
experiences, including a mathematical theorem for NOR gate circuits, a conceptual model of
a photon, a linear electron accelerator beam-steering device, a new design for the vibratory
microtome, a technical improvement of the magnetic tape recorder, blueprints for a private
residency and an arts-and-crafts shopping plaza, and a space probe experiment designed to
measure solar properties.
Experimenting With Psychedelic Micro Doses
To be able to experiment with these states of conscious in a safe and constructive manner, be
sure to follow these guidelines.
1. Start out with a dose on the lower end of the psycholytic spectrum
and record how you react to it. A too high dose makes you incapable of
following your normal routine and you stay in the limbo/coming up
phase the whole time, which is neither clear nor trippy and often
uncomfortable.
2. Follow your normal routine, especially sleeping, eating, working and
spiritual practice.
3. Be conservative with consecutive doses. Building a tolerance is
unlikely, but having a normal baseline improves integrity of action.
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Credit: Martijn Schirp - High Existence
Art by Brandon Moore

10 Forgotten Truths to Help You Get Through Hard Times

That which does not kill us makes us stronger. Friedrich Nietzsche

The wisest, most loving, and well rounded people you have ever met are likely those who
have known misery, known defeat, known the heartbreak of losing something or someone
they loved, and have found their way out of the depths of their own despair. These people
have experienced many ups and downs, and have gained an appreciation, a sensitivity, and an
understanding of life that fills them with compassion, understanding and a deep loving
wisdom. People like this arent born; they develop slowly over the course of time.
Angel and I have worked with thousands of these incredible people over the past decade, both
online and offline, through various forms of coaching. In many cases they came to us feeling
stuck and lost, unaware of their own brilliance, blind to the fact that their struggles have
strengthened them and given them an upper hand in this crazy world.
Truth be told, when hard times hit, and the challenges you face are great, you can either let
your situation define you, let it destroy you or let it strengthen you. The choice is yours to
make.
In todays article I want to remind you of a few powerful, yet easily forgotten truths that will
help you choose wisely and grow stronger even through the hardest times
1. Pain is part of life and love, and it helps you grow.
So many of us are afraid of ourselves, of our own truth, and our feelings most of all. We talk
about how great the concepts of life and love are, but then we hide from both every day. We
hide from our truest feelings. Because the truth is life and love hurt sometimes, and the
feelings this brings disturbs us.
We are taught at an early age that all pain is evil and harmful. Yet, how can we ever deal with
real life and true love if were afraid to feel what we really feel? We need to feel pain, just as
we need to feel alive and loved. Pain is meant to wake us up. Yet we try to hide our pain.
Realize this. Pain is something to carry willingly, just like good sense. Because you can only
learn how strong you are when being strong is the only choice you have.
Its all in how you carry the things that dont go your way. Thats what matters in the end.
Pain is a feeling. Your feelings are a part of you your own reality. If you feel ashamed of
them, and hide them, youre letting the lies of insecurity destroy your reality. You should
stand up for your right to feel pain to endure it to own your scars to deal with the
realities of life and love, as you grow into the strongest, wisest, truest version of yourself.
2. Mindset is half the battle.
Its okay to have down days and tough times. Expecting life to be wonderful all the time is
wanting to swim in an ocean in which waves only rise up and never come crashing down.
However, when you recognize that the rising and crashing waves are part of the exact same
ocean, you are able to let go and be at peace with the reality of these ups and downs. It
becomes clear that lifes ups require lifes downs.

In other words, life isnt perfect, but it sure is good. Our goal shouldnt be to create a perfect
life, but to live an imperfect life in radical amazement. To get up every morning and take a
good look around in a way that takes nothing for granted. Everything is extraordinary. Every
day is a gift. Never treat life casually. To be spiritual in any way is to be amazed in every
way.
Do not let the pain of a situation make you hopeless. Do not let negativity wear off on you.
Do not let the bitterness steal your sweetness. Even though others may disagree with you,
take pride in the fact that you still know the world to be a beautiful place. Change your
thoughts and you change your reality.
And mindset is especially powerful when it comes to accepting that
3. Your biggest fears dont really exist.
When times are hard it can be difficult to follow your heart and take another step, but its a
tragedy to let the lies of fear stop you. Although fear can feel overwhelming, and defeats
more people than any other force in the world, its not as powerful as it seems. Fear is only as
deep as your mind allows. You are still in control. So take control!
The key is to acknowledge your fear and directly address it. Fight hard to shine the light of
your words upon it. Because if you dont, if your fear becomes a wordless, obscure darkness
that you avoid, and perhaps even manage to briefly forget, you open yourself to future attacks
from fear when you least expect it. Because you never truly faced the opponent who defeated
you.
You CAN beat fear if you face it. Be courageous! And remember that courage doesnt mean
you dont get afraid; courage means you dont let fear stop you from moving forward with
your life. (Angel and I discuss this in more detail in the Adversity chapter of 1,000 Little
Things Happy, Successful People Do Differently.)
4. You are growing through experience.
Over time you will find that life isnt necessarily any easier or harder than you thought it was
going to be; its just that the easy and the hard arent exactly the way you had anticipated, and
dont always occur when you expect them to. This isnt a bad thing; it makes life interesting.
With a positive attitude you will always be pleasantly surprised.
When you stop expecting things to be a certain way, you can appreciate them for what they
are. Ultimately you will realize that lifes greatest gifts are rarely wrapped the way you
expected.
Experience is what you get when your plans dont go as planned, and experience is the most
valuable commodity you own it builds your strength.
You have the power to turn your wounds and worries into wisdom; you just have to do
something about them. You have to accept what has happened and use what youve learned to

step forward. Everything youve experienced has given you the upper hand for dealing with
everything you have yet to experience. Realize this and set yourself free.
5. You cant change situations you dont take responsibility for.
Sigmund Freud once said, Most people do not really want freedom, because freedom
involves responsibility, and most people are frightened of responsibility. Dont let this be
you. When you blame others for what youre going through, you deny responsibility you
surrender power over that part of your life.
Make no mistake, in the end, the price of happiness IS responsibility. As soon as you stop
making everyone and everything else responsible for your happiness, the happier youll be. If
youre unhappy now, its not someone elses fault.
Ultimately, your happiness depends on your self-reliance your unshakable willingness to
take responsibility for your life from this moment forward, regardless of who had a hand in
making it the way it is now. Its about taking control of your present circumstances, thinking
for yourself, and making a firm choice to choose differently. Its about being the hero of your
life, not the victim.
6. The present is all you really have to deal with.
Life is not lived in some distant, imagined land of someday where everything is perfect. It is
lived here and now, with the reality of the way things are. Yes, by all means you can work
toward an idealized tomorrow. Yet to do so, you must successfully deal with the world as it is
today.
Sometimes we avoid experiencing exactly where we are because we have developed a belief,
based on past experiences, that it is not where we should be or want to be. But the truth is,
where you are now is exactly where you need to be to get to where you want to go tomorrow.
So appreciate where you are.
Your friends and family are too beautiful to ignore. Take a moment to remember how
fortunate you are to be breathing. Take a look around, with your eyes earnestly open to the
possibilities before you. Much of what you fear does not exist. Much of what you love is
closer than you realize. You are just one brief thought away from understanding the blessing
that is your life.
Happiness is a mindset that can only be designed into the present. Its not a point in the future
or a moment from the past; yet sadly, this misconception hurts the masses. So many young
people seem to think all their happiness awaits them in the years ahead, while so many older
people believe their best moments are behind them. Dont be either of them. Dont let the
past and the future steal your present. (Read The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual
Enlightenment.)
7. There is always, always, always something to be thankful for.
Life is better when youre smiling. Being positive in a negative situation is not naive; its a

sign of leadership and strength. Youre doing it right when you have so much to cry and
complain about, but you prefer to smile and appreciate your life instead.
What if you woke up tomorrow with only the things you were thankful for today?
Think of all the beauty that remains around you, see it and smile. Be thankful for all the small
things in your life, because when you put them all together you will see just how significant
they are. At the end of the day, its not happiness that makes us thankful, but thankfulness that
makes us happy.
8. Great things take time.
Instant results are rarely the best results. With patience, you can greatly expand your
potential. If your desires were always fulfilled immediately, you would have nothing to look
forward to. You would miss out on the joys of anticipation and progress.
Remember, patience is not about waiting; its the ability to keep a good attitude while
working hard for what you believe in. Its the willingness to stay focused, confidently staking
one small step at a time, knowing that the way you move a mountain is by moving one stone
at a time. Every stone you move, no matter how small, is progress.
Bottom line: You deserve more than mere instant gratification. Value that arrives in an instant
is often gone in an instant. Value that takes time and commitment to create often outlives its
creator YOU.
9. Other people cannot validate you.
When were struggling to achieve something important, sometimes we look to others to
validate our progress. But the truth is, they cant
You are not in this world to live up to the expectations of others, nor should you feel that
others are here to live up to yours. Pave your own unique path. What success means to each
of us is totally different. Success is ultimately about spending your life happily in your own
way.
You dont have to be flashy to be impressive. You dont have to be famous to be significant.
You dont have to be a celebrity to be successful. You dont need to be validated by anyone
else. You are already valuable. You just need to believe in yourself and what you wish to
achieve.
You can be quietly humble and still be amazingly effective. Just because people dont fall at
your feet and worship you, doesnt mean you are a failure. Quiet success is just as sweet as
loud, flamboyant success, and usually far more real. Success is how you define it, not what
everyone else says it must be for you. (Read The Gifts of Imperfection.)
10. You are not alone.
In the midst of hard times, its easy to look around and see a bunch of people who seem to be

doing just fine. But theyre not. Were all struggling in our own way. And if we could just be
brave enough to open up about it, and talk to each other, wed realize that we are not alone in
feeling lost and alone.
So many of us are fighting the same exact battle alongside you. We are all in this together. So
no matter how embarrassed or pathetic you feel about your own situation, know that there are
others out there experiencing the same emotions. When you hear yourself say, I am all
alone, its just your worried mind trying to sell you a lie. Theres always someone who can
relate to you. Perhaps you cant immediately talk to them, but they are out there.
If youre feeling desperate right now, hear me: I often feel and think and struggle much like
you do. I care about many of the things you care about, just in my own way. And although
some people do not understand us, we understand each other. YOU are not alone!
Afterthoughts
One of lifes greatest gifts is the fact that life is difficult. Because in dealing with lifes
difficulties, we build invaluable strength. This strength enables us to successfully fulfill our
deepest, most meaningful purposes. It is precisely because life is difficult that we are able to
make it great. It is because life is difficult that we are able to rise above the difficulties. We
are able to make a difference and we are able to truly matter.
So remember this
When times are tough, you must be tougher. Dont pray for an easy life; pray for the strength
to endure a tough one that leads to greatness.

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Credit: Marc and Angel

5 Ways to Start to Speaking Your Truth

Photo Credit: Kim Dreyer

Every individual when born radiates purity, divine realization, and unconditional love But
almost immediately is imprinted upon by those around him or her of how to act, what to feel,

how to behave, and/or how to stifle the desires of oneself in order to conform to the society
around him.
While such behavior may be perceived as normal in todays world, it is actually
energetically inhibiting and emotionally stagnating. Refusing to be who you are and
express your truth not only results in emotional conflict, but can contribute to physical
imbalances.
Because speaking ones truth (communication) is related to the fifth chakra (also known as
the throat chakra), not being who you are can result in an energetic imbalances of this area,
possibly manifesting in a variety of physical forms.
Many common signs one is holding back on their willingness to be themselves or kindly
speak their truth include: tight neck and shoulders, teeth problems, lymphatic issues, thyroid
issues, throat problems, achey in general around this region, stuttering, jaw clenching, and
asthma.
While it may be frightening to open up and accept who you are (and desire to be), such
transformation is essential for health and happiness to result.
Luckily its not difficult to get started, and the following practices can help you get started
speaking your truth:
1. Sing
2. Even if just in the shower, hum, whistle, belt out your favorite lullaby
whatever feels most comfortable to you! Sometimes the greatest fear
is just to be heard, but oh, your voice and opinion deserves to be
shared with the world!
3. Write it Down
4. After a conflicting argument or difficult day, many are content to shut
down by stuffing away emotions with food or another substance.
Instead of refusing to acknowledge what you are feeling and wish to
express, write it down. What you have to say is worthy of being
exposed and shared. Writing it down is also a good way to allow
yourself to feel your emotions, but not act out too harshly on what
youre working through.
5. Think Blue
6. Blue is the color of the fifth chakra, therefore envisioning bright, blue
light the base of your throat may help provide release of tension and

inspiration to express yourself. Any time you are struggling with this
area, inhale as you visualize blue, and feel the release of stress and
tension. You might even find that you feel a cooling or warming
sensation during the process this is normal.
7. Speak Your Truth with Love
8. If you speak what you have to say with love, then you are doing no
disservice to those you wish to hear it or yourself. Maintain a manner
of kindness and keep bonds of integrity in place while still expressing
what you have to say.
9. State an Affirmation
10.
Affirmations can help build confidence and provide space for
change. State this affirmation My voice is necessary. What I have to
say is valuable. any time you doubt your ability or right to speak your
truth.
Its important to note that imbalance in this communication center can result from more than
just (figuratively) biting your tongue. Not listening enough to others, gossiping excessively,
and/or acting out with an aggressive macho-like attitude can result in fifth chakra issues as
well. Strive to honor the divine essence you are and allow your physical expression to match.
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Psychoanalyze Yourself Test

August 2, 2014 / 9761 views

Psychoanalyze+Yourself+Test.jpg

This is a very interesting test. Try it.

Have a pen and paper handy before you read any further. As soon as you
read a question, write the answer right away.

Make sure to answer questions 1-10 before moving onNO CHEATING!!

Read the following questions, imagining the scenes in your mind, and write
down the FIRST thing that you visualize. Do not think about the questions
excessively.

1. You are not alone. You are walking in the woods. Who are you walking
with?

2. You are walking in the woods. You see an animal. What kind of animal is
it?

3. What interaction takes place between you and the animal?

4. You walk deeper in the woods. You enter a clearing and before you is your
dream house. Describe its size?

5. Is your dream house surrounded by a fence?

6. You enter the house. You walk to the dining area and see the dining room
table. Describe what you see on AND around the table.

7. You exit the house through the back door. Lying in the grass is a cup.
What material is the cup made of?

8. What do you do with the cup?

9. You walk to the edge of the property, where you find yourself standing at
the edge of a body of water. What type of body of water is it?

10. How will you cross the water?

This has been a relational psychology test. The answers given to the
questions have been shown to have a relevance to values and ideals that we
hold in our personal lives. The analysis follows:

1. The person who you are walking with is the most important person in
your life.

2. The size of the animal is representative of your perception of the size of

your problems.

3. The severity of the interaction you have with the animal is representative
of how you deal with your problems. (passive/aggressive)

4. The size of your dream house is representative of the size of your ambition
to resolve your problems.

5. No fence is indicative of an open personality. People are welcome at all

times. The presence of a fence indicates a closed personality. Youd prefer
people not to drop by unannounced.

6. If your answer did not include food, people, or flowers, then you are
generally unhappy.

7. The durability of the material with which the cup is made of is

representative of the perceived durability of your relationship with the
person named in number 1. For example, styrafoam, plastic, and paper are
all disposable, styrofoam, paper and glass are not durable, and metal and
plastic are durable.

8. Your disposition of the cup is representative of your attitude towards the

person in number 1.

9. The size of the body of water is representative of the size of your sexual
desire.

10. How wet you get in crossing the water is indicative of the relative
importance of your sex life.

Trust all the things I tell you are true, dress up in your best so I can be
proud of you, and never believe I wont turn on you, and never believe I do
this for you. Youre leading me on again and I find it, yeah I like it, and Im
reeling in awe for sure, now I know it was given to me.

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21 Health Hacks Everyone Should Know

Whether its curing a throat tickle, resolving your headache in minutes or experiencing
supersonic hearing, these 21 tricks are proven methods of fooling your body to achieve a
desired result, whether thats relieving pain or just having fun.
1. Cure a Tickling Throat
When you were 9, playing your armpit was a cool trick. Now, as an adult, you can still
appreciate a good body-based feat, especially if it serves as a health remedy. Take that tickle
in your throat: Its not worth gagging over. Heres a better way to scratch your itch: Scratch
your ear. When the nerves in the ear are stimulated, it creates a reflex in the throat that can
cause a muscle spasm, says Scott Schaffer, M.D., president of an ear, nose, and throat
specialty center in Gibbsboro, New Jersey. This spasm relieves the tickle.
2. Experience Supersonic Hearing
If youre stuck chatting up a mumbler at a cocktail party, lean in with your right ear. Its
better than your left at following the rapid rhythms of speech, according to researchers at the
UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine. If, on the other hand, youre trying to identify that
song playing softly in the elevator, turn your left ear toward the sound. The left ear is better at
picking up music tones.
3. Calm Yourself With Cold Water
Nerves getting the best of you. Take a deep breath and spash cold water on your face. This

triggers the mammalian diving reflex that is genetically in all animals including humans. The
lower temperature of the water and you holding your breath also causes your body to think
its diving into cold water. This reflex allows you to use oxygen more efficiently.
4. Overcome Your Most Primal Urge To Pee
Need to pee? No bathroom nearby? Fantasize about what ever turns you on. Thinking about
sex and arousing fantasies preoccupies your brain, so you wont feel as much discomfort,
says Larry Lipshultz, M.D., chief of male reproductive medicine at the Baylor College of
Medicine.
5. Feel No Pain While Giving Blood
Love donating blood but hate the needle prick? German researchers have discovered that
coughing during a needle stick can lessen the pain. According to Taras Usichenko, author of a
study on the phenomenon, the trick causes a sudden, temporary rise in pressure in the chest
and spinal canal, inhibiting the pain-conducting structures of the spinal cord.
6. Swallow Your Horse-Sized Supplements
Those huge health supplements are sometimes a pain to swallow. Want to swallow more than
one at a time without gagging? Try this trick to get them down: take a drink of water, and tilt
your head forward instead of backward. The capsule should float, and will be at the back of
your throat, ready to swallow.
7. Clear Your Stuffed Nose
Forget Sudafed. Heres an easier, quicker, and cheaper remedy to relieve sinus pressure:
Alternate thrusting your tongue against the roof of your mouth, then pressing between your
eyebrows with one finger. This causes the vomer bone, which runs through the nasal passages
to the mouth, to rock back and forth, says Lisa DeStefano, D.O., an assistant professor at the
Michigan State University college of osteopathic medicine. The motion loosens congestion;
after 20 seconds, youll feel your sinuses start to drain.
8. Fight Acid Reflux By Sleeping Position
Worried that chilli will repeat on you tonight? Try this preventive remedy: Sleep on your left
side, says Anthony A. Starpoli, M.D., a New York City gastroenterologist and assistant
professor of medicine at New York Medical College. Studies have shown that patients who
sleep on their left sides are less likely to suffer from acid reflux. The esophagus and stomach
connect at an angle. When you sleep on your right, the stomach is higher than the esophagus,
allowing food and stomach acid to slide up your throat. When youre on your left, the
stomach is lower than the esophagus, so gravitys in your favor.
9. Cure Your Toothache
Just rub ice on the back of your hand, on the V-shaped webbed area between your thumb and
index finger. A Canadian study found that this technique reduces toothache pain by as much
as 50 percent compared with using no ice. The nerve pathways at the base of that V stimulate
an area of the brain that blocks pain signals from the face and hands.

10. Make Burns Disappear

When you accidentally singe your finger on the stove, clean the skin and apply light pressure
with the finger pads of your unmarred hand. Ice will relieve your pain more quickly, Dr.
DeStefano says, but since the natual method brings the burned skin back to a normal
temperature, the skin is less likely to blister.
11. Stop the World from Spinning
Feeling dizzy? Put your hand on something stable. The part of your ear responsible for
balancethe cupula floats in a fluid of the same density as blood. As alcohol dilutes blood
in the cupula, the cupula becomes less dense and rises, says Dr. Schaffer. This confuses your
brain. The tactile input from a stable object gives the brain a second opinion, and you feel
more in balance. Because the nerves in the hand are so sensitive, this works better than the
conventional foot-on-the-floor wisdom.
12. Unstitch Your Side
If youre like most people, when you run, you exhale as your right foot hits the ground. This
puts downward pressure on your liver (which lives on your right side), which then tugs at the
diaphragm and creates a side stitch, according to The Doctors Book of Home Remedies for
Men. The fix: Exhale as your left foot strikes the ground.
13. Stop A Nose Bleed
Put some cotton on your upper gumsjust behind that small dent below your noseand press
against it, hard. Most bleeds come from the front of the septum, the cartilage wall that
divides the nose, says Peter Desmarais, M.D., an ear, nose, and throat specialist at Entabeni
Hospital, in Durban, South Africa. Pressing here helps stop them.
14. Make Your Heart Stand Still
Trying to quell first-date jitters? Blow on your thumb. The vagus nerve, which governs heart
rate, can be controlled through breathing, says Ben Abo, an emergency medical-services
specialist at the University of Pittsburgh. Itll get your heart rate back to normal.
15. Thaw Your Brain Freeze
Press your tongue flat against the roof of your mouth, covering as much as you can. Since
the nerves in the roof of your mouth get extremely cold, your body thinks your brain is
freezing, too, says Abo. In compensating, it overheats, causing an ice-cream headache.
The more pressure you apply to the roof of your mouth, the faster your headache will subside.
16. Prevent Near-Sightedness
Poor distance vision is rarely caused by genetics, says Anne Barber, O.D., an optometrist in
Tacoma, Washington. Its usually caused by near-point stress. In other words, staring at
your computer screen for too long. So flex your way to 20/20 vision. Every few hours during
the day, close your eyes, tense your body, take a deep breath, and, after a few seconds, release
your breath and muscles at the same time. Tightening and releasing muscles such as the
biceps and glutes can trick involuntary muscleslike the eyesinto relaxing as well.

17. Wake Up a Limb That Feel Asleep

If your hand falls asleep while youre driving or sitting in an odd position, rock your head
from side to side. Itll painlessly banish your pins and needles in less than a minute, says Dr.
DeStefano. A tingly hand or arm is often the result of compression in the bundle of nerves in
your neck; loosening your neck muscles releases the pressure. Compressed nerves lower in
the body govern the feet, so stand up and walk around if they fail you.
18. Impress Your Friends
Next time youre at a party, try this trick: Have a person hold one arm straight out to the side,
palm down, and instruct him to maintain this position. Then place two fingers on his wrist
and push down. Hell resist. Now have him put one foot on a surface thats a half inch higher
(a few magazines) and repeat. This time his arm will cave like the French. By misaligning his
hips, youve offset his spine, says Rachel Cosgrove, C.S.C.S., co-owner of Results Fitness, in
Santa Clarita, California. Your brain senses that the spine is vulnerable, so it shuts down the
bodys ability to resist.
19. Breathe Underwater
If youre dying to retrieve that quarter from the bottom of the pool, take several short breaths
firstessentially, hyperventilate. When youre underwater, its not a lack of oxygen that
makes you desperate for a breath; its the buildup of carbon dioxide, which makes your blood
acidic, which signals your brain that somethin aint right. When you hyperventilate, the
influx of oxygen lowers blood acidity, says Jonathan Armbruster, Ph.D., an associate
professor of biology at Auburn University. This tricks your brain into thinking it has more
oxygen. Itll buy you up to 10 seconds.
20. Encode Long-Term Memory
Your own! If youre giving a speech the next day, review it before falling asleep, says
Candi Heimgartner, an instructor of biological sciences at the University of Idaho. Since most
memory consolidation happens during sleep, anything you read right before bed is more
likely to be encoded as long-term memory.
21. Relieve a Migraine Instantly
The next time you are about to reach for some pills to get rid of your headache, use your
thumb and forefinger and pinch down on the muscle on the web of your hand (thumb on the
back of your hand and forefinger underneath) and press for 2 minutes. Repeat. Most
headaches and migraines will ease after just 4 minutes. This shiatsu point addresses
headaches by dispersing stagnant Ki (i.e. blocked energy) and moving blood in the head,
neck, and other parts of the body.
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Mens Health
Life Hacker

The Wisdom of Bruce Lee: 25 Quotes on Mastery, Martial Arts &

Consciousness

Bruce Lee was a phenomenon. When he emerged into stardom in the early 1970s, the world
was blown away. A martial artist at the top of his form, a captivating presence on film and in
person, he was humble, intelligent and well spoken, a combination that successfully shattered
the one-dimensional stereotype of the Chinese people as portrayed in Hollywood cinema up
to that point.
Obsessively driven, he accomplished more in his short 32 years than most do in their entire
lifetime, his fame growing to an iconic level after his death in 1973. In 1999 he was named
one of Time Magazines most influential people of the 20th century, and the awards, honours
and accolades he received, both while living and posthumously, remain too numerous to
name here.
He was also a philosopher and a poet. Though less well-known, this side of his personality
undoubtedly played a large role in the near-mystical qualities many claim he brought to his
life and work.
In the creation of Jeet Kune Do, his personal style of martial arts, Lee shed many of the
traditional techniques of the fore-running schools in an effort to distill and improve upon the
core elements therein, creating a style more in line with the flow of life itself.
His personal philosophy was no less controversial.
Influenced by much of the wisdom from the east, he nonetheless held no doctrine as the sole
arbiter of truth, didnt possess a belief in a higher power and claimed freedom from limitation
as the highest liberation. Beyond doubt, a self-made man.
Here, then, are 25 of his most famous quotes. True to form, they are short, simple and
direct in their wisdom.

Man, the living creature, the creating individual, is always more

important than any established style or system.

What you habitually think largely determines what you will ultimately
become.

Take no thought of who is right or wrong or who is better than. Be not

for or against.

Reality is apparent when one ceases to compare. There is what is

only when there is no comparison at all, and to live with what is, is to
be peaceful.

A good teacher protects his pupils from his own influence.

To know oneself is to study oneself in action with another person.

Always be yourself, express yourself, have faith in yourself, do not go

out and look for a successful personality and duplicate it.

If you always put limit on everything you do, physical or anything else,
it will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits.
There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go
beyond them.

Do not deny the classical approach, simply as a reaction, or you will

have created another pattern and trapped yourself there.

Real living is living for others.

Im not in this world to live up to your expectations and youre not in

this world to live up to mine.

Many people dedicate their lives to actualizing a concept of what they

should be like, rather than actualizing themselves. This difference
between self-actualization and self-image actualization is very
important. Most people live only for their image.

Its not the daily increase but daily decrease. Hack away at the
unessential.

The stillness in stillness is not the real stillness; only when there is
stillness in movement does the universal rhythm manifest.

As love grows older, our hearts mature and our love becomes as coals,
deep-burning and unquenchable.

A good martial artist does not become tense, but ready. Not thinking,
yet not dreaming. Ready for whatever may come. When the opponent
expands, I contract; and when he contracts, I expand. And when there
is an opportunity, I do not hit, it hits all by itself.

If nothing within you stays rigid, outward things will disclose

themselves. Moving, be like water. Still, be like a mirror. Respond like
an echo.

Things live by moving and gain strength as they go.

Notice that the stiffest tree is most easily cracked, while the bamboo
or willow survives by bending with the wind.

A wise man can learn more from a foolish question than a fool can
learn from a wise answer.

If you dont want to slip up tomorrow, speak the truth today.

A quick temper will make a fool of you soon enough.

The knowledge and skills you have achieved are meant to be forgotten
so you can float comfortably in emptiness, without obstruction.

If you want to learn to swim jump into the water. On dry land no
frame of mind is ever going to help you.

If there is a God, he is within. You dont ask God to give you things,
you depend on God for your inner theme.

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The Power of Nonsense How Laughter Makes Life Better

Nonsense wakes up the brain cells. And it helps develop a sense of humor, which is awfully
important in this day and age. Humor has a tremendous place in this sordid world. Its more
than just a matter of laughing. If you can see things out of whack, then you can see how
things can be in whack. ~ Dr. Seuss
This science of mirth is no laughing matter, but it is wonderfully amusing. Weve studied
laughter, it is its own science called gelotology. Laughter helps us socially, mentally and
physically. It has evolved for good reason. Heres why:
LAUGHTER AS A SURVIVAL INSTINCT

Its time to take humor seriously, and seriousness humorously.

Swami Beyondananda
The philosopher John Morreall believes that people first laughed as a sign of relief after they
were exposed to danger and then shared a collective sigh as that danger passed. Some
researchers are trying to figure out if primates did their own form of stand-up. This subject
has been scrutinized for centuries, with people trying to figure out just what makes something
funny, and how the tickled fancy supports human beings in their evolutionary process. Many
say it is an instinctual survival tool, and not the cursory response to a razor sharp wit. Surely,
if children can deliver peels of laughter after hearing a soldier in worn-torn Afghanistan pass
gas, it must serve some greater purpose.
I wanna live. I dont wanna die. Thats the whole meaning of life: not dying! I figured that
shit out by myself in the third grade. ~ George Carlin, comedian
A sense of humor is a needed armor. Joy in ones heart and some laughter on ones lips is
a sign that a person down deep has a pretty good grasp of life. ~ Hugh Sidey, journalist
LAUGHTER AS A COMMUNITY BUILDER
Laughter is the way we bond with one another. Laughter is contagious, and so are the bonds
that are formed among people who laugh. We usually feel closer to those weve shared a
laugh or two with. It doesnt even need to be expressed verbally. Charlie Chaplin made a
whole career out of making people laugh with just his expressions. Surely the audiences who
watched his black and white films felt closer to one another.
Ive always though that a big laugh is a really loud noise from the soul saying, aint that the
truth! ~Quincy Jones, musician
LAUGHTER CURES THE SICK
When we feel a heart-felt chuckle, it can cure a panoply of ills. Laughter lowers cortisol
levels (which are linked to all sorts of stress-related diseases including heart disease and high
blood pressure.) Getting the giggles also increases the antibodies in your blood, which boosts
the immune system so we can more easily evade bacteria, viruses and parasites.
In a recent study, laughter was found to boost the immune system by as much as 40 percent!
In the study women watched funny films in one group and dull boring films in another. When
the films were completed, researchers took samples of the womens killer cells, our natural
disease fighting cells, and mixed them with cancer cells to see what would happen. The
women who had laughed out loud in the films had much healthier immune systems, capable
of even destroying cancer cells, than the women who had watched some boring tourism films.
Now thats a powerful way to keep people from being sick without spending trillions in
health care costs. Instead of pumping violence and anger into our media channels, how about
a little more hilarity?

Laughter also makes us more physically beautiful as it brings increased blood flow to the skin
through increased aerobic activity in the lungs and heart. Laughter even lessens depression.
I love people who make me laugh. I honestly think its the thing I like most, to laugh. It cures
a multitude of ills. Its probably the most important thing in a person. ~ Audrey Hepburn,
actress
LAUGHTER KEEPS US GOING
Maybe the ridiculous or the nonsensical seem to have no place, with the endless photographs
being circulated on Pinterest and Youtube of kittens and bonobo monkeys, or the late night
comedians keeping our insomniac brains in a state of elevated hilarity, or the best friend who
tells us a good joke when we are feeling a little down, but laughter keeps us going. It supports
our mental and physical health and allows this mundane and chaotic world to keep turning.
If we couldnt laugh we would all go insane. ~Robert Frost, author
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Christina Sarich is a musician, yogi, humanitarian and freelance writer who channels many
hours of studying Lao Tzu, Paramahansa Yogananda, Rob Brezny, Miles Davis, and Tom
Robbins into interesting tidbits to help you Wake up Your Sleepy Little Head, and See the Big
Picture. Her blog is Yoga for the New World. Her latest book is Pharma Sutra: Healing the
Body And Mind Through the Art of Yoga.
Credits: Christina Sarich, Staff Writer, Waking Times

Unusual Personality Test That Will Reveal Much about Your Perception of
Life
July 18, 2014 /

49488 views

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One of the basic rules of this test is to write what you feel and what first
comes to mind. Its fine if you have the same answers to different questions.
Do not read all at once! Read the questions one by one and do not rush. It
will not be so interesting to see the next question if you are still writing the

answer to the previous one. Well, if a pen and a piece of paper are in front of
you, then lets begin!

1. You are peering into the sea, what do you feel? Focus only on your first
impression. You can close your eyes to better feel it

2. You are walking through the woods and look at the ground. Write down
what you feel.

3. What do you feel when looking at flying seagulls? Its all right if in this
case you make up with a quick response.

4. What about a herd of horses? Write the first thing that comes to mind,
avoid thinking for too much time.

5. You are in the desert, standing by the wall with a small hole, behind
which you see the oasis. What are your actions? Dont write just your
thoughts and feelings, but focus on what you would do in this situation.

6. You are still in the desert, completely exhausted, and suddenly see a
water jug. Once again, your actions are what matters in this question. Your
answer may sound banal, but still write it down.
7. You are lost in the woods in the evening and see a house with lights on.
Write what youre gonna do.

8. Youre in the fog. Once more, focus on actions and write down how you
would behave.

INTERPRETATION

1. Your attitude to life, emotions, sensations.

2. The way you feel in your own family.

3. Your attitude towards women.

4. Your attitude to men.

5. Your basic life strategy and goal. The way you solve your problems.

6. How selective you are in sexual life. Choice of a partner.

7. Your readiness for marriage.

8. Your attitude to death.

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Credit: Learning Mind

10 Benefits of Vitamin N

Youve heard of vitamin D, likely vitamin K, and are probably familiar with
the B vitamins but are you deficient in vitamin N?

Most human beings in this era are prone to becoming deficient in this
vitamin. Driving to work, spending hours in an indoor office, going home to
an air-conditioned apartment, and sleeping under a roof rather than

underneath the stars, they are missing out on the nutritional supplement
called Nature.

Nature is what could be considered the wild world. Its comprised of all the
flora and fauna, including vivacious jungle greens, exotic animals, ionized
air, and purified water.

Nature can be considered a park in industrialized locations, or can refer to

the thick jungle in a twittering rainforest. Either way its the living,
breathing, outside world that seeks to be known by mankind and has a lot
to offer health-wise.

However, fueled by ambition to accumulate more artificial and man-made

goods, human beings work hard in a disconnected environment forgetting
that they have already been born with everything they could ever need. In
effect, the race is suffering from ill health effects.

But luckily this vitamin can be easily attained and quickly!

Here are just ten of the benefits associated with this vitamin, and why you
need to make obtaining it a priority!

Reduces Stress

A plethora of studies have discovered that spending time in nature

reduces stress and boosts cognitive function! According to expert Michael
Posner, professor emeritus at University of Oregon, being immersed in the
natural world after long periods of working replenish the ability to
concentrate and relieves tension and stress.

Alkalizes the Body

In Martin Zuckers famous book, Earthing, the importance of being

grounded (barefoot on the Earths surface) is discussed in great detail.
Bombarded by electromagenetic frequencies from technological toys (like
laptops, cells phones, and television) without being connected to the Earth,
many people are prone to becoming more acidic (on the pH scale = under
7.0, humans needing to be slightly alkaline), and in effect are becoming
sicker.

But being connected to the Earth has been shown to protect one from
these detrimental waves and even alkalize the human body. It makes sense
as you are part of the Earth. Its only natural design for you to be embraced
by the mother that gave you life!

Boosts the Mood

If you suffer from depression, vitamin N is just the remedy! Norwegian

researchers discovered that those who spend time outside (planting a
garden, being content doing a task near greenery) experienced reduced
symptoms of moderate-severe depression in just 12 weeks!

Energizes!

The natural world energizes the individual who takes time to venture
outside. According to Colombia University researchers, negative ions in the
air from purified, natural water sources (like springs, waterfalls, and creeks)
can act as natural depressants. And in a study by Indoor Air, negative ion

particles were reported to lower subjects blood lactate levels by 33%,

improving their energy levels.

Exercise Becomes Easier

Many people disdain the idea of moving their body to better their health,
but being outside when exercising has been shown to make the momentous
task a bit easier. A 2011 study published in Medicine & Science in Sports &
Exercise found that people who walked on an outdoor track moved at a
faster pace, perceived less exertion, and experienced more positive emotions
that those who walked on an indoor treadmill.

Another study in Scotland found that those who walk through rural areas
view their to-do list as more manageable than those who walk on the city
streets.

Credit: MassageYogaHouse

Credit: MassageYogaHouse

Boosts Your Immune System

An intriguing study by researchers at Tokyos Nippon Medical School

showed that shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing in Japanese, is incredibly
healing. Studied women who spent two to four hours in the woods on
consecutive days experienced a nearly 50% increase in the activity of cancerfighting white blood cells.

Allows you to connect to a deeper Source go within

Sometimes the best medicine is space and time to contemplate. In a

natural setting amber leaves slowly falling to the ground with a trickling
creek playing in the background there is no better place to fall within
oneself and give time to figure out whats going on inside.

Deep reflection of the interior can provide peace of mind, allow an

inspiring connection with the Source of all things, and lead to feelings of
well-being and calm.

Inspires Creativity

That natural world is beauty. It is rippling, contrasting, expanding,

explosive creation in action. How can one not be inspired by the intrigue,
majesty, and intellect that abounds? Such creativity can be channeled into
art at home, confidence to better oneself, or fuel to take to work and make
magical things happen.

Allows you to make new friends

Lack of social connection is a huge factor in declining health and wellbeing. In Jon Robbins book Healthy at 100, he shares statistics of how
non-smoking single men who are not in a relationship have similar health
risk of early death to men who smoke, but are in a loving and committed
relationship.

In cultures that thrive, huge importance is put on family ties and

community bonding for good reason. And many of these cultures (like the
Vilcabambas, , Hunzas, and Abkhazians) spend a good portion of their day
outside as well!

But if you find yourself lonely and seeking company, being outdoors can
not only allow you to engage and connect with the natural world, but jump
on opportunities with others using connection groups like meetups to
experience the outside world together. Who knows where such relationships
will lead?

Shows the deeper meaning of many things easily missed in the high-tech
world.

The zombie apocalypse has hit but its in form of children, teenagers,
and a majority of adults glued to their cell phones. Entranced by a screen 3
inches from their face, it now seems a rarity for one to look around and take
in the majesty of this thing called LIFE.

Being outside preferably in a no cell reception area allows the

opportunity and space for personal growth to take place. And, as most know,
for positive, global change to take place, individual transformation is the
essential element for a truly conscious and high-vibrational world. This time
spent in nature and devoted to personal growth may expose deeper truths of
this existence that are commonly missed when constantly distracted by the
latest technological toys.

It is clear this nutrient is essential for all beings health. You all people
are part of the natural world. And to miss out on this valuable piece of
health can degenerate your life expectancy and reduce your well-being.

Get outdoors! Play with your kids, read a book in the grass, go for a walk in
the park, volunteer at an animal reserve, or go swimming in a lake! The
opportunity to become immersed in nature are endless, but the necessity to

obtain vitamin N will never diminish for its one of the best prescription
and natural remedy to cure ails caused by disconnection from Source
Manifest Desires Freely by Having No Expectations

t is a most liberating experience when you are able to live life with an
attitude of no expectations. When you have expectations, you have
preconceived ideas of how things should be that you are attached to.
Expectation creates fear because you think what you desire may or may not
happen. Free of expectations, you can just go with the flow of the universe
and not be affected by the outcomes that you encounter. Every outcome can
serve to move you towards greater realization of your desires.

When you are attached to an outcome, you expect things to happen at a

certain time in a certain way. But when it does not happen at the expected
time or in the expected manner, then what results is a feeling of fear. Having
expectations about how your desires should manifest will produce negative
feelings when your expectations are not met. That is why it is better to act
on your intention without expectations about the when and how it
manifests.

Fear, doubt and worry are the last things you want to experience in the
process of manifesting desires. That is why the best way to create what you
want is through detachment. Act on your desires with a detached
involvement. You do what you are guided to do by your heart but you do not
judge the rightness of your actions by the results that you get. As long as
your actions are based on purpose, you have done what you were meant to
do regardless of what seems to happen from it.

When the universe is in the process of working things out for the realization
of your intention, there might be things that happen which make it seem as
though things are not working out. It is your expectation of how things
should happen that makes you think that things are not working out. But

actually you are not seeing the whole picture, because what you are seeing
is only a piece of the larger scheme of events where everything is really
working out the way it should.

Expectation colors your perception of things. You dont see how things are
really happening when you expect them to happen a certain way. This
prevents you from recognizing the good that comes your way and causes you
to push it away thinking that it is evil. Without preconceived ideas to limit
your perception, you are able to accept what comes your way as part of the
solution to realizing what you truly desire in life. You are able to receive and
not resist truth and love.

Many a times we feel discouraged when things are not happening the way we
want them to happen. We might even lose hope thinking that its not meant
to be, and even give up pursuing it altogether because our actions are in
vain. But we do not realize that we are right in the process of it all coming to
pass, and we turn away when we are closer than we ever were before. Let go
of expectations so that you can surrender to the process and let the
outcome fall in place in the right way at the right time.

When we do not know how things will really turn out, we have to trust.
There is no need for hope when we already know how the outcome will be
like. Hope is confident expectation of good. The only expectation you need is
the expectation that everything is happening for good and not evil in your
life. You can expect good no matter what the outcome seems to be.
The best way to live life is to be like a little child, having no cares and
expectations. You are just doing what brings you joy and expressing yourself
fearlessly in every moment. You completely accept yourself and whatever is
happening without judgment. You are trusting that you are always provided
for and there is nothing that is stopping you from attaining all that you truly
desire. You are free to live fully in the moment without worrying about the
future.

Live with an attitude of no expectations and you will experience more

freedom than you can imagine. Failure does not stop you anymore because it
doesnt exist in your perception. You can keep doing what you believe in
simply because you are not expecting a particular outcome but you are just
expressing the truth that is in you. You are able to let go of anything
negative and nothing holds you back from going on in the direction of your
desires.

In the context of having no expectations, what is meant by expectation is

attachment to an outcome. You should expect what you desire to happen,
but you should also expect that anything can happen. Therefore it is a state
of unexpectant expecting. One should have a relaxed and confident
expectation that the desire will come true. Have no expectations or no
attachments to expected outcomes, but expect or look to see your desire to
manifest.

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Credit: School of Smiling

10 Life Lessons You Should Unlearn

n the past 10 years, Ive realized that our culture is rife with ideas that actually inhibit joy.
Here are some of the things Im most grateful to have unlearned:
1. Problems are bad. You spent your school years solving arbitrary problems imposed by
boring authority figures. You learned that problems comment se dit? suck. But people
without real problems go mad and invent things like base jumping and wedding planning.
Real problems are wonderful, each carrying the seeds of its own solution. Job burnout? Its
steering you toward your perfect career. An awful relationship? Its teaching you what love
means. Confusing tax forms? Theyre suggesting you hire an accountant, so you can focus on
more interesting tasks, such as flossing. Finding the solution to each problem is what gives
life its gusto.
2. Its important to stay happy. Solving a knotty problem can help us be happy, but we
dont have to be happy to feel good. If that sounds crazy, try this: Focus on something that

makes you miserable. Then think, I must stay happy! Stressful, isnt it? Now say, Its okay
to be as sad as I need to be. This kind of permission to feel as we feel not continuous
happiness is the foundation of well-being.
3. Im irreparably damaged by my past. Painful events leave scars, true, but it turns out
theyre largely erasable. Jill Bolte Taylor, the neuroanatomist who had a stroke that
obliterated her memory, described the event as losing 37 years of emotional baggage.
Taylor rebuilt her own brain, minus the drama. Now it appears we can all effect a similar
shift, without having to endure a brain hemorrhage. The very thing youre doing at this
moment questioning habitual thoughts is enough to begin off-loading old patterns. For
example, take an issue thats been worrying you (Ive got to work harder!) and think of
three reasons that belief may be wrong. Your brain will begin to let it go. Taylor found this
thought-loss euphoric. You will, too.
4. Working hard leads to success. Baby mammals, including humans, learn by playing,
which is why the battle of Waterloo was won on the playing fields of Eton. Boys whod
spent years strategizing for fun gained instinctive skills to handle real-world situations. So
play as you did in childhood, with all-out absorption. Watch for ways your childhood playing
skills can solve a problem (see #1). Play, not work, is the key to success. While were on the
subject
5. Success is the opposite of failure. Fact: From quitting smoking to skiing, we succeed to
the degree we try, fail, and learn. Studies show that people who worry about mistakes shut
down, but those who are relaxed about doing badly soon learn to do well. Success is built on
failure.

6. It matters what people think of me. But if I fail, you may protest, people will think
badly of me! This dreaded fate causes despair, suicide, homicide. I realized this when I read
blatant lies about myself on the Internet. When I bewailed this to a friend, she said, Wow,
you have some painful fantasies about other peoples fantasies about you. Yup, my anguish
came from my hypothesis that other peoples hypothetical hypotheses about me mattered.
Ridiculous! Right now, imagine what youd do if it absolutely didnt matter what people
thought of you. Got it? Good. Never go back.
7. We should think rationally about our decisions. Your rational capacities are far newer
and more error-prone than your deeper, animal brain. Often complex problems are best
solved by thinking like an animal. Consider a choice you have to make anything from
which movie to see to which house to buy. Instead of weighing pros and cons intellectually,
notice your physical response to each option. Pay attention to when your body tenses or
relaxes. And speaking of bodies
8. The pretty girls get all the good stuff. Oh, God. So not true. I unlearned this after years
of coaching beautiful clients. Yes, these lovelies get preferential treatment in most life

scenarios, but theres a catch: While everyones looking at them, virtually no one sees them.
Almost every gorgeous client had a husband whod married her breasts and jawline without
ever noticing her soul.
9. If all my wishes came true right now, life would be perfect. Check it out: People who
have what you want are all over rehab clinics, divorce courts, and jails. Thats because good
fortune has side effects, just like medications advertised on TV. Basically, any external thing
we depend on to make us feel good has the power to make us feel bad. Weirdly, when youve
stopped depending on tangible rewards, they often materialize. To attract something you
want, become as joyful as you think that thing would make you. The joy, not the thing, is the
point.
10. Loss is terrible. Ten years ago I still feared loss enough to abandon myself in order to
keep things stable. Id smile when I was sad, pretend to like people who appalled me. What I
now know is that losses arent cataclysmic if they teach the heart and soul their natural cycle
of breaking and healing. A real tragedy? Thats the loss of the heart and soul themselves. If
youve abandoned yourself in the effort to keep anyone or anything else, unlearn that pattern.
Live your truth, losses be damned. Just like that, your heart and soul will return home.
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Credit: Huffington Post

5 Mind-Blowing Lessons From Psychedelics Experts

A recent online course unraveled psychedelic science, medicine, art and spirituality.
The problem with banning anything out of a fear of the unknown is that many unknowns will
remain. Such is the story of many psychedelic drugs in the U.S. While the government has
experimented with various psychedelic compounds (take the CIAs secret attempts at LSD
mind-control between 1953 to 1964) over the years prohibition has become the name of the
game.
In response to a cultural upheaval beginning in the 1960s that saw more and more people
independently experimenting with mind-altering drugs, the U.S. government has cracked
down on every psychedelic it can muster, often without first exploring their potential medical
uses. The U.S. Department of Justice has demonized psychedelics, listing many of them
(including LSD, psilocybin mushrooms and MDMA) as felony-status, schedule I substances
with high potential for abuse and no medical value.

The reality the government, and Western world at large, has failed to acknowledge is that
psychedelic drugs arent just something free-spirited hippies eat to feel trippy and dance
naked (not that theres anything wrong with that). Humans have used psychedelics since
before we were painting on cave walls, not just for fun but for healing. Psychoactive
mushrooms have been part of human healing practices since before recorded history,
and ayahuascathe brew of various psychoactive plant decoctions that is increasingly
popular in the Westremains a medicinal staple for the people of Amazonian Peru. More
recently, the psychedelic chemical compounds MDMA and LSD were both originally
developed to help treat psychiatric patients.
The Western war on drugs mindset has led most of the mainstream medical world to dismiss
psychedelics altogether, but a handful of dedicated researchers have refused to let fear and
politics keep them from exploring. These researchers have petitioned the government for
permission to conduct research on those highly classified substances, and after decades of
scientific drought a few studies have received the go-ahead. Now, the evidence is stacking up
to show the enormous potential of psychedelics for treating everything from cancer to PTSD
to addiction.
The Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS), a pharmaceutical
research and educational nonprofit based in Santa Cruz, Calif. is at the forefront
of psychedelic science. It funds researchers around the world to conduct governmentapproved, placebo-controlled, clinical studies of various psychedelic drugs. Since its
founding in the 80s, MAPS has gathered a wealth of insight into the interactions between
psychedelics and the human mind. This June it decided to share its insights with the masses
by offering its first-ever, open-enrollment online psychedelics course.
The live, 5-session interactive video course, Psychedelic Science: How to Apply What
Were Learning to Your Life, co-produced by Evolver Learning Labs, brought together
experts in psychedelic science, medicine, art, and spirituality.
Here are five key lessons from the course.
1. Psychedelics could redefine the way we perceive and treat illness,
and could unlock health mysteries like cancer and addiction.
Gabor Mat, a medical doctor, speaker and author from Vancouver, has worked with
psychedelic medicine among aboriginal people, as well as in contemporary, non-indigenous
healing circles. He contends that therapy assisted by psychedelicsayahuasca in particular
can untangle complex, unconscious psychological stresses.
As a speaker for the MAPS course, Mat said, The issue of psychedelic healing goes to the
very heart of what it means to have illness in the first place. According to Mateand most of
the non-Western worldthe mind and body are not separate entities, but work in tandem. He
believes many illnesses are a result of pent-up psychological and/or spiritual traumas.

In the Western medical model, illness is something bad that happens to a person usually
because of bad behaviors on their part, like smoking cigarettes and getting lung cancer or
even having the wrong genes, he said. But for the most part we dont look at the possibility
that the illness is not just misfortune but actually represents something about that persons
life. For instance cancer, or rheumatoid arthritis, or depression, or drug addiction, or ADHD,
or whatever form your illness takes, may be a representation of whats happened to you in life
and how you have coped with life.
Psychedelics, he claims, can help the mind cope with those deep-held, often repressed
traumas, which in turn allows the body to heal itself.
Its only Western medicine that separates the mind from the body, he said.
Much of Mats work centers around the idea that many illnesses are the bodys response
over time to unaddressed psychological traumas. His main focuses are two illnesses the
modern medical model has yet to cure: cancer and addiction.
What Im asserting is that, whether looking at cancer or addiction, what were seeing is
impact of life experience, Mat said. We know already that in the womb the emotional
states of the mother have significant physiological impact on the physiology of the
developing child. And we know that what happens early in life has a profound effect on
the developing brain of the child. What really happens is that coping patterns child develops
early in life show up as diseases later on.
Psychedelics, Mat contends, have the potential to address diseases like addiction and cancer
because they open up the users mind to addressing traumas that were otherwise blocked out.
Regarding addiction, Mat said emotional traumas impact on the developing brain during
childhood, interferes with brain circuit that later on becomes involved in addiction process.
The trauma gives the child a sense of deep emotional pain they will try to soothe later on
[with substances], he said. The trauma makes you believe you are isolated in the world
without help no support, no love, no caring. [W]hich of course goes in the face of the
spiritual awareness that were all one, its all one world and were all connected. Theres that
sense of separation, pain and disordered brain circuit.
Mat argues that psychedelics used in the proper setting, with a trained therapist or shaman,
can help people address the underlying psychological, emotional and spiritual conditions that
are underneath all these conditions Western medicine thinks are separate and accidental.
2. Set and setting are key to safe and effective psychedelic experiences.
Being hospitalized or incarcerated while under the influence of a psychedelic is a recipe for
nightmarish visions, paranoia and an all-around bad trip. Unfortunately, these are the

default reactions of most emergency personnel who deal with people experiencing druginduced acute psychiatric crises.
Linnae Pont, harm reduction coordinator for MAPS, works to shift the way we deal with
psychedelic drug users to a more practical, public-health-oriented system that wont land
people with debt-inducing hospital bills or dark marks on their permanent records just
because they were tripping. Often, as MAPS has learned, all thats required to make this
happen is to provide a safe space where people can essentially trip out in peace.
Her job is to travel to places where people are using psychedelics en masse, e.g. festivals and
raves, and help reduce the potentially negative effects of recreational psychedelic use. She
does this by providing safe spaces, away from the noise, where people are surrounded by
support.
The Zendo Project provides a tent-like structure designed for relaxation, complete with
pillows, lamps and hammocks to be used at festivals and raves. Pont and a team of
volunteers set these structures up at various events so people can visit if theyre
overstimulated. They coordinate their efforts with emergency personnel and law enforcement,
who are usually happy to cooperate.
The overall mission of the Zendo project is to provide a safe space for anybody having a
difficult experience to transform it into one that can offer valuable learning and some
personal growth, Pont said during the course.
Similar to the way MAPS trains its psychedelic therapists, all Zendo volunteers complete
training in how to to oversee people on psychedelics and sit with them during their
experiences. They are also trained in how to help people talk through their experiences.
Psychedelics are an incredibly powerful tool, Pont said. Theyre nonspecific amplifiers:
they bring to the surface whatever is at the depths of our psyche, and sometimes were
absolutely unaware of it at the time. And that is why the psychedelic experience is all
about set and setting.
3. The 4 Principles of Harm Reduction
Pont outlined the four basic principles of psychedelic Harm Reduction, which she uses to
train Zendo volunteers. The principles are largely derived from MAPSs training guides for
psychedelic therapists. While the principles are designed for harm reduction event volunteers,
they are helpful lessons for anyone interested in using psychedelics.
* Create a Safe Space.
There are many ways to do this, but basically its just any space a person is able to relax into
their experience, Pont said. Ideally [theyre] in a place to close their eyes, lay down, and
not be stepped on or talked at, so they can just really feel safe.

* Sitting, Not Guiding

What were actually doing is just holding space and being a non-directive guide for people,
Pont said. I do believe psychedelics open us up to being more in touch with this inner
healing capacity we have.
* Talk Through, Not Down
Pont said when helping someone, the tendency is often to talk down to them or attempt to
tell them what to do. This principle reminds us to help the psychedelic user by, for example
reminding them that they are safe rather than telling them to calm down.
* Difficult Is Not the Same as Bad
To explain this principle, Pont quotes Carl Jung: There is no coming to consciousness
without pain. People will do anything, no matter how absurd, to avoid facing their own soul.
One does not become enlightened by imagining figures of light, but by making the darkness
conscious.
4. MDMA isnt just a dance party drugit could help treat PTSD and
anxiety.
MAPS has sponsored several government-approved MDMA studies to date, which looked at
the drugs ability to help treat people with severe PTSD and anxiety. For all studies,
participants took placebo-controlled doses of the ecstasy drug and therapists talked them
through their experiences. So far, Doblin explained, the results have been overwhelmingly
positive.
Doblin predicted that within the next decade MDMA-assisted therapy will be legal and
doctor-prescribed.
Weve been working for 28 years and have another seven or so to go before MDMA is
available as a prescription medicine, Doblin said, noting that MAPS was founded as a
response to the government outlawing MDMA. We have clearly got outcome data that will
enable us to develop MDMA into a prescription medication.
MAPSs first pilot study, which looked at MDMAs potential to treat people with PTSD, had
such successful results in helping people who had been stuck for a long time with PTSD,
that it looked like the FDA would approve it as a prescription drug, Doblin said.
Every participants PTSD diminished significantly, and the study showed that MDMA was
contributing more to the therapy than the therapist.

For people who are so stuck in the fear reaction they have to their trauma, psychotherapy
alone can only take them so far, he said. The addition of MDMA makes much more
progress. When combined with supportive psychotherapy, people can make great progress.
Even more encouraging than the initial results was a long-term analysis of those pilot study
participants. It showed that an average of 3.5 years after treatment, the benefits of MDMA
assisted therapy were sustained.
This really solidified our view that MDMA deserves to be a medicine for PTSD, Doblin
said. If we can continue to get results even half as good as this, we thought, this will be
made into a medicine.
A second MDMA-PTSD study in Switzerland turned over impressive results as well.
Neurocognitive studies done in the first study that showed no effect on memory, and neither
study resulted in any serious adverse events.
MAPS also completed phase one of a pilot study looking into MDMA to treat combat
veterans with PTSD. The second phase of that study is still ongoing.
One of the biggest takeaways following the varous studies, Doblin said, is that MDMAassisted therapy can apply to everyone with PTSD, regardless of what caused their trauma.
What weve learned so far is that the cause of PTSD is not related to the treatment method,
Doblin said. What that means is thatwhether its childhood sexual abuse, adult rape and
assault, combat, military combat, accidentssomething about trauma, regardless of what
caused it, when it turns into chronic, treatment-resistant PTSD, the treatment that we offer
works regardless of the cause.
Doblin said this also means when MAPS completes its phase three studiesthe final step
before government approval of a medicine for the market they wont have to limit them to
people with a particular trauma.
In addition to PTSD, MAPS has hypothesised that MDMA could help with anxiety.
Alicia Danforth, a psychiatrist, is currently working an ongoing MAPS-sponsored study of
efficacy of MDMA to help adults on the autism spectrum cope with anxiety. The studys
protocols were in the making for the last couple of years, and after approval by the necessary
government entities, including the FDA, it was launched in February.
The study is the first of its kind. Danforth said researchers decided to focus on people on the
autism spectrum because that population tends to be particularly susceptible to anxiety. She
noted that the study is in no way attempting to treat or cure autism, nor is it trying to Give
people who lack empathy, empathya concern some people have expressed.

Because MDMA is referred to as an empathogen, its kind of easy to make that leap,
Danforth said. Its not the case that individuals on the spectrum lack empathy, but oftentimes
theyre challenged with different aspects of empathic thinking. Thats not something were
trying to address with MDMA.
5. Breathing can be a psychedelic experience if you do it right.
Linna Pont recalls participating in a therapist training program in 2011 that used something
called holotropic breathwork to help trainees reach a psychedelic state. Since psychedelics
are federally illegal, people interested in entering into psychedelic therapy use this
alternative method to train.
Participants breath in deep, full breaths, its like circular breathing and by doing it for an
extended period of time with the help of a set playlist, you can bring yourself into state of
consciousness similar to that induced by lsd or psilocybin or classic psychedelics, Ponte
said.
Stan Grof, a pioneer of psychedelic therapy and one of the first researchers of LSD, founded
the holotropic breathwork practice.
When LSD was put on schedule I and made illegal he went off and developed holotropic
breathwork to provide people with a way to access these non-ordinary states of consciousness
that can provide deep healing for people, Ponte said.
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Author: April M. Short, AlterNet
Waking Times

10 Mind-Blowing Theories That Will Change Your Perception of the World

Reality is not as obvious and simple as we like to think. Some of the things
that we accept as true at face value are notoriously wrong. Scientists and
philosophers have made every effort to change our common perceptions of
it. The 10 examples below will show you what I mean.
1. Great glaciation.

Great glaciation is the theory of the final state that our universe is heading
toward. The universe has a limited supply of energy. According to this
theory, when that energy finally runs out, the universe will devolve into a
frozen state. Heat energy produced by the motion of the particles, heat loss,
a natural law of the universe, means that eventually this particle motion will
slow down and, presumably, one day everything will stop.
2. Solipsism.

Solipsism is a philosophical theory, which asserts that nothing exists but

the individuals consciousness. At first it seems silly and who generally got
it into his head completely deny the existence of the world around us?
Except when you put your mind to it, it really is impossible to verify
anything but your own consciousness.

Dont you believe me? Think a moment and think of all the possible dreams
that you have experienced in your life. Is it not possible that everything
around you is nothing but an incredibly intricate dream? But we have
people and things around us that we cannot doubt, because we can hear,
see, smell, taste and feel them, right? Yes, and no. People who take LSD, for
example, say that they can touch the most convincing hallucinations, but we
do not claim that their visions are reality. Your dreams simulate
sensations as well, after all, what you perceive is what different sections of
your brain tell you to.

As a result, which parts of existence can we not doubt? None. Not the
chicken we ate for dinner or the keyboard beneath our fingers. Each of us
can only be sure in his own thoughts.
3. Idealist Philosophy

George Berkeley, the father of Idealism, argued that everything exists as an

idea in someones mind. Berkley discovered that some of his comrades

considered his theory stupid. The story goes that one of his detractors
kicked a stone with his eyes closed and said, There Ive disproved it!

The idea being that if the stone really only exists in his imagination, he
could not have kicked it with his eyes closed. Refutation of Berkeley is hard
to understand, especially in these days. He argued that there is an
omnipotent and omnipresent God, who sees all and all at once. Realistic, or
not?
4. Plato and Logos.

reality illusionEverybody has heard of Plato. He is the worlds most famous

philosopher. Like all philosophers he had a few things to say about reality.
He argued that beyond our perceived reality there lies a world of perfect
forms. Everything that we see is just a shade, an imitation of how things
truly are. He argued that by studying philosophy we have a chance of
catching a glimpse of how things truly are, of discovering the perfect forms
of everything we perceive.

In addition to this stunning statement, Plato, being a monist, said that

everything is made of a single substance. Which means (according to him)
that diamonds, gold and dog feces all consist of the same basic material, but
in a different form, which, with sciences discovery of atoms and molecules,
has been proven true to an extent.
5. Presentism.

Time is something that we perceive as a matter of course, if we view it at the

moment, we usually divide it into past, present and future. Presentism
argues that the past and the future are imagined concepts, while only the
present is real.

In other words, todays breakfast and every word of this article will cease to
exist after you have read it, until you open it again. The future is just as
imaginary, because time cannot exist before and after it happened, as
claimed by St. Augustine.
6. Eternalism.

Enternalism is the exact opposite of presentism. This is a philosophical

theory that says that time is multi-layered. It can be compared to a pound
cake (however, unlike the time, a biscuit is not up for philosophical debate).
All time exists simultaneously, but the measurement is determined by the
observer. What he sees depends on which point he is looking at.

Thus dinosaurs, World War II and Justin Bieber all exist simultaneously but
can only be observed from a specific location. If one takes this view of reality
then the future is hopeless and the deterministic free will is illusory.
7. The Brain in a Jar

The brain in a jar thought experiment is a question discussed by thinkers

and scientists, who, like most people, believe that humans understanding of
reality depends solely on his subjective feelings.

So, what is the debate? Imagine that you are just a brain in a jar that is run
by aliens or mad scientists. How would you know? And can you truly deny
the possibility that this is your reality?

This is a modern interpretation of the Cartesian evil demon problem. This

thought experiment leads to the same conclusion: we cannot confirm the
actual existence of anything except our consciousness. If this seems to
sound reminiscent of the movie The Matrix, it is only because this idea
was part of the very basis of the story. Unfortunately, in reality we have no
red pills

8. The Multiverse Theory

multiverse realityAnyone who has not spent the last ten years on a desert
island, has at least once heard of the multiverse, or parallel universes. As
many of us have seen, parallel words, in theory, are worlds very similar to
ours, with little (or in some cases, large) changes or differences. The
multiverse theory speculates that there could exist an infinite number of
these alternate realities.

Whats the point? In a parallel reality you have already killed the dinosaurs,
and you are lying under the ground at a depth of eight feet (because thats
what happened there.) In the other you might be a powerful dictator. In
another you might never have even been born since your parents never met.
Now thats a memorable image.
9. Fictional realism.

This is the most fascinating branch of multiverse theory. Superman is real.

Yes, some of you would probably choose a different story, for arguments
sake, Harry Potter might be real too. This branch of the theory argues that
given an infinite number of universes, everything must exist somewhere. So,
all of our favorite fiction and fantasy may be descriptive of an alternate
universe, one where all the right pieces came in to place to make it happen.
10. Phenomenalism.

Everyone is interested in what happens to things when we arent looking at

them. Scientists have carefully studied this problem and some of them came
to a simple conclusion - they disappear. Well, not quite like this.
Phenomenalist philosophers believe that objects only exist as a phenomenon
of consciousness. So, your laptop is only here while you are aware of, and
believe in its existence, but when you turn away from it, it ceases to exist
until you or someone else interacts with it. There is no existence without
perception. This is the root of phenomenalism.

Based on the article from listverse.com

12 Sayings That Sum Up 90% of All Self Help Books

Roughly 90% of Self Help books contain the same advice repeated over and
over. Dont believe me? Stop by your local bookstore sometime and read the
Table of Contents of a dozen or so Self Help books. The advice may be
worded differently or geared toward a specific target audience (eg. men,
women, various enthnic and social groups), but the underlying message is
pretty much always the same. Heres a list of that advice:

You are not a victim. You are 100% responsible for the life you have right
now. If you are unhappy, you have the power to change your attitude and
actions to begin making your life better. Always remember, whether you
think life sucks or you think life is great, either way, youre right.

Ever notice how some people are able to brush off insults, while others get
furious and start throwing punches? Realize that nobody can make you
feel anything. You are the one that chooses to feel good or bad about a
particular event or action that occurs.

If you want to be more confident, happy, or positive, then pretend that you
already are this way. Eventually, after practicing this long enough, youll
realize that youre no longer pretending.

A purpose is what you enjoy doing that you never get tired of and you will do
for the rest of your life. Is your purpose to write screenplays? Is it to help
sick people? Write down on index cards a list of purposes and choose the
one that speaks to you the most.

List out 5 to 10 goals that you want for your life. Break each goal up into
smaller sub-goals and then break those sub-goals into individual tasks and
action steps. Every night, plan the next day in advance. Create a daily to-do
list with those tasks that you need to do to accomplish your goal.

Regret and shame come from dwelling in the past. Worrying and anxiety
come from living in the future. True peace of mind comes from living in the
present. The more you become aware of being in the present, the more it
becomes a part of your daily life.

The power of attraction is a powerful mental tool. The process works by

focusing on something that you want while visualizing that you already have
it. You then have a heightened level of awareness for recognizing
opportunities that occur around you. These opportunities will then assist in
bringing what you want into your physical reality.

Your comfort zone (what you feel comfortable doing) is always in a state of
either expanding or contracting. The more you get out in the world and do
what you feel uncomfortable doing, the less inhibited you become, thereby
allowing you to live a richer and fuller life.

Every morning before you start your day, give thanks and appreciation for
what you have. Its only when we are thankful for what we have that life
gives us more blessings and abundance to be thankful for.

Dont be afraid to ask for what you want. The squeaky wheel gets the grease.
Its the reason that children ask their parents for the same thing over and
over again, because they know mom and dad will eventually cave in. The
same concept works in the real world. If there is something in the world you
want, ask for itor at least ask how to get it.

Find the successful people in your field and ask them for advice. Ask them
what they do to be successful, take notes, and then copy them. A lot of
people think that the pros dont want to share. The opposite is actually true.
Most successful people are more that willing to share their knowledge if you
ask them.

Trolls are people that will try to discourage you from your dreams. Dont
listen to them. Realize that the only reason they are doing it is because by
seeing you chase after your dreams, its reminding them that they arent
chasing theirs. Misery loves company
100 Amazing How-To Sites to Teach Yourself Anything

Learning new skills and expanding your knowledge doesnt have to cost you an arm and a
leg. There are loads of free resources on the Web that can help you find instructional videos,
tutorials and classes to learn a wide variety of skills from fixing basic car problems to
speaking another language. With 100 sites to choose from, youre bound to find something
here that will help you learn just about anything you could want.
General Tutorials
These sites offer a wide range of tutorials and videos.
1. Expert Village: One of the biggest how-to sites on the Web, this site is
home to hundreds of thousands of videos on an infinitely broad
spectrum of topics.
2. LearnThat.com: With categories like business, finance, home repair,
and computers and tech, this site has plenty of classes for avid
learners.
3. Koonji: With tutorials that are extremely easy to follow, this site will
make it simple to learn just about anything.
4. SuTree: Whether you want to learn new skills or share some of your
own, you can do both on this video how-to site.

5. VideoJug: With great videos on topics as diverse as doing well on the

SAT and knitting a scarf, youll be able to find just what youre looking
for here.
6. FindTutorials.com: This huge collection of tutorials contains listings
for education, hobbies and DIY projects around the house.
7. TrickLife: Want to make your life better? This site is home to
numerous tutorials to help improve your home, your body and your
personal well-being.
8. Instructables: This site offers a wide range of video tutorials where
users can showcase all their valuable skills.
9. MyTutorials: Search through the tutorials on this site to find just
what youre looking to learn.
10.
Tutorial Ninjas: From investing to getting healthy, youll find
loads of tutorials here.
11.
Hodder Education: Check out this site for a range of selflearning opportunities in sports, music, health and more.
12.
Sofia: Promoting free sharing of intellectual assets, this site
offers several free courses in programming, typography and geography.
13.
I Can Learn Anything: Pay this site a visit to get access to a
wide range of social learning resources.
14.
Wikiversity: With over 10,000 free learning resources, youll
find tons of great instructional materials here.
Around the House
Want to know how to fix that broken cabinet or hang up some great wallpaper? These sites
are all about helping you learn how to fix things around the house, on your car or even learn a
new hobby.
15.
Make Magazine: If youre looking to turn your old laptop into
something cool, or find new and inventive ways to spruce up your
home, youll find loads of ideas on this site.
16.
What the Craft: With a little instruction from this site you can
create hand-tailored clothes or great new pillows for your couch.

17.
Skillvids: Save money on costly home repairs by learning how
to do them yourself on this site.
18.
Jonko Online Auto Repair: Here, youll find some instructional
help on fixing all the little things that can go wrong with your car.
19.
DoItYourself.com: Whether youre trying to sell your home or
manage your finances, youll find some helpful guidance here.
20.
Fix Expert: Learn some of the basics of car maintenance and
repair from this site.
21.
Easy2DIY: Want to know how to lay carpet? Fix your leaky
dishwasher? Youll find that and more here.
22.
Free DIY Tutorials: Visit this site to learn how to construct a
range of sewing and crafting projects.
23.
The Bicycle Tutor: Why pay someone to fix your bike when you
can do it yourself? This site can teach you how.
24.
Grovetech PC Repair and Maintenance: Check out this site to
learn how to do some basic PC repairs like adding additional RAM and
cleaning off all those nasty viruses.
25.
ReadyMade: This site can help you learn to build things you
never knew you could do on your own.
26.
Hack a Day: Embrace your creative side with these hacks that
help you learn to reuse the junk around your house in cool new ways.
27.
Howtopedia: With loads of tips on how to make your DIY
projects greener, this site will help you make your home and the earth
a little better at the same time.
Business and Management
If you feel like youre seriously lacking on business and management skills at work, no need
to worry. These sites can help you learn the basics and get your career on track.
28.
KnowThis?: Boost your marketing skills by taking one of the
tutorials offered through this site.

29.
Leadership Training Tutorials: Like the name suggests, these
free tutorials are all about helping you bring out your leadership
skills.
30.
Laynetworks: Those who want to learn more about great
management skills can find tutorials galore here.
31.
Website 101: If youre an entrepreneur who doesnt know much
about running a business online, this site is home to loads of tutorials
that can help you understand what it takes to establish a great web
presence.
32.
Business Tutorials: Whether you want to start your own
business or need a little guidance once you have, this site will provide
all kinds of helpful tutorials.
33.
Passion for Business Learning: Learn more about business
skills from management to finance on this site.
34.
Business Balls: While the name might be silly, the site offers
some serious advice and information on improving management and
business skills.
35.
ComputerWeekly: Those in the IT field should take advantage
of this sites free weekly webinars to stay up-to-date on the latest
information and developments.
36.
TechOnline: Designed with electronics professionals in mind,
this site has dozens of great tech-focused tutorials.
37.
Change Management: Here youll find instructional materials to
improve your skills in leadership and management.
Language and Writing
Those who want to learn a new language, improve their writing skills or just learn more about
literature will be well-served by these instructional sites.
38.
BBC Languages: With numerous languages to choose from, this
site offers visitors some really valuable free language learning
materials.
39.
Project Gutenberg: Catch up on reading the classics with the
free e-books offered here.

40.
Teach Yourself Japanese: Whether youre learning for business
or pleasure, this site offers all kinds of resources for Japanese
language learners.
41.
Literature.org: The extensive library of free material on this site
makes it cheap and easy to read up on just about any subject.
42.
Bibliomania: With free books and study guides to go along with
them, youll not only be able to read the classics but get help
understanding them as well.
43.
LookLex: Here youll be able to learn the basics of the Arabic
language with free audio tutorials.
44.
American Sign Language Browser: If youve ever wanted to
learn ASL youll find a number of resources here that can get you
started.
45.
Learn Spanish: As one of the most widely-spoken languages in
the world, theres no better time than now to start learning Spanish.
46.
Writers Resource Center: This site is home to loads of support
and information on writing better fiction.
47.
Paradigm Online Writing Assistant: Need some help writing?
Youll find instructional articles here.
Technology
These tech-focused sites offer help to both technophiles and beginners alike.
48.
actDEN: Never learned how to use Microsoft Excel? Now you
can with free tutorials on this site, offering education on a number of
computer programs.
49.
How-to Geek: From setting up to fixing problems, this site will
help you learn to get your gadgets up and running.
50.
W3Schools: Learn just about anything you could want to know
about Web design and development from the large number of tutorials
on this site.
51.
KillerSites: Here youll find loads of free info on web design and
hosting.

52.
Productivity Portfolio: Are you really not good with
technology? Here youll find tutorials designed just for you, with
simple 5-minute lessons on the basics of programs like Outlook and
Firefox.
53.
Tweako: This site is home to numerous tutorials focused on
technology, programming and the net.
54.
Vista4Beginners: Many people find Vista hard to navigate, and
if youre one of them you can find help on this site, filled with great
tutorials.
55.
Digital Arts: From tips on using Photoshop to what it takes to
make great web designs, this site will help you embrace the creative
side of technology.
56.
InPictures: With tutorials that come complete with visual
representations of how to do everything, this site is perfect for the
visual learner.
57.
N Design Studio: This site is focused on Dreamweaver and
Illustrator, providing a wide range of tutorials.
58.
NetTuts: Check out this site if youre in need of a little help with
a web development project or want to learn more about programming
on the internet.
59.
Geekpedia: Here youll find tutorials on just about every
programming language you could want to learn.
60.
MuppetLabs: Programmers and aspiring geeks alike can find
numerous tutorials here on languages like C++ and Perl.
Math
Many people struggle to understand mathematical concepts. These sites offer help and
instruction no matter what level youre on.
61.
S.O.S. Mathematics: Check out this site to find tutorials and
worksheets to help you learn more about math and get a little practice
applying it.

62.
MathVids: If youd rather learn from videos, the instructional
ones provided here will be helpful to you, offering explanation of a
wide variety of math issues.
63.
Math Cracker: Get a little help on math subjects from the
basics of algebra to the intricacies of calculus with a variety of helpful
tutorials.
64.
Real World Math: Think your math teacher was full of it when
he said youd actually use the math youre learning? This site applies
all kinds of math to real situations, making it easier for many to see
how it might be valuable.
65.
Math for Morons Like Us: Even the smartest people can
sometimes forget their multiplication tables, but if you feel especially
weak in math you may want to check out this site. It breaks down
even complicated ideas into easy to understand lessons.
66.
Math.com: With some great tools and a variety of tutorials on
algebra, geometry, trigonometry and more, this site has loads to offer
learners.
67.
MathTools: If youre using MATLAB you can get some
information on how to better use the program and understand whats
going on with these free tutorials.
68.
Pauls Online Math Notes: This professor wants to help you
learn math, and offers notes, lessons and more.
69.
Visual Calculus: The modules on this site are designed to help
you see visually how calculus works, an easier way to learn for many
who struggle to understand abstract concepts without illustration.
70.
PurpleMath: Visit this site to find notes, tutorials and lessons
on a variety of math subjects.
Science
Learn more about the amazing world around you from its chemical makeup to the processes
going on in your own body with these helpful sites.
71.
The Chem Team: Learn the basics of chemistry with the
tutorials and lessons provided by this site.

72.
Get Body Smart: With interactive animations and activities,
this site makes it fun to learn about how the body works inside and
out.
73.
The Physics Zone: You can get a better grasp on concepts like
magnetism and motion with this site that offers instruction on the
theoretical and mathematical aspects of physics.
74.
The Life Wire: Here youll find a number of animations and
tutorials that are designed to help you learn more about biology, even
the stuff that may have confused you before.
75.
Geology Rocks: The earth may seem like a stable, static entity
but its always changing and moving. Check out this site to learn more
about these processes and the ground under your feet.
76.
NASA: If Earth isnt your thing, take to the heavens with videos,
photos, articles and podcasts all about the stars, planets and what
lies beyond.
77.
Inner Body: Check out this site to learn a bit about the
circulatory system and find out just how that cheeseburger is clogging
your arteries.
78.
Exploratorium: Also called the Museum of Science, Art and
Human Perception, youll find lessons here on everything from how
music works to the effects of global warming.
79.
Science A-Go-Go: This site is a great place to learn about the
latest and greatest scientific discoveries. You can take to the
discussion forums as well if youd like to debate any topic.
80.
The Why Files: If youve ever wondered why or how a news
story about science is true or want to learn more about everyday
science, check out this site.
Creativity
These lesson-filled sites offer a chance to learn more about art, music and digital creativity.
81.
Berklee Shares: Here youll get access to loads of free Strobist:
Check out this blog and its tutorials to learn the basics of lighting in
photography.

82.
Teoria: On this site youll find a number of music-related
tutorials and lessons to help you better understand music theory.
83.
Digital Arts: Need a little creative inspiration? This site can
help you out and help you better learn to use your digital art tools.
84.
PSDTUTS: Whether you use PhotoShop to touch up your
drawings or to make completely digital works of art, youll find helpful
tutorials here.
85.
Photography Mentor: Join this site to get educational videos
for your computer or iPhone to learn more about digital photography.
86.
E-Chords: The video tutorials on this site can help you learn to
totally shred on the guitar or bass.
87.
DrumBum: If drums are more your style, these tutorials and
lessons will help you master a variety of types of music.
88.
Music Theory: Ricci Adams teaches the basics of music theory
and notation with lessons and tutorials on this site.
89.
Computer Music Products: Want to make and distribute music
right from your computer? This site can teach you how.
90.
Dueys Drawings: If youve always been envious of those who
can draw and paint, give this instructional site a visit for lessons on
how you can improve your skills.
91.
Video-Tutes: Learn a number of useful things about shooting
and editing videos from the instructional tutorials on this site.
History
Expand your knowledge of the past with these history sites that contain info, photos and
lessons on numerous topics.
93.
Archive.org: With links to information on the history of music,
documents and even the Internet, this site is a one-stop-shop for
learning.
94.
Library of Congress: With numerous digitally archived photos,
documents and manuscripts, as well as a few wholly online exhibits,

youll find a wealth of great information on this site to help you learn
about American history.
95.
The Rosetta Project: No matter what language you want to
learn about, still spoken or long dead, youll find its history and loads
of information about it here.
96.
Digital History: This online project offers users a wide range of
digitized historical information to make learning easy and fun.
97.
U.S. Census Bureau: Get the stats on just about everything you
could want to know about Americans on this site.
98.
Biography: Learn a little more about the people who have
shaped the world we live in today with the information from
Biography.
99.
Artcyclopedia: Wanna know a little more about the history of
art? Youll find information, photos and resources galore here.
100.
History Channel: Even if you dont have cable you can watch
videos, engage in interactive programs and read all about world
history on this site.
Source

10 Things Highly Intuitive People Do Differently

Intuition is challenging to define, despite the huge role it plays in our

everyday lives. Steve Jobs called it, for instance, more powerful than
intellect. But however we put it into words, we all, well, intuitively know just
what it is.

Pretty much everyone has experienced a gut feeling that unconscious

reasoning that propels us to do something without telling us why or how.
But the nature of intuition has long eluded us, and has inspired centuries
worth of research and inquiry in the fields of philosophy and psychology.

I define intuition as the subtle knowing without ever having any idea why
you know it, Sophy Burnham, bestselling author of The Art of Intuition,
tells The Huffington Post.Its different from thinking, its different from logic
or analysis Its a knowing without knowing.

Our intuition is always there, whether were aware of it or not. As HuffPost

President and Editor-in-Chief Arianna Huffington puts it in her upcoming
book Thrive:

Even when were not at a fork in the road, wondering what to do and trying
to hear that inner voice, our intuition is always there, always reading the
situation, always trying to steer us the right way. But can we hear it? Are we
paying attention? Are we living a life that keeps the pathway to our intuition
unblocked? Feeding and nurturing our intuition, and living a life in which
we can make use of its wisdom, is one key way to thrive, at work and in life.

Cognitive science is beginning to demystify the strong but sometimes

inexplicable presence of unconscious reasoning in our lives and thought.
Often dismissed as unscientific because of its connections to the psychic
and paranormal, intuition isnt just a bunch of hoo-ha about our Spidey
senses the U.S. military is even investigating the power of intuition,
which has helped troops to make quick judgments during combat that
ended up saving lives.

There is a growing body of anecdotal evidence, combined with solid

research efforts, that suggests intuition is a critical aspect of how we
humans interact with our environment and how, ultimately, we make many
of our decisions, Ivy Estabrooke, a program manager at the Office of Naval
Research, told the New York Times in 2012.

Here are 10 things that people in touch with their intuition do differently.
THEY LISTEN TO THAT INNER VOICE.

introspection

Its very easy to dismiss intuition, says Burnham. But its a great gift that
needs to be noticed.

The No. 1 thing that distinguishes intuitive people is that they listen to,
rather than ignore, theguidance of their intuitions and gut feelings.

Everybody is connected to their intuition, but some people dont pay

attention to it as intuition, Burnham say. I have yet to meet a successful
businessman that didnt say, I dont know why I did that, it was just a
hunch.

In order to make our best decisions, we need a balance of intuition which

serves to bridge the gap between instinct and reasoning and rational
thinking, according to Francis Cholle, author of The Intuitive Compass. But
the cultural bias against following ones instinct or intuition often leads to
disregarding our hunches to our own detriment.

We dont have to reject scientific logic in order to benefit from instinct, says
Cholle. We can honor and call upon all of these tools, and we can seek
balance. And by seeking this balance we will finally bring all of the resources
of our brain into action.
THEY TAKE TIME FOR SOLITUDE.

intuition

If you want to get in touch with your intuition, a little time alone may be the
most effective way. Just as solitude can help give rise to creative thinking, it
can also help us connect to our deepest inner wisdom.

Intuitive people are often introverted, according to Burnham. But whether

youre an introvert or not, taking time for solitude can help you engage in
deeper thought and reconnect with yourself.

You have to be able to have a little bit of solitude; a little bit of silence, she
says. In the middle of craziness you cant recognize [intuition] above all of
the noise of everyday life.
THEY CREATE.

solitude

Creativity does its best work when it functions intuitively, writes researcher
and author Carla Woolf.

In fact, creative people are highly intuitive, explains Burnham, and just as
you can increase your creativity through practice, you can boost your
intuition. In fact, practicing one may build up the other.
THEY PRACTICE MINDFULNESS.

Meditation and other mindfulness practices can be an excellent way to tap

into your intuition. As the Search Inside Yourself Leadership Institute
explains, Mindfulness can help you filter out mental chatter, weigh your
options objectively, tune into your intuition and ultimately make a decision
that you can stand behind completely.

Mindfulness can also connect you to your intuition by boosting selfknowledge. A 2013 study published in the journal Perspectives on
Psychological Science showed that mindfulness defined as paying
attention to ones current experience in a non-judgmental way may help
us to better understand our own personalities. And as Arianna Huffington
notes in Thrive, increased intuition, compassion, creativity and peace are all
wonderful side effects of meditating.
THEY OBSERVE EVERYTHING.

look out window

The first thing to do is notice keep a little journal, and notice when odd
things happen, Burnham says. Youll gain a keen sense for how often
coincidences, surprising connections and on-the-dot intuitions occur in
your daily life in other words, youll start to tap into your intuition.
THEY LISTEN TO THEIR BODIES.

Intuitive people learn to tune into their bodies and heed their gut feelings.

If youve ever started feeling sick to your stomach when you knew something
was wrong but couldnt put your finger on what, you understand that
intuitions can cause a physical sensation in the body. Our gut feelings are
called gut feelings for a reason research suggests that emotion and
intuition are very much rooted in the second brain in the gut.
THEY CONNECT DEEPLY WITH OTHERS.

empathy

Mind reading may seem like the stuff of fantasy and pseudo-science, but its
actually something we do everyday. Its called empathic accuracy, a term in
psychology that refers to the seemingly magical ability to map someones
mental terrain from their words, emotions and body language, according to
Psychology Today.

When you see a spider crawling up someones leg, you feel a creepy
sensation,Marcia Reynolds writes in Psychology Today. Similarly, when you
observe someone reach out to a friend and they are pushed away, your brain
registers the sensation of rejection. When you watch your team win or a
couple embrace on television, you feel their emotions as if you are there.
Social emotions like guilt, shame, pride, embarrassment, disgust and lust
can all be experienced by watching others.

Tuning into your own emotions, and spending time both observing and
listening to others face-to-face can help boost your powers of empathy, says
Reynolds.
THEY PAY ATTENTION TO THEIR DREAMS.

dreaming

Burnham recommends paying attention to your dreams as a way to get in

touch with your minds unconscious thinking processes. Both dreams and
intuition spring from the unconscious, so you can begin to tap into this part
of your mind by paying attention to your dreams.

At night, when youre dreaming, youre receiving information from the

unconscious or intuitive part of your brain, says Burnham. If youre
attuned to your dreams, you can get a lot of information about how to live
your life.
THEY ENJOY PLENTY OF DOWN TIME.

dream studies

Few things stifle intuition as easily as constant busyness, multitasking,

connectivity to digital devices and stress and burnout. According to
Huffington, we always have an intuitive sense about the people in our lives
on a deep level, we know the good ones from the flatterers and
dissemblers but were not always awake enough to our intuition to
acknowledge the difference to ourselves. The problem is that were simply
too busy.

We always get warnings from our heart and our intuition when they
appear, she writes in Thrive. But we are often too busy to notice.
THEY MINDFULLY LET GO OF NEGATIVE EMOTIONS.

Strong emotions particularly negative ones can cloud our intuition.

Many of us know that we feel out of sorts or not ourselves when were
upset, and it may be because were disconnected from our intuition.

When you are very depressed, you may find your intuition fails, says
Burnham. When youre angry or in a heightened emotional state your
intuition [can] fail you completely.

The evidence isnt just anecdotal: A 2013 study published in the journal
Psychological Science showed that being in a positive mood boosted the
ability to make intuitive judgments in a word game.

Thats not to say that intuitive people never get upset but your intuition
will fare better if youre able to mindfully accept and let go of negative
emotions for the most part, rather than suppressing or dwelling on them.

Credits: **This article was originally featured on: HuffingtonPost

Featured image credits: drwilliamconstantine.com

25 Life Changing Lessons to Learn from Buddha

If we could see the miracle of a single flower clearly, our whole life would change.
~ Buddha
Luminita Saviuc, Purpose Fairy
Waking Times
There are so many beautiful, powerful and life changing lessons I have learned from studying
Buddhism and from reading many of Buddhas quotes. And today I want to share 25 of these
beautiful lessons with you.
Here are 25 Life Changing Lessons from Buddha:
1. Love heals all things.
Hatred does not cease by hatred, but only by love; this is the eternal rule.
2. Its not what you say but what you do that defines you.
A man is not called wise because he talks and talks again; but if he is peaceful, loving and
fearless then he is in truth called wise.
A dog is not considered a good dog because he is a good barker. A man is not considered a
good man because he is a good talker.
3. The secret of good health is to live fully in the NOW.
Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present
moment.
The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, nor to worry about
the future, but to live the present moment wisely and earnestly.
4. Who looks inside awakens.

The way is not in the sky. The way is in the heart.

5. Words have the power to both hurt and heal.
Words have the power to both destroy and heal. When words are both true and kind, they
can change our world.
Read: The Heart of the Buddhas Teaching: Transforming Suffering into Peace, Joy, and
Liberation
6. Let it go and it will be yours forever.
You only lose what you cling to.
7. No one can walk your path for you.
No one saves us but ourselves. No one can and no one may. We ourselves must walk the
path.
8. Happiness never decreases by being shared.
Thousands of candles can be lit from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be
shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared.
9. Be kind to all.
Resolve to be tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the
striving and tolerant with the weak and wrong. Sometime in your life, you will have been all
of these.
Have compassion for all beings, rich and poor alike; each has their suffering. Some suffer
too much, others too little.
Teach this triple truth to all: A generous heart, kind speech, and a life of service and
compassion are the things which renew humanity.
10. Dont believe everything you are told to believe.
Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it. Do not believe in anything
simply because it is spoken and rumored by many. Do not believe in anything simply because
it is found written in your religious books. Do not believe in anything merely on the authority
of your teachers and elders. Do not believe in traditions because they have been handed down
for many generations. But after observation and analysis, when you find that anything agrees
with reason and is conducive to the good and benefit of one and all, then accept it and live up
to it.

11. As you THINK so shall you be

All that we are is the result of what we have thought: it is founded on our thoughts and made
up of our thoughts. If a man speak or act with an evil thought, suffering follows him as the
wheel follows the hoof of the beast that draws the wagon. If a man speak or act with a
good thought, happiness follows him like a shadow that never leaves him.
12. Let go of fear.
The whole secret of existence is to have no fear. Never fear what will become of you,
depend on no one. Only the moment you reject all help are you freed.
Read: Buddha: A Story of Enlightenment
13. The truth has a way of always leaking out.
Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth.
14. Control your mind or it will control you.
To enjoy good health, to bring true happiness to ones family, to bring peace to all, one must
first discipline and control ones own mind. If a man can control his mind he can find the way
to Enlightenment, and all wisdom and virtue will naturally come to him.
It is a mans own mind, not his enemy or foe, that lures him to evil ways.
15. Doubt separates. Trust unites.
There is nothing more dreadful than the habit of doubt. Doubt separates people. It is a
poison that disintegrates friendships and breaks up pleasant relations. It is a thorn that irritates
and hurts; it is a sword that kills.
16. Nobody is more deserving of your love than you yourself are.
You can search throughout the entire universe for someone who is more deserving of your
love and affection than you are yourself, and that person is not to be found anywhere. You,
yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.
17. Knowing others is wisdom, knowing yourself is enlightenment.
It is better to conquer yourself than to win a thousand battles. Then the victory is yours. It
cannot be taken from you, not by angels or by demons, heaven or hell.
18. Spirituality isnt a luxury, its a necessity.
Just as a candle cannot burn without fire, men cannot live without a spiritual life.

Read: The Gospel of Buddha, Compiled from Ancient Records

19. Replace jealousy with admiration.
Do not be jealous of others good qualities, but out of admiration adopt them yourself.
20. Look for peace within yourself.
Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without.
21. Let go of attachment.
To live a pure unselfish life, one must count nothing as ones own in the midst of
abundance.
22. Choose your friends wisely.
An insincere and evil friend is more to be feared than a wild beast; a wild beast may wound
your body, but an evil friend will wound your mind.
23. There is no way to happiness. Happiness is the way.
There is no path to happiness: happiness is the path.
24. Give up labels.
In the sky, there is no distinction of east and west; people create distinctions out of their own
minds and then believe them to be true.
25. Love. Live. Let go.
In the end these things matter most: How well did you love? How fully did you live? How
deeply did you let go?
What is your favorite quote from Buddha? What is one lesson you have learned from this
incredible man? You can share your comment in the comment section below.
30 traits of an Empath (How to know if youre an Empath)
What is an empath?
Being an empath is when you are affected by other peoples energies, and have an innate
ability to intuitively feel and perceive others. Your life is unconsciously influenced by others
desires, wishes, thoughts, and moods. Being an empath is much more than being highly
sensitive and its not just limited to emotions. Empaths can perceive physical sensitivities
and spiritual urges, as well as just knowing the motivations and intentions of other people.

You either are an empath or you arent. Its not a trait that is learned. You are always open,
so to speak, to process other peoples feelings and energy, which means that you really feel,
and in many cases take on the emotions of others. Many empaths experience things like
chronic fatigue, environmental sensitivities, or unexplained aches and pains daily. These are
all things that are more likely to be contributed to outside influences and not so much
yourself at all. Essentially you are walking around in this world with all of the accumulated
karma, emotions, and energy from others.
Empaths are often quiet achievers. They can take a while to handle a compliment for theyre
more inclined to point out anothers positive attributes. They are highly expressive in all areas
of emotional connection, and talk openly, and, at times quite frankly. They may have few
problems talking about their feelings if another cares to listen (regardless of how much they
listen to others).
However, they can be the exact opposite: reclusive and apparently unresponsive at the best of
times. They may even appear ignorant. Some are very good at blocking out others and
thats not always a bad thing, at least for the learning empath struggling with a barrage of
emotions from others, as well as their own feelings.
Empaths have a tendency to openly feel what is outside of them more so than what is inside
of them. This can cause empaths to ignore their own needs. In general an empath is nonviolent, non-aggressive and leans more towards being the peacemaker. Any area filled with
disharmony creates an uncomfortable feeling in an empath. If they find themselves in the
middle of a confrontation, they will endeavor to settle the situation as quickly as possible, if
not avoid it all together. If any harsh words are expressed in defending themselves, they will
likely resent their lack of self-control, and have a preference to peacefully resolve the
problem quickly.
Empaths are more inclined to pick up anothers feelings and project it back without realizing
its origin in the first place. Talking things out is a major factor in releasing emotions in the
learning empath. Empaths can develop an even stronger degree of understanding so that they
can find peace in most situations. The downside is that empaths may bottle up emotions and
build barriers sky-high so as to not let others know of their innermost thoughts and/or
feelings. This withholding of emotional expression can be a direct result of a traumatic
experience, an expressionless upbringing, or simply being told as a child, Children are
meant to be seen and not heard!
Without a doubt, this emotional withholding can be detrimental to ones health, for the longer
ones thoughts and/or emotions arent released, the more power they build. The thoughts
and/or emotions can eventually becoming explosive, if not crippling. The need to express
oneself honestly is a form of healing and a choice open to all. To not do so can result in a
breakdown of the person and result in mental/emotional instability or the creation of a
physical ailment, illness or disease.

Empaths are sensitive to TV, videos, movies, news and broadcasts. Violence or emotional
dramas depicting shocking scenes of physical or emotional pain inflicted on adults, children
or animals can bring an empath easily to tears. At times, they may feel physically ill or choke
back the tears. Some empaths will struggle to comprehend any such cruelty, and may have
grave difficulty in expressing themselves in the face of anothers ignorance, closedmindedness and obvious lack of compassion. They simply cannot justify the suffering they
feel and see.
You will find empaths working with people, animals or nature with a true passion and
dedication to help them. They are often tireless teachers and/or caretakers for our
environment and all within it. Many volunteers are empathic and give up personal time to
help others without pay and/or recognition.
Empaths may be excellent storytellers due to an endless imagination, inquisitive minds and
ever-expanding knowledge. They can be old romantics at heart and very gentle. They may
also be the keepers of ancestral knowledge and family history. If not the obvious family
historians, they may be the ones who listen to the stories passed down and possess the
majority of the family history. Not surprisingly, they may have started or possess a family
tree.
They have a broad interest in music to suit their many expressive temperaments, and others
can query how empaths can listen to one style of music, and within minutes, change to
something entirely different. Lyrics within a song can have adverse, powerful effects on
empaths, especially if it is relevant to a recent experience. In these moments, it is advisable
for empaths to listen to music without lyrics, to avoid playing havoc with their emotions!
They are just as expressive with body language as with words, thoughts, and feelings. Their
creativity is often expressed through dance, acting, and bodily movements. Empaths can
project an incredible amount of energy portraying and/or releasing emotion. Empaths can
become lost in the music, to the point of being in a trance-like state; they become one with
the music through the expression of their physical bodies. They describe this feeling as a time
when all else around them is almost non-existent.
People of all walks of life and animals are attracted to the warmth and genuine compassion of
empaths. Regardless of whether others are aware of one being empathic, people are drawn to
them as a metal object is to a magnet!
Even complete strangers find it easy to talk to empaths about the most personal things, and
before they know it, they have poured out their hearts and souls without intending to do so
consciously. It is as though on a sub-conscious level that person knows instinctively that
empaths would listen with compassionate understanding. Then again, for empaths, it is
always nice to actually be heard themselves!

Here are the listeners of life. They can be outgoing, bubbly, enthusiastic and a joy to be in the
presence of, as well as highly humorous at the most unusual moments! On the flip side,
empaths can be weighted with mood swings that will have others around them want to jump
overboard and abandon ship! The thoughts and feelings empaths receive from any and all in
their life can be so overwhelming (if not understood) that their moods can fluctuate with
lightning speed. One moment they may be delightfully happy and with a flick of the switch,
miserable.
Abandoning an empath in the throes of alternating moods can create detrimental effects. A
simple return of empathic lovelistening and caring compassionately without bias, judgment
and/or condemnationcan go an incredibly long way to an empaths instant recovery. Many
empaths dont understand what is occurring within them. They literally have no idea that
another persons emotions are now felt, as ones own and reflected outwardly. They are
confused as to how one moment all was well, and then the next, they feel so depressed, alone,
etc. The need to understand the possibilities of empath connection is a vital part of the
empaths journey for themselves and for those around them.
Empaths are often problem solvers, thinkers, and studiers of many things. As far as empaths
are concerned, where a problem is, so too is the answer. They often will search until they find
one if only for peace of mind. This can certainly prove beneficial for others in their
relationships, in the workplace, or on the home front. Where there is a will, there is a way and
the empath will find it. The empath can literally (likely without the knowledge of whats
actually occurring) tap into Universal Knowledge and be receptive to guidance in solving
anything they put their head and hearts into.
Empaths often are vivid and/or lucid dreamers. They can dream in detail and are inquisitive
of dream content. Often they feel as though the dreams are linked to their physical life
somehow, and not just a mumble of nonsensical, irrelevant, meaningless images. This
curiosity will lead many empathic dreamers to unravel some of the mysterious dream
contents from an early age and connect the interpretation to its relevance in their physical life.
If not, they may be led to dream interpretations through other means.
Empaths are daydreamers with difficulty keeping focused on the mundane. If life isnt
stimulating, off an empath will go into a detached state of mind. They will go somewhere,
anywhere, in a thought that appears detached from the physical reality, yet is alive and active
for they really are off and away. If a tutor is lecturing with little to no emotional input,
empaths will not be receptive to such teaching and can (unintentionally) drift into a state of
daydreaming.
Give the empath student the tutor who speaks with stimuli and emotion (through actual
experience of any given subject) and the empath is receptively alert. Empaths are a captivated
audience. This same principle applies in acting. An actor will either captivate the audience
through expressing (in all aspects) emotions (as though they really did experience the role
they are portraying) or will loose them entirely. Empaths make outstanding actors.

Empaths frequently experience dj vu and synchronicities. What may initially start as, Oh,
what a coincidence, will lead to the understanding of synchronicities as an aspect of who
they are. These synchronicities will become a welcomed and continually expanding
occurrence. As an understanding of self grows, the synchronicities become more fluent and
free flowing. The synchronicities can promote a feeling of euphoria as empaths identify with
them and appreciate the connection to their empathic nature.
Empaths are most likely to have had varying paranormal experiences throughout their lives.
NDEs (Near death experiences) and or OBEs (Out of body experiences) can catapult an
unaware empath into the awakening period and provide the momentum for a journey of
discovery. Those who get caught up in life, in societys often dictating ways, in work etc., can
become lost in a mechanical way of living that provides very little meaning. All signs of
guidance are ignored to shift out of this state of doing. A path to being whole again
becomes evident and a search for more meaning in ones life begins.
These types of experiences appear dramatic, can be life-altering indeed, and are most
assuredly just as intensely memorable in years to come. They are the voice of guidance
encouraging us to pursue our journey in awareness. Sometimes, some of us require that extra
assistance!
For some empaths, the lack of outside understanding towards paranormal events they
experience, may lead to suppressing such abilities. (Most of these abilities are very natural
and not a coincidence.) Empaths may unknowingly adopt the positive or negative attitude of
others as their own. (This, however, can be overcome.) Empaths may need to follow interests
in the paranormal and the unexplained with curiosity so as to explain and accept their life
circumstances.
Here are 30 of the most common traits:
1. Knowing: Empaths just know stuff, without being told. Its a knowing that goes way
beyond intuition or gut feelings, even though that is how many would describe the knowing.
The more attuned they are the stronger this gift becomes.
2. Being in public places can be overwhelming: Places like shopping malls, supermarkets or
stadiums where there are lots of people around can fill the empath with turbulently vexed
emotions that are coming from others.
3. Feeling others emotions and taking them on as your own: This is a huge one for empaths.
To some they will feel emotions off those near by and with others they will feel emotions
from those a vast distance away, or both. The more adept empath will know if someone is
having bad thoughts about them, even from great distance.
4. Watching violence, cruelty or tragedy on the TV is unbearable: The more attuned an
empath becomes the worse it is and may make it so they eventually have to stop watching TV
and reading newspapers altogether.

5. You know when someone is not being honest: If a friend or a loved one is telling you lies
you know it (although many empaths try not to focus on this because knowing a loved one is
lying can be painful). Or if someone is saying one thing but feeling/thinking another, you
know.
6. Picking up physical symptoms off another: An empath will almost always develop the
ailments off another (colds, eye infections, body aches and pains) especially those theyre
closest to, somewhat like sympathy pains.
7. Digestive disorders and lower back problems: The solar plexus chakra is based in the
centre of the abdomen and its known as the seat of emotions. This is where empaths feel the
incoming emotion of another, which can weaken the area and eventually lead to anything
from stomach ulcers to IBS (too many other conditions to list here). Lower back problems
can develop from being ungrounded (amongst other things) and one, who has no knowledge
of them being an empath, will almost always be ungrounded.
8. Always looking out for the underdog: Anyone whose suffering, in emotional pain or being
bullied draws an empaths attention and compassion.
9. Others will want to offload their problems on you, even strangers: An empath can become
a dumping ground for everyone elses issues and problems, which, if theyre not careful can
end up as their own.
10. Constant fatigue: Empaths often get drained of energy, either from energy vampires or
just taking on too much from others, which even sleep will not cure. Many get diagnosed
with ME.
11. Addictive personality: Alcohol, drugs, sex, are to name but a few addictions that empaths
turn to, to block out the emotions of others. It is a form of self protection in order to hide
from someone or something.
12. Drawn to healing, holistic therapies and all things metaphysical: Although many empaths
would love to heal others they can end up turning away from being healers (even though they
have a natural ability for it), after theyve studied and qualified, because they take on too
much from the one they are trying to heal. Especially if they are unaware of their empathy.
Anything of a supernatural nature is of interest to empaths and they dont surprise or get
shocked easily. Even at the revelation of what many others would consider unthinkable, for
example, empaths would have known the world was round when others believed it was flat.
13. Creative: From singing, dancing, acting, drawing or writing an empath will have a strong
creative streak and a vivid imagination.
14. Love of nature and animals: Being outdoors in nature is a must for empaths and pets are
an essential part of their life.

15. Need for solitude: An empath will go stir-crazy if they dont get quiet time. This is even
obvious in empathic children.
16. Gets bored or distracted easily if not stimulated: Work, school and home life has to be
kept interesting for an empath or they switch off from it and end up daydreaming or doodling.
17. Finds it impossible to do things they dont enjoy: As above. Feels like they are living a lie
by doing so. To force an empath to do something they dislike through guilt or labelling them
as idle will only serve in making them unhappy. Its for this reason many empaths get
labelled as being lazy.
18. Strives for the truth: This becomes more prevalent when an empath discovers his/her gifts
and birthright. Anything untruthful feels plain wrong.
19. Always looking for the answers and knowledge: To have unanswered questions can be
frustrating for an empath and they will endeavour to find an explanation. If they have a
knowing about something they will look for confirmation. The downside to this is an
information overload.
20. Likes adventure, freedom and travel: Empaths are free spirits.
21. Abhors clutter: It makes an empath feel weighed down and blocks the flow of energy.
22. Loves to daydream: An empath can stare into space for hours, in a world of their own and
blissfully happy.
23. Finds routine, rules or control, imprisoning: Anything that takes away their freedom is
debilitating to an empath even poisoning.
24. Prone to carry weight without necessarily overeating: The excess weight is a form of
protection to stop the negative incoming energies having as much impact.
25. Excellent listener: An empath wont talk about themselves much unless its to someone
they really trust. They love to learn and know about others and genuinely care.
26. Intolerance to narcissism: Although kind and often very tolerant of others, empaths do not
like to be around overly egotistical people, who put themselves first and refuse to consider
anothers feelings or points of view other than their own.
27. The ability to feel the days of the week: An empath will get the Friday Feeling if they
work Fridays or not. They pick up on how the collective are feeling. The first couple of days
of a long, bank holiday weekend (Easter for example) can feel, to them, like the world is
smiling, calm and relaxed. Sunday evenings, Mondays and Tuesdays, of a working week,
have a very heavy feeling.

28. Will not choose to buy antiques, vintage or second-hand: Anything thats been pre-owned
carries the energy of the previous owner. An empath will even prefer to have a brand new car
or house (if they are in the financial situation to do so) with no residual energy.
29. Sense the energy of food: Many empaths dont like to eat meat or poultry because they
can feel the vibrations of the animal (especially if the animal suffered), even if they like the
taste.
30. Can appear moody, shy, aloof, disconnected: Depending on how an empath is feeling will
depend on what face they show to the world. They can be prone to mood swings and if
theyve taken on too much negative will appear quiet and unsociable, even miserable. An
empath detests having to pretend to be happy when theyre sad, this only adds to their load
(makes working in the service industry, when its service with a smile, very challenging) and
can make them feel like scuttling under a stone.
If you can say yes to most or all of the above then you are most definitely an empath.
Empaths are having a particularly difficult time at the present time, picking up on all the
negative emotions that are being emanated into the world from the populace.
The Mind Unleashed

Native American Code of Ethics

Rise with the sun to pray. Pray alone. Pray often.
The Great Spirit will listen, if you only speak.
~
Be tolerant of those who are lost on their path.
Ignorance, conceit, anger, jealousy and greed stem
from a lost soul. Pray that they will find guidance.
~
Search for yourself, by yourself. Do not allow others
to make your path for you. It is your road, and
yours alone. Others may walk it with you,
but no one can walk it for you.
~
Treat the guests in your home with much consideration.
Serve them the best food, give them the best
bed and treat them with respect and honor.
~
Do not take what is not yours whether from
a person, a community,the wilderness or from a
culture. It was not earned nor given. It is not yours.

~
Respect all things that are placed upon
this earth whether it be people or plant.
~
Honor other peoples thoughts, wishes and words.
Never interrupt another or mock or rudely mimic them.
Allow each person the right to personal expression.
~
Never speak of others in a bad way. The negative
energy that you put out into the universe
will multiply when it returns to you.
~
All persons make mistakes.
And all mistakes can be forgiven.
~
Bad thoughts cause illness of the mind,
body and spirit. Practice optimism.
~
Nature is not FOR us, it is a PART of us.
They are part of your worldly family.
~
Children are the seeds of our future. Plant
love in their hearts and water them with
wisdom and lifes lessons. When they
are grown, give them space to grow.

~
Avoid hurting the hearts of others.
The poison of your pain will return to you.
~
Be truthful at all times. Honesty is the
test of ones will within this universe.
~
Keep yourself balanced. Your Mental self, Spiritual
self, Emotional self, and Physical self all need
to be strong, pure and healthy. Work out
the body to strengthen the mind. Grow
rich in spirit to cure emotional ails.
~
Make conscious decisions as to who
you will be and how you will react. Be
responsible for your own actions.

~
Respect the privacy and personal space of
others. Do not touch the personal property of
others especially sacred and religious
objects. This is forbidden.
~
Be true to yourself first. You cannot
nurture and help others if you cannot
nurture and help yourself first.
~
Respect others religious beliefs.
Do not force your belief on others.
~
Share your good fortune with others.
Participate in charity.
Sources:
Waking Times
Image Credit

10 Surprising Things That Benefit Our Brain That You Can Do Everyday
Our brains are by far our most important organs. Here are 10 of the most surprising things
our brains do and what we can learn from them:
1. Your brain does creative work better when youre tired.
Heres how it breaks down:
If youre a morning lark, say, youll want to favor those morning hours when youre feeling
fresher to get your most demanding, analytic work done. Using your brain to solve problems,
answer questions and make decisions is best done when youre at your peak. For night owls,
this is obviously a much later period in the day.
On the other hand, if youre trying to do creative work, youll actually have more luck when
youre more tired and your brain isnt functioning as efficiently. This sounds crazy, but it
actually makes sense when you look at the reasoning behind it. Its one of the reasons that
great ideas often happen in the shower after a long day of work.
If youre tired, your brain is not as good at filtering out distractions and focusing on a
particular task. Its also a lot less efficient at remembering connections between ideas or

concepts. These are both good things when it comes to creative work, since this kind of work
requires us to make new connections, be open to new ideas and think in new ways. So a tired,
fuzzy brain is much more use to us when working on creative projects.
This Scientific American article explains how distractions can actually be a good thing for
creative thinking:
Insight problems involve thinking outside the box. This is where susceptibility to
distraction can be of benefit. At off-peak times we are less focused, and may consider a
broader range of information. This wider scope gives us access to more alternatives and
diverse interpretations, thus fostering innovation and insight.
2. Stress can change the size of your brain (and make it smaller).
I bet you didnt know that stress is actually the most common cause of changes in brain
function. I was surprised to find this out when I looked into how stress affects our brains.
I also found some research that showed signs of brain size decreasing due to stress.
One study used baby monkeys to test the effects of stress on development and long-term
mental health. Half the monkeys were cared for by their peers for six months, while the other
half remained with their mothers. Afterwards, the monkeys were returned to typical social
groups for several months before the researchers scanned their brains.
In the monkeys who had been removed from their mothers and cared for by their peers,areas
of their brains related to stress were still enlarged, even after being in normal social
conditions for several months.
3. It is literally impossible for our brains to multitask.
Multitasking is something weve long been encouraged to practice, but it turns
outmultitasking is actually impossible. When we think were multitasking, were
actually context switching. That is, were quickly switching back and forth between different
tasks rather than doing them at the same time.
The book Brain Rules explains how detrimental multitasking can be:
Research shows your error rate goes up 50 percent and it takes you twice as long to do
things.
The problem with multitasking is that were splitting our brains resources. Were giving less
attention to each task, and probably performing worse on all of them:
When the brain tries to do two things at once, it divides and conquers, dedicating one-half of
our gray matter to each task.

When our brains handle a single task, the prefrontal cortex plays a big part. Heres how it
helps us achieve a goal or complete a task:
The anterior part of this brain region forms the goal or intention for example, I want that
cookie and the posterior prefrontal cortex talks to the rest of the brain so that your hand
reaches toward the cookie jar and your mind knows whether you have the cookie.
A study in Paris found that when a second task was required, the brains of the study
volunteers split up, with each hemisphere working alone on a task. The brain was overloaded
by the second task and couldnt perform at its full capacity, because it needed to split its
resources.
4. Naps improve your brains day-to-day performance.
Were pretty clear on how important sleep is for our brains, but what about naps? It turns out
that these short bursts of sleep are actually really useful.
Here are a couple of ways that napping can benefit the brain:
Improved Memory
In one study, participants memorized illustrated cards to test their memory strength. After
memorizing a set of cards, they had a 40-minute break wherein one group napped and the
other stayed awake. After the break both groups were tested on their memory of the cards,
and the group who had napped performed better:
Much to the surprise of the researchers, the sleep group performed significantly better,
retaining on average 85 percent of the patterns, compared to 60 percent for those who had
remained awake.
Apparently, napping actually helps our brain solidify memories:
Research indicates that when a memory is first recorded in the brain in the hippocampus,
to be specific its still fragile and easily forgotten, especially if the brain is asked to
memorize more things. Napping, it seems, pushes memories to the neocortex, the brains
more permanent storage, preventing them from being overwritten.
What Happens in the Brain During a Nap
Some recent research has found that the right side of the brain is far more active during a nap
than the left side, which stays fairly quiet while were asleep. Despite the fact that 95 percent
of the population is right-handed, with the left side of their brains being the most dominant,
the right side is consistently the more active hemisphere during sleep.

The studys author, Andrei Medvedev, speculated that the right side of the brain handles
housekeeping duties while were asleep.
So while the left side of your brain takes some time off to relax, the right side is clearing out
your temporary storage areas, pushing information into long-term storage and solidifying
your memories from the day.
5. Your vision trumps all other senses.
Despite being one of our five main senses, vision seems to take precedence over the others:
Hear a piece of information, and three days later youll remember 10 percent of it. Add a
picture and youll remember 65 percent.
Pictures beat text as well, in part because reading is so inefficient for us. Our brain sees words
as lots of tiny pictures, and we have to identify certain features in the letters to be able to read
them. That takes time.
In fact, vision is so powerful that the best wine tasters in the world have been known to
describe a dyed white wine as a red.
Not only is it surprising that we rely on our vision so much, but it actually isnt even that
good! Take this fact, for instance:
Our brain is doing all this guessing because it doesnt know where things are. In a threedimensional world, the light actually falls on our retina in a two-dimensional fashion. So our
brain approximates viewable image.
Lets look at this image. It shows you how much of your brain is dedicated just to vision and
how it affects other parts of the brain. Its a truly staggering amount, compared to any other
areas:

6. Introversion and extroversion come from different wiring in the

brain.
I just recently realized that introversion and extroversion are not actually related to how
outgoing or shy we are but to how our brains recharge.
Heres how the brains of introverts and extroverts differ:
Research has actually found that there is a difference in the brains of extroverted and
introverted people in terms of how we process rewards and how our genetic makeup differs.
Extroverts brains respond more strongly when a gamble pays off. Part of this is simply
genetic, but its partly a difference in their dopamine systems as well.
An experiment that had people take gambles while in a brain scanner found the following:
When the gambles they took paid off, the more extroverted group showed a stronger response
in two crucial brain regions: the amygdala and the nucleus accumbens.
The nucleus accumbens is part of the dopamine system, which affects how we learn and is
generally known for motivating us to search for rewards. The difference in the dopamine
system in the extroverts brain tends to push them toward seeking out novelty, taking risks
and enjoying unfamiliar or surprising situations more than others. The amygdala is
responsible for processing emotional stimuli, which gives extroverts that rush of excitement
when they try something highly stimulating that might overwhelm an introvert.

More research has actually shown that the difference comes from how introverts and
extroverts process stimuli. That is, the stimulation coming into our brains is processed
differently depending on your personality. For extroverts, the pathway is much shorter. It runs
through an area where taste, touch, visual and auditory sensory processing take place. For
introverts, stimuli run through a long, complicated pathway in areas of the brain associated
with remembering, planning and solving problems.
7. We tend to like people who make mistakes more.
Apparently, making mistakes actually makes us more likeable, due to something called the
pratfall effect.
Kevan Lee recently explained how this works on the Buffer blog:
Those who never make mistakes are perceived as less likeable than those who commit the
occasional faux pas. Messing up draws people closer to you, makes you more human.
Perfection creates distance and an unattractive air of invincibility. Those of us with flaws win
out every time.
This theory was tested by psychologist Elliot Aronson. In his test, he asked participants to
listen to recordings of people answering a quiz. Select recordings included the sound of the
person knocking over a cup of coffee. When participants were asked to rate the quizzers on
likability, the coffee-spill group came out on top.
So this is why we tend to dislike people who seem perfect! And now we know that making
minor mistakes isnt the worst thing in the world; in fact, it can work in our favor.
8. Meditation can rewire your brain for the better.
Heres another one that really surprised me. I thought meditation was only good for
improving focus and helping me stay calm throughout the day, but it actually has a whole
bunch of great benefits.
Here are a few examples:
What happens without meditation is that theres a section of our brains thats sometimes
called the me center. (Its technically the medial prefrontal cortex.) This is the part that
processes information relating to ourselves and our experiences. Normally the neural
pathways from the bodily sensation and fear centers of the brain to the me center are really
strong. When you experience a scary or upsetting sensation, it triggers a strong reaction in
your me center, making you feel scared and under attack.
Here is how anxiety and agitation decrease with just a 20-minute meditation session:

When we meditate, especially when we are just getting started with

meditation, we weaken this neural connection. This means that we dont
react as strongly to sensations that might have once lit up our me centers.
As we weaken this connection, we simultaneously strengthen the connection
between whats known as our assessment center (the part of our brains
known for reasoning) and our bodily sensation and fear centers. So when we
experience scary or upsetting sensations, we can more easily look at them
rationally. Heres a good example:
For example, when you experience pain, rather than becoming anxious and assuming it
means something is wrong with you, you can watch the pain rise and fall without becoming
ensnared in a story about what it might mean.
Better Memory
One of the things that meditation has been linked to is improving rapid memory
recall. Catherine Kerr, a researcher at the Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging and the
Osher Research Center, found that people who practiced mindful meditation were able to
adjust the brain wave that screens out distractions and increase their productivity more
quickly that those who did not meditate. She said that this ability to ignore distractions could
explain their superior ability to rapidly remember and incorporate new facts. This seems to
be very similar to the power of being exposed to new situations, which will also dramatically
improve our memory of things.
Meditation has also been linked to increasing compassion, decreasing stress, improving
memory skills and even increasing the amount of gray matter in the brain.

9. Exercise can reorganize the brain and boost your willpower.

Sure, exercise is good for your body, but what about your brain? Well, apparently theres a
link between exercise and mental alertness, in a similar way that happiness and exercise are
related:
A lifetime of exercise can result in a sometimes astonishing elevation in cognitive
performance, compared with those who are sedentary. Exercisers outperform couch potatoes
in tests that measure long-term memory, reasoning, attention, problem-solving, even so-called
fluid-intelligence tasks.
Of course, exercise can also make us happier, as weve explored before:
If you start exercising, your brain recognizes this as a moment of stress. As your heart
pressure increases, the brain thinks you are either fighting the enemy or fleeing from it. To
protect yourself and your brain from stress, you release a protein called BDNF (brain-derived
neurotrophic factor). This BDNF has a protective and also reparative element to your
memory neurons and acts as a reset switch. Thats why we often feel so at ease and things are
clear after exercising, and eventually happy.
At the same time, endorphins, another chemical to fight stress, are released in your brain. The
main purpose of endorphis is this, writes researcher McGovern:
These endorphins tend to minimize the discomfort of exercise, block the feeling of pain and
are even associated with a feeling of euphoria.
10. You can make your brain think time is going slowly by doing new things.
Ever wished you didnt find yourself saying, Where does the time go! every June when you
realize the year is half-over? This is a neat trick that relates to how our brains perceive time.
Once you know how it works, you can trick your brain into thinking time is moving more
slowly.
Essentially, our brains take a whole bunch of information from our senses and organize it in a
way that makes sense to us, before we ever perceive it. So what we think is our sense of time
is actually just a whole bunch of information presented to us in a particular way, as
determined by our brains:
When our brains receive new information, it doesnt necessarily come in the proper order.
This information needs to be reorganized and presented to us in a form we understand. When
familiar information is processed, this doesnt take much time at all. New information,
however, is a bit slower and makes time feel elongated.

Even stranger, it isnt just a single area of the brain that controls our time perception; its done
by a whole bunch of brain areas, unlike our common five senses, which can each be
pinpointed to a single, specific area.
When we receive lots of new information, it takes our brains a while to process it all. The
longer this processing takes, the longer that period of time feels.
When were in life-threatening situations, for instance, we remember the time as longer
because we record more of the experience. Life-threatening experiences make us really pay
attention, but we dont gain superhuman powers of perception.
Credits: **This article was originally featured on HuffingtonPost
50 Questions That Will Free Your Mind

By: Marc and Angel

These questions have no right or wrong answers.
Because sometimes asking the right questions is the answer.
1. How old would you be if you didnt know how old you are?
2. Which is worse, failing or never trying?
3. If life is so short, why do we do so many things we dont like and like
so many things we dont do?
4. When its all said and done, will you have said more than youve done?
5. What is the one thing youd most like to change about the world?
6. If happiness was the national currency, what kind of work would
make you rich?
7. Are you doing what you believe in, or are you settling for what you are
doing?
8. If the average human life span was 40 years, how would you live your
life differently?
9. To what degree have you actually controlled the course your life has
taken?

10.
Are you more worried about doing things right, or doing the
right things?
11.
Youre having lunch with three people you respect and admire.
They all start criticizing a close friend of yours, not knowing she is
your friend. The criticism is distasteful and unjustified. What do you
do?
12.
If you could offer a newborn child only one piece of advice, what
would it be?
13.

Would you break the law to save a loved one?

14.

Have you ever seen insanity where you later saw creativity?

15.
Whats something you know you do differently than most
people?
16.
How come the things that make you happy dont make everyone
happy?
17.
What one thing have you not done that you really want to do?
Whats holding you back?
18.

Are you holding onto something you need to let go of?

19.
If you had to move to a state or country besides the one you
currently live in, where would you move and why?
20.
Do you push the elevator button more than once? Do you really
believe it makes the elevator faster?
21.

Would you rather be a worried genius or a joyful simpleton?

22.

Why are you, you?

23.

Have you been the kind of friend you want as a friend?

24.
Which is worse, when a good friend moves away, or losing touch
with a good friend who lives right near you?
25.

What are you most grateful for?

26.
Would you rather lose all of your old memories, or never be able
to make new ones?

27.

Is is possible to know the truth without challenging it first?

28.

Has your greatest fear ever come true?

29.
Do you remember that time 5 years ago when you were
extremely upset? Does it really matter now?
30.
What is your happiest childhood memory? What makes it so
special?
31.
At what time in your recent past have you felt most passionate
and alive?
32.

If not now, then when?

33.

If you havent achieved it yet, what do you have to lose?

34.
Have you ever been with someone, said nothing, and walked
away feeling like you just had the best conversation ever?
35.

Why do religions that support love cause so many wars?

36.
Is it possible to know, without a doubt, what is good and what is
evil?
37.

If you just won a million dollars, would you quit your job?

38.
Would you rather have less work to do, or more work you
actually enjoy doing?
39.

Do you feel like youve lived this day a hundred times before?

40.
When was the last time you marched into the dark with only the
soft glow of an idea you strongly believed in?
41.
If you knew that everyone you know was going to die tomorrow,
who would you visit today?
42.
Would you be willing to reduce your life expectancy by 10 years
to become extremely attractive or famous?
43.

What is the difference between being alive and truly living?

44.
When is it time to stop calculating risk and rewards, and just go
ahead and do what you know is right?

45.
If we learn from our mistakes, why are we always so afraid to
make a mistake?
46.
What would you do differently if you knew nobody would judge
you?
47.
When was the last time you noticed the sound of your own
breathing?
48.
What do you love? Have any of your recent actions openly
expressed this love?
49.
In 5 years from now, will you remember what you did
yesterday? What about the day before that? Or the day before that?
50.
Decisions are being made right now. The question is: Are you
making them for yourself, or are you letting others make them for
you?
Please share your thoughts with us in the comments section below.

Nine Mind Hacks to Boost your Brains Creativity

According to a recent survey of 1,500 chief executives from all over the world, the most
important skill they seek in employeesis creativity. New ideas, after all, are the ultimate
source of economic growth.
But this only raises the question: how can we generate morecreativity? How can we inspire
people to have more new ideas? If we designed a workplace that was all about maximising
innovation, then what would that workplace look like? What follows is a short list of
scientifically tested ideas that can boost the imagination, transforming the typical office into a
wellspring of creativity.
Paint the walls blue
A few years ago, a team of psychologists at the University of British Columbia looked at the
influence of different colours on how people think. They recruited 600 subjects, most of them
undergraduates, and asked them to perform a variety of basic cognitive tests displayed against
red, blue or neutral-coloured backgrounds. The differences were striking. When taking tests
against red backgrounds, they were much better at skills that required accuracy and attention
to detail, such as catching spelling mistakes. According to the scientists, this is because
people automatically associate red with danger, which makes them more alert and aware.

The colour blue, however, carried a completely different set of psychological benefits.
Although people in this group performed worse on short-term memory tasks, they did far
better on those that required using their imagination, such as coming up with creative uses for
a brick or designing a childrens toy out of simple geometric shapes. In fact, subjects in the
blue condition generated twice as many creative outputs as subjects in the red condition.
The scientists explain this strange result by pointing out that blue triggers associations with
the sky and ocean. People think about expansive horizons and diffuse light, sandy beaches
and lazy summer days. We are instantly relaxed. As a result, its easier to focus on those
possibilities simmering in our imagination. Next time you need a new idea, seek out a loftlike space with high ceilings and lots of windows. Or just paint your walls blue.
Take more breaks
The inconsistency of genius is a consistent theme of creativity: those blessed with talent still
produce works of occasional mediocrity. This is because creativity isnt just about new ideas
its also about evaluating those ideas and sifting through the clutter to find whats actually
worthwhile. A study led by Simone Ritter, a PhD student at Radboud University, Nijmegen,
helps to explain how we can get better at such evaluations. In Ritters first experiment,
112 students were given two minutes to come up with creative ideas that might alleviate a
mundane problem: improving the experience of queueing at a supermarket checkout. The
subjects were divided into two groups. One went straight to work; the other was instructed to
perform an unrelated task for two minutes first. (They played a video game.) After writing
down as many ideas as they could, both groups were asked to choose which of their ideas
were the most creative. Although there was no difference in idea generation, giving the
unconscious a short break proved to be a big advantage. Those who had been distracted
proved better at identifying the best ideas. Whereas those in the conscious condition only
picked their most innovative concepts about 20 per cent of the time they confused their
genius with their mediocrity those who had been distracted pinpointed the best ideas about
55 per cent of the time. In other words, they were more than twice as good at figuring out
which concepts deserved more attention.
Think like a child
Picasso declared: Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we
grow up. But a study by psychologists Darya Zabelina and Michael Robinson at North
Dakota State University suggests that its possible to regain the creativity weve lost to
maturity. A few hundred subjects were assigned to two different groups. The first was given
the following instructions: You are seven years old, and school is cancelled. You have the
entire day to yourself. What would you do? Where would you go? Who would you see? The
second group was given the same instructions, except the first sentence was deleted. After
writing for ten minutes, the subjects were then given tests of creativity, such as inventing new
uses for acar tyre or a brick. The students who imagined themselves as children scored far
higher on the creative tasks, with nearly twice as many ideas as the other group. Picasso
would be proud.

Watch more comedy

Research led by Mark Beeman from Northwestern University, Illinois, and John Kounios
from Drexel University, Philadelphia, suggests that happy people are more creative. Subjects
scoring high on a standard measure of happiness solved about 25 per cent more creative
puzzles than those feeling angry or upset. Even fleeting feelings of delight can lead to
dramatic increases in creative success: after showing people a humorous video the scientists
use a short clip of Robin Williamss stand-upcomedy subjects solve about 20 per cent more
puzzles, at least when compared to those who are shown scary or boring videos.
How flashes of inspiration work
1. Epiphanies seem to come out of nowhere, but your brain would have been laying the
foundations for a while. When given a tough problem, its nerve cells start firing in the left
hemisphere, which logically sifts through all possibilities and combinations. When its looked
in all the obvious places to no avail, you experience mental deadlock. This is a signal to
thebrain that a new search process is required.
2. Brain activity now shifts to the right hemisphere. According to neuroscientist Mark
Beeman, this side is responsible for seeing the big picture. Now you can grasp subtle
connotations the punchline of a joke or the meaning of a metaphor. The switch allows you
to explore unexpected associations and perspectives.
3. Thirty seconds before your aha moment, there is a sudden burst of brain activity called a
gamma-wave rhythm which, says Beeman, is the highest electrical frequency generated by
the brain. It comes from neurons forming new connections. The spurt of activity comes from
the anterior superior temporal gyrus, located on the right hemisphere, just above the ear.
4. Although lack of experience can be a drawback, it comes with the advantage of fresh
perspective, increasing your chances of an epiphany. Dean Simonton, a psychologist at UC
Davis, showed that physicists and poets make their greatest creations early in their careers. If
you can leave behind your knowledge and constantly experiment with new, strange problems,
you may just be inspired.
5. Giving your brain some downtime makes inspiration more forthcoming in the form of
alpha waves radiating from the right hemisphere. They are emitted during relaxing activities
such as taking a warm shower. Studies have shown that until these waves are produced, the
brain will be unable to solve insight puzzles.
Embrace your contraints
The writer GK Chesterton once declared: Art consists of limitation. The most beautiful part
of every picture is the frame. He was referring to the importance of constraints in the
creative process. Although we tend to think of the imagination as benefiting from total
freedom, artists and designers often rely on strict conventions and formal requirements. Pop
songs have verses, choruses and refrains; symphonies have four movements; poets rely on
forms with exacting specifications, such as haikus and sonnets. Why? A new study led by

Janina Marguc at the University of Amsterdam provides an interesting and unexpected

answer: the frustrations of form come with a mental benefit letting people think in a more
holistic and creative fashion.
The researchers began by asking subjects to work on anagram puzzles while a distracting
voice played the role of obstacle. They then gave the subjects sensory tests to measure their
ability to reason without becoming enmeshed in detail in terms of the old adage, being
able to see the forest and the trees. Those exposed first to the obstacle showed increased
perceptual scope; those who hadnt dealt with the hindrance lagged behind. When
searching for creative solutions, we often find the answer in the forest. The trees hold us
back. Such holistic thinking is often necessary when coming up with new ideas, which
requires crossing the familiar boundaries of thought. This helps explain why those students
first exposed to the obstacle solved 40 per cent more puzzles. The larger lesson is that the
brain is a neural tangle of near-infinite possibility, which means that it spends a lot of time
and energy choosing what not to notice. Creativity is traded away for efficiency; we think in
literal prose, not symbolist poetry.
Its not until we encounter a challenge we cant easily solve that the chains of cognition are
loosened, giving us access to the weird connections simmering in the imagination. The
benefit of obstacles also carries over into unrelated tasks, which is why starting the day with a
difficult crossword puzzle or writing a haiku can help people to become better real-world
problem solvers.
Dont brainstorm
Brainstorming is the most popular creativity technique. Its used in advertising offices and
design firms, the classroom and the boardroom. Whenever people want to extract the best
ideas from a group, they still obey the simple rules of brainstorming. The very first rule is
well known: dont criticise. After all, if people are scared of saying the wrong thing, theyll
end up saying nothing at all.
But this turns out to be a terrible approach. Keith Sawyer, a psychologist at Washington
University, summarises the science: Decades of research have consistently shown that
brainstorming groups think of far fewer ideas than the same number of people who work
alone and later pool their ideas.
The flaw, it turns out, is rooted in rule number one of brainstorming, which bans criticism.
Consider this study led by Charlan Nemeth, a psychologist at UC Berkeley. She divided 265
female undergraduates into five-person teams. Every team was given the same problem: how
to reduce traffic congestion in the San Francisco Bay Area. The teams had 20 minutes to
invent as many solutions as possible. At this point, each of the teams was randomly assigned
to one of three different conditions. In the minimal condition, the teams received no further
instructions; they were free to work together however they wanted. In the brainstorming
condition, the teams got the standard brainstorming guidelines, which emphasised the
importance of refraining from criticism. Finally, there was the debate condition, in which

the teams were given the following instructions: Most research and advice suggests that the
best way to come up with good solutions is to come up with many solutions. Freewheeling is
welcome; dont be afraid to say anything that comes to mind. However, in addition, most
studies suggest that you should debate and even criticise each others ideas.
The results werent even close. Whereas the brainstorming groups slightly outperformed the
groups given no instructions, people in the debate condition were far more creative,
generating on average nearly 25 per cent more ideas. But thats not all: after the groups had
been disbanded, each of the subjects was asked if they had any more ideas, triggered by the
earlier conversation. Whereas people in the minimal and brainstorming conditions produced,
on average, two ideas, those in the debate condition produced more than seven. It turns out
were tougher than we thought. The imagination is not meek it doesnt wilt in the face of
conflict. Instead, it is drawn out, pulled from its usual hiding place.
Prepare to improvise
1. Let go
Being a good improvisational artist whether youre a musician, a comedian or an actor
is all about losing your inhibitions. Experiments examining the brains of jazz musicians show
exactly that: a specific brain circuit called the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), which
is responsible for impulse control, was deactivated while the musicians were in improvisation
mode. So a performer whose brain has learnt to shut the DLPFC up is a great improviser.
2. Learn the language
Its not enough just to forgo your better judgment. You need to have the vocabulary of your
craft down pat before you can start to experiment. Harvard neuroscientist Aaron Berkowitz
says of improv musicians: Theres no time to think of each individual note. They have to
have some patterns in their toolbox. Once neural networks for the skill are firmly formed,
they can break and reform with ease.
3. Never question
Improvisational comedians are taught a technique called Yes, and. The point is to learn
to improvise in an ensemble. The technique forces comedians to agree with the previous joke,
no matter what they think of it. They then build upon it by setting up the next joke
immediately. That way, the jokes are layered upon each other and the sketch is a product of
the entire groups creativity.
4. Pretend its a dream
According to cellist Yo-Yo Ma, the ideal state for performance is to feel like youre coming
out of a dream. Your unconscious is fully available to you, but youre still a little conscious
too, he says. Its the same for comedy: youve got to be acutely aware of whats happening
around you, but youve still got to learn to leave your mind, according to improvisation
instructor Andy Cobb.

Work with strangers

Many of our hardest problems require collaboration, as they exceed the capabilities of the
individual imagination. We either work together or fail alone. But whats the ideal strategy
for group creativity? Brian Uzzi, a sociologist at Northwestern University, Illinois, spent
years trying to answer these questions and hes done it by studying Broadway musicals.
Why? Because he sees this art form as a model of collaboration. Just think of all the diverse
artists who need to work together: the composer has to write songs with a lyricist; the
choreographer has to work alongside the director; the director has to deal with the producer,
and so on.
Uzzi undertook an epic study of nearly every musical produced on Broadway between 1945
and 1989, analysing the teams behind 474 different productions. The first thing he discovered
was that the people who worked on Broadway were part of an interconnected social network;
it didnt take many links to get from the librettist of Guys and Dolls to the choreographer
ofCats. Uzzi then came up with a way to measure the density of these connections, a figure
he called Q. In essence, the amount of Q reflects the social intimacy of people working on
the show, with higher levels signalling a greater degree of closeness. For instance, if a
musical was being developed by a team that had worked together several times before, it
would have a high Q. A musical created by a team of strangers would have a low Q.
This metric allowed Uzzi to explore the correlation between levels of Q and the success of
the musical. According to the data, the relationships between collaborators was one of the
most important variables on Broadway. When the Q was low, or less than 1.7, the musicals
were more likely to fail: the artists didnt know each other and they struggled to exchange
ideas. But when the Q was too high (above 3.2), the work also suffered. The artists were so
close that they all thought in similar ways, which crushed innovation.
Uzzis data led him to argue that creative collaborations have a sweet spot. The best
Broadway teams were those with a mix of relationships, Uzzi says. These teams had some
old friends, but they also had newbies. This mixture meant that they could interact efficiently,
but they also managed to incorporate new ideas. They were comfortable with each other, but
not too comfortable.
Uzzis favourite example of intermediate Q is West Side Story. Several of its collaborators
were Broadway legends who had worked together before, but, as Uzzi points out, it also
benefited from new talent a then-unknown lyricist called Stephen Sondheim.
People have a tendency to want to only work with their friends, says Uzzi. It feels so
much more comfortable, but thats exactly the wrong thing to do. If you really want to make
something great, then youre going to need to seek out some new people, too. Aim for the
sweet spot of Q.

Jonah Lehrer will be in conversation with Wireds Greg Williams at the Hospital Club in
London on April 26. To win tickets see wired.co.uk. His new book, Imagine (Canongate), is
out on 19 April
Edited by DAN SMITH
Source: Wired.co.uk

This 122 Year Old Woman Has The Most Important Secret To A Life Of
Longevity

via Collective Evolution

The primary determinant of health for the average person is thought. Not genetics, not
exercise or nutrition, but the mind. This has been shown over and over again by the scientific
fields of psychoneuroimmunology, psychoneurocardiology, psychoneuroendocrinology, not
to mention cancer research and all the various psychosomatic disorders that have been
studied.
If you doubt that thought affects health then I will be happy to have a truckload of research
evidence dumped at your doorstep (at your expense) that you can take the next few years
perusing. On second thought, why dont I just relate a story.
The oldest documented person that ever lived was a French woman named Jeanne Calment
who made it to 122 years, 164 days on this earth.
What was her secret? According to French researcher Jean-Marie Robine, She never did
anything special to stay in good health.
Jeanne Calment smoked cigarettes (started at age 21), drank port wine and ate a couple of
pounds of chocolate sweets a week until she was 119 years old.
She credited her longevity to laughing a lot and not getting stressed out. She is quoted as
saying If you cant do anything about it, dont worry about it.(1) It probably didnt hurt that
her life circumstances born into wealth and married wealth enabled a life of ease and
comfort; in other words, no mental stress.
Lets contrast this with someone I knew personally that lived a very healthful lifestyle, ate
right, exercised and could be described as being disgustingly healthy. He dropped dead of a
heart attack at age 61. Funny enough, this didnt surprise me because I knew this person had
a type A personality. I also recall never having seen him laugh; not even once.

Personal stories are all well and good but what does the research say about thought and the
major causes of death heart disease and cancer? The studies on thought and cardiac
disease are so well known there is really no point in covering it, but what about cancer?
According to the Journal of Psychosomatic Research, Extreme suppression of anger was the
most commonly identified characteristic of 160 breast cancer patients. (2)
In other research: Extremely low anger scores have been noted in numerous studies of
patients with cancer. Such low scores suggest suppression, repression, or restraint of anger.
There is evidence to show that suppressed anger can be a precursor to the development of
cancer, and also a factor in its progression after diagnosis. (3)
In my opinion, the most interesting thing in this article is that a woman that lived 122 years
smoked cigarettes for 100 years without any ill effect. Why didnt smoking lead her to an
early grave? I would say, Because thought is more important than lifestyle.
Notes:
1) Retrieved April 28, 2014, from http://anson.ucdavis.edu/~wang/calment.html
2) Journal of Psychosomatic Research
Volume 19, Issue 2, April 1975, Pages 147153
3) Cancer Nurs. 2000 Oct;23(5):344-9.