Daily Insight: Trusting in the Signs

Is there something out there that reminds you to keep having faith?

At times, you may feel your faith in your life path starts to waiver, or the feeling that the thing you have been working so hard to achieve is not going to happen?

But, somewhere.. somehow.. a little message comes through from the Universe that reminds you - YES! the Universe is watching over you. And, that you need to keep on having faith and trust in the Universes 'master plan'!

Signs can come in all shapes and sizes - sometimes, they can have significant meaning specifically to you or to a group of people. The "sign" is something that positively impacts your mind and emotions - it fires up that feeling of faith within and makes you smile inwardly and outwardly!

Make a conscious note of these signs, and look out for them. And, remember to keep fueling your fire of faith that you too may live your dreams as you have intended them to be!

"Faith is the strength by which a shattered world shall emerge into the light." ~ Helen Keller

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Namasté

Daily Insight: Where's My Silly?

Have you ever had the inkling to do something preposterous? Something out of the ordinary, that you know.. people would wonder where you escaped from? Maybe when they know the truth it will be that you escaped the programming of having to be "serious"! Most of us are so programmed to be serious adults that we have forgotten that we too are allowed to be silly, and that feeling.... of being silly is so, free'ing!

Just the thought of giving yourself permission to do something silly could be enough to allow your "serious" character take a break - allowing yourself to be silly once in a while is almost a necessity to reset ourselves and allow a new shift to take place.

For a moment - just invite your mind to think of doing something silly. How does your body react.. I feel a tingling sensation of butterflies in my tum! What do you feel?

Allow the magic of your imagination to be free'ed - choose one thing for today and let the silliness of your inner child reign free - maybe for a few moments, an hour or the whole day BUT, remember to enjoy and soak up the feeling. And, if someone notices you being silly - give them a friendly smile - that may invite them to discover their own silliness.

Give yourself the freedom to just enjoy! A silly little exercise just to relax your mind and the body will follow. :)

“We are shaped by our thoughts; we become what we think. When the mind is pure, joy follows like a shadow that never leaves.” ~ Buddha

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Namasté

Daily Insight: Seek Out Your Gratitude

Find something to be grateful for today! It does not have to be something of huge, glorious proportions it can be the smallest of things - like a smile from a stranger, the luckily penny you found.

Anything and everything in our lives we should be grateful for but, we tend to forget to show gratitude and take a lot of what we have to granted. An easy way to teach yourself to remember that we should show gratitude is to seek out something each day to say a pray of gratitude for it.

In every life experience no matter whether it was something that brought great joy or sadness, there is a lesson to be learnt. Seek out the lesson and be grateful - as each lesson is something that will help mould your future.

“Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.”

So, go ahead.. seek out your gratitude.. be grateful - practice this each and every day until it becomes a natural process.

“Develop an attitude of gratitude, and give thanks for everything that happens to you, knowing that every step forward is a step toward achieving something bigger and better than your current situation.” ~ Brian Tracy

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Namasté

Daily Insight: Hello, has anyone seen my happiness?

Are you constantly searching for your happiness? You keep looking.. everywhere, under the sofa, in the pot plants, maybe in the next town or city, in the new friend/s, maybe the next boyfriend or girlfriend? Oh, where can it be?

The harder you look, the more it seems to evade you..! You scratch your head.. and wonder where is my happiness? Why can't I find it? Here is the simple answer to all those questions - IT'S NOT THERE OR WHERE YOU ARE LOOKING! It is in YOU! You will never find it in all those places you are looking because you have to go WITHIN.

The key to finding and understanding happiness is that you need to remember, happiness is a CHOICE!

So, how do you make that choice and bring the happiness that is hidden within you out?

You can do all, or just a few - remember, practice makes perfect:

1. Live in the present moment. The future will come sure enough, but you do not have to live there - enjoy the present moment for what it has to offer.
2. Connect with positive people - cultivate positive and supportive relationships.
3. Take time to exercise and meditate - try Yoga as it builds a positive mental, emotional and spiritual connection with the body.
4. Focus on the good things in life and cut down on negativity in your daily life - surround yourself with positive people, stop watching the news and replace the repetitive negative thoughts with positive affirmations.
5. Simplify your life - do things you love (including work) and eliminate the things that create stress.
6. Learn to accept that you can not change the world, but you can change yourself.
7. Learn to appreciate what you have in your life - show gratitude for all the positive things you have in your life.
8. Help others - lend a helping hand to a stranger to a friend. It's pretty simple.

Now for the fun stuff:

1. Do something silly today! This is my favorite - eat a mango naked ;)
2. Plan fun things for your future.
3. Smile at a stranger.
4. If you have kids or pets take some time to REALLY play with them - connect with your inner child.
5. Write a bunch of fun words on post-it notes, and stick the notes up in places you will always see them - like inside the fridge, on your pets food container, in your make-up bag, on the dash of your car, in your wallet!

Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.” ~ Herman Cain

Have fun and embrace your happiness!

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Namasté

Daily Meditation: It's All In Your Vibration

Make the choice to lift your vibrational energy - as, you begin to move forward on a spiritual path you will find your life changing positively before you - it is a choice to live life fully and compassionately.

As both humanity and our planet evolve - it is our duty to lift our vibrational energy. In doing so, you will positively impact those around you and your environment.

Have you ever thought - "How could I create 'world peace'?" - the answer is not simple but, one way to assist in that endeavor is to lift your vibrational energy.

As we each lift our own vibrational energy, it will start to positively impact those around you. We should all come to the same realization that peace is the one thing that will allow humanity survive as well, as start the healing process for both humanity and for the planet.

Do something today that will lift your vibrational energy - here are a few easy to do things that will assist in lifting your vibration:

1. Give something willfully and unconditionally - without thinking "what do I get back?" (it does not have to be monetary, it can be anything: service, a good word, helping someone with their shopping bags).
2. Listen to uplifting music or recite a mantra (ex: Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti) - sounds help to ignite your Soul, and clear your energy pathways.
3. Focus on love - send out love and compassion to those around you and to those in need, allow love to emanate from you.
4. Take a walk in nature and breathe in the fresh air - allowing the air to clear your mind and body, allow your body and mind to take in the beauty of natural both visually and energetically.
5. Take a yoga or meditation class - focus on allowing the energy to move through your being.
6. De-clutter your life - clean up your desk, home or bedroom. Clutter makes our energy become stodgy, de-cluttering will allow the energy to flow freely.
7. Exude positivity - imagine that you have accomplished your goals, and are living life they way you have always imagined it to be.
8. Go for a massage or healing work - allow yourself to relax and let go, soak in the healing energies to heal yourself.
9. Light aromatherapy candles - allow the essence to clear your mind and space.

Teach this triple truth to all: A generous heart, kind speech, and a life of service and compassion are the things which renew humanity. ~ Buddha

Daily Meditation: Chit-chatter of the brain matter!

Is your mind constantly being bombarded by mind chatter? Do you want to create some some quite time in your mind.

How do you quieten your mind of the constant thoughts going around and around like a merry-go-round at the county fair? Creating that quiet space will allow your subconscious to communicate clearer, more important messages - less mental noise will lead you to become happier and more productive.

One simple way is to find time to meditate - but, sometimes that is not always accessible to us during our busy work day.

Some simple techniques to help quieten your mind:

1. Consciously observe your words - cleanse your mind of unnecessary thoughts - clear your mind of all the gossip around you, as gossip generates a negative space.
2. When you do speak - say what you mean, and mean what you say - give your words weight. Stand up and be truthful to yourself and others. That way you can eliminate any kind of worry from your mind, from words you have spoken.
3. Protect the space of your mind, by being conscious of the thoughts you allow inside - these are your own words, thoughts and intentions.
4. Do some "mental-housecleaning" - do not say things to yourself, that you would not repeat to others. Self-criticism is something that is generally high on the totem pole. Negative self-talk only creates low self-esteem and anxiety. Do some 'mental house-cleaning' by replacing those negative thoughts with positive affirmations.

Remember, words carry energy whether spoken or held within. Every word thought or projected will influence us on an energetic level. If you were to constantly bombard a plant with negative energy - that poor plant will eventually begin to whither and die but, if you spoke kind and peaceful words to that plant it will begin to thrive and grow.

Start creating a positive space within your mind - so, that you can switch off the negative chit-chatter of the brain. And, rather nourish your mind with positive words of encouragement.

“To have a quiet mind is to possess one's mind wholly; to have a calm spirit is to possess one's self.” ~ Hamilton Wright Mabie

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Namasté

Daily Meditation: Living Life Freely, Follow Your Heart

Is there something your heart is telling you to do? Do you have a dream and know that if you follow that path you will find peace and balance in your life? Do you want to live your life freely, by following your heart?

Most people treat the present moment as if it were an obstacle that they need to overcome. Since the present moment is Life itself, it is an insane way to live. ~ Eckhart Tolle

Do you want to take control of your life, and follow you heart?

Follow these simple steps:

1. Own your own power - by doing what you want to do, and not what others think you should do. Listen to your heart, don't listen to others "opinions" unless they are positive and supportive.
2. Listen to your conscience - by following your heart, you should also be doing what is right - use non-judgment, non-voilence, peace and compassion to help you along your path.
3. Do not pay attention to negativity or criticism.
4. Do not be afraid to be an individual - to stand out of the crowd. Not everyone has to follow the same path. Remember, all those great Souls that have been successful by following their own drumbeat.
5. Stand up for yourself - believe in yourself. Own your own truth, and go forth with confidence.

May we all follow our hearts with peace and compassion.

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Namasté

Daily Meditation: Creating Peace in Your LIfe

Peace is always possible and available to each of us - it requires some strength and practice to cultivate especially during hard times. But, it is always possible!

To practice peace - is to make the feeling of peace come alive in us - to create an understanding of love and compassion on all levels. Practicing peace requires create courage. Great courage to know that love, compassion and a peaceful manner is the way to handle all situations.

Just thinking or talking about being compassionate or creating peace is not enough - you have to mindfully create and practice peace within yourself, in your relations and in your communities. Plant the seed of peace - then, constantly and mindfully water it with the constant practice of peace and compassion, this will allow it to grow and root strongly to create a strong foundation within us all.

Ask yourself "Do I cultivate peace in my life?" - Then, take note of your daily life and your daily interactions with people - how do you treat or interact with others? Do you express peace and reconciliation or are you doing the opposite?

I am constantly inspired by Tich Nhat Hanh ~ "Every day we do things, we are things that have to do with peace. If we are aware of our life..., our way of looking at things, we will know how to make peace right in the moment, we are alive."

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Namasté

Making Peace.. Peace of Mind, Peace of Heart!

One of the most profound steps a person can take in life.. is to create peace... Today, I take that step forward..., I embrace it with love and compassion... "Every day we do things, we are things that have to do with peace. If we are aware of our life..., our way of looking at things, we will know how to make peace right in the moment, we are alive."

Everyday my life is inspired by the compassion and grace of great people like the Dalai Lama and Tich Nhat Hanh - if only we all could be inspired by their graciousness we would live on a peaceful and healthy planet.

Daily Meditation: The 5 Elements of Emotions

I am so excited about a new healing modality that I am currently working on developing - I have not yet, figured out what to call it (possibly Yoga Fusion) - but, that is less important than the possibilities of the healing potential it offers. On Saturday, I experienced a positive discovery session with a very talented, and beloved Yogi and friend - her feedback was invaluable to me and the results have been profound.

As, a part of my own journey of discovery - I would like to share with you some ancient philosophy.

How do your emotions affect you, and your body?

According to Chinese Medicine - there are 7 human emotions:

Joy, anger, anxiety, melancholy, sorrow, fear and fright.

These are our responses to the external environment, in small doses these emotions will probably not cause any physical ailments but in large quantities and over prolonged periods, they can start to affect the functions of your body's organs and systems.

What element and organ do each of these emotions relate to?

Joy and fright are related to the heart and the element of fire.

Melancholy is related to the spleen and the element of earth.

Anxiety and sorrow relate to the lungs and element of metal

Fear relates to the kidneys and the element of water.

Anger relates to the liver and the element of wood.

Take some time to evaluate what emotions you have been harboring and allowing to take over your mind and body. Then, start working towards releasing the negative emotions - consciously work on replacing those emotions with positive emotions - either through meditation, yoga practice, healing, positive affirmations.

Coming soon, I will be offering Yoga Fusion sessions - where we balance the emotions, meridians and chakras using the chinese elements, Yoga Asanas and pranayama. More details to come.

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Namasté

Daily Meditation: The Power of Forgiveness

To live a better life is to move forward in life with compassion, and live life with pureness of body, mind and heart.

"Forgiveness is the demonstration that you are the light

of the world. Through your forgiveness does the truth

about your self return to your memory." ....Course in Miracles

At some point in your life you may have experienced some pain, disappointment, loss or injury - whether on a physical, emotional, mental or spiritual level - someone at sometime may have contributed to this negative experience. The question to you is "How long do want to hold onto this negativity before moving forward?"

Each moment that you cling to this pain, this negativity you allow this negativity to generate a new life or sequence of thoughts, emotions and actions. Until the point where you fully forgive and let go - you will continue to maintain and magnify the pain.

Forgiveness is completely letting go of the past and moving forward in the here and now, so that the negativity is no longer reoccurring.

Here are some points to help in the journey of forgiveness:

1. Realize the emotions you feel toward "the enemy" does not hurt them. Chances are, that this person has moved on and has not given the incident another thought.
2. The best way to show some you are a "better person" - is to move on and live a happy, successful life.
3. Always look for the lesson in the incident, so that you may grow stronger from whatever may have occurred.
4. Make a list of all good things in your life that have occurred after or from the incident.
5. Be compassionate to yourself - by releasing that of the old, so that you may steer yourself in a new direction, on a new path where you also able to forgive yourself and untie the bindings that hold you to that situation.
6. Learn the true meaning of forgiveness - which is to "untie". The fastest way to start healing is to leave the negativity behind and forgive.
7. Learn to balance trust with wisdom - what is the lesson you learnt.
8. Stop telling the story - each time you give energy to the story, you light the fire and neither yourself or the other is able to fully move forward and heal.
9. Retrain your thoughts by putting your energy towards visualizing a positive and successful life for yourself.
10. Find positive affirmations to help you generate positive feelings.
11. Put your situation into perspective - think of others that have forgiven under larger situations.

The practice of peace and reconciliation is one of the most vital and artistic of human actions.

~ Thich nhat hanh

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Namasté

Daily Meditation: Mindful Awareness

What is mindful awareness? It is a calm state of consciousness - where the mind, body and emotions are being actively observed. Both scientific and spiritual traditions say that bringing mindful awareness into your daily can help lower stress - which has many benefits on all levels.

Simple ways to include mindful awareness in your life is through regular meditation and yogapractice. Other techniques to bring mindfulness into your daily life, include:

• Being mindful of your breathing - taking in deep and comfortable breathes from the abdomen.
• Before eating take some time to focus on how your body feels - are you anxious, excited, calm? If you are anxious or excited, take a few deep breathes to calm your body and mind. Try to pay attention to the smell, flavor and texture of each bite and chewing food slowly to help digestion.
• Practice listing to others - listen to what they are really saying. Fully listen to what they say before trying to think of your response - this helps to develop empathy, good communication and a better understanding of each person.
• Good posture is key - stand tall, plant your feet firmly on the earth to fully connect with the earths energy and ground yourself. Allow your head to feel light on your shoulders and extend your heart center outwards to open your lungs to receive more oxygen - fill your body with prana!
• Practice mindful awareness in everything you do - whether washing the dishes, brushing your teeth. Be aware of your body, your energy as you go through your daily life.

"As we encounter new experiences with a mindful and wise attention, we discover that one of three things will happen to our new experience: it will go away, it will stay the same, or it will get more intense. whever happens does not really matter."
— Jack Kornfield

Daily Meditation: Focusing Your Mind

What do we feed our mind? What is the chatter in your head? Where do you focus your mind?

Focusing your mind on those things which are positive, healthy and true - will allow our lives reflect those things.

Take a moment to note what are you feed your mind? Is it those things that lead to joy, happiness and hope?

Try this simple exercise to help focus your mind on the positive:

1. Look for the good and positive in each situation and each person.
2. Don't allow your mind to wallow on the negative - speak words that reflect a positive mind.
3. Don't play the 'blame game'. No one is to blame for your decisions you make in life. Remember, each situation and each we made decision is here for us to learn and grow!
4. Take responsibility for your life decisions and actions.
5. Live in the present. Don't live in the past - forgive those that may have brought you hurt - find the lesson and then move forward.

People deal too much with the negative, with what is wrong. Why not try and see positive things, to just touch those things and make them bloom? ~ Thich Nhat Hanh

Daily Meditation: Life Goals

Following a path at times may not be so easy - as we are at times challenged by certain situations or events. But, knowing that the path you have chosen is for you and for your own growth will help inspire and support you to continue to forge forward.

Words from a Master, the Dalai Lama...

"Every noble work is bound to face problems and obstacles. It is important to check your goal and motivation thoroughly. One should be very truthful, honest, and reasonable. One's actions should be good for others, and for oneself as well. Once a positive goal is chosen, you should decide to pursue it all the way to the end. Even if it is not realized, at least there will be no regret."

Simple Exercise to set Life Goals and to achieve them:

1. Set aside some quiet time alone to contemplate your life, and what you want in the future.
2. Write down the main life goals that you would like to achieve in this life. Add in the details example: "I want to learn Spanish by the time I turn 30".
3. Make sure that the goals are set are YOURS and not others goals. Your goals can be both personal, professional, spiritual, physical - let the list be expansive.
4. After you have completed your list - ask whether some of these goals are "nice-to-haves". Once you have removed any of the "nice-to-haves", try and trim the list down to about 10 of your most important goals.
5. Now, with the list of your top 10 most important goals - write down a time/date/age next to each of these - creating a target date helps focus your energy and helps you prioritize.
6. Put the list in a place where you can always look at it. In the next 48-hours - re-visit the list and reflect upon these life goals, are these goals a true reflection of you and your life goals? If it is - well done! If not, start over til you create a list that reflects you and your goals.

Remember, to carry this list with you. Take time to reflect upon your goals - also, you may need to check a goal off the list when you achieve it!

Keep in mind to be flexible, and to go with the flow with your goals - as you never know something bigger may be achieved than you thought or a new goal may be formed.

Enjoy!

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Namaste!

Daily Meditation: Observing the Miracles

“People usually consider walking on water or in thin air a miracle. But I think the real miracle is not to walk either on water or in thin air, but to walk on earth. Every day we are engaged in a miracle which we don't even recognize: a blue sky, white clouds, green leaves, the black, curious eyes of a child -- our own two eyes. All is a miracle.” ~ Thich Nhat Hanh

A simple exercise in observing the miracles and building your general awareness:

You will need a large mirror, preferably full length, and some time with it in solitude.

Begin by standing in front of a mirror - start moving your arm, as you watch your reflection - be aware of how your body moves, feel the movement. Watch yourself, watch the feeling of your body - as you move your arm slowly then quickly - move your arm in different directions. Then, begin to create a more complex movement i.e.. touching your nose, scratching your head. Then try this with your other arm - continue to be aware of how it feels as you observe.

Next, start moving a leg. First move one, then the other - keep watching and feeling. Walk in a circle, lean, jump, stand on your tip toes.

Next bring your attention to your face - start creating different faces at yourself i.e.. pull out your tongue, grin, grimace, talk - watch as your mouth moves, your eyes move, as you arch your eyebrows.

Then, stand close to the mirror and become aware of your blink rate - next, observe how your head,shoulders and torso move as you breathe. As you are doing this become aware of your heartbeat - see if you can visually detect how your body moves with the heartbeat. Then, bring your attention back to your breathing - your natural breath. an unforced breath. Become aware of the sound of your breath, feel your breath - watch your body as it moves with each breath.

The point of the exercise is to be aware of your bodies natural rhythms, your natural movements - try this exercise when you are happy, sad or angry. See how your movements change, how your body's natural rhythms and movements are altered. You can also begin to observe other peoples movements and how they change with their emotions.

Bring simple awareness to the body's natural rhythms - the small miracles that happen daily and how your emotions influence and change these natural movements.