Worry is a pervasive and and needless habit that many of us struggle with. It blocks us from staying positive and therefore keeping a pure vision of what we want. Worry and the accompanying emotion of fear it brings with it interrupts our dreams, keeping us focused on what we do not want, rather than what we do want. Holding onto fear and worry and thinking we can reach the finish line, or our goal vision, is self-defeating. It’s like running a race, and stopping every few feet, running backwards, spinning around, and at last moving forward a few feet again, only to do the same thing all over again. The finish line stays far out of reach. Fear keeps us stuck. What are we to do with it?

Like everything else in our lives, we must take responsibility for it. There was a time in my life when I realized, in reviewing my life, that I was addicted to worry, and I was addicted to problems. I handled them like a champ, but I always got more to deal with! At one time I thought it was a testament to my strength and I felt a certain pride that I had survived what I did, but I began to feel there really was nothing positive to be said for my strength in enduring this onslaught. As I was starting to envision a future that included peace, freedom and happiness, entertaining worrisome thoughts all the time seemed counterproductive. In truth, I had grown weary of the constant legal issues, life issues, and health issues. So, I finally realized I had to take responsibility for all of that, and in taking responsibility, not only did I realize I brought forth those issues, but that I was addicted to the feelings and thoughts that I entertained because of them.

Addicted sounds like a harsh word, but I think it is accurate. When some problem came up, it’s what I thought of nearly 24/7. If I had waking moments without other critical things to take my mind off it, I was mulling the issue over and over, anticipating different outcomes, pondering solutions, and analyzing every bit of it. I was getting quite good at anticipating possible outcomes, and as a result had handled legal situations quite well in the past. But when you are looking to change your reality into a positive and peaceful one, you don’t need detective or legal skills just to handle life!

At first, I continued to resist the idea that worry was really needless, and still tried to find a good rationale for it. I had spent a good deal of my life doing this. Since I had invested so much time in this activity, I suppose I wanted to believe it was a productive thing to do. So I thought about people I knew who didn’t seem to spend time worrying, curious how it impacted their lives. I realized that they seemed blessed with better fortune or experienced far less disruptions. Now, you might reason that is why they don’t worry, but of course, it’s the other way around!

As I was resistant, I didn’t want to not think about the problem–like any other addict, I wanted to continue with my habit! I thought I could continue to ponder whatever dilemma was going on at the time, and simply choose to not feel fear as a result of the thoughts, as I felt it was the fear that was destructive in creating my newly-formed goals. Then, I realized that thinking the problem situation over and over itself was the problem, as it kept me from being focused on positive things as well as my goal reality. I could try real hard not to feel fear when thinking about the circumstances, but that was challenging anyway. Imagine huge debt, loss of income, lengthy divorce proceedings regarding divorce and child custody, health crises, and bankruptcy court. I had all of these and more.

Few, if any, of us were raised in an environment where we were encouraged to spend time focusing on our goal visions and dreams, particularly in the midst of some crisis, so we can’t blame ourselves for doing absolutely what we were taught to do! Now, I am not suggesting you ignore problems that need to be dealt with, but you don’t need to obsess over them. You arrive at a solution and steps to reach the solution, and be done with it. You take one day at a time, stay positive, and keep your vision in mind!

Focusing on worry and present circumstances can also help to create another problem situation on its heels. I realized I had to be willing to let go of the analysis, the thinking, and the addiction to these problems. Although life had already turned around and many of the issues I mentioned above were in the past, suddenly new ones came up. It was then that I realized I was creating them over and over again. It was clear I was addicted to them. I was also addicted to thinking about them. This seemed to be one of the final pieces that I needed to lay in place to progress in my life.

The realization of all of this was a large part of the solution. Remember, awareness is the key to growth. When we see truth about ourselves, we accept it openly. We acknowledge, take responsibility, and then forgive ourselves for the past. And we release it. Just let it go. Choose to release worrisome thoughts, and choose to think about your positive vision. Just say no to negativity! Say no to fear and worry. When the thoughts come up, affirm the following to yourself: "I willingly release these worrisome thoughts. I do not need to think about this situation. I choose to think happy thoughts." A good deal of mental discipline and re-training will be necessary, as you have been accustomed to this obsessive thinking. It is just like the alcoholic reaching for the drink. In your mind, you need only reach for that thought that is hovering close by! Distracting the mind will help. If you can’t keep your mind busy on something else, try singing, or humming. Play Don’t Worry Be Happy, and sing along, or some other song that distracts your mind and keeps you positive. Remember Hakuna Matata from the Lion King? You can sign up for free to listen to these and other songs. This is an exercise in mental re-training, and it’s no small feat, but it can be done. After some time spent on this exercise, and you won’t have to work at it so hard. Do this until negative or worry thinking is no longer a habit.

Remain vigilant of your thoughts! What do you think about in your free moments? If you find that you choose to think about stressful situations in far greater proportion than is needed to resolve the problem, you need to take some steps to re-train your mind before you are able to move forward with creating your vision. Remember, as within, so without. Keep in your mind peaceful, happy, positive and loving thoughts. Look forward with expectation to fulfilling your dreams!

 

 

 

 

 

One of the most challenging issues for many of us is finding our purpose. 

Unfortunately most of us we were raised on a cookie cutter recipe card, particularly the baby boomers and older. As time went on, I think greater individuality was permitted, if only for minimal issues, such as diaper training, or weaning off the breast or bottle. Aside from this, by a particular age, there are certain expectations for achievement. If you fall within a certain percentage points of the expected range, you move on, with regard to schooling. Few parents are able to work with their children on anything more than a minimal basis, unless there is an at-home parent, so it is up to the school to foster and nurture the creative spark. And they rarely do that, as that is not their purpose.

In any case, those in my reading audience would likely be from a time, like my own, when raising a child resembled something closer to cloning. We just weren’t encouraged to march to our own drummer back in those days. Maybe some were groomed for a career their parents picked out. Perhaps they weren’t groomed for anything at all, and wound up unprepared. Career may have been left to chance altogether.

Career, or our life’s work, should not be left to chance. Our purpose, or our dharma, is an integral part of our experience here. It is our contribution to society, our service to the greater whole, and at the same time, the activity we spend the greater portion of our lives performing. Who among us feels satisfied after a day of work? Precious few!

Lack of direction caused me quite a bit of anxiety for many, many years. Many times it felt that the easier thing had been to just go out to work and earn a paycheck. But, since I had successfully raised my daughter to seek her joy and follow it, I felt some re-parenting was needed, to find what I loved to do, and then to allow myself to do it.

When I began to contemplate what I wanted to do, aside from the many years of experience that I had, or the education I had paid for, I found that I was comparing myself to others who had picked a path, and succeeded. Obviously, I was comiing up short, as their path was not my own. It never helps to judge yourself in relation to others, especially in their area of specialty. There are always stories of people who experienced unexpected success doing some unusual or seemingly easy or fun thing. The general thought is "If they can do it, why not you?"

This is self-defeating. Their path is their own. Your path is uniquely yours. Together we all make up the puzzle of the whole, and each of us has a different gift and talent that we can utilize to contribute something very special, and very unique to the whole. If we don’t stop to figure out what that is, we will short-change ourselves of the experience and joy. We will also short-change others of this gift.

The problem with the cookie cutter society and our educational system is that we are accustomed to judging ourself in relation to others and in relation to a standard. Outside of schooling, we note that those who tend to stand out are those who have accomplished, or mastered their niche, or found their purpose. If you compared yourself to them, you would, almost universally, come up short. They found their niche and purpose, and you need to find yours.

There is something you are better at than anyone else in the world. You need to find this. When you find it, the work will be close to effortless. You may not recognize it as work, because you enjoy the activity. If you were raised with the idea that you had to work very hard, you might feel anxiety trying to pursue that path, unless you happen to also land into money at the same time. The anxiety will stem from those old programs within. You won’t feel that you can possibly be financially successful or even sustaining, as you were raised to feel that financial success and discomfort, or suffering, went hand-in-hand. If you find yourself doing something you love, unless you see the money come pouring in immediately, which is wholly unlikely, your mental programs will cause you a good deal of angst in response to this direction you’re taking. You may even find that well-meaning others try to steer you off this path as well, as they were raised the same way you were–believing that work should be suffering. After all, their parents did it!

Today, the conscious parent raises their children to develop their own creativity and skill. We want each individual to take the time to look within at what their passion is, and to expand their thinking beyond what is currently out in the world. Whether on the movie screen, the bestseller shelf at Barnes & Noble, the hit video on Youtube, or items or technology selling on the shelves, there could be a completely new idea, or a new product, or a new service that you have to offer. You need to look within for purpose, not without. When you’re looking at what is already out there, you could feel overwhelmed at the choices, and never stop to recognize your own unique offering. When you discover your talent, you may need to take the practical steps of marketing the skill, or re-shaping it, but the first step is not a logical one–it is an intuitive one.

Stop looking at others and their successes when seeking out your purpose. Begin to understand that you need to carve your own way, and you have your own path to follow. This concept should be of comfort to you, so do your best to see the negative voices and fear for what they are–old programming. Recognize that you are an important piece of the puzzle on this planet, and that your gifts are essential to others. Begin to listen to yourself, and your likes and dislikes, and try to get clear on where negative messages may be stemming from. As you develop your inner guidance, you will be able to discern the programs and negative thoughts from the instincts and messages that Self is sending you, and you will be well on your way to discovering your purpose.

Success comes to those willing to commit with unwavering persistence. Committing to change first requires an open and willing attitude. You’ll find yourself tested with challenges that require you to develop tremendous inner courage. Ultimately you hope to see outer success as a result of the inner work you have done, but it usually takes some time. This will require you to develop the patience of a champion.

Unfortunately, while people may decide they want change, they rarely want to do the work for the time required to see tangible results. Understandably, they often get impatient to see change on any level, whether in regard to physical healing, mental healing, or life healing. While it has taken an entire lifetime to create what we see in the form of our financial condition, relationships, health, and general happiness overall, we may irrationally want instantaneous results. We tend to lose focus and move onto something else that offers a quicker return. There really is no easier or quicker way than inner healing work. That is ultimately the only way.

If you are going through a divorce that is causing financial and emotional difficulties, you need to look at it from the perspective that a bad situation is moving out. It is a situation undergoing the process of change. You may have traded what appears like one bad situation for another, but in reality, you are working towards an improvement. You have to view any negative circumstances in that way, when you are actively working on improvement.

Many people often neglect to realistically assess their starting place when working towards goals of self-improvement. If you have heard about the "illusion" of time, forget it now. If you have heard that it only takes the universe "one second," forget that one, too. It’s a whole lot more fun to contemplate change when we think it might take a second, but it’s unrealistic, given our starting point, to transform negative conditions in a second, in a week, month, or possibly even a year or more! Understand the necessity of cultivating the art of patience.

Do not allow your current situation to weigh upon you. It will pass. You may look at this and say, "How can I feel positive with this going on around me?" or "How can I feel healthy when I am sick?" Optimism becomes part of the healing process. Not only must you believe that the situation will pass, you must believe that it will ultimately produce the best possible results. The current situation is a part of yesterday. At some point, it will merely be history. Then, you can forget it entirely. For today, plod through with courage, and do not focus on negativity, as bleak as circumstances may seem. Focusing on the negative will encourage negative conditions to remain. Use the momentum of change to swing to the positive as you focus on positive change at all times.

People seem more willing to put time and energy into areas that do not hold as great a promise to transform their lives. Perhaps the pain of looking within serves as the impetus for seeking outer distractions and material possessions. But at the end of the day, no amount of money or stuff can substitute for inner peace and happiness. While you may at times feel overwhelmed by the inner work required to change your thoughts or habits, know that the longer you put off the necessary inner work, the more ingrained and habitual the patterns become. The best you can hope to achieve, lacking real change, is tolerant complacency to your own dissatisfaction. Eventually you will find that change is an inside job.

You will not find any better system to change your life. There is nothing more worthwhile than committing to your own growth. You can effect powerful change in your life right now with your growing awareness. It’s reasonable to want change to motivate you to keep moving forward, and this will happen. With the internal changes, your perspective will change. You will change. And then life will transform.

Success starts with a dream. Inspiration and fire transform that dream into reality. Feel passionate about your desires! Dreams are meant to inspire you to live with passion and purpose to attain them, not to make you long for what you cannot have. In the process, you grow, you develop, and you discover the truth of who you are.

Our soul urges us to grow by placing desires in our heart. These desires push us through our limits, challenges, blocks and fears. If the desire becomes a driving need, or being deprived of our heart’s desire proves painful enough, we will work to overcome anything that limits us from getting what we want. Many times it is only the limits in our mind that keep us from what we want, and in this way, we are pushed to grow. Without a dream, we would not want more. We would not be driven to go beyond where we have been.

Many people give up on their dreams without trying to reach them. They may have been taught early in life that their dreams were simply unrealistic fantasies. If you hold a dream in your heart, you have the ability to attain it.

Sometimes people don’t have a problem coming up with a vision of an idyllic life, but cannot imagine ever actually achieving it, given their current mindset. Current law of attraction teachings have come to the rescue by telling us that positive thinking, affirmations, writing checks and rubbing lamps will bring those dreams into reality. But if we feel this vision lies so distant from our present reality that we couldn’t possibly achieve that kind of change in one lifetime, we won’t be able to manifest those ideals. We must take the necessary step to admit that deep down, we believe those goals are unattainable. Awareness and self-honesty is always far more empowering than denial. Taking the step towards recognition of blocks, and then working through them until you feel that your dreams are within your grasp, is how you will manifest your visions.

Perhaps we can use law of attraction to bring conditions to us that have eluded us in the past, simply by changing our focus, being positive, and defining our vision. Maybe we only needed to learn that it was okay to want what we want, and to believe we can have it. Maybe we need to learn to dispel negativity and belief in lack. But perhaps, if we are to manifest those goals, more in-depth healing is needed. When conditions exist for real shift and growth, the sooner we "get" what we need to learn, the closer we are to each and every single goal, no matter how unrealistic it may seem. The same vision that we think impossible, was very possible for many others. Why them, and not you? Imagine manifesting the love of your life, creating a successful and fulfilling career, feeling healthy, vibrant, and happy. If you can imagine it, you can achieve it, with commitment and patience.

It is the same thinking that created your life that continues to limit your vision. Eliminate those thoughts, and a new world will open to you.

Through the study of quantum physics, we find that our thoughts have great power in shaping our life on the imperceptible level through law of attraction. Armed with this knowledge, we finally realize the importance of the content and quality of our thoughts. Every negative and limiting thought limits our ability to create a positive life experience.

We may believe that our thought systems present unchangeable truth. In reality, we need to eliminate or alter these beliefs, which range from universal ideas about how the world operates, how people behave, what conditions exist, as well as personal beliefs about self-worth, intelligence, talent or capability. These untruths need to shift before we see a change in our conditions. These thoughts continue to draw circumstances and people to us. Can we diagnose sick thoughts, based on what we attract? 

Any initial discomfort brought by healing and change is only temporary, whereas the dissatisfaction you would feel from remaining as you are, comfortable as it may be, is permanent. You can attempt to develop complacency and tolerance, but frustration and unhappiness will develop on some level. As you numb yourself to your dissatisfaction, you also numb yourself to many of life’s joys and pleasures. It takes a significant amount of energy to hold off those repressed feelings, and eventually buried negative emotions leak out into our lives, affecting relationships, physical health, and emotional well-being.

It is never too late to take the time the time and effort to create a life that you are happy to wake to every single day. Ask yourself, if not now, when?