Approval

“What other people think of me is none of my business.”

Imagine for a moment what your life would be like if you didn’t care about other people’s opinions. Would you be self-centered and egotistical, or would you be set free to live a life fulfilling your true purpose without being held back by a fear of rejection or judgment? Wanting other people's approval is a human need and in itself is not an unhealthy need. However, that need becomes unhealthy when you become attached or addicted to getting approval from others-when it becomes the only way that you can feel fulfilled. To put it simply, the need for other people's approval puts your happiness under the control of others.

Today as we move towards a new year, begin to recognize how your fears about other people's judgements and your need for other people's approval have forced you to bury and hide some of your real talents-forced you to hide who you really are. Today it is time for you to break out of the mold and roles that you have created so that you could fit in or get others approval. Use the rest of this year to experiment and be creative-without expectations of a perfect outcome. Today, let go of caring what other people think so you can fully express all of your divinely given gifts. You must travel lightly on your new path! So. it's time for you to let go of all the emotional baggage that is stopping you from realizing who and what you truly are and who you are becoming.

Just for today, I recognize that I am far more than other people's opinions. My opinion of myself is the only one that counts. It does not matter what other people say or do. What does matter is how I choose to respond and what I choose to believe about myself. No person, place or thing has any power over me for I am the only thinker in my mind. I create my own reality and everyone in it. And so it is.

Impermanence-count on change...

"Nothing is permanent in this world, not even your troubles.” Most of the time, when we feel something overwhelming, it’s not just the feeling that weighs on us; it’s also the fear that it may persist forever-that we will never feel better.

However, everything eventually changes. The only thing that is permanent is change. Happiness gives way to sadness gives way to happiness again. It’s a constant cycle we can never pause. Even if you should decide to avoid change at all costs, change will eventually find you.

Today, if you feel something you wish would go away, know that you won’t have to carry the weight of what you are feeling forever. Everything changes! All you need to do is to find the strength and patience to get through the difficult days as the feelings change. All you need to remember at all times-this too shall pass.

Just for today, I will remember that everything is always working out for my highest good. Out of this situation and every situation only good will come. No matter what my challenge is, I know that I am loved and that Life supports me and wants me to be happy and fulfilled. All is truly well in my world. And so it is.

You are safe

There is a Power within you that can lovingly direct you to perfect health, perfect relationships, perfect careers, and which can bring you prosperity of every kind. However, in order to have those things, you have to first believe that they are possible. Next, you must be willing to release the patterns in your life that are creating the conditions that you say you do not want. You do this by going within and tapping into the Inner Power that already knows what is best for you. If you are willing to listen to the Power within, the Power that loves and sustains you, you can create the life that you desire and dream of.

Today, recognize that you have that Power within you and that you have the choice to use this Power in any way you want. If you choose to live in the past and rehash all of the negative situations and conditions that went on way back when, then you will stay stuck exactly where you are. But, if you make a conscious decision not to be victim of your past and go about creating a new life for yourself, you will be supported by the Power within; and new, happier experiences begin to unfold. You are meant to be a wonderful, loving expression of life and Life is just waiting for you to open up to it-to feel worthy of the good it holds for you.

Today recognize that the wisdom and intelligence of the Universe is yours to use and that in truth, Life is here to support you. All you need to do is trust the Power within to be there for you and watch your life grow and change.

Just for today, I am one with the Power that created me. I trust the Power that created me to protect me and guide me at all times and under all circumstances.All that I seek is already within me. I am safe. I am loved and all is truly well in my world. And so it is.

Love...

Life is a voyage of self discovery and enlightenment. To become enlightened is to go within and to know who and what you really are, and to know that you have the ability to change for the better by loving and taking care of yourself. It is not selfish to love yourself. It is only through self love are you able to love another. Unfortunately, many of us will not love ourselves until we get the perfect job, get the perfect partner or have the perfect amount of money. We often put conditions on our love. But, YOU and I can change. We can love ourselves exactly as we are right now!. Today is the day you can love yourself totally with no expectations. Today you can begin to choose love. It is the most powerful healing force and it will help you to heal your life. Love is always the answer.

Just for today, I recognize that Love is the great miracle and that loving myself will create miracles in my life. I am lovable. I am loving. I am loved. I am love . And so it is.

New Moon musings

We have all heard the old adage that life is a journey, not a destination. But it is important to remember that if you don’t like where you are headed on your life’s journey, you are always free to choose a different path. Tonight's New Moon in Sagittarius luckily will offer you a chance to set your sights on something bigger and better-and to stop settling for less or living in illusions that are comfortable but serve no purpose in your life. Every new moon carries the promise of brighter days to come. But this Sagittarius new moon might be the most hopeful and optimistic lunation of the entire year.Just like its symbol, the archer, Sagittarius aims high and keeps its eye on the prize. However, this New Moon is so much more than seeking wealth, power or success. This New Moon will offer you wisdom—the kind that can only be gained from experience. It will offer you opportunities to pursue new experiences that are meaningful to you; it will offer you hope, enthusiasm, and the energy to believe in yourself, your potential, and of the fabulous future, which right now may appear impossible or unrealistic, when looking at your current circumstances. Today, allow the energies of the New Moon to help you to dream big, to believe in yourself and to believe in your heart that anything truly is possible for you in this Life. If you can dream it, you can do it. You always have a choice. Today, choose to move forward with hope and belief in yourself.

Just for today, I am an unlimited being, accepting from an unlimited source in an unlimited way. Opportunities are everywhere. I have unlimited choices. I have unlimited potential and only good lies ahead of me. I choose to make the rest of my life the best of my life and so it is.

Flexible and flowing..

“If you focus on results, you will never change. If you focus on change, you will get results.” Real power comes from flexibility, not rigidity and flexibility in thinking and action is what brings true happiness. After all, the only constant in life is change. Setting goals and intentions for your future is a good thing. However, constantly forcing your will and making those goals happen no matter what the Universe is telling you, is not only exhausting, but excruciatingly futile. Today, begin to recognize that being flexible is not about being weak or passive. Flexibility is a conscious choice and is a powerful skill. You can be firm in your convictions, passionate about your beliefs, and clear about your intentions, and at the same time be flexible enough to make changes and be open to new ideas along the way. Today, cut yourself a break, stop fighting, struggling and suffering and just go with flow. Be willing to be wrong and let go of all the ideas that are fixed within your mind. In doing so, you give yourself permission to take risks, try new things, and approach things with a creative, innovative, and flexible perspective. Being flexible and flowing in the long run will allow you to overcome any challenge and achieve any goal. Stop resisting, relax and go with the flow.

Just for today, I am flexible and flowing. I am open to the new and changing. Every moment presents a wonderful new opportunity to become more of who I am. I flow with Life easily and effortlessly. All truly well in my world. And so it is.

Self-acceptance

We all have family patterns, and it is very easy for us to blame our parents, our childhood, or our environment for the present condition of our lives. If you grew up in a family where criticism was the norm, then you are going to be critical as an adult. If you grew up in a family where you were not allowed to express your anger, then you in all probability are terrified of anger and confrontation. If you were raised in a family where everybody was manipulated by guilt, then you probably use guilt in the same way as an adult. You probably run around saying “I’m sorry” all the time, and can never ask for anything outright.

As you grow up, you then begin to live with and incorporate those false ideas. As a result, you lose touch with your inner wisdom. Today, begin to realize that you can go beyond your family’s limitations. Begin to let go of the beliefs that continue to keep you stuck and in truth continually hurt you. By letting go of those old beliefs, you will free yourself from the needless cycle of pain, anger and recrimination that keeps you imprisoned in your own suffering and prevents you from creating positive relationships with yourself and others. Today, accept yourself as exactly as you are. Begin to examine your negative beliefs about yourself and recognize that they in truth are falsehoods given to you by others. The more you can practice self-acceptance, the easier it will be for you to drop habits and beliefs that no longer serve you. As you accept yourself, it will become easy for you to grow and change.

Just for today, I am willing to release old negative beliefs. They are only thoughts that stand in my way. My new thoughts are positive and fulfilling. I now go beyond other people's fears and limitations and create my own life. I am always safe, divinely guided and loved. And so it is.

Don't take yourself so seriously!

In Life, it is not what happens to you, but how you handle it. If Life gives you lemons, make lemonade. If the lemons are rotten, take out the seeds and plant them in order to grow new lemons. Sometimes when we get very close to our dreams, we become so frightened of having what we really want that we begin to sabotage ourselves. As hard as it is to imagine, we are actually sabotaging ourselves to protect ourselves! We are protecting ourselves because even success can be frightening. Making a big move, having the ideal job, earning really good money, can be a very scary undertaking because what if you fail? That self questioning represent the part of you that’s very afraid of the fulfillment of your dreams. Often, it is your inner child that holds the key to your fears.

Today, it’s time to be very loving, patient, and gentle with yourself. Reassure your inner child that in truth all will be well; love your inner child and make it feel safe. And honor your inner child today by stop taking things so seriously and have some fun. After all, that is truly the purpose of this life to love, to learn and to have some fun along the way.

Just for today, I honor my inner child by remembering to play and have some fun. I allow the playful child within me to emerge and have some fun. I recognize that loving myself and thinking joyful happy thoughts is the quickest way to create a happy joyful life. I am loved. I am safe and all is truly well in my world. and so it is.

Worrying-what a waste of time!

“Worry never robs tomorrow of its sorrow. It only saps today of its joy.” The definition of worrying is to give way to anxiety or unease or to allow one's mind to dwell on difficulty or troubles. Whatever way you define worrying, is just a waste of time. It doesn't change anything and it steals your joy and keeps you busy doing nothing. Today consciously stop wasting your time and stop worrying! Whether you choose to distract your worried mind with real activity or you choose to take a walk or meditate, begin to recognize that your worrying is stopping your from experiencing the good in your life. Today, consciously choose to stop worrying and just be happy!

Just for today, I recognize that when I create harmony in my mind and in my heart, I will find it in my life. The inner creates the outer always. I am willing to let go of the need to worry, to struggle and to suffer. I now accept that I deserve all that is good. I am willing to let go of the need to control everything in my life. I now trust Life to bring me everything I need at the perfect time and in the perfect way. I am safe. I am loved. All is truly well in my world. And so it is.

Time flies!

"Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in awhile, you could miss it." Wow, how could it be December already, the last month of this year. Time moves so swiftly, especially as we get older. So, today, you can choose to consciously slow down time. You can begin to slow down time and make the most of every day that you have left.

Today, pause and be present-in truth, your never-ending to-do list actually wires your brain to constantly be thinking about the future and as a result you miss out on what is happening right in front of you! Today, intentionally take time to reflect and process. Do not dwell on what you haven't done or what you think you need to get done. Focus on this moment, how you've grown this year and be grateful for it all because it will soon all be gone.

Just for today, I recognize that yesterday is in the past. I turn my attention to the present moment. I live in the present moment and easily release past pain. I am grateful for every experiences that I have ever had and all is truly well in my world-right now in this present moment. And so it is.

Set yourself free!

“Forgiveness is not an occasional act, it is a constant attitude.” Forgiveness is a tricky and confusing concept for some of us because we get confused between forgiveness and acceptance. Forgiving someone doesn’t mean that you condone their behavior! The act of forgiveness, in truth, takes place in your own mind. It really has nothing to do with the other person. The reality of true forgiveness lies in setting yourself free from the pain. It is simply an act of releasing yourself from the negative energy that you’ve chosen to hold on to.

However, forgiveness does not mean allowing the painful behaviors or actions of another to continue in your life. Sometimes forgiveness means letting go- You forgive that person and then you release them. Taking a stand and setting healthy boundaries is often the most loving thing you can do-not only for yourself, but for the other person as well.

No matter what your reasons are for having bitter, unforgiving feelings, you can go beyond them. You always have a choice. You can choose to stay stuck and resentful, or you can do yourself a favor by willingly forgiving what happened in the past; letting it go; and then moving on to create a joyous, fulfilling life. You have the freedom to make your life anything you want it to be because you have freedom of choice. Today, choose to forgive. Forgive yourself, forgive everyone from your past and set yourself free!

Just for today, I forgive everyone for all past perceived wrongs. I release them with love. They are now free and I am now free to move forward with love in my heart. As I forgive myself it is easier to forgive others. I move beyond forgiveness into understanding and I have compassion for all. And so it is.

Beauty in the ordinary

"Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.”So often we focus on what’s lacking, what's "wrong" or what didn’t meet our expectations and as a result we miss the small moments of beauty and joy, which are always a part of our lives, if you look for them. Today, you can turn your feelings of frustration about who and what is not right in your life by focusing on the little things, on the beauty of nature and in truth the beauty in the ordinary. Today, set your intentions on changing what you are focusing your attention on. When you change your perspective, it will change everything. It will change your life.

Just for today, I choose to feel good about myself. Every morning I remind myself that I can make the choice to feel good. This is a new habit for me to cultivate. I now choose to release all hurt and resentment. I focus my attention on my many blessings and I watch them multiply. All is truly well in my world. And so it is.

All is truly well in your world

As you are raising your consciousness you might feel as if the ground below your feet is shifting. And, although you have let go of the the people, places and things that no longer serve any purpose in your life, you still may be uncertain of what comes next. Not having a next step can be scary. Really scary. Our culture is obsessed with progress, personal growth, and especially next steps, so not knowing where you’re going can seem overwhelming. It’s hard not to get swept up into that feeling of helplessness and fear. However, being at a crossroads is, in truth, a moment of opportunity. It’s at that moment when you feel like you don’t know anything, that you truly know everything you need to know. You know then that all those notions you’ve had about what you need to feel happy and successful are merely illusions-that in truth the perfect job, perfect partner or the perfect amount of money is truly not the source of happiness. In truth, only you are the source of your happiness. So, today, begin to realize that this “in between” space is truly a blessing. You now are being given the freedom to pursue opportunities where, when, and with whom you want-not just because they are what you've always done or what you've settled for. Today begin to settle into the journey and accept it for all its possibilities. Treat yourself with kindness and give yourself the time and space to craft meaning in your life in new ways. Today, trust and accept your way through this in between time because there is so much light on the horizon.

Just for today, in the infinity of life where I am right now, all is perfect, whole and complete. I no longer choose to believe in old limitations and lack. I now choose to see myself as the Universe sees me, perfect, whole and complete. I now choose to begin to live with this understanding-I am always in the right place, doing the right thing at the right time. All is truly well in my world and so it is.