Your future starts today

As we begin to wrap up this year, it is natural to begin to look forward towards your future and what you would like your future to look it. This year definitely showed you a lot of what you don't want and glimpses of what you would like to become. Now, it's time to begin to prepare yourself for the NEW you! One of the best ways to create the future you want is to visualize yourself doing what you want to be doing-to visualize yourself in your daily activities of your new life. And, not just the awesome aspects but also the mundane activities.

Today, begin to prepare yourself in every way for the new life, which you are creating right now. Remember, you might have let go of some people or circumstances, which have previously brought you security, but now just don't serve any purpose in your life. You are re-building some of your life from the ground up and although it might feel shaky at first, you in reality are building a more stable foundation on which you can build your amazing new future. Be willing, dream big and most of all do not hold onto your past, because you are headed into a new chapter of your life. Today, see it happening!

Just for today, I recognize that is is a great day to create, imagine, produce and visualize. I act as if I already have what I want. It is an excellent way to create happiness in my life. I recognize that every thought I think today is creating my future. I choose to think positive loving thoughts and I know that my future is bright and beautiful. Everything in my life works now and forevermore. And so it is.

Self respect

"The only people who get upset about you setting boundaries are the ones that are benefiting from you having none."

Sometimes you just have to stop making excuses for people's bad behavior and actions. Sometimes there just aren't any excuses left. And, that is exactly what this year has shown you and I, if you were willing to stop old repetitive patterns and stop following your ego who longs to keep everything as it was, even if none of it is working for you any longer.

It is time to let go of all the people, places and things that you continue to allow to exist in your life that only take from you and in some cases are even toxic to you. People do not change! But, you can change by finally letting go of them all- even if your ego tells you that you'll be missing out on something. Believe your intuition, believe what you see and believe how people act. Do not create stories why they really didn't mean to do what they did because...(you fill in the blanks). Believe and know that no matter what anyone else says-such as you are too sensitive; don't take things so personally; or that you should just get over it, that you are allowed to have your feelings no matter what judgements other may place upon you. Today, finally let go, do not look back and totally trust that by finally letting go of toxic people, places and things that you make room for the new people, places and things that will respect and honor who you are today. When you treat yourself with self-respect, other people respect you.Today, treat yourself with respect and finally let go-you deserve so much more..you deserve better.

Just for today, I recognize that I cannot change another person. I let others be who they are and I simply love who I am. I release all things that no longer benefit me-objects, ideas, habits and relationships. I now create a wonderful new relationship. Instead of isolating myself, I am choosing to open up and let love in. Other people respect me because I respect myself. I am safe and all is truly well in my world. And so it is

The gift that keeps giving you peace of mind

“Would you rather be right or would you rather be happy?” We all have opinions on who was right and who was wrong according to our own perceptions, and we can all find ways to justify our feelings. In fact, you may even want to punish others for what they did to you. However, in truth you are the one who continues to run the story over and over in your own mind. And in doing so, you actually punish yourself in the present because someone hurt you in the past. Today, consciously forgive everyone, including yourself, for all past perceived wrongs and set yourself free. Remember, the person who is hardest to forgive is the one who can teach you the greatest lessons. When you love yourself enough to rise above the old situation, then understanding and forgiveness will be easy. And you’ll be free. Today, and throughout this holiday season, give yourself the gift of freedom and allow yourself to forgive.

Just for today, I am ready to be healed. I am willing to forgive. I know that the person that is hardest to forgive is the one that I need to forgive and let go of the most. I lovingly forgive and release the past. I forgive everyone for not being the way I wanted them to be. I forgive and set myself free. And so it is.

Shame

“But shame is like a wound that is never exposed and therefore never heals.” Shame. Everybody has it. Nobody wants to talk about it. The less we talk about it, the more power it has over us. In fact, shame goes to the core of your person and makes you feel there is something inherently wrong with you.In our society, shame and guilt are often intertwined. However, these two emotions are quite different. Guilt's focus is on behavior. It’s about what you did. When you experience guilt, you have gone against your own code of ethics. Guilt usually serves as being an internal conscience. It helps you to not act on harmful impulses. Shame’s focus, on the other hand, is on the self. It’s not that you did something bad, but that you are intrinsically bad. It gives you the sense that you do not measure up to others; that you are defective; that you are damaged goods.This concept is like saying “you are worthless and incapable of change. And, when you are in shame, you can't see the bigger picture. You feel alone, exposed, and deeply flawed.Today, it is time to shine a light on your shame and then let go of it. Begin to become aware of where and when you feel shame. Recognize that shame is an emotion and does not need to be your state of being. And the true antidote to your shame is to be brave enough to share it with another trusted person. Just by removing the shadow and secrets around your shame, it will begin to dissipate. Shame cannot exist in conditions of light, sunshine, and humor. Today, lighten and let go your shame. You are always enough just because you exist.

Just for today, I am enough. I now free myself from destructive fears and doubts. I release the need to blame anyone, including myself. We are all doing the best we can with the knowledge understanding and awareness we have right now. I forgive myself for not being perfect and all is truly well in my world. And so it is.

Let go of attachments

“Most of our troubles are due to our passionate desire for and attachment to things that we misapprehend as enduring entities.”

If there’s one thing we all have in common, it’s that we want to feel happy; and on the other side of that coin, we want to avoid pain. Yet, we consistently put ourselves in situations that set us up for pain. We do so by pinning our happiness to people, circumstances and things and then, holding onto them for dear life. We stress about the possibility of losing them when something seems "wrong". Then we melt into grief when something changes-we "lose" something that we "thought" belonged to us and that we should have forever.

As much as you can attach to people, places and things, you can also become attach to feelings and thoughts as if they define you, and ironically, not just to positive ones. And, if you’ve wallowed in regret, self pity or disappointment for years, you can even become attached to those feelings-you can actually begin to feel safe and comfortable in your sadness and suffering.

However, your attempts to hold on to what’s familiar, are limiting your ability to experience joy in the present. Today, allow yourself to let go! Stop trying to grasp, own, and control the world around you. Instead, consciously experience, appreciate, enjoy, and let go to welcome another experience. Know that you have the power to choose from moment to moment how you experience things you enjoy: with a sense of ownership, anxiety, and fear, or with a sense of freedom, peace, and love. Today choose to let go and set yourself free.

Just for today, I am willing to let go. I let go of all fear and doubt and Life becomes simple and easy for me. I let go of all the people, places, things and beliefs that no longer serve me to make room for the new to enter my life. I am safe and all is truly well in my world. And so it is.

Take a risk! You will be rewarded!

"Life is inherently risky. There is only one big risk you should avoid at all costs, and that is the risk of doing nothing.”

Living your truth and growing requires risk. And, not all risks pan out the way you hope or imagine. Sometimes those risks temporarily take you to places that are darker than the life you were living before. They may even require you to let go of what you think you need or what once brought you joy in order for you to grow.

However, with each risk comes the opportunity to discover something about yourself—a hidden talent, a new passion, personal insight or it simply shows you how courageous and strong you are-things that you need to know about yourself. There are never guarantees that you will experience more joy than before, but the only way to discover what’s possible is to take a chance, make a change, and find out.

Today, consciously take a risk. Step out of your comfort zone and make a conscious effort to see your life and its challenges in a whole new way. The truth is that no matter how much you try to avoid risk and hide from pain, it will still find you, even if it is just in the form of regret. It’s far better to weigh each risk for yourself and decide which risks are right for you to take than to always let the fear of risks force you to take the risk of doing nothing.Only by taking a risk will you be able to change your life and move forward towards the future that you have been dreaming of.

Just for today,I do something different. I am willing to step out of my comfort zone and experience life in a whole new way. I will not allow noise, chatter or setbacks to distract me. I will allow courage, commitment, patience and grace to guide me. I feel safe in the rhythm and flow of my every changing life. All is truly well in my world. An so it is.

Surrender!

“You are very powerful, provided you know how powerful you are.”

Over the past couple of years I have learned time and time again that our reality is a reflection of what we believe we deserve, often on an unconscious level. And as I started to look at self-love, and practice affirmations, meditating and getting in touch with nature, it was like a light went on, mostly unconsciously, until the day came when I consciously realized: I deserved better in every area of my life. And, although it sounds way too simplistic, that was all it took. The moment I made that connection, I released my fear of not having enough, of never being enough and took action to improve my reality-everything changed. Once I took the first step of surrendering and trusting that the Universe would indeed take care of me, the more everything changed for me. Today, I highly recommend that if you haven't yet surrendered and begun to trust in the Universe. despite your belief in your best thoughts, that you do so, now.-surrender and trust that whatever is in your highest good will manifest. Today, begin to trust and believe that you are deserving no matter who or what tells you otherwise. Surrender all the mental gymnastics that are keeping you mired and confused. Today, surrender, begin to truly love yourself like you love your children or your significant other. Everything starts with that love. Love yourself first and the world will love you back.

Just for today, I trust my higher self. I release all blocks within me and surrender to the Divine Source within me. I am willing to release the need to be unworthy. I am worthy of the very best in life and I now lovingly allow myself to accept it. I am worthy of all that is good in life and everything is working out for my highest good. And so it is.

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.