Stop apologizing for everything and nothing

For many of us, the word “sorry” has become something we reactively utter, regardless of whether we have done anything wrong. This seemingly harmless habit can actually lower your self-esteem, justify other people’s poor actions, and turn you into a complete pushover. Don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with apologizing for the bad things you’ve done. However, when saying sorry becomes your automatic response to anything that makes you feel a little uncomfortable, it can be problematic. While you can never know other people’s intentions, you can recognize that your words influence your own state of mind–and 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 are more interested in being agreeable than being honest. Today begin to recognize that more often than not, there is no reason for anyone 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?”The whole point of learning to apologize less is to build confidence in yourself and your choices, and that means embracing your humanity. Today, recognize that it is human to struggle, and unless you are hurting other people, there is no need to apologize for it.

Just for today, I do not apologize about everything under the sun. I choose my apologies with care and sincerity. I nourish myself by saying no when I mean no and yes when I mean yes. I know what I want and I do not have to apologize for it. When I make a mistake, I recognize that it is all part of the learning process. I am safe and Life supports me in every possible way. And so it is.

Soul Searching.....

Mercury goes retrograde on Sunday. However, you just might be feeling the intense energy right now. Mercury is the planet of communication. It rules over our mind, our thought processes, and our ability to think clearly. When Mercury enters into retrograde,or seemingly moves backward, it guides us to tap into the unseen, into the hidden realms of our mind. It helps us to tune in and listen so we can become better communicators.While things in your outside world may feel a little chaotic and all over the place during a Mercury Retrograde, it is your inner world that is calling to you to re-examine where you are and what you are doing. And this retrograde is in Pisces, the sign of the soul, will guide you to re-connect with your soul's truth and re-evaluate what you are doing in this world and why. Today, allow yourself some quiet time, some time to look within and do some soul-searching. It is through this questioning that you will be allowed to be reborn, so you can access new dimensions and your true power over your life.Today, it is important to be patient and stop looking outside yourself for the answers you currently are seeking. And allow yourself to listen to your intuition, to inner self, that already has all the answers to all the questions you have been stressing over. This is all part of the divine plan for your life. Allow it to happen, today.

Just for today, I trust my intuition. I allow myself to be quiet and still and when I do I am amazed at what I discover. Life is just waiting to share its secrets with me. All that I need to know is revealed to me at the perfect time in the perfect way. My intuition is always on my side. I trust it to be there at all times. I am safe, divinely guided and protected and everything is working out for my highest good. And so it is.

Balance and Harmony

“Happiness is not a matter of intensity but of balance, order, rhythm and harmony.” Balance and harmony are two sides of the same coin. Both are about our relationship to who we are and what is most important to us. Balance is about our inner relationship to who we are and what matters to us. On the other hand, harmony is about the outer relationship between who we are and the world around us. When we are out of balance and harmony, we experience stress. Like the phenomenon of friction in the physical world, stress is the result of resistance. It is about resisting your life as it is. And like friction, you can get burned in the process of resistance. Today, set your intentions to begin to create and to maintain balance and harmony in your life by first consciously staying present. When you can just be present, you have the ability to see that most of the time, the stress you experience is a creation of your mind responding to what is going on or to what you think is going on. Next, it is important to become aligned with what you need. Once you notice that you are indeed out of balance or harmony, you need to then restore alignment and to get back to balance or harmony. You begin that process by identifying your needs and then by making requests of others to address them. And, you will experience balance and harmony when you get in touch with who you are and what matters most and then make those things a priority in your life.

Just for today, I am patient, diplomatic and tolerant. My words and actions are healing. I ask for what I need. I know what I want and I do not have to apologize for it. I recognize that when I create balance and harmony in my mind and my heart, I will find it in my life. The inner creates the outer, always. The Universe supports every thought I choose to think and to believe. I have unlimited choices about what I can think. I choose balance, harmony and peace and I express it in my Life. I am safe and everything is working out for my highest good. And so it is.

Judgement and criticism

Your outer world is a reflection of your inner world and your judgment of others is an extension of self-judgment; and the self-judgment is so ingrained, so normal, you may not even recognize it. Many of us spend a lot of our time judging ourselves, we spend a lot of time judging others and their behaviors. And, even if all your judgements may not be expressed and remain Internally in your mind, your judgemental, acidic thoughts are eating their way through your self worth and self esteem. Today, set your intentions to stop judging and criticizing yourself and everyone around you. Remember, every time you make a judgment or a criticism, you are sending something out that is going to come back to you. And, judging is preventing you from understanding a new truth. Today, free yourself from the rules of old judgments and create the space for new understanding, new growth and inner peace.

Just for today, I release the need to judge or criticize anyone, including myself. As I release all judgment and criticism, judgmental people leave my life. I accept everyone as they are, including myself. I know that if I want to be loved as I am. I must be willing to love and accept others exactly as they are. I am safe. I am enough and all is truly well in my world. And so it is.

Forgive

Louise used to say that if you are feeling stuck in some situation, or when your affirmations aren’t working, it usually means that there’s more forgiveness work to be done. Furthermore, she said that when you don’t flow freely with life in the present moment, it usually means that you are holding onto a past moment. It can be regret, sadness, hurt, fear, guilt, blame, anger, resentment, or sometimes even a desire for revenge. Each one of these states comes from a space of un-forgiveness, a refusal to let go and come into the present moment. And, it is only in this present moment can you create your future. However, forgiving someone does not mean condoning their behavior. It doesn’t mean forgetting how they hurt you or giving that person room to hurt you again. Forgiving someone means making peace with what happened. It means acknowledging your wound, giving yourself permission to feel the pain, and recognizing why that pain no longer serves you. It means letting go of the hurt and resentment so that you can heal and move on. And, forgiving yourself and others is a choice that you can make in every moment. Today, choose to forgive. Choose to give yourself the give of freedom-choose to forgive and let go.

Just for today, I am willing to forgive. I recognize that the person who is hardest for me to forgive, is the person I need to forgive and let go of the most. I practice forgiveness daily so that I can move out of the past and into the present moment. I forgive myself for not being perfect. I am living the best way I know how. I forgive everyone for not being what I want them to be. As I forgive myself, it becomes easier to forgive others. Everything is working out for my highest good. And so it is.

Full Moon In Loving Leo

We have a Full Moon in loving Leo today and it is asking us all to let go of any beliefs and habits that are keeping us stuck, small and stopping us from moving forward. Often we attach ourselves to an idea or belief that if we accomplish this, then we will be happy. The thing about dreams and goals is that they have to change with us, as we are constantly changing. And, we can’t expect things out of life. we just have to enjoy the ride, learn from our sufferings, and take each day as it comes. Today, set your intentions to let go. Attachment makes us suffer; it forces us into self-doubt and misery. Attachment ties us down and locks in the prison of our own minds. However, once you let go, you are free. You are liberated to move forward. It is only when you let go will you be truly free. And it’s only then can you really embrace the present moments and life itself. Today, be willing to let go and set yourself free.

Just for today, I am willing to let go. I give myself permission to let go of all that no longer serves any purpose in my life-objects, habits, beliefs, and relationships. I release all negative thoughts about the past and all worries of the future. I let go of all expectations and trust the process of Life to always take care of me. I forgive everyone, including myself for all perceived wrongs. I release them with love, I am now free to move forward with love in my heart. I am safe. It is only change and all is truly well in my world. And so it is.

Full Moon energy

Tomorrow we have a full moon in Leo and we are all feeling its energy right now. And, its energy comes to tend to the fire that lives within all of our hearts. Leo is a fire sign that reminds us to connect with all that lights us up. It reminds us to connect with our inner fire, with our inner Sun, and to remember that life is for experiencing rather than controlling. This Full Moon asks you to examine and process what sets your soul on fire; what fans your inner flame and what brings you a sense of purpose as you move through the experiences of your life. It wants you to connect with these questions so you can work on clearing away all that separates you from feeling present and at peace with your Life. Today, if there are fears you have been holding onto, if there are things you would rather not look at, or pain that has felt just too heavy to carry, allow a little space for this Full Moon energy to support you and help you to process your shadows. Allow a little space for this Full Moon to start moving and shifting things out of your body, out of your mind, out of your heart, and out of your life. Allow this Full Moon energy to support you in letting go of everything that no longer serves any purpose in your Life. Today, allow yourself to process and let go.

Just for today, I recognize that I have come to this planet to learn to love myself more and to share that love with others. I do not fix my problems. I fix my thinking and my problems fix themselves. I am in the process of making positive changes in every area of my Life. I love and approve of myself unconditionally. I am safe and I trust the process of Life to always take care of me. Everything is working out for my highest good. And so it is.

Gentle

Life can seem hard. Yet, many of us make it worse by being hard on ourselves. We waste precious time beating ourselves up, wallowing in guilt, or chastising ourselves for mistakes we feel we’ve made. Today, set your intentions to be gentle with yourself. Being gentle with yourself means giving yourself permission to not be perfect and allow yourself to do the best you can right now. However, being gentle with yourself can be easier said then done since you've practiced your other "self-punishing" behaviors for years. Being gentle with yourself is when you take the time to reconnect with your inner being, replace your fears with trust, and learn to let go of the things you cannot control. As you learn to be gentle with yourself, you will be able accept yourself as you are, complete with your flaws, you will learn to love yourself. Be gentle today.

Just for today, I am gentle, kind and comforting to my inner child as I uncover and release old negative messages within me. I am gentle with myself, knowing that I am doing the best I can with the knowledge and understanding that I have. I am forgiving, gentle, kind, and loving and I know that Life loves me. All is truly well in my world. And so it is.

Dare to dream..dare to do something different!

Getting out of your comfort zone is crucial to actualizing your aspirations and turning your dreams and desires into reality. However, if you want something that you don’t already have, there’s a good chance you’ll have to do things that you haven’t already done. Doing those things may not feel natural to you. You may even feel uncomfortable and awkward. But ultimately, behind the frightening facade of fear is a bigger version of who you already are. Today, consciously set your intentions, to ride through the fear of failure and the unknown and step out of your comfort zone. Most of us are reluctant to try new things because we fear failure, but you need to understand that failure isn’t the end of the road, it’s the beginning. You learn and gain more from failure than you do from succeeding—and way more than if you never took the chance in the first place. Today, do something different. Either you succeed and you grow or you fail and you grow, but trying anything is better than doing nothing. Today, know that everything you want is on the other side of fear.

Just for today, I let go of all fear and doubt and Life becomes simple and easy for me. I am willing to do something different. I am willing to step out of my comfort zone and experience Life in a whole new way. Each day I stretch my comfort zone a little further. I see obstacles as opportunities to grow. I am safe. It is only change and out of this situation only good will come. And so it is.

Presence=Power

Changing a lifetime of mental habits is an ongoing process, not a one-time quick fix because in truth our brains are built to reinforce behavior that feels safe and comfortable, even when that behavior hurts us more than helps us. Today, set your intentions to remain fully present-fully immersed in this present moment. For you see, it is only in this present moment can you create your future. It is only in this “now” moment that your thoughts and words are powerful. So you really don’t want to waste your current thoughts by continuing to create your future from the garbage of your past. And, it is only in the present moment that you have the power to change and create the life you desire. Today, consciously choose to remain present and you will also be choosing to become the powerful creator of your own destiny.

Just for today, I release the past and live totally in the present moment. I practice forgiveness daily so I can move out of the past and into this present moment. I recognize that my point of power is always in the present moment. I am a powerful person because I choose to live in the present moment. I trust the power that created me to protect me, guide me and love me at all times and under all circumstances. All is truly well in my world. And so it is.

EGO

Our world is ego-driven and as a result most of us have become ego driven. We constantly compare ourselves to others, judge our performance (usually harshly), define our worth by our financial and career achievements, and criticize ourselves for failure. This ego-based drive for success and happiness is of course ineffective. and will always leave you wanting more, never feeling quite satisfied. And that’s because your definition of happiness as something that can be obtained externally is fundamentally misguided. Of course, it is a good thing to achieve external success and take pride in what you have accomplished through hard work. However, true unwavering happiness comes when you feel fulfilled, and in order to feel fulfilled you need way more than material possessions and accolades—you need to feel loved and that you belong. Today, allow yourself to recognize that if want a fulfilled life, you have to look inside and find love there first. Today set your intentions to begin a new commitment to reconnecting your body, your mind and your heart; to recalibrate your life toward inner peace and joy, and away from self-focus, fear, and your perceived brokenness and separateness. Today, give yourself some quiet time for meditation, journaling or yoga-any activity that focuses your attention inward. You can never achieve your purpose if you continue to let the outer world dictate your life. Today, stop being a slave to your ego and start living a freer, happier, more authentic life.

Just for today, I take time to meditate and to quiet my mind. I feel newly energized by these periods of restfulness. As I quiet down and focus on the beautiful things in my life, I open myself up to my own healing powers. I release the need to blame anyone, including myself. We are all living the best way we know how. I know that all the answers to all the questions I shall every ask are already within me. I allow myself to listen to my intuition. I am safe. I am loved and everything is working out for my highest good. And so it is.

CHOOSE wisely

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 live my life from this understanding that I am always in the right place, at the right time, doing the right thing. All is truly well in my world. And so it is.

Everyone is a reflection of you

Everyone is your mirror. What this means is that others are simply reflecting parts of your own consciousness back to you, giving you an opportunity to really see yourself and ultimately to grow. The qualities you most admire in others are your own and the same goes for those qualities you dislike. Today, begin to become aware that if you want to change anything in your relationships, you must be the change you want to see.It is only when you understand what it truly means to see yourself reflected back at you, that there is no room for blame, there is no room for judgement and there is no room to feel like a victim of another person's actions or words. There is only room for real love based on understanding and gratitude. Compromise comes easy, forgiveness is a given and growth is inevitable. Today, be the change that you want to see in your life by loving and approving of yourself no matter what. Then, that self love will be reflected back to you ten fold. You teach people how to treat you by what you allow, what you stop, and what you reinforce. Today treat yourself with love.

Just for today, I love myself therefore I attract only positive people and experiences into my life. I attract only loving relationships into my life for they are a mirror of who and what I am. I am lovable. I am loving. I am loved and all is truly well in my world. And so it is.