The Miracle Is You

The Fun Never Stops!

2010-08-20T19:36:00.014-05:00

We're coming up on the end of August, and still no cooler weather in sight. Ah well, plenty of birthday parties to cheer us up. Uncle Matt will be celebrating on the 24th, Gigi had a birthday on Monday, and Jack's party was last Saturday. Fun for all!

Jack

We hosted Jack's birthday party at our house (inside since it was sooo hot) and it was a lot of fun. Jack seemed a little irritated with us as we sang Happy Birthday to him, but he did a great job of opening and playing with his new presents. He enjoyed all the company too!

I think he was saying "open!"

new sidewalk chalk (3-D!)

gotta stick that tongue out to open the presents!

It was either the singing or he wanted a different cupcake.

Jack has been good about sharing his new toys with Ben. His favorite words right now are "okay!" and caboose. He will hold up his train car from his Thomas the Train he got from Mimama and say what I know is caboose, but sounds like "guh-foose"!

He wants to be a big boy like his brother and keeps trying to get dressed by himself. When I got to him today after changing Emma and helping Ben get dressed, he had his shirt on his legs and was trying to put his shorts on over it. I caught him after he got into the Pull-ups stash today:

Ben

He is growing up so fast. I think he's grown an inch since a few weeks ago when Rob put up our new height measuring thing in the living room. A year from now he'll be getting ready to start kindergarten!

Ben has been working in a pre-school workbook, tracing shapes and lines and getting ready to start writing. We've been reading a lot of books and he is starting to show signs that he can read a few words. As always, I suspect he knows a lot more than he says because I will catch him reading a word I didn't know he knew, or talking about something I had no idea he understood.

Although he doesn't seem to care for crayons, it may be that coloring books are just too plain and confining for him. This week he did lots of art with Jack's sidewalk chalk on our black side door ... and himself, and Jack:

Emma

Our littlest sweetheart is getting cuter every day. She has better control of her arms and hands now and if you hold a toy out in front of her, she can bring her hands up and grab it (and then it goes straight into her mouth of course).

She will be 5 months old next week and is already in 9 month clothes! She has another Doctor's appointment next Friday, so we'll see how much she weighs and how tall she's gotten then.

She's still enjoying her walker a lot and can entertain herself for longer periods of time.

We no longer swaddle her to sleep, and since she didn't seem all that interested in her paci (and uses her fingers now anyway) we put those away. She is sleeping 7-9 hour stretches at night and all we have to do is lay her in her crib and she goes to sleep all by herself.

She's only eating one meal with solids per day, so we'll see what the Pediatrician says about her growth and if he thinks she needs more. She usually has oatmeal mixed with something. So far we've done sweet potatoes, squash, pears, and today we did green beans and she seemed to like them just fine.

We can't decide what color her eyes are going to be yet. Right now they are kind of a silvery-gray. By this time, Jack's eyes were very clearly blue, so we're guessing she'll have either green, hazel, or brown eyes. Her hair is also growing in much lighter - maybe blonde.

Today after her bath, I was brushing her hair away from the new hair growing in on top and ended up making it into a Mohawk:

She definitely still has the hearts of her big brothers too!

29 Ways to Attract Money Now

2009-07-15T18:59:00.002-05:00

29 Ways to Attract Money Now

Posted using ShareThis

Free Teleseminar Next Tuesday

2009-05-04T13:05:00.000-05:00

Just wanted to let everyone know - I am hosting a free teleseminar next Tuesday night (May 12th) about the health benefits of chocolate (yes, healthy chocolate). Specifically I will be talking about lowering blood pressure, losing weight and feeling happier.

If you’d like to be on the call you can register at: http://www.themiracleisyou.com/chocolate/registration.php

Study Shows Acai Berries May Kill Cancer Cells

2009-01-30T12:32:00.004-06:00

NaturalNews.com article
Originally published January 23 2009

Study Shows Acai Berries May Kill Cancer Cells

by Sheryl Walters, citizen journalist
See all articles by this author
Email this author

(NaturalNews) Acai has only recently become an internationally popular super food. Yet it has been cherished by the native people of the Amazon for hundreds of years as a healing fruit. Modern Brazilians eat the acai berry because it tastes nice and is highly nutritious. The famous Gracie Jiu-Jitsu family recommended eating acai before workouts, and soccer players have been using the fruit as a natural energy booster. With its popularity skyrocketing, acai's anti cancer potential is being researched.

Acai berries grow on palm trees in floodplain areas of the Amazon River. The berries are dark purple and about the size of a blueberry. Like blueberries, they are potent antioxidants.

What Makes Acai a Cancer Fighting Super Food?

Free radicals are harmful molecules caused by everything from pesticides and cigarette smoke to exercising. They can damage cells and even DNA. Free radical damage has been shown to be associated with a range of diseases such as arthritis, Alzheimer's disease, and Cancer.

Nature's antidote to free radicals come in the form of fruits and vegetables known as antioxidants, which strengthen cells and defends against free radicals. The amount of antioxidant power that a food has is known as its ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity score).

The Acai berry is one of the highest. Its ORAC score is 167, compared with 32 for blueberries and 14 for apples. The increase in high antioxidant foods is essential to combating the skyrocketing rate of cancer and other diseases.

Acai May Kill Cancer Cells

A study at The University of Florida discovered that acai berries caused human cancer cells to self destruct 86% of the time in a culture. While this research has only been shown in a cell culture model, it is likely that it will have the same effect on human beings.

The researchers plan to continue identifying how acai berries can prevent cancer. The assistant professor Talcott says "We are just beginning to understand the complexity of the acai berry and its health-promoting effects." Studies at the University of Florida are also underway to determine the acai berry's benefits on blood pressure, cholesterol levels, heart health and related health indicators.
While the acai berry hasn't been proven to cure cancer, the research certainly looks promising and at the very least it is helpful in preventing cancer and other illnesses. Plus, it tastes delicious.

http://news.ufl.edu/2006/01/12/berries/
http://www.acaiberrystudies.com/

About the author
Sheryl is a kinesiologist, nutritionist and holistic practitioner.
Her website www.younglivingguide.com provides the latest research on preventing disease, looking naturally gorgeous, and feeling emotionally and physically fabulous.
And her latest website www.raiselibido.com offers a vast quantity of information on how to increase sex drive and enjoy a vibrant sex life.

Great Valentine's Day Gift! The Hypnotic Pickup Method: Pre Order Special

2009-01-27T11:10:00.004-06:00

Not having much luck with the opposite sex? I just got this announcement from Better Living With Hypnosis. How fun! Go check it out.

How To Meet and Attract Anyone You Desire

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Friend,

Today I want to introduce you to the single, most powerful program in the world that will train you to become an expert in meeting the person of your dreams.

This course contains 6+ hours of audio that is designed to take you from A to Z in mastering the art of the pickup.

"The Hypnotic Pick Up Method" is the course I'm referring to and it has been created by Master Hypnotist Steve G. Jones. He is also a good friend of mine so he wanted me to present all of my VIP newsletter subscribers with an opportunity to pre order this amazing new course.

Through this special arrangement I made with Steve, you can pre order The Hypnotic Pick Up Method course for almost 70% OFF!

Keep in mind that pre ordering is NOT available to the public.

Here's the secret VIP webpage where you can watch a video from Steve and pre order your course for just $47.00:

http://www.betterlivingwithhypnosis.com/click.php?p=9801&a=selfhelp1

On Valentine's Day, this course will retail for $149.95 to the general public. And, the course is well worth every penny at that price.

However, as a subscriber of my newsletter, I don't want you to pay full price.

So, go to the secret webpage NOW:

http://www.betterlivingwithhypnosis.com/click.php?p=9801&a=selfhelp1

Imagine having the transcendent ability to pick up anyone at any given time using nothing more than hypnosis.

This will revolutionize the way you act towards the person you want to attract.

Whether you are a man or a woman, this course will enable you to get whatever it is you desire from the person you are attracted to. Please, use this course responsibly.

If you're ready to discover how to meet the person of your dreams, then Hypnotic Pick Up Method is for you.

Here's the deal.

Go here right now and pre order your course at more than HALF off!

http://www.betterlivingwithhypnosis.com/click.php?p=9801&a=selfhelp1

Once the course is ready, you will be contacted with the download instructions. It's as simple as that.

Now you too can master the art of the pickup and turn the person of your dreams into a reality!

Here's To Meeting The Person Of Your Dreams...

Oneness Day

2009-01-21T10:01:00.000-06:00

Notes from Neale...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My dear friends...

Here is a chance for you to do something that could help our world raise its collective consciousness. I have signed a petition that respectfully calls on the United Nations to declare a Oneness Day in observance of the Oneness of all of humanity with God/Universe and life. The petition has been created and is being circulated by Humanity's Team, a global organization I helped to create. Humanity's Team believes that when we see the sacredness in all of life, we will nurture it and we will end practices that deplete life, and destroy it.

If you agree that, as CwG says, "We are all One," I hope you will join me in signing the Oneness Day petition -- and ask your friends to sign it, too. And their friends as well. It will take only a minute of your time. What good will it do? Who knows? Yet doing nothing is guaranteed to do no good. And doing something - even adding your name to a petition - says something. It makes a statement. It raises consciousness. It increases awareness. It expands the visibility of an idea by granting it exposure.

For an idea to be widely accepted, it must first be widely expressed. Petitions do that. They make it clear to many people that many other people are feeling a certain way. They open the doors of awareness. They promote possibility thinking. People read petitions and they say, "Well, if so many folks are feeling this way, maybe we do have a chance to change things." And they join in. Then their numbers increase. And by that device an idea itself gains leverage.

Someone once said, "All it takes for the world to go to hell is for a few good people to do nothing." Someone else once said: "There is nothing more powerful on earth than an idea whose time has come." Has the time for the idea of Oneness come? Only you can make that decision, and you can make it right now as you decide whether or not to take one minute to follow the link below to see and sign the Oneness Day petition...

http://www.humanitysteam.org/onenessdaypetition

I hope you'll say yes. And I send you my love.

Love and hugs,
Neale

Would you be up for this?

2008-07-01T13:02:00.001-05:00

I wanted to let you know about something that is happening that you'll be interested in if there's anything in your life that you've been wanting to do or accomplish, but for whatever reason, been unable to do so.

This project is being facilitated by Bob Doyle, who you may know from the movie "The Secret", and more recently, "The Opus", or you may be familiar with his Wealth Beyond Reason program.

In any case, you need to know that Bob is a strong advocate for the power of personal transformation in all areas of life, and he has proven himself able to help thousands of people to do that over the years.

Bob has just announced what he's calling "The Boundless Living" challenge, and it's an extraordinary opportunity for you and anyone else you know to experience the kind of transformation I'm talking about in virtually any area of your life you can imagine.

I won't ramble on here about it because there is a short video that explains everything here:

http://www.wealthbeyondreason.com/challenge.html?a_aid=9ef932d6

Please realize that there is nothing to buy, and there is no fee to be a part of this challenge, and you will have an amazing support system should you decide to take this on.

Check it out. You're going to be hearing a lot more about it from people other than me in the coming days, I'm sure. :)

Inspiration from Lisa Nichols

2008-04-14T17:11:00.000-05:00

When life seems at its most difficult, when you have
to dig deep for every last ounce of energy to face
your day, a little inspiration can do wonders to keep
you on track to your dreams and goals.

Inspiration comes in many forms, and the good thing is,
you never have to look too far to find some.

You might be inspired by the courage of true heroes
like Rosa Parks or Mahatma Gandhi, the quiet determination
of a loved one facing terminal illness, the brilliant
notes of Beethoven’s 5th Symphony, or the cheerful face
of a small child.

When I feel discouraged, I often turn to the words of
Maya Angelou.

Maya encouraged me when I first started my speaking
career in 1992. I had recited a poem to her, and she
looked at me and said, “You will be a great speaker.
Keep going.”

I held onto those words. When I started to doubt myself,
I’d choose to believe her more than the internal chatter
that was telling me I was no good.

Her words continue to touch my heart, including some I
want to share with you here. I hope they encourage you
as much as they have me.

One of my favorite quotes from Maya is this: “I can be
changed by what happens to me; I refuse to be reduced
by it.”

I love those words because they are so empowering. As
you go about life, you experience so many things that
change your life, change your direction, and change
your outcomes.

But when you refuse to be reduced by your experiences,
it means that every single thing that happens to you
adds value to you. No one can take that away from you.
No one can take away the courage, the determination,
and the wisdom that grows from your experience.

Maya stressed how critical courage is when she said,
“Courage allows the successful person to fail and to
learn powerful lessons from the failure, so that in
the end it was not a failure at all.”

People often ask me how I became so successful. I
became successful because when I failed, I did not stop. I
looked at a failure as a great lesson but with some
really prickly thorns.

When you give yourself permission to fail, you’re
actually giving yourself permission to succeed. You’re
giving yourself permission to be wherever you are
at that moment. It’s a very powerful thing to do.

Now write Maya’s quotes (or some of your favorites) in
your journal, put them on your vision board, or tape
them to your refrigerator for a quick booster shot of
inspiration when you need it most.

I love you,

Lisa Nichols,

P.S. For an especially huge dose of inspiration, don’t
miss “The Teachers of the Secret Live” DVD. You’ll see
me and my dear friends Bob Proctor, Jack Canfield,
John Assaraf, and T. Harv Eker, all in the comfort of
your own home. In this amazing program you’ll get over
six hours of practical information recorded at sold-out
seminars so you can take the lessons learnt from “The Secret”
to the next level. All the resources you will ever need to
understand and live The Secret, to live a truly inspired life,
are in this program. I'm so excited to share this with you.
Find out more at:

http://www.lisa-nichols.com/lisa_nichols_products.htm

www.Lisa-Nichols.com

“The Secret” Coaching: Love Those Pounds -- Then Lose Them! By Lisa Nichols

2008-03-16T13:53:00.000-05:00

Attaining and maintaining a healthy weight can be one
of the most difficult challenges many people face.
Not too long ago, a woman confided to me that she refused
to be present in photos with her own grandchildren because
she hated the way she looked. Her self-image fed an internal
conversation of self-loathing.

My heart went out to her. For ten years I had that same
conversation with myself as I battled with my own weight.

When you find yourself in that sort of cycle, it’s impossible
to be present to who you are right now, grateful for what
is in your life right now. Until you are, not much is likely
to change. It’s difficult for something better to come to you
when you’re not loving and embracing the person you are today.

I’m not saying that you have to love those extra pounds or the
size you wear...

But you do have to love you in that size.

As much as you want to change what you see in the mirror,
nothing will happen until you appreciate what you see now.

And I don’t mean just paying lip service. I mean truly feeling
grateful for who you are at the very core of your being.

It’s worked for me. I’ve already melted away 30 pounds. I don’t
say, "lost," because I really don’t want to find it again.
(I still have 40 pounds I’d like to return!) But I don’t battle
with my weight anymore -- I celebrate it!

I came to peace with myself, and then took action. I made a
commitment to exercise. I made a commitment to cutting out
the bad carbs and the processed flours and sugars. It wasn’t
until I began to give my body 80 percent of what it needed and
20 percent of what I wanted that my body began to change and
began to work for me.

What are you willing to give up? Are you willing to shift
some things? Are you willing to give yourself 80 percent
vegetables and 20 protein in your next meal?

Think about it carefully, and be truly honest with yourself.
There may be something you’re not willing to give up, something
you want more than peace and happiness around your weight.

Put your commitments down on paper to give them more power.
Then... get into action!

I love you!

Lisa Nichols

www.Lisa-Nichols.com

A Secret Story - My Miracle Heart

2008-02-25T16:25:00.000-06:00

A Secret Scrolls message from Rhonda Byrne
Creator of The Secret

A Secret Story - My Miracle Heart

I want to share something with you that I do every day. It is the simplest thing to do, but the power beneath it is immense.

As The Secret has spread, the stories of miracles have poured in to us in their thousands, from all over the world. They are stories of absolute inspiration for anyone who reads them. They have been written from the heart of each person, in an act of pure giving and gratitude, and in the hope that their life-changing story of The Secret will inspire millions of others.

Every day, without exception, I raise the vibration of my heart and my life by reading Secret Stories. And this daily practice has spread through the entire Secret Team.

These amazing true stories are available for everyone to read, in the story section on The Secret website. Reading these inspiring Secret Stories will change your life. Every one of them is a miracle. Every one of them will give you astounding insights into the law of attraction. Every one of them will inspire you to greatness. You will learn from them, and most of all, your heart will be touched to the core of your being. As your heart is touched, your vibration soars.

From all of us at The Secret, thank you, thank you, thank you, to every single person who has written in and shared their amazing story with us. You have made our days, and you have touched our hearts so deeply.

As you read this first Secret Story sharing through The Secret Scrolls, you will understand that any words of mine are a feeble attempt to capture the beauty of a human being's true story.

From Lauren in California - 'My Miracle Heart'

I received a call from a stranger about my inheritance. That's how I found out about my father's sudden, unexpected death. He was 53. He died from an aortic aneurism from a rare genetic heart disease called Marfan Syndrome. I went to the Chief of Cardiology at Cedars Sinai in Beverly Hills and found out that I had Marfans too.

Marfans is a genetic heart condition for which there is no cure, which often results in death from an aortic aneurism. It often strikes people early in life, usually in their 20s. I was 28.

I was devastated. I had 1st degree heart block and a heart murmur. I would need a pace maker as the heart block progressed to the 2nd degree, but the real concern was my aortic valve and the possibility of a rupture. I wouldn't be able to have children. My entire life to this point, I had been extremely athletic in competitive sports, from volleyball to swim teams to college tennis. I was completely into nutrition and fitness. After the news, I was truly terrified. Where I used to view myself as strong and positive, I now saw myself as weak and fragile, with what I was told was a "ticking time bomb in my chest". While I tried to stay my usual positive self, in the back of my mind I was always aware of the imminent danger and my inescapable mortality.

I lived with this fear, getting checked by my cardiologist twice a year for years, until I saw The Secret. I was due for another visit to the cardiologist right around that time. I was awestruck by the woman who cured herself from cancer and the man who healed himself from the plane crash. I decided right then and there that I was going to heal my heart. I believed it and knew it was possible.

I quickly banished any negative thoughts about my heart and refused to let them enter my mind anymore. Every night as I laid down in my bed, I placed my right hand on my heart and visualized a strong heart, and rehearsed in my mind my heart beating strong, looking and sounding the way a strong healthy heart was supposed to. Every morning when I woke up I said, "Thank you for my strong, healthy heart." I visualized the cardiologist telling me that I was cured. I didn't tell anyone what I was doing for fear of judgment or disbelief. I postponed my cardiologist appointment for about 4 months to give myself enough time to try this.

I went to the cardiologist, with my medical file full of past electrocardiograms and echocardiograms confirming my physical heart problems. Nervous and excited, I tried to calm myself as I got hooked up to the EKG, then got the sonogram.

The cardiologist came in with the test results completely dumbfounded. There was NO sign of a 1st degree heart block. There was NO heart murmur. There was NO expansion in my aorta. He checked and re-checked the old tests and the new one, now showing a perfectly healthy heart with no physical symptoms of Marfans! He had no explanation. I was ecstatic, but honestly, I was not surprised. It was exactly as I had envisioned. I literally RAN out of the cardiologist office across the lot to my car, feeling stronger and more alive than I ever have in my life.

I had previously bought my Mother a copy of The Secret. I called my Mom and told her exactly how I had used The Secret, and that I now have a healthy, strong, normal heart! I've never heard her cry so hard!

I can't express how grateful I am for my two young adopted daughters. Knowing that I will be alive to love them and raise them is everything to me. I live a life of gratitude and giving. I am truly blessed. Thank you to Rhonda Byrne and everyone else involved in bringing about The Secret. It has literally transformed my life, and continues to bring about miracles.

For more inspirational Secret Stories, click here.

May the joy be with you,

Rhonda Byrne
The Secret... bringing joy to billions.

Time Sensitive Notices

2008-02-25T13:52:00.002-06:00

Motivating the Teen Spirit

Have you ever thought about or desired to:
Speak more powerfully
Learn how to facilitate growth & transformation in others
Impact the lives of teens
Build a sustainable business in the
self-development industry
JOIN LISA NICHOLS "LIVE" on a Teleconference Call

When? MONDAY, FEBRUARY 25th at 6:00pm PST 9:00pm EST

Call in Number: 724.444.7444 Access Code: 11742 Enter in as
"guest" if you do not have a talkshoe account

Or if you are at your computer and you want to listen, join us
at http://www.talkshoe.com/tc/11742

"We deliver World Class exemplary training.
Therefore, we are not looking for a lot of soldiers;
we are looking for a few Generals." Lisa Nichols

To prepare for the call:
*Print this page
*Have pen & paper ready

Email MTSFEP@gmail.com to let us know you plan to join
the call and request a FAQ page for our Facilitator
Empowerment Program to print and review

Space is limited!
Take Action TODAY and Change a Life, it could be YOURS!!

Best regards,
Tonya Hedrick, FEP Director
Motivating the Teen Spirit

Lisa Nichols

14391 Penasquitos Dr.
San Diego, CA
92129
US

http://www.Lisa-Nichols.com

_______________________________________

Self-Improvement Networking

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IF YOU DO, then Self Improvement Networking from SelfGrowth.com is for you!

** WHAT IS SelfGrowth.com NETWORKING? **

The best way to describe SelfGrowth.com Networking is "business networking for people involved in the self-improvement, success, and health industries." We have created and provided tools for you to meet, connect and network with like-minded experts, AND IT'S TOTALLY FREE!

** WHY SHOULD YOU NETWORK THROUGH SelfGrowth.com? **

The system enables you to create a network of other self-improvement experts to work with on (1) joint ventures (2) cross promotions, and (3) affiliate programs - or just to (4) initiate a conversation with another Self Improvement expert. You can cross-promote each others' expert page, (5) create joint products, (6) give or receive testimonials and (7) work together to help each other grow your businesses.

** HOW DO YOU DO IT? **

Step 1: You start by creating a single page on our website that provides information exclusively about you, your products and your website.
Step 2: Then, you find other people with Expert Pages and connect with them..

TO GET STARTED RIGHT AWAY, go directly to http://www.selfgrowth.com and go to the login section, or go directly to http://www.selfgrowth.com/login.html

If you don't remember your password, go to http://www.selfgrowth.com/engine/user/password and request a new password.

AFTER YOU LOG IN, go to "Create Expert Page," fill out the short form and tell us a little bit about your background.

You will be able to create your own Expert Page dedicated to information about you, your website or your products. Then, start connecting. It only takes a couple of minutes to get started!

Once you have your own page, the networking begins!

If I have any problems, you can email websupport@selfgrowth.com, call us at (732) 761-9930 or fill out the form at http://www.SelfGrowth.com/feedback.html -- get started today!

Thanks again for being part of SelfGrowth.com!

Sincerely,

David Riklan
Founder - SelfGrowth.com

Get Real -Turn Off The Media and Find Reality by Joseph McCaffrey

2007-11-18T14:02:00.000-06:00

Let me propose an experiment, one aimed at immediately improving
the quality of your life. It's simple, it will cost you
absolutely nothing, and as a bonus it will give you a clearer
understanding of our modern world. Interested?

To begin, let's cover a little background material. Here's a
bold claim: Our point of mental focus determines our quality of
life. That may overstate it some, but consider that claim for a
moment.

Mental focus means what you pay attention to. It's what you look
at, think about, remember, imagine, ponder, and dream of. You
have a point of focus in every moment, and your experience of
life is what you're looking at.

Here's an example of mental focus. Right now chose to remember
two events from your past. First, pick one that was moment of
great joy and success. As you recall that moment and think about
it in detail, how do you feel?

Your point of focus has affected the way you feel right now.

Now, recall a moment of disappointment and failure. How do you
feel as you relive that in your mind? I suspect not as good as a
moment ago.

Get off of that subject. Go back to the good memory.

Now what changed as you went from one memory to the other in
that little thought experiment? Weren't all the details of your
life - where you live, what you do, who you know, etc - the
same? Yet the quality of your experience of life in the present
moment (the only moment we have) changed as you shifted your
focus from one memory to the other. Your mental focus affected
your quality of life.

That's what I mean by our point of focus determining the quality
of our life. So what determines our point of focus?

It's possible to choose our point of focus, but most of us
don't. Most of the time, most people give their attention to
whatever is most noticeable around them. They don't choose. As a
result they give up control of their life's experience.

With that background, consider the new media. The media picks
stories based on the story's sensationalism. They are always bad
news stories, the more heart-rending the better. They certainly
are attention getting. As you focus on them, how do you feel?

Why would you choose to focus on something that makes you feel
that poorly? You don't have to. You do have a choice.

And that brings us to the experiment I mentioned at the
beginning. The experiment is this: go without reading, watching
or listening to any form of news media for two weeks. That means
no newspapers, no top-of-hour news summary, no news magazines,
no news blogs, no evening news shows - none of any of it.

If you want to go to the next level, fill the time you'd
normally use to focus on the media to focus on something that
you find fun, that's uplifting, that's positive. In short, to
focus on things that create the opposite experience of the
media's choices.

When I first read of this experiment years ago, I was a little
skeptical. Then, my clock radio went off one morning right in
the middle of the pop rock radio station's hourly news summary.
In rapid-fire sequence, they reported on a school bus accident
in New Jersey, a local man killed when someone threw a cinder
block off an overpass as he was driving by, and a child trapped
in an abandoned well in Texas. I had gotten to get to the "off"
button as quickly as I could, and they still managed to get
those juicy tid-bits into my brain.

Why in the world did I need to think about any of that? What
could I do to change any of it? The only effect any of those
stories had on my life was to make me feel bad as I thought of
them.

Using just that example, imagine going through your morning
routine with thoughts of a school bus accident. Is that really
the best way to begin your day? Wouldn't you rather be listening
to uplifting music, thinking of things you're grateful for, or
thinking of... Well, whatever you want to think of.

And that's the point. Your power is your power to choose. Don't
let the media do it for you.

Try it for two weeks. It's only an experiment - you can always
go back to listening to all the news you want when the
experiment's over. My bet is, you won't want to.

About the author:
Joseph McCaffrey believes in living life as a work of art in
progress, and writes on all aspects of livng life fully at:
http://www.masteringlifespuzzle.com/

Intention, Passion, Faith and the Pursuit of Happyness by Eric Huber

2007-01-20T08:44:00.000-06:00

I awoke, today, to sounds of ice covered limbs cracking and crashing to the ground.

Stepping outside, I could hear the trees near and far as they creaked, snapped, cracked and splintered. Large and small pieces stripped away from their normally strong limbs and fell to the ground, ambivalent to the fences, cars, homes and other things they destroyed below them.

Some majestic aged trees were ripped asunder. Half of their mighty trunks splayed across roadways causing traffic to slow and re-route their normal path to and fro.

Such devastation frozen water can create.

But is this a good thing? Does this help clense the earth of too much growth? Let the trees regrow stronger? Give younger saplings a chance to reach for the stars as well?

I'm no botanist.

But I do tend to see bigger pictures from time to time.

--

Are there things in our lives that do the same thing?
Strip away the old thoughts and help the new thoughts break through?

If you haven't seen the "Pursuit of Happyness," I highly recommend it. It is, sometimes, a hard movie to watch. And without giving anything away (as the man whose life it is based on has been interviewed countless times on tv and radio), it is a prime example of having things stripped away to create something new and stronger.

How was this done?

By setting his intentions.

It's that simple.

It's that hard.

So many people in my life waver regularly in what their intentions are. They change and shift their focus so often that they constantly get stuck and struggle and don't understand why they can't achieve what they most want. Why they can't break through some mental block to get what they've dreamed of having.

And guess what?

So have I.

It's the only reason I recognize it in others around me.

I set my intention and head off in the direction I believe I want to go. Not always knowing the path, but always heading towards that goal. Whether it's a job, car, house, place, or person... I am doggedly persistant in my approach and in my intention.

It becomes my passion.

But the road is beset by distractions.

Some distractions feel like they are part of the journey I'm taking. The intention I'm focusing on. Only to find out, it isn't. I've taken a detour that has led me away from what I want most.

Fear and doubt creep in. Can I do this? Do I deserve this? Am I good enough for something this wonderful? Some person? Some place?

But we must not hesitate. Must not doubt ourselves. "He who hesitates is lost" is a phrase that came to mind. Although in doing a quick bit of research, I discovered the English essayist and poet Joseph Addison is credited for actually writing a version in regards to women. "When love once pleads admission to our hearts, the woman that deliberates is lost," he wrote.

However, no matter your gender, no matter the time... when you hesitate, the moment is gone. And to reset your intentions, it takes more time and strong effort to try to recapture your focus and set your course for your goal.

You have to believe in yourself.

You must have faith.

And you must take action.

"Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
But someone will say, "You have faith, and I have works."
"Show me your faith without your works,
and I will show you my faith by my works."
-James 2:17-18

The Muslim belief is "In order, to obtain salvation a person must combine faith and action, belief and practice. Faith without doing good deeds is as insufficient as doing good deeds without faith."

Intention. Faith. Action.

It's that simple.

It's that hard.

You may lose everything.

And gain more than your wildest dreams.

So, my friends, family, loves, passions... the ice storm is passing and I have been stripped bare of many thoughts and views. It is an ongoing process. One where those I've been blessed in meeting from all walks of life, beliefs and backgrounds have taught me things to strengthen my faith, reset my intentions, feed my passions and help me on my own "Pursuit of Happyness."

Thank you all.

Someone To Watch Over Me by Eric Huber

2006-12-28T16:04:00.000-06:00

It's the holidays again. A time of such joy and celebration. Not to mention Food, Egg Nog and PRESENTS!

But for many, the Holidays are a time of loneliness and sadness.

Even when life is great and you have many many great memories, the older you get, the more bad memories and loss there is that you've experienced.

I won't dwell on those. Each of you knows what things you are sad or melancholy about.

But I have news for you. There are people thinking about you all the time. Maybe not at exact moments when you are feeling blue...but sometimes there are. Friends and family are there watching over you. Maybe from afar. Maybe in another state. Maybe they are with their own blossoming families wrapped up in the Christmas spirit while paper and ribbons fly through the air.

But they do think about you. And all it takes is a call to reconnect and be right there with them.

You see, it's okay to be sad and lonely and miss people and think about the past.

But don't stay there too long.

Refocus about the many great times you had with the people you missed (even if you are estranged from them) and think of all the wonderful holidays you've had. Or even the weird ones! Those are fun to remember TOO!

Then focus on the people in your life today.

Even if you're alone, on these few days of the year, remember that people care about you as much as you care about them. Call them. Go visit. Drop in unannounced and plan on only staying thirty minutes. Take some cookies or snacks to leave behind. They'll be surprised to see you, but in a short time, they'll have loved to have seen you and wished for more time. Then, move on to the next friend. Even if you haven't seen them in a while.

Look ahead and see what more you can do.

For it is a time of rebirth. Whether you believe in the birth of Christ or if you recognize that the beginning of winter is the Earth's march towards Spring and new life. The days will get longer now and the days warmer (unless you're in Arkansas and no telling what will happen).

Make sure the seeds you have planted for your future are well nourished from here on out. And with the beginning of Winter, the New Year is not far behind.

Feed your mind, body and spirit over the next few weeks. Give yourself presents of happiness and discard the sad and lonely wrappings that aren't the real you anyway. Remember how it felt to open that gift as a kid on Christmas morning that you just KNEW held the ONE THING you had been asking for. Feel like you did then by remembering that moment.

Soon you'll find that you're not so blue after all.

And with the new days ahead come possibilities unbounded.

Happy Holidays! Merry Christmas! Wonderful Winter! And Happy New Year to everyone out there in the Universe.

Limbo and Waking from "The Dream" by Eric Huber

2006-07-21T18:43:00.000-05:00

Hello faithful readers!

Going into the corporate world. Wow...what an adventure! I have, for a long time, suggested to graduating graphic designers that they try to get some corporate experience. To see how the big dogs structure things down to the most minor detail. To experience the workflow. And while the creativity may be limited, they can hone their technical skills and methods, not to mention having a "big name" on their resume.

However, I myself had never had a corporate job. I was self taught with only a liberal arts degree in art. Mind you, I TRIED to focus on graphic design in college, only to be scoffed at. I had to design my own courses. But, a liberal education trains you to find the answers you seek everywhere.

And I did. I learned how to learn. To find the answers and paths I needed to develop the skills I needed to become what I wanted.

Today the corporate company I work for initiated over 840 jobs eliminations. 140 will be in the offices I work in. We'll know who the axe falls on by tomorrow at 11:00. Part of me wants to be let go. To see what else the world has to offer. Part of me wants to stay and learn.But work is not life. As my father constantly points out to me, "No one looks back over their life at the end and says, 'I wish I had spent more time at the office.'"

Balance is the key. Work. Play. Love. God (whatever you may or may not believe). Family. Life. Travel. Movies. Scrabble. Strip Sorry.

But sometimes we get stuck. Caught in something we cannot escape from even though we know it is not right and doesn't feel right.

Some call it Limbo. I know I do.

However...
The mind can make a heaven out of hell or a hell out of heaven
~ Satan - by John Milton.

I was quoted in my high school yearbook as believing this quote. I forgot it until recently.

In "What Dreams May Come," both the extraordinary book and the amazingly beautiful movie (although VERY different stories), the main character's wife becomes trapped in her own "hell" and punishes herself for some assumed "sin."

It is with faith that the next day will bring something better and the help of those who love you, that we make it through our own self imposed "hell" or "limbo." And make NO mistake... there is ALWAYS someone out there that cares about you, whether they actively tell you or not. Ever!

"Never give up! Never surrender." ~ Tim Allen, "Galaxy Quest"

Why am I writing about "Limbo" and "Waking from 'The Dream'"?

Many reasons. And we all have them in our own lives. Change is the ONE constant in life. We can complain and struggle, or we can turn our surf boards and catch what could be the "perfect wave."

Sure, we may wipe out. But another wave will come.

Tonight, in the midst of a sea of doubt, change and turmoil, I caught a perfect wave. And although the wave has passed for the evening, another one is coming. Watch as I turn my board.

"There are moments when one feels free from one's own identification with human limitations and inadequacies. At such moments one imagines that one stands on some spot of a small planet, gazing in amazement at the cold yet profoundly moving beauty of the eternal, the unfathomable; life and death flow into one, and there is neither evolution nor destiny; only Being."
- Albert Einstein

Hypnosis - 5 Principles for Maintaining a Successful Relationship by Pradeep Aggarwal

2006-05-10T12:01:00.000-05:00

Why is it that so many relationships, which start off with such energy and enthusiasm, seem to lose their glitter just a few weeks down the road? Studies have shown that there are five basic principles, which govern the quality of a relationship in the long run:

Principle #1: Knowledge of the other person's preferences

How does your husband or wife like to be told that you love him or her? How would you like to be told that your lover or spouse loves you. Would you like to touched in a certain way, or would you like to be embraced in a certain way, or would you like love to be expressed in words, or would you like to be looked in the eyes in a certain way? Love is a very delicate affair, and the surest way of sabotaging your relationship is to be aloof of the others person's preferences.

Over the months and years, most people realize, what is it that makes their lover express love. But, some don't and this can be fatal for the relationship. If you think you haven't yet discovered your partner's preferences, this is the first thing you should do. Often called the "Love Strategy," you must make a conscious effort to discover it, and meet it on a consistent basis.

Principle #2: Relationship is a place to give, not take

Often, people approach a relationship as a place to solve their problems. While a relationship could definitely solve problems, this approach tends to disempower both the people involved in it. If you have not been cuddled or pampered as a child, and use a relationship as a place to receive such treatment, you are disempowering yourself of your ability to take any initiative, because you are constantly looking for your partner to treat you in a certain way.

Instead, what one should do in such a case is, concentrate on giving something into the relationship. Such contribution of love and affection will automatically elicit the kind of treatment you desire.

Principle #3: Learn to communicate your problems with your partner

Dr. Barbara De Angelis, in her best selling book, "How to Make Love All the Time," identifies four stages in a relationship that can kill it. And, by identifying it, one can immediately intervene and eliminate the problems before they become unmanageably large.

Phase 1: Resistance This is the first phase of challenges in a relationship. It occurs when you take exception of something your partner said or did which you did not like. Maybe, it was a joke, which you didn't find very tasteful, or a statement that offended you, or something else, which you wished hadn't happened. Of course, resistance is bound to happen in a relationship between two human beings, but the secret is to talk it over, and settle it before it reaches the second phase.

Phase 2: Resentment Resistance, if not handled properly, can lead to resentment. Now, your irritation with your partner grows into anger, and a communication barrier is erected between you and him/her. In this phase, you begin to avoid your partner, and the intimacy that you both enjoyed is virtually over.

Phase 3: Rejection If resistance is not eased, or if you and your partner do not talk the matter over, you may move into the third phase: rejection. This is the beginning of the physical separation from your partner. Coupled with emotional separation, in this phase, you begin to find everything about your partner annoying and irritating.

Phase 4: Repression This is the most dangerous phase of the demise of your relationship. In this phase, you stop communicating with your partner altogether. There is an emotional numbness between the two of you. Slowly, you just become a roommate of your partner, not concerned of what he or she is doing or feeling.

So, what is the way to avoid this dangerous trap? Dr. De Angelis says, it's simple: Talk. Talking one's problems, one's concerns and one's likes and dislikes is the only way to ensure smooth sailing. Adequate and meaningful communication is an essential component of any relationship.

Principle #4: Never threaten your relationship

A lot of couples have the habit of saying things like, "You do that, and I am leaving you." This can be disastrous, because, although most of the time such a statement is not supposed to be taken very seriously, but what if one day, your spouse said, "Go ahead and leave. I will do things my way." If such a case arises, one's ego may often force him or her to follow up on their threat (of leaving), and that is the end of the relationship. See, the point is that no matter what situation arises, there is no justification for threatening your relationship if you want it to last a lifetime.

Principle #5: Strive to constantly add glitter to your relationship

Just like any other emotion, a relationship also needs to be constantly propped up. You need to constantly excite your partner, and ignite his or her desire for you. One way to reinforce your feelings of connection and renew your feelings of intimacy and attraction, is to constantly ask questions that would make your partner express love; something like, "How did I get so lucky to have you in my life?" Try to surprise each other. Do outrageous things, like arranging an outing at a place where your partner would have never even imagined. Express love in an out-of-the-way manner, and have fun doing it.

__________________________________________________________________
About the Author
Pradeep Aggarwal is a renowned Hypnosis & NLP guru with career spanning two and half decades He is also a much sought after speaker and peak performance consultant for Sport Teams and organizations. Visit http://www.hypnosisglobal.com for free 6 part mini course to learn Self Hypnosis and Personal Transformation.

Motivational Sayings - Ten Great Ones by Steve Gillman

2006-04-25T14:35:00.000-05:00

Why read motivational sayings? For motivation! You might need a bit, if you can use last year's list of goals this year because it's as good as new. All of us can benefit from inspirational thoughts, so here are ten great ones.

"Be more concerned with your character than with your reputation. Your character is what you really are while your reputation is merely what others think you are." - Dale Carnegie

"Do not wait; the time will never be 'just right.' Start where you stand, and work with whatever tools you may have at your command, and better tools will be found as you go along." - Napoleon Hill

"What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

"Some men see things as they are and say, "Why?" I dream of things that never were and say, "Why not?" - George Bernard Shaw

"A small trouble is like a pebble. Hold it too close to your eye and it fills the whole world and puts everything out of focus. Hold it at a proper distance and it can be examined and properly classified. Throw it at your feet and it can be seen in its true setting, just one more tiny bump on the pathway of life." - Celia Luce

"Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending." - Carl Bard

"I'm not telling you it is going to be easy - I'm telling you it's going to be worth it" - Art Williams
Motivational Sayings - Attitude

Attitude "There is little difference in people, but that little difference makes a big difference. The little difference is attitude. The big difference is whether it is positive or negative." - W. Clement Stone

"Nothing on earth can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal; nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude." - Thomas Jefferson
"A person cannot directly choose his circumstances, but he can choose his thoughts, and so indirectly, yet surely, shape his circumstances." - James Allen

"Man often becomes what he believes himself to be. If I keep on saying to myself that I cannot do a certain thing, it is possible that I may end by really becoming incapable of doing it. On the contrary, if I have the belief that I can do it, I shall surely acquire the capacity to do it even if I may not have it at the beginning." - Mohandas Karamchand (Mahatma) Gandhi

These are quotes that mean something to me. Hopefully one or two of them are also inspiring to you. If not, maybe they will motivate you to create your own motivational sayings.

____________________________________________________________

Steve Gillman has been studying brainpower and related topics for years. For more on a Better Life Through Brain Power, and to get the Brain Power Newsletter and other free gifts, visit: http://www.IncreaseBrainPower.com

Be Careful What You Wish For by Amanda Shertzer

2006-03-09T09:58:00.000-06:00

Okay, you've been focusing on your goals, you're looking for positive signs that you are about to receive everything you have ever wished for... and then.... BOOM! Something just awful happens - or things just get worse! What the heck is going on? "Thanks a lot God, Universe, whatever" you think. You may even take it as a sign that the universe is telling you that you can't have what you want. Well I'm here to tell ya' it's not true.

One of my best friends just emailed me to tell me she had lost her job. Not only that, but in such a way as to make her feel like an absolute horrible person - a criminal even. Immediately it occurred to me that she had been expressing an interest in finding a more creative job. Ah ha. Gotcha!

I have read endless counts of people getting the opposite result of what they were wishing for. In her book "God Doesn't Have Bad Hair Days", Pam Grout tells of how she point-blank asked God for a sign that she should start a freelance writing career. The next day she got fired. How's that for a sign?

It doesn't stop at jobs either. I decided a couple of years ago that what I most wanted was to get married and have children. Immediately my relationship of 4 years fell apart. That'll teach me, eh?

Now, I don't mean to negate anyone's feelings upon learning they no longer have a job or a relationship that has been their foundation for so long. If you didn't have at least a bit of "freak out" time, if you didn't have a moment or two of "why me?" you wouldn't be human. However, my favorite thing about life is that you just don't know what fantastic thing could be right around that next corner that you can't see yet. I live for those times when I finally get to go around the corners!

It's kinda like expecting Christmas. It's guaranteed to be there, so if your sled breaks, go ahead and cry, but remember too that there are so many Christmases in your future in which you could get a brand new sled that's even better!

So what happened to Pam? The week after she got fired she received calls from 2 magazines requesting freelance articles from her. She's now a successful writer with 13 books under her belt. And what about me? I got married in February to the perfect man for me and we are expecting our first child.

If bad things seem to happen as a result of your wanting something better for yourself, just remember that it could be a means to a better end. And... Hey - what's that up there around that next corner?

Manifesting Creativity by Amanda Shertzer

2006-02-23T06:21:00.000-06:00

About six months ago my friends/business partners and I decided to really focus on a way to make our wildly popular and free genealogy site DeadFred.com profitable. After 4 years of volunteer effort on all our parts we decided it was about time for us to recoup our expenses and reap a little reward.

One afternoon we sat down and brainstormed about how to make money for the website without compromising its amazing research value and without charging our visitors. What was it that we could offer which wouldn't cost us much to produce, but would be of great value to them and would also support the archive?

First we set a monetary goal and decided to focus on this goal and let the answers come to us. Every evening I would read the goal over and over for about 15 minutes before I went to bed and also when I first woke up in the morning. If I had any free "brain time" during the day (standing in line, on hold, etc.) I would focus on it again.

Suddenly I seemed more aware of opportunities and "clues" that came my way that we could use to help us attain our goal. One night I listened in on a free business marketing tele-conference where the speaker talked about how to create an e-book to sell. My mind started spinning and I stopped listening to the speaker and started wildly writing notes to myself about a new project which would surely meet with great success.

Thus, our "Desperate" project was born. "What if..." I thought "we emailed all the most prominent authors and experts in the genealogy field and asked them to contribute just one article for an eBook to support the archive"? When I got to work the next day, my friend and business partner Jeannette and I sat for a couple of hours and brainstormed again to knock out the details. We had to decide what kind of articles to ask our experts to contribute and we had to come up with a title so catchy, no one could resist finding out more about it.

The email to our experts list was met with great enthusiasm about the project and before long we had an unbelievable collection of the most fabulous genealogy articles from the greatest genealogy authors around. Our design genius Eric formatted the book and cover (150 pages!) and Jeannette expertly arranged and edited the articles. As a thank-you, we offered our contributors 30% of the sales of the eBook through affiliate links. After all, it wasn't costing us a thing to produce except our own time.

Early next week we'll be officially launching the anxiously awaited eBook: "The Desperate Genealogist's Idea Book: Creative Ways to Outsmart Your Elusive Ancestors". We've already had our first official sale (we let our contributors announce the eBook to their lists 1 week ahead of our official release as another thank-you) and are expecting so much success that we're already planning a print release.

I have absolutely no doubt we'll make our monetary goal and feel good about giving something of value to our visitors and promoting our great authors who contributed to the book and made the project so successful.

If you're a Desperate Genealogist, or know one, you can get the eBook before its official release on DeadFred.com by visiting www.desperategenealogist.com.

Good luck to you in your manifesting goals!

All Sentient Beings Want Happiness and Peace by Jeannette Balleza

2006-01-31T14:22:00.000-06:00

“In life we face constant change and the influx of happiness and suffering. This cycle is like waves on the ocean, one phenomenon coming after another. This neverending drama of apparent phenomena is exhausting. Without breaking this cycle of vacillating back and forth between hope and fear, stress continues mounting in our minds and bodies resulting in endless suffering, not allowing us to rest in peace and happiness. Spiritual practice is the only means to ease and transform the stress and suffering into happiness and well-being for immediate benefits and beyond.”

~Lopön Jigme Rinpoche

Last week I attended an event at Giffells Auditorium in Old Main at the U of A called “Quintessential of the Spiritual Path in Life.” Lopön Jigme Rinpoche, a prominent Buddhist Nyingma Master, delivered the public talk to an audience of 50 or so people.

He began the presentation with a long period of silence, sitting and staring ahead from behind a table with two simple flower arrangements. He prefaced his lecture by saying that he was not to speak about anything unusual. In fact he wanted to address what he considered to be commonplace concepts.

“All sentient beings want happiness and peace,” he asserted.

He described the statement as a universal truth. Simple, yes. True? I’m a believer. However, each one of us is left to contemplate how to define “happiness” and “peace.” Cultural backgrounds, religious beliefs and individual preferences influence our interpretations of those two ideas, but in essence we are all connected in that we ALL long for these same objectives in life.

He emphasized the importance of meditation—taking in and releasing breath at a normal pace, quietening the mind and orchestrating a spaciousness into which thoughts can flow in and out with freedom. He likened the mind to a pool of water. When the water is not at rest, reflection is impossible because of the constant activity and distorting ripples. But when water is still, it becomes possible to view a reflection of an image, clear as day.

He continued that the spiritual practice of meditation is a very natural way to experience inexpressible joy, the true nature of God. However, he also warned against attempting to grasp this joy. Instead he proffered to simply allow the joy to manifest within the spaciousness of our minds. He summed up the lesson with yet another pithy saying. “Rest,” he uttered. “Then manifest.”

As I was leaving the lecture I recalled a past conversation with my very good friend Amanda about the allegedly elusory quality of “happiness,” no matter how one might define it. We’d often heard others (and one another) say things like, “All I want is to be happy,” “Why can’t I be happy?” or even “If ___ happens, maybe then I could be happy.” Amanda pointed out that the problem did not so much lie in the fact that “happiness” is that evasive; instead, she believed that those who seek “happiness” and come up empty-handed every time have never really taken the time to define what “happiness” and “peace” mean to them.

It makes sense. Hitting a target is hard enough. When the target’s moving, your chances of impact become seriously compromised. Now, just think about aiming for a target that changes form constantly or worse, is completely invisible. The likelihood of a bullseye is little more than a pipe dream at best. How can we expect the universe to deliver exactly what we want to achieve happiness and peace when many of us have never really made up our minds in the first place about what it is that we’re chasing?

I asked yet another friend whether he could make a list of things to add, modify or subtract from his life in a way that at the end of the list, if he were to check everything off as “done,” he would be happy. An exercise in bottom-line happiness, if you will. He said it would take a long time to compile the list, but he definitely thought it was possible to do. It seems like a strange assignment, but why not? Perhaps even just working drafts would bring our respective happiness targets into our line of sight.

Forming this working draft, your own personal interpretation of “happiness” and “peace,” will require meditation. Quietude. Reflection. Spaciousness. But you can begin by taking the simple advice of Lopön Jigme Rinpoche: Rest. Then manifest.

The resulting manifesto will be yours to keep and to revise when necessary, a guide towards the makings of your own happiness and peace.

____________________________________________________________________

Copywriter/editor Jeannette Balleza owns Scribe Marketing, Inc. (http://www.scribemarketing.com), which offers content development and refinement. You may contact her for creative concept development, copywriting, editing and research at jeannette@scribemarketing.com.

Do All Your Work Wholeheartedly by Amanda Huber

2005-12-16T13:55:00.000-06:00

I have a confession to make. I love to sweep. I have already swept the leaves off my deck and walkway at least 20 times this season. I have hardwood floors, so I sweep those as often as possible too. And if someone happens to track in some dirt from outside - Hooray! I get to sweep again. Sound crazy? Probably so, but there's a reason for my seeming madness. I received the gift of a "No Ordinary Broom".

My broom is handpainted and signed by the artist, creator, and all around fantastic person, Helen Lampkin. Each broom she makes is a unique, useful work of art with a simple yet profound message: Life doesn't have to be ordinary. Her painted patterns are as unique and spirited as Helen herself with names like "Simply Cheetah", "Sophisticate", and "Circle Circle Dot Dot". She even has a "Holiday" broom!

Now, I must admit, when Helen first told me she was going to make me a No Ordinary Broom (I chose the pattern "Ashley" in red) I thought to myself... "Well, I just bought a broom, but I'll hang my No Ordinary Broom up in my kitchen for display". After I received the broom I even told Helen I didn't want to use it and mess it up, but she said I had to use is - that was the whole point. Finally one day it was handier than my other "ordinary" broom, so I used it and guess what? It made me smile!

Here I was doing a chore and feeling like it was some sort of treat. The more I used it, the more I loved it. My new urge to sweep has now expanded to the point where I pull out my No Ordinary Broom when company is over just to show it off.

After using my broom for almost a year now I finally "get it". I've realized that sometimes it can take something very simple to make a big impact in your life. Giving an everyday chore a twist of the extraordinary can be just the thing for adding a little more enjoyment to your life. Is the broom magical? No, but the way I thought about the chore changed because of it.

I began thinking of other chores I don't normally enjoy and wondering how I could change my perception of them. A lot of us do this at work and probably don't realize it. How many of us have photos on our desk or plants in colorful pots or even little figurines? Is this another way to remind ourselves that our life is not about what we do but how we do it and with what kind of attitude?

If you want to start simple like me, you can purchase one of Helen's masterpieces online here: http://www.noordinarybroom.com/

Now I've got to go - I'm off to find a bubble machine to run in the kitchen next time I have to do the dishes...

The Power of Expectations and Thought Energy by Dr. Jeffry R. Palmer Ph.D.

2005-11-17T17:32:00.000-06:00

If I were to place three apples on a table in front of you and asked you to choose one to eat, you probably wouldn't have much difficulty selecting one. After all they are just normal apples, nothing special.

But what if I were to tell you that these apples had been the subject of an experiment in the transference of thought energy? The experiment involved the use of one hundred people familiar with the practice of meditation and the focusing of thought energy.

One of these apples was meditated on with the intention of providing health. A group of one hundred people concentrated for one hour with the intention of giving this apple the power to heal.

Another apple was focused one with the intention to cause sickness. For one hour this apple was subjected to the meditative thought energy of ill health.

The third apple was not meditated upon.

Knowing this, how would you feel about your selection of the apples? Would you feel uneasy about choosing an apple that has been the focus of these "sickness" intentions? What do you suppose would happen to your body if you ate this apple?

How would your body react to eating the "healthy" apple? Would knowing about the different meditations before hand have an effect on your health if you were to eat? Would knowing about the meditations after eating one of these apples have an affect on your body?

In the experiment described above, what is the mechanism behind the health or sickness associated with these apples? Is it the thought energy of those meditating at work, or do the expectations of the person eating the apple have the real effect? Do the expectations of the meditators come into play?

The three apple scenario has hopefully served to illustrate the importance of understanding how our thoughts can have dramatic external effects beyond the scope of our present day understanding.

"Expectation is a powerful thing," says Robert DeLap, M.D., head of one of the US Food and Drug Administration's Offices of Drug Evaluation. "The more you believe you're going to benefit from a treatment, the more likely it is that you will experience a benefit."

Expectations and beliefs are an important aspect of thought energy studies. A perfect example of this can be found in the phenomena of the placebo effect. A placebo, as used in research, is an inactive substance or procedure used as a control in an experiment. A placebo effect occurs when the placebo, which cannot on its own have any affect, but does in fact have the same, similar and sometimes better affects as the experimental substances drugs or procedures. Questions remain about the interplay of psychological and physiological mechanisms that contribute to the placebo effect. Today's brain imaging techniques lend support to the theory that thoughts and beliefs not only affect one's psychological state, but also cause the body to undergo measurable biological changes. What is known, beyond doubt, is that we can create healing energies with our minds alone.

Thoughts have the power to heal and the power to cause harm. What we know and understand about the nature and mechanism of thought and thought energy pales in comparison to the vast amount of information that we do not have. Studying how expectations, beliefs and thought energy relate to physiological and biological changes can lead to a better understanding of individual roles and responsibilities regarding personal health and well being.

Thoughts are real. Thoughts are measurable outside of our bodies and they exert a real influence on people, places and objects which is not bound by time or space. Directed thought energy carrying specific intent is capable of imprinting objects with a desired physical or emotional signature. Now, go have an apple and think about that for awhile.

*******************************************************
About the Author

Dr.Jeffry R. Palmer Ph.D. Is the author of "Judo for the Soul - The Art of Psychic Self Defence", as well as numerous articles and papers relating to metaphysics and the study of paranormal phenomena. Further information about Mr.Palmer and his books can be found at http://the-psychic-detective.com

Forever is our today by Christi L. Drake

2005-10-24T08:58:00.000-05:00

I asked my friend Christi to write up a little something for the site about her experience. She has gone from being given 6 weeks to live, to being given the "all clear". I am so proud of her spirit and determination, and also amazed at the number of people - friends, family and even complete strangers who sent their prayers, positive thoughts and general good wishes to Christi during her journey.

Here are her thoughts:

Forever is our today. This sums up what it’s like to live as someone who has a terminal illness. You are forced to make memories which have to last a lifetime and always seem to come up short.

My mother and sister were with me at the oncologist’s office on the day I received the biopsy results. I didn’t break down and cry or believe it was the end. I knew it was serious and that I had better get my shit together, so to speak. I asked my family to leave the room so I could talk to the doctor. I said, “Okay…so what are we talking about here, really?” He said, “About six weeks.” He recommended I start chemotherapy right away with radiation to follow. I agreed because I was ready to hit it and hard.

It took a long time for me to really cry over being told I was “sick”. I was dumbstruck trying to find what I thought might be the appropriate response to living with lung cancer. How could this happen to me – a non-smoker? What did people do when they were given this type of information? Cry for days? Give up? Deny it? I just couldn’t find an answer…

How in the world were my two toddlers going to remember me? Mommy would just be someone in a picture or whose jewelry or lock of hair they touched trying to remember what it felt like to be in her presence. These thoughts gave created a deep sinking feeling inside which paralyzed me with fear and sadness. I am thankful the terrifying moments were fleeting.

My self-esteem had suffered since I was young and I didn’t believe in myself…in my own strength. It wasn’t long after being diagnosed, however; that my true self came forward…a woman of action, immediacy and strength with a positive nature to support what I knew would be torturous times.

I never felt compelled to read anything about cancer, whether in print or online. I know some cancer patients savor every scrap of information they can find to feed their need to be actively involved in their own care. But somehow, I quietly knew that I was going to be okay. I believed it, lived it, said it and even dreamed about it.

At night, I would visualize the cancer being engulfed in a white light, rolled up into a ball and hurled out into space. I begged and cried for whatever mysterious creator and/or protector who might hear me to obliterate the mass and never allow it to return.

During the illness, I would sometimes have the distinct feeling it was not about me. It seemed to be more about other people in my life…that they had something to learn from it. I knew I had the strength to weather the treatment and ensuing sickness. I knew I was going to be okay and that this was an experience I was meant to have.

I have come to believe that we are all here for a purpose much greater than ourselves…to learn how to overcome negativity and grow and expand our soul. One of my favorite phrases is “Don’t block the way and the way will carry you.” The exact meaning and how it applies to our life is something we must each figure out.

Christi L. Drake
10/18/05

My Washer Does Not Spin by Jeannette Balleza

2005-10-17T14:03:00.000-05:00

Today was one of those days. Yes, the kind that makes you want to throw in the towel.

After spending a day dealing with various and sundry technical problems, pesky tasks and surly customer service people, I decided to do just that—literally.

Late this afternoon, I tore myself away from my sadly, yet aptly, described “non-billable” work day to do some laundry—a nice housekeeping task that has an easy enough beginning and a tidy ending that results in clean sheets, neatly folded towels in the hallway closet and, my personal favorite, one less thing to do on my mental “to-do” list.

I shuffled around the house, gathering sheets from this room and handpicking same-color clothes from that pile, and shoved my findings into the washer. I selected “large” for the load size, clicked the timer to “casuals,” shut the lid and went about my happy way.

Less than an hour later I returned to the washer to move the load to the dryer, and when I lifted the lid, there it was. A wet, soppy mess. Mr. Spin Cycle had abandoned me, kicking me in the stomach when I was already down for the count, just one week after I’d rebounded from Mr. Toilet checking out to the tune of 600 dollars in repairs and a replacement. I mean, c’mon.

I tried the various “I’m-a-homeowner-but-that-doesn’t-mean-I-know-what’s-going-on” tricks: opening and shutting the lid, frantically searching the perimeter of the tub for some hidden magical switch and, of course, shaking the entire machine.

It was actually a pretty sad sight, as the only troubleshooting to which I’m accustomed involves force-quitting my e-mail program or rebooting my Mac.

After my roommate came home and surveyed the situation, we both leapt into action, doing what we each felt was our only remaining option. She called her dad, and I rummaged through my files to see if I could find the warranty.

It turned out that she, even with her dad’s advice, couldn’t find the hidden magical switch either, so I did a search for General Electric’s web site.

I found the FAQs page in the Support section and scrolled through the list of choices, trying to find the description that best fit my particular service problem. I quickly found that I was not alone in my predicament because in the top tier of the help topics was the link “My Washer Does Not Spin.”

Click.

What I found may as well have been my horoscope in the free weekly newspaper. The information was vague, but yet I still felt like everything applied directly to my situation. It read almost like a self-help guide about how to keep one’s head in any given stressful situation.

Wait for a few minutes because pauses of up to three minutes may occur between cycles as the timer advances in steps.
Translation by the stars: Take ten deep breaths before you blow a gasket, you overreactor.

Check your house fuses, circuit breakers and the wall outlet. A loss of electrical power to the washer will cause a failure to spin. To check for power at the wall outlet, carefully plug a small table lamp or hair dryer into the wall outlet and turn it on. If it does not work, you may have blown a fuse, tripped a circuit breaker or have a defective wall outlet.
Translation by the stars: Take a step back, look beyond symptoms and try to identify the real stressor at hand. A loss of power in one area of your life can throw things off balance, causing a disruption in other areas. Often you can glean the most effective solution by examining the context of a particular emotion.

Make sure washer lid is down.
Translation by the stars: Don’t miss the obvious by being oblivious.

Advance timer slightly to make sure timer was not in a pause mode.
Translation by the stars: Look to the future for perspective now. Will this matter in a day, a week or 10 years? Most of the time, the answer is “no.” Sometimes people stagnate by focusing so hard on what’s wrong in the present moment that they cannot conceive the possibility of a silver lining.

If machine pumps water out and you are positive that the motor is running, but tub is not spinning, then the problem is mechanical involving a clutch, belt or possibly the transmission and will require service.
Translation by the stars: Lady, you better keep looking for your warranty AND your original receipt. If you think your life is in working order, but you find yourself taking advice from the General Electric web site, you require some professional help.

At any rate, luckily I’m just 10 months into my washer’s one-year warranty, so until the washer repair people make a service call, I guess I’ll have to wait to throw in the towel.

I wonder if they charge extra for palm readings.

____________________________________________________________________

Copywriter/editor Jeannette Balleza owns Scribe Marketing, Inc. (http://www.scribemarketing.com), which offers content development and refinement. You may contact her for creative concept development, copywriting, editing and research at jeannette@scribemarketing.com.

What You Forgot You Knew by Amanda Huber

2005-09-16T18:43:00.000-05:00

I picked up a book recently that has been decorating my bookshelf for several years. I thought I had never read it and being in need of a new book I picked it up and scanned the introduction. It was really good stuff! Why had I never read this book before? Then I noticed that several pages were dog-eared. I had read it. What's more, the quotes from the pages I had marked might be even more inspirational to me today than they were when I first read them.

Thought is creative.
The world is as you see it.
As you think, so you are.

The book is called Secrets about Life Every Woman Should Know by Barbara De Angelis, PhD. I can't believe I had ever forgotten about it, but I know why I found it again - right under my nose and in plain sight all this time. Because I needed to.

Paragraph after paragraph echo the thoughts and ideas that drive this website. Obviously it is one of the many books I have read and absorbed into my consciousness over the years.

Over the past few months I have been absorbed in the day to day activities of running a small business and have not been able to devote the inward attention I need to myself. Finding this book again was one in a string of events that made me realize I had gotten away from the very thing that keeps me the most centered and happy with my life.

Learn to refocus your mind
in the direction you want it to go.

Take notice of what is around you and be aware that the simplest actions and renewals may be an answer to something that has been eluding you. Pay attention to the little coincidences in your life that seem to create a theme. The things we need most are sometimes right in front of us. We have only to truly open our eyes to see them.

Sometimes You Have to Let Go by Amanda Huber

2005-09-08T18:16:00.000-05:00

Have you ever focused intently on achieving a goal you really wanted and wondered why it wouldn’t come to you? You’ve written it down, read it aloud night and day, meditated on it, stuck notes to yourself about it all over the house, your car and work and still you can’t seem to manifest it?

Late spring and summer is our slow time at work. It’s the time of year that we, as owners, start to fret a little bit at the rising digits of our back pay that is due to us. It’s at this time I focus most intensely on bringing new jobs in. I write number goals on slips of paper and focus on them. I listen to my hypnosis tapes about drawing opportunities toward me. I work 14 hour days. I bend over backward for the clients we have jobs due for. And yet, somehow… still no progress.

Finally one day in frustration I said to my business partner Jeannette. “I’ve been meditating, I’ve been focusing, and we’re still broke! What is up with that?” What she said made me really think about not just money but everything I wanted for myself. She said “Maybe you’re focusing too hard. Maybe you need to just let it go for awhile.” I think Jeannette is a genius.

In all the articles and books I’ve read about manifesting, a common theme is that you can’t focus in desperation. You have to declare your intent and then let it go. I had forgotten that important step.

Another important thing to consider is what you say to yourself or others (see “You Are What You Speak?”). If you train your subconscious well enough – and it doesn’t take much – it is going to follow through with its instructions.

About five weeks ago I had a coffee date that ended up being one of the best days of my life. After getting out of a long term relationship a year ago I had been on a string of really comically bad dates. I wondered why on earth I was attracting all the wrong men until I realized I had been telling myself that I needed a year before I got into another serious relationship. As soon as I realized this, like magic Rob appeared and we both knew from that first date that this was it. We have been just about inseparable since our second date and are happily making plans for the future together.

Next time you’re frustrated that things you want and have focused on just aren’t working out right, try to let it go for awhile and double check to make sure you aren’t sabotaging yourself with your very words. Do something to pamper yourself, get away (even if it’s just to the park across town) and just breathe. The things you want will come to you eventually. Trust me on this one.

A Cure for Cancer by Keith Varnum

2005-08-14T14:52:00.000-05:00

I just found Keith's series of articles this week and thought this particular one would be a great inspirational post for those dealing with health issues or faced with great challenges regarding their health.

I also just added a new book to the Must Read section of the site titled "Surgery: A Patient's Guide to Preparation" by Judith Juback Griffin. I just read it and it's full of really helpful information.

I hope the article and the book help those who need it.

-Amanda

---------------------------

Past the seeker as he prayed, came the cripple
and the beggar and the beaten.
And seeing them, he cried,
"Great God, how is it that a loving creator can see such things
and yet do nothing about them?"
God said, "I did do something. I made you."
- Sufi teaching

In my wildest imagination, I never dreamed of helping someone kick cancer over the phone!
One evening in 1985, the telephone rang. It was my brother John who lived in Washington, D.C. A call from my elder sibling was highly unusual. A year my senior, John hadn't connected with me for several years. It wasn't that we disliked each other; we loved one another. We simply didn't have much in common and, therefore, little to talk about. He was a big city, government lawyer, married with a family. I was an ex-hippie acupuncturist living the single life in Boston.

When I answered the telephone, it took me a moment to recognize my brother's voice. John was crying profusely, his voice conveying a feeling of terror and extreme loss. I'd never heard my brother in this condition. He was ordinarily a bastion of macho strength and bravado.

"John? What's wrong? What's happened? The boys? Sharon? Did something happen to Mom?"

"I'm dying, Keith," John choked out between sobs.

My brother had developed a cancerous tumor the size of a golf ball in the center of his brain stem. Most of the left side of his body was already paralyzed. Within a few weeks doctors said the paralysis would reach his heart. At that point, he'd die.

I was stunned. "Can't they operate or something? Did you get a second opinion?"

The answer was no, they couldn't operate because of the size and location of the tumor. Yes, he'd seen a slew of doctors. All the cancer specialists he consulted concurred: because of the location and size of the tumor, his condition was beyond help through surgery, radiation or chemotherapy. There was nothing medical science could do. My brother had approximately three weeks to live. John had been sent home to die. His wife Sharon and our mother were immobilized with grief and anxiety.

"What can I do, John?"

"Nothing, Keith. I just need to talk to someone. I've tried to talk to Sharon and Mom. Every time I do, they just break down and cry. The doctors can't help me, so they don't want any further contact with me. My friends, well, they don't know what to say, so they avoid me. I just need someone to talk to, Keith. Will you talk to me?"

John had never asked me for any kind of assistance our whole lives. He was the big brother who always had everything together. I was the younger brother, the nonconformist who espoused strange philosophies, made weird career choices and had all the societal problems. Talk to him? Of course I would talk to him! I was willing to do anything I could for him. I immediately offered to catch the next plane to Washington.

"No, that's not what I need, Keith. There's nothing you can do for me here. I just want to talk to someone."

"Okay, John," I answered.

We conversed for over two hours the first night. I quickly realized that despite my accumulation of so many varied, alternative healing techniques, nothing in my bag of tricks could help my brother. It was too late to try acupuncture, macrobiotics, yoga or rebirthing. The cancer was too far advanced. He was paralyzed. He was being fed intravenously. It was too late to change his diet or lifestyle. I'd never felt so helpless.

What use is all my healing knowledge, I asked myself, if I can't help my own brother in a life and death crisis?

Again, I offered to fly to Washington. Again, he refused. He simply wanted someone to listen to him and be with him right where he was -- in pain, fear and despair. He didn't want to be alone in his terror. Death was stealthily approaching, and my brother had surrendered to the inevitable. He asked me to make sure his two young sons had a strong male presence to support them as they grew up. Although barely staying afloat in the ocean of life's emotional challenges myself, I assured him I'd be there as a caring and reliable father figure for his sons. When we hung up, I was emotionally drained.

John called the next evening and, within minutes, again began crying and expressing his fears. I listened helplessly, offering suggestions based on my beliefs and experience as honestly as I could without causing him even more pain. After he spent himself and broke off the connection, I meditated late into the night searching for some way to help this man who was such an integral part of me. The answer I received didn't seem appropriate, but I was determined to trust my inner coach. It had never let me down before.

When the telephone rang the next evening, I listened to his already familiar litany of fears and angry tirades. Finally, taking a quivering breath, I put to him the question my inner coach had suggested, "John, do you want to die?"

"No, damn it!" he yelled into the receiver. "What a stupid question! What the hell's wrong with you! Of course, I don't want to die!"

Drawing on my abiding faith in my spirit, I responded with total assurance, "Well, you don't have to. You can decide to live."

I told him about people who'd been diagnosed with terminal cancer. Many I knew personally and some I'd heard of. Like him, the medical profession had abandoned them. Like him, they were sent home to die.

"But they refused to accept the verdict of death, John. They healed themselves."
There was a long pause on the other end of the line. Finally, he asked, "What kind of cancer?"

"All kinds," I answered. "Through the power of meditation and the personal power of intention, the disease went into remission. The cancers simply disappeared without any medical explanation."

I knew the concept was hard for my brother to accept. The notion of self-healing was difficult for John to understand when he was healthy, let alone while looking death in the face. Meditation, spirit guides, angels, other dimensions -- those things didn't really exist for John. He loved me. I knew that as fact. But he felt I was a kook. I asked him to think about it. He said he would. The conversation ended shortly thereafter. I worried that he would dismiss me and not call again.

The next evening, I hung around the telephone. It was getting late. It was past the hour my brother usually went to sleep. I was getting up my courage to call him when the phone rang. It was John. We talked about the practical and physical worries that had preyed on his mind throughout the day. Would there be enough life insurance money for his family? Would his early demise emotionally scar his sons? He cried. The paralysis had spread. He didn't think he had much more time.

Once again I was prodded intuitively to ask, "John, do you want to die?"

Again, his anger crackled across the telephone line. No, he did not want to die. How could I even ask such a ridiculous question? This tumor in his brain wasn't something he wished for!
As before, I told him he didn't have to die. He could decide to live. I listened to him rant on about my irrational beliefs and eccentric lifestyle. I held my tongue.

"Do you know anyone who has beaten terminal cancer?" he demanded angrily. "Personally, Keith! Do you personally know anybody who's survived advanced cancer after the doctors gave up on them?"

Pausing first to fortify myself, I then began sharing the stories of every acquaintance I knew personally who had cured themselves of terminal cancer. Like many people facing a medical death sentence, my brother didn't want to hear about any secondhand examples of cures. He was only interested in those case histories in which I personally witnessed people with tangible, visible complications directly linked to medically diagnosed cancer. In addition, the examples were only valid for John if the people had gone into remission and been cancer-free for at least a year after the healing. John basically eliminated every story I had in my arsenal except for five people. But that was enough. He was listening.

Fortunately, in regard to my story telling, John's memory was slipping fast. So, I could get away with repeating the same five case histories over and over again!

I even got him to meditate with me over the phone. Together, we asked for assistance from -- as John put it -- "whoever was listening." After two months of nightly, intensely emotional talking marathons, John awoke one morning to find his paralysis gone! He could move his whole body. His wife rushed him to the hospital for a magnetic resonance imaging test. The tumor had completely disappeared! Within weeks, John's health returned to normal.

My brother decided to live. He cured himself. John is alive and kicking today. And he's now decidedly more open to possibilities beyond the limitations of the tribal collective consciousness -- the arbitrary societal beliefs he took on from his family, friends, school and society.

In fact, he's begun his own exploration outside the boundaries of mainstream cultural conditioning. John is enjoying being a "househusband," driving the kids to soccer practice and music lessons while his wife Sharon gallivants around the globe lecturing as a tenured professor.

***

This story is an excerpt from Keith's latest book "Inner Coach: Outer Power"
Copyright © 2005 Keith Varnum

About Keith: Keith Varnum shares his practical approach to transformation as an author, radio host and "Dream Workshops" facilitator. Keith helps people get love, money, health and spirit with his free Prosperity Ezine, free Empowerment CD and free Coaching at http://www.thedream.com/.
Contact the author
Source: ReprintArticles.com

Never Say Can’t by Amanda Huber

2005-07-26T21:18:00.000-05:00

I know this 3 year old. “Can’t” is very big with him.

The other day my brother had his hands full and was trying to get outside. He asked the 3 year old (we’ll call him Johnny) to open the door.

“I can’t” Johnny said without any hesitation.

“What do you mean? Just open the door” my brother replied.

Johnny looked at him and repeated “I can’t”.

Exasperated, my brother encouraged him to try again. “Johnny, you can open the door. Just turn the knob and pull.”

Johnny put his hand on the knob and nothing more. “I can’t” he again repeated.

At this point it would have been easier for my brother to just set something down and open the door himself. Instead he insisted on getting to the bottom of this mystery as to why Johnny couldn’t seem to complete this simple task.

“Johnny, it’s just like every other door in the house. You can open a door. Try again. Just turn the knob and then pull the door open.”

This time instead of trying to open the door, Johnny called for his mother who was sitting just outside to open it for them.

You’re probably wondering where I’m going with this, so I’ll explain. It occurred to me that there are a few reasons why Johnny couldn’t open the door:

1) Something made him think this door was different from other doors and therefore more challenging, so he assumed it would behave differently than other doors.
2) Because this was the door to the outside and not an interior door, he felt it was something to be afraid of.
3) Since adults usually open the door for him, he expected someone else to open it.

What doors do we avoid opening out of fear or because we have a preconceived notion that the task will be more difficult than the ones we complete on a daily basis? Do we expect others to open the doors for us?

Next time you’re faced with a challenge, take a step back and look at it as an “outside door” from the grown-ups point of view. Maybe the challenge is just an ordinary task that you could easily accomplish if you didn’t expect it to be difficult.

Maybe then you can turn an “I can’t” into an “I can”!

Feeling is Believing by Amanda Huber

2005-07-14T19:42:00.000-05:00

How to visualize something you aren’t experiencing

It has become a common statement in the “human potential” industry that manifesting and attracting something into your life is much easier when you put feeling behind it. I’m sure you can attain the same things without it, but I personally want to “ramp things up” (as my older brother likes to say) and use all the abilities at my disposal to guarantee that I receive all my wants with the greatest speed and force possible. But I was having a difficult time of it. How can you focus on peace and prosperity at the times you most need it - when you’re worried about your electricity getting shut off and you need to buy groceries, but only have $2.00 in your bank account to last you for the next two weeks?

I had to think about how to do this – the mechanics of it – and one day it just happened. The reason I think I suddenly envisioned it this way is due to two of my core beliefs which are:

All of us are connected to a “power source” of thoughts and experiences that we all contribute to. I heard this referred to in a scientific article recently as “a universal, unifying thread of love”.
If we are capable of feeling or experiencing something with the use of a drug (such as extreme highs or altered states of consciousness from illegal drugs) then we are able to experience the same things without any physical trigger – if we can just tap into that power source.

The mere fact that someone is capable of having a certain emotion or experience is proof that it does exist. We have only to try and to practice attaining that same state using our own mental abilities and beliefs to do it.

Let me digress for a minute and talk about this power source I keep referring to. One day I was concentrating on focusing myself to believe that the collective energy of the universe and all of us in it would give me the support I needed to direct the things I most wanted in life right to me; if only I could reach up and tap into it and accept what it brought. To create in myself an openness akin to opening your heart to a new relationship, or the unconditional love and hope you feel when you have your first child. For Christians, it might be akin to opening your heart to God or Christ.

In thinking of this universal power source in this light (so to speak – what a great word choice), I suddenly visualized myself reaching up with both arms, palms flat and touching a sort of “plane” of blue energy. Don’t ask me why it’s blue – it’s what my mind created for me and you might see pink or green or purple. The thickness was barely perceivable. Were it even a millimeter thinner, one would not be able to see it at all. It was not a solid sheet, but instead had constantly changing clouds moving around in it. I imagined these clouds to be the thoughts and feelings being constantly contributed to the plane.

I visualized all of us unknowingly (or for some, perhaps knowingly) contributing to this blue holding plane. Then I addressed that collective subconscious – which I knew could hear and respond to me no matter if the people contributing to it were not even aware of it. (After all, things do not require anyone to believe in them to exist. A tree exists whether you acknowledge that it does or not. You are, however, more likely to experience the tree if you do believe it exists.)

I posed my request to my new glowing plane for what I wanted to manifest in my life.

Immediately I started to feel an acceptance spread through me as if the collective energy had heard my request and was absolutely thrilled to comply. “Sure!” it said. “Coming right up - just for you!”

Well, I think I’ve digressed long enough. What I believe my experience means is simply that from then on, the technique I’ve just explained became my way of being able to visualize or feel something I wasn’t actually experiencing. After all, someone, somewhere out there has already felt the joys of buying their dream home or car, or finding their perfect partner and being truly in love, or being in the perfect health. All I have to do – all anyone has to do – is tap into it whenever it is needed.

Now when I’m feeling stressed out and want to feel at peace I mentally reach up and draw out the experience of living a relaxed, worry-free life. If I want to focus on drawing love to me, I reach up and pull the experiences of those who’ve lived a lifetime of happiness with their soul mate (ala The Notebook) and fill myself with those feelings.

So the next time you feel like crying from loneliness, or stress out about how to pay your mortgage, reach up and tap into the lives of those who are living or have already lived incredible, abundantly joyful lives. The more you do, the quicker you’ll attract that life as your own. Feeling is believing. It works for me.

The Third Ghost by Dr. Joe Vitale

2005-06-29T22:12:00.000-05:00

Or, Why I Offered $1,500 for a Book

by Dr. Joe Vitale
http://www.AttractANewCar.com

I've been haunted by three ghosts in my life.
The third one just appeared last month. I never
know why they pick me, but the relationship
usually leads to a brief glimpse of fame and
fortune. Maybe this time won't be any different.

The first ghost came to me in 1989. I was
reading the famous "Robert Collier Letter Book"
and came across the name Bruce Barton. I'm
sure thousands have read the same book, saw
the same name, but did not have the same
experience I had.

I got chills. Something awakened inside me. I began
a two year quest to learn all I could about this now
forgotten advertising genius and bestselling author.

The result was my book, "The Seven Lost Secrets
of Success." It's been through 11 printings. One
person bought 19,500 copies of it. The ghost of
Barton led me to write the book. It has touched
lives around the world, and continues to do so.

But he was only the first.

The second ghost was P.T. Barnum. The famous
showman and circus promoter came to me while I
was reading his autobiography. That led to my quest
to learn his business secrets. A year later, I wrote
the book, "There's a Customer Born Every Minute."
It also led to my audioprogram with Nightingale-
Conant, "The Power of Outrageous Marketing." The
program has been a bestseller for over 5 years now.

The third ghost came to me last month.

I have been a fan of Neville, the mystical writer of
several books, for a decade or more. I even mention
him and quote him in my latest book, "The Attractor
Factor." I even called one of the steps in the book,
on manifesting with feeling, "Nevillize." You Nevillize
a goal when you feel as if you already have it. But
apparently that wasn't enough for Neville.

A few weeks ago I noticed an article about him in
a major magazine. That reawakened my interest in
the Barbados mystic. I searched and found some
of his audios. These are actual recorded talks from
speeches he gave in the 1950s and 1960s. I found
a man who owned all known recordings of Neville.
I bought all 106 of them. I felt as if Neville was
speaking to me as I listened to them.

Then I found five lessons Neville taught in 1948.
These are very rare. They are about practical
metaphysics and how to manifest your heart's
desires. Pure gold. I relished the fact that I was
somehow led to the lessons. But something shocking
happened as I read them.

Neville was talking about needing to take a ship
back to his home country. He said the boat's name
was "Nerissa." That is the second time I've heard
that name. It's the name of my beloved partner,
who I've been with for six years now. Too weird.

But the ghostly events didn't stop there.

In the very same week that I found the rare lessons,
someone posted five books by Neville on eBay. All
were first editions, perfect condition, and autographed.
Neville showing up on eBay is odd enough. For five
signed books to appear was even stranger. I of course
bought them all.

The adventure didn't stop there.

A few days later eBay notified me that another
Neville item was just put online for bidding. I looked
and couldn't believe what I saw. It was the original
published lesson plan from the 1948 lectures I
had discovered -- and the manual was autographed.

Then, a few days after that, yet another Neville item
went on eBay. This turned out to be a truly rare book
from 1939 called "At Your Command."

I had never heard of it before. Apparently neither
had other Neville fans, who had been quiet until now,
as the bidding grew hot. In only one day people were
bidding $500 for this little gem. I, of course, wasn't going
to let this one slip by. I bid $1,500 for it and won it
for $515.

Is the book worth it? I used it to attract a new car:
a BMW 645Ci is being built for me right now in Germany.
So if having ghosts in my life isn't weird enough, I paid
$515 for a little book that is sharpening my powers to
manifest what I desire, which is today a $90,000 luxury
sports car.

This is getting too strange. The events were reminding
me of my experiences with Bruce Barton and P.T. Barnum.
I have no idea if the ghosts of these great men were
actually contacting me or not, but you have to admit
that the synchronicity of events leading me to write my
books has been uncanny. No wonder I've been a fan
of Rod Serling, who I met when I was a teenager.
I *live* The Twilight Zone.

I'm not sure why Neville is contacting me. Maybe
it's just to dust off his message and present it to
a new audience (meaning you). Meanwhile he'll
notify me tonight, or tomorrow. I know he would
like his ideas made available, so I put some of
them online at http://www.AttractANewCar.com

But there's a greater lesson here.

The joy in life is in following joy. What I mean is,
whether paying attention to these "coincidences"
leads to a new book or not isn't as important
as the thrill of acting on them. The adventure is
in the journey, not in the destination. The destination
is simply a pause before the next journey.

Are you acting on the nudges you get, even when
you have no idea where they will lead?

If so, you will find life exhilarating.

And you might even meet a ghost or two.

************************************************************

Dr. Joe Vitale is the author of way too many books
to list here. His latest title is "The Attractor Factor:
5 Easy Steps for Creating Wealth (or anything else)
From the Inside Out." Get more details at
http://www.AttractANewCar.com or http://www.MrFire.com

************************************************************

Copyright © 2005 by Joe Vitale. All rights reserved.
You may forward this in its entirety to anyone you wish.

Hypnotic Marketing Inc.
121 Canyon Gap Rd
Wimberley TX 78676

Member BBB Online 2005

You Are What You Speak? by Amanda Huber

2005-06-28T07:52:00.000-05:00

I was thinking the other day about how conscious I’ve become of saying only exactly what I mean. I know that may sound a little strange, but think about it. Have you ever jokingly said to someone “I’m going to kill you”?

A friend of mine gave me this example recently. He said that your sub-conscious has no sense of humor and interprets literally what you think and say. That, to me, is a terrifying concept considering the things that come out of a lot of our mouths today.

I think I’ve always tried to be very aware of the things I say out loud. After all, I wouldn’t want to wind up accidentally backing over one of my favorite clients in the parking lot simply because he hadn’t checked his email account for several months. Did I really say I was going to kill him? I didn’t mean it though!

Maybe that’s an extreme example, but what of the everyday run-of-the-mill utterances? What about “I wish I made more money” or “I really want a new car”? According to the experts* in this area, statements like these are going to keep you exactly in the same spot you’re already in. Why? Because you are, in effect, reinforcing that existence. You do wish you made more money and you do want a new car (meaning you continue to not have those things by saying them and believing them).

So what do you do about it?

These same experts* say to change the statements and you will change their reality.

“I have $10,000.00 in my checking account.”
“I have a new car.”

I had a problem with this for a long time. How can you say you have a new car when you clearly are still driving the same rust-bucket that you hope holds together just a little bit longer? It feels false.

Therein lies the key, I think. You have to be able to see yourself in that new car – imagine the future you. Absorb yourself in the daydream until it seems real. Another way the experts* tell you to get past this resistance is to change the statements to something you’re more comfortable with such as “I intend to make more money”.

Does any of this really help?

I look at it this way. If you are sitting at your desk, head in your hands, saying to yourself “I really need to make more money” doesn’t that imply a sort of helplessness? You need it? Doesn’t that sound as if you expect someone to come along and bestow some money on you?

Now how about this: “I intend to make more money”.
Ah HA! Now that sounds like a person who is going to ask for a raise, look for a better paying job, or start a new side business.

It’s empowering isn’t it? You could even take it a step further and challenge those nagging thoughts you hear in your head every morning too. Pretty soon that “Oh Lord I look old today” will turn into “I look FANTASTIC today”!

… and you do, too!

* Some of my favorite experts of note explain it all much better here:
(see more great book selections under “must read”)

The Attractor Factor - Joe Vitale

Popular marketing and spirituality guru Joe Vitale argues that those who try hard and fail need to remake their inner beings in order to easily attract success, wealth, and happiness. Many people do the right things but get the wrong results; it's not so much what they do, as what they are inside. The problem for most people is self-sabotage. In five easy steps, Vitale shows anyone how to become happier and more successful by doing a few simple things differently every day. Part wealth-creation guide, part spiritual road map, part autobiography, The Attractor Factor offers inspiring, effective answers for anyone who wants to feel better, be happier, get wealthier, and get ahead in life.

Power of Focus - Jack L. Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, Les Hewitt

Whether they are corporate professionals, budding entrepreneurs, or own a home business, most people are looking to achieve more in less time, while earning enough money to live comfortably. This book reveals the proven techniques thousands of people have used to attain all of the money they wanted while living healthy, happy and balanced lives. The Power of Focus is a practical, no-nonsense guide that shows readers how to reach their business, personal and financial goals without getting burned out in the process.

Conversations With God: An Uncommon Dialog - Neale Donald Walsch
	Suppose you could ask God the most puzzling questions about existence - questions about love and faith, life and death, good and evil. Suppose God provided clear, understandable answers. It happened to Neale Donald Walsch. It can happen to you. You are about to have a conversation...

Helping With Your Goals by Dr. Joe Vitale

2005-06-25T14:45:00.000-05:00

Welcome everyone! I received this article in an email recently and thought I'd pass it along. Joe not only writes helpful articles, but he seems like a really great guy as well. I hope this information will help you too.
(Also worth mentioning: if you want or need a new car, be sure to check out Joe's series on manifesting a new car here.)

***********************************

A New Way to Easily Achieve Your Goals
by Dr. Joe Vitale
http://www.MrFire.com/factor

I've learned at least two things about achieving goals: There is an easy way and a hard way.

The hard way is to work night and day, stay obsessed, rarely sleep, and never give up.

Since everyone talks about the hard way, I want to address the easy way. After all, why struggle if you don't have to?

I've used the easy way to create bestselling books, lose 70 pounds in 8 months, find my ideal mate, get healthy, increase my wealth, and much more.

Obviously, it works.

Here's the formula in brief:

1. Be grateful for what you already have.

2. Playfully declare what you would like to have with positive emotion, feeling as if it is already achieved.

3. Act on the nudges and opportunities that appear.

That's it. In my latest book, "The Attractor Factor," I explain a 5-step formula for getting what you want. It's useful for those times when you don't feel grateful, or can't decide on what you want, or don't understand the concept of letting go while taking inspired action. It's also helpful when you have issues about money, or deserving, or feel in any way blocked from your goals.

But the bottom-line for me is this: Declare what you would like with no attachment and plenty of good feeling, feel grateful for what you already have, and act on what appears. The result will be the manifestation of a happy life.

Let's explore this in depth.

1. Feel grateful now.

It doesn't mater where you live or what you have. If you're reading this, you're most likely living like a king or queen compared to people in third world countries. You may even be living better than kings or queens from history, as they often lived in cold, violent, frightful times. You've got it made.

2. Choose what you want without attachment, feeling as if it is already achieved.
There's magic in saying "Id love to---(fill in the blank) but I won't die if I don't have it." Since the world is simply energy taking form, when you declare you want something, you begin to attract it. But when you say you need something, the need pushes it away. You want to select your desire, and feel the joy of already having it, without feeling any desperation. Need will push it away; Desire will attract it. If you feel as if you *already* have it, then you *will* have it.

3. Act on your opportunities and intuitions.

You may get offers, calls, or who knows what. Act on them. You never know what will lead you to your goal. Your ego cannot see the big picture. Intuition and opportunities will come to you from the larger view, and your job is to act on them. As you do, you will be taken to your goal, even when it appears you are being blocked away. Trust is key.

Is that really all there is to it?

Again, the fuller procedure in "The Attractor Factor" will take care of any snags in the process, but the basic process is simple. Let's walk through it:

1. Look around your room. What are you grateful for? Make a list. Get into the authentic feeling of true gratitude. In other words, be happy now. You don't need a reason to be happy. But if you want one, find something, anything, to be grateful for right now. When you're grateful, you're in a mental place that will attract more to be grateful for.

2. Look around the playground of your mind. What would you like to have, do, or be? What would be fun? Write it down. As you do, feel what it would be like to already have it now. Pretend you won the lotto. What would you want for yourself or others? What would be fun? The key is playful non-attachment while experiencing its completion *now.*

3. Now pay attention. As you go about your life, listen to your hunches and act on them, and pay attention to the opportunities and act on them. You never know what will take you in the direction of your goal. Your job is to take inspired action. You may have some work to do in this step, but the work will be from your heart, and will take you in the direction of getting your goal.

Why not go through the steps right now?

Write them down, experience them, and then check back in a few weeks and see how they are doing. You may surprise yourself by how easily and quickly your goals are achieved.

If you find yourself doubting the process, thinking negative, or in any way not enjoying the simplicity of the easy way to attain your goals, then consider learning the 5 step process in "The Attractor Factor."

Above all, have fun. Keep smiling. Be playful. Stay grateful. These are all elements of the new secret to manifesting your goals.

Remember the words of a famous song that also perfectly summaries this new way to achieve your goals: "Don't worry. Be happy."

*********************************************************
Dr. Joe Vitale is the author of way too many books
to list here. His latest title is "The Attractor Factor:
5 Easy Steps for Creating Wealth (or anything else)
From the Inside Out." Get details at
http://www.mrfire.com/factor
*********************************************************

Copyright © 2005 by Joe Vitale. All rights reserved.
You may forward this in its entirety to anyone you wish.

**********************************************************
Hypnotic Marketing Inc.
121 Canyon Gap Rd
Wimberley TX 78676

Member BBB Online 2005