Gratitude

The benefits of practicing gratitude are nearly endless. People who regularly practice gratitude by taking time to notice and reflect upon the things they're thankful for experience more positive emotions, feel more alive, sleep better, express more compassion and kindness, and even have stronger immune systems. And gratitude doesn't need to be reserved only for momentous occasions. In fact, in any moment of any day, you can feel grateful. Today, no matter what you mind is focused on, no matter how bleak you think things are in your life, look for things to be grateful for. Today, set your intentions to spend as many moments as you can being grateful for all the good that in truth is in your life. The more grateful you are, the more you get to be grateful about. It is just that simply. Today choose to be grateful!

Just for today, I awaken appreciating everything in sight and I give thanks. I express gratitude for all the good in my life. I express gratitude and thanksgiving every day, in every way. Doing so is an important part of my life. Everything is always working out for my highest good and I am grateful for it all. And so it is.

Perspective

Every single situation, thing, and person in our lives may be seen through one of two lenses: the lens of fear or the lens of love. They are profoundly different ways to view the exact same circumstances. Nothing in your outer life has to change for you to experience a radical shift in perception. You simply have to change the lens you are looking through. Today, set your intentions to see things from a different perspective. Trust that even the worst situations hold some seeds of good Today, choose to look for the silver lining in every situation. Choose to see yourself as a hero rather than a victim. It may be tempting to think that you have to wait for something external to change before you can feel good. However, it is incredibly freeing to realize that you have the power to change your life by changing your perception and choosing to look through the lens of love. Today, choose to see every situation differently, choose to see it through the lens of love.

Just for today, I recognize that in any given situation, I always have a choice between love and fear. I choose love. I choose to see the world through eyes of love and acceptance. I love what I see. I am willing to see things in a whole new way. I am willing to grow and change. Everything is working out for my highest good. And so it is.

You are not broken, just human

Life is about slumbering and awakening. It’s about falling off the wagon, the exercise routine, the diet, the spiritual practice. And yet we can be our biggest critic when we do stumble! Anyone who appears to always be perfectly aligned is most likely not being fully authentic. Today, cut yourself a break and stop trying to fix yourself and everyone around you. In truth, we are human, and making mistakes, falling back into old patterns and thinking our way into more chaos is what being human is all about. Today, if you should stumble, fall, or maybe even capsize, allow yourself to have compassion and simply laugh at your humanness. You in truth are not broken, just human! At the end of our days, all your so called mistakes really won't make any difference at all. In the end it only really matters is how kind we are to one another and just as important how kind and compassionate we are with ourselves. Today, set your intentions to be kind!

Just for today, I do not fix my problems. I fix my thinking and my problems fix themselves. I cannot learn other people's lessons for them. They must do their own work and they will do it when they are ready. When I make a mistake, I realize that it is all part of the learning process. I now choose to accept and love myself exactly as I am. I am safe and everything is working out for my highest good.

Surrender

Rest. Retreat. Reflect. Relax! Today, as Mercury moves into her shadow phase, we all will be reminded that we cannot strive, struggle or fight our way to happiness. In fact, it’s often the path of surrendering, accepting, and being at peace with where we are that truly helps us tap into that sense of contentment and ease that we have all been seeking. So, today stop driving yourself, let go and surrender. Remember that surrendering is not quitting. It’s honoring yourself where you are at this moment in time, and allowing what you want to catch up with you. It’s taking time out for yourself and reflecting on what’s important. So that once the time to strive comes back around (which it will!), you will be supported with the energy, the purpose, and the guidance you need to move forward. You can’t control everything. Sometimes you just need to relax and have faith that things will work out. Today, let go a little and just let life happen.

Just for today, I surrender to what is. I let go of what was and I have faith in what will be. I trust the power that created me to protect me and guide me at all times and under all circumstances. Everything is working out for my highest good and all is truly well in my world. And so it is.

Criticism and judgement

Can you imagine how wonderful it would be if you could live your life without ever being criticized by anyone, including yourself? Wouldn’t it be wonderful to feel totally at ease, totally comfortable instead of constantly worrying about how you are not measuring up to your standards or the standards of others? You would get up in the morning, and you would know you were going to have a wonderful day, because everybody would love you and nobody would criticize you or put you down. You would just feel great. Guess what, today is the day when you can give that feeling to yourself. You can make the experience of living with you the most wonderful experience imaginable. You can wake up in the morning so thrilled to find yourself and feel the joy of spending another day with you. Today, is the day you stop criticizing and judging yourself and everyone in your life. Remember, every time you make a judgment or a criticism, you are sending something out that is going to come back to you. Today, send out only positive thoughts. Accept yourself and others just as you/they are. Step away from your ego that either feels superior to others or feels inferior and just stop judging and criticizing yourself and others. You and everyone else in truth are doing the best you can. So, today stop criticizing and judging. Instead begin to approve of yourself and see what happens.

Just for today, I am willing to release all patterns of judgement and criticism. I now give out only that which I wish to receive in return. My love and acceptance are mirrored back to me in every moment. As I release all criticism, judgemental people leave my life. I now accept everyone as they are, including myself. I am enough and everything is always working out for my highest good. And so it is.

Stop apologizing for everything and in reality, for nothing

Many of us say we’re sorry when it isn’t actually necessary. Most of the time, we over apologize because we have the need to please other people- never wanting to mistakenly offend or annoy anyone and therefore, risking the loss of their approval. While we can never know other people’s intentions, we can recognize that our words influence our state of mind–and over apologizing when you've done nothing wrong needlessly creates guilt and undermines your confidence. It can also create an imbalance in your relationships, since it tells other people you think you are always responsible for any potential conflict or miscommunication; and it also sends the message that you're more interested in being agreeable than being honest. Today, stop apologizing for everything and in fact, for nothing at all. Today, stop apologizing for nothing; stop trying to please everyone around you. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t apologize when you generally feel you've done something wrong. It means it will serve you well to recognize that more often than not, there is no reason for anyone, including you, to take blame. Today if you find yourself apologizing repeatedly, ask yourself, “Did I actually do something wrong?” And if not, “Do I really want to communicate that I think I did?” Today, choose to stop apologizing for everything, nothing and for being you.

Just for today, I do not apologize for everything under the sun. I choose my apologies carefully and with sincerity. I release the need to blame anyone, including myself. We are all doing the best that we can with the knowledge, understanding and awareness that we have. I am perfect just the way I am and I do not need to apologize for my existence. I deserve the best and I accept it now. I am safe and everything is working out for my highest good. And so it is.

Full Moon in Aries

We have a Full Moon in Aries and it is adding some high octane energy to this day. All Full Moons represent culminations, endings and completions. However, this Full Moon because it is in the sign of Aries, the first sign of the zodiac, it is also about new beginnings. This Full moon is reminding you that you still need to wrap up some areas of your life and relationships that are stopping you from moving forward. You must let go of those areas in your life where you are not being supported. Moreover, you must let go of the things that you feel just lukewarm about or have lost their meaning in your life. Furthermore, you must stop settling for just okay or hanging onto people, places and things that no longer serve any purpose in your life. Today make time to go within your heart to take stock of what you truly feel passionate about. This Aries Full moon is stoking your fires and giving you the courage to let go so that you can move forward with joy and enthusiasm. Listen to your heart, not your head and then let go!

Just for today, I am willing. I am willing to see where and how I need to change. I am willing to listen to my intuition. I am willing to learn something new every day. I am willing to step out of my comfort zone and experience life in a whole new way. I am willing to let go of all that no longer serves any purpose in my life. I am willing to grow and change and all is truly well in my world. And so it is.

Your truth will set you free

Tomorrow we have a full moon in Aries, which may be fueling your emotional fire. Aries is not a sign known for its subtlety, so its energy will encourage you to say exactly what is on your mind. Today, allow those energies to help you to speak your truth and say what is in your heart. There is so much that you have left unsaid and so much that you need to release. Today, speak your truth and you can expect others to do the same. Your truth will set you free.

Just for today, I choose to know and speak the truth and that truth sets me free. Divine wisdom, divine harmony and divine love reign supreme within me and around me and around each and every person. We all are centered in truth and live in joy. Everything is working out for my highest and out of this situation only good will come. And so it is.

Let go

Sometimes, you just have to let go of your tight grip of how you think things should be or how quickly they should come together and simply let things run their own course. And that time has come today. Today, recognize that in truth by letting go and releasing control, you paradoxically gain more control—of your attitude and your response to what’s happening to you at the moment. Today, consciously set your intentions to let go-let go of all your master planning and constant strategizing. Know that some of your desires will take longer to manifest than you may want. And, there will be those things that will turn out differently than you anticipated—sometimes better than you could have imagined; at other times, not so much. Today, let go of the illusion that you can control everything and know that in doing so you will be in control of what really matters all along: what you think and how you react to every circumstance in your life. Today, let go.

Just for today, I am willing to let go. I give myself permission to let go. I release all control to the Universe. I am at peace with myself and with Life. Everything is working out for my highest and out of this situation only good will come. And so it is.

Endings...Beginnings

“Letting go isn’t the end of the world; it’s the beginning of a new life.” When you’ve invested a lot of time and energy in an experience, a relationship or for that matter in a job, it can feel like a death when it is time for it to end and for you to move onto some thing new. When a relationship ends, it might feel like you’ll never love again. When a job ends, you might think you’ll never find another job. Today, it is time to recognize that you will begin again and that every ending, in truth, welcomes in a new beginning. Just like every experience is impermanent, every feeling eventually fades and morphs into something else. Happiness becomes sadness becomes happiness again. Today, be willing to let go of yesterday and stay open to the possibilities that today offers you. By doing so, you just may be surprised by how much you gain after a loss. Today, know that every loss paves the way for a gain, if you are willing to receive it. Every time you let something go, you open yourself up to something better. Be willing and open to the NEW that is just waiting for you to allow it to come into your life.

Just for today, I recognize that this is a new day, one that I have never seen before. I begin anew and claim and create all that is good. The past is over and done and has no power over me. I can begin to be free in this moment. I know that today's thoughts create my future. And, in order to change my life outside, I must change the inside first. The moment that I am willing to let go and change, it is amazing how the Universe begins to help me. It brings me everything that I need. I am safe and everything in my life works now and forevermore. And so it is.

Go with the flow

One of the biggest sources of our unhappiness and discontent is not being able to adapt to change; instead, we cling to things we’ve lost or get upset because things don’t unfold as we want them to. We plan our lives expecting good to come our way, to get what we want, and for things to work out how we planned. At the same time we’re chasing the good, we try to avoid the bad. And most of all we just want to avoid change. Today, become aware that no matter what kind of life you live, you need to learn to adapt and to flow with Life because everything changes. Good and bad come and go in everybody’s life. Today, set your intentions to flow with what is happening right now in your life. Accepting the fact that everything is always changing and learning to go with the flow will bring you one step closer to happiness. Today, accept what is, look for the silver lining, and adapt. Keep looking for the good in every moment and learn from the tough ones. This is how you will not only survive but thrive: by embracing each moment for what it is and choosing to make the best of it, you will find a life far greater than you could ever plan. Life is not about what happens to you but how you react to it, and some of your biggest disappointments can lead to better things in your life, if and when you let go, adapt and just go with the flow.

Just for today, I flow easily and effortlessly with new experiences, new challenges and new people who enter my life. I let go of all expectations and flow freely and lovingly with Life. I love myself and I know that only good awaits me. I feel safe in the rhythm and flow of my ever changing life. Everything is working out for my highest good. And so it is.

Passion

Most of us have been taught to follow our heads not our hearts or passions. Therefore, we make most of our adult decisions from our minds. We think, analyze and rationalize. Then, we use that information to set the course of our journey. However, our monkey minds can often lead us astray, over and over again. Today, allow your passion to guide you. Begin by becoming aware of what you are passionate about. Whatever it is you are passionate about, be it a person, place, creative expression or activity, it is important that you find an outlet for your feelings and your passions! When you express your heart's desires, you open yourself up to abundance and joy. Today, set your intentions to be more creative in your life. After all, you are the only one who creates everything and everyone in your life. Today, follow your passion, create the life you desire and in doing so you will find immeasurable joy in all you do.

Just for today, I recognize that the key to creativity is that my thinking creates my experience. I use this key in every area of my life. My unique talents and abilities flow through me and are expressed in deeply fulfilling ways. My creativity is always in demand. I am an open channel for ideas and I am learning to be more creative every day. I love being me and everything is working out for my highest good. And so it is.

Trust

No matter what your goals are, no matter where you are headed, it is important to appreciate where you are right now! Impatience and too much urgency to change your life will actually impede your growth and may be stopping you from moving forward. Today focus on being present, remaining calm and trust that the Universe is always guiding you in the right direction. By trusting and letting go of your need to control everything, you can appreciate where you are right now and you will be able to make better choices in your future. Trust is essential in manifesting your goals and desires. As your trust and your faith strengthens, you will be able to open up to new opportunities that you never thought possible. Today, trust that everything you need either is already within you, available to you, or in your future. You are always in the right place, doing the right thing at the right time, always.

Just for today, I focus my attention on loving myself and trusting in the Universe. I trust myself to deal with any problems that arise during the day. I release the need to struggle. I trust the Universe to take care of me. I trust the power that created me to protect me and guide me at all times and under all circumstances. Everything in my life works now and forevermore. And so it is.