Step out of your comfort zone

Today it is time to step out of your comfort zone because that is where your new life awaits you in this new year on this new day. Today, it is time to take baby steps out of your comfort zone, no matter how afraid you may feel. We all tend to forget that struggle and discomfort are where all growth comes from. However somehow as adults we just don’t like to try new things because we fear failure. But despite our fear, we need to understand that failure isn’t the end of the road, it’s the beginning. We learn and gain more from failure than we do from success—and way more than if we never took the chance in the first place. Today, recognize that whether you succeed or fail at whatever you’re doing, it will be a hundred times more valuable to your growth than if you never took the chance in the first place. Either you succeed and you grow or you fail and you grow, but trying anything is better than doing nothing. Today, consciously step outside your comfort zone. Taking the first step is always the hardest, but once you do it, the only thought you’ll have in your head is “Why didn’t I do this earlier?” Every second you spend in this world is precious, and you shouldn’t waste a single second of it wondering if you should have done something. Today, Life is waiting for you to take the reigns. So grab them and remember everything you want is on the other side of fear.

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. Each day I stretch my comfort zone a little further. When I make a mistake, I understand that it is not the end, but only part of the learning process. I am safe. It is only change. Everything in truth is always working out for my highest good. And so it is.

Loss and grief

We all have lost so much. And whether you have lost a friend, a family member, your identity, your goals, money or just the illusion that you were in control of what comes next in your life, the result is that you and I are in all likelihood grieving for our losses at some level. And, grief is one of those emotions that has a life of its own. It carries every feeling within it and sometimes there’s no way to discern it. However, it also carries one of the greatest lessons that we as humans must come to terms with-the lesson of impermanence—that everything that comes into being will go out of being. And, no one escapes that lesson. So today, allow yourself to grieve your losses but also take extraordinary care of yourself. Accept that there is so much that you and I can never fully understand. Give yourself time and space to allow yourself to cry, mourn and to then come to peace that nothing lasts forever and that your pain will pass. Like everything else, all suffering will go, until one day it comes again.

The greatest thing about loss is that it helps us grow up. It matures us. It brings wisdom. It teaches us to let go. We learn we can go through hard times and we will come out the other side. And, we will discover that our happiness never really went away—it still exists inside of us—yet, we are remembering it anew. We are all beginning anew.

Just for today, I know that it is okay to be sad sometimes. Sadness is just another feeling. I allow it to be and then it passes away. I have the strength to remain calm in the face of change. Nourishing myself is a joyful experience. I am worth the time I spent on my own healing. I am safe and I am in the process of healing every part of my life. Out of this situation only good will come. And so it is.

Compassion

When we face a conflict we face an opportunity to learn from the pain caused by the conflict. It’s like putting your hand against a hot burner on a stove. The burn warns that you have to do something differently. However, our natural inclination when we experience conflict is to outsource the blame, making it impossible to get the lesson and to move on-it is always someone else's fault. And, as a result of not learning our lesson, many of us live in a constant or re-occurring experience with conflict. We experience the same fights and struggles with a varied cast of characters-but always the same conflict. It’s the same story running over and over. In its most basic form, the story is: I have been wronged by someone who does not see my value. They are self-centered and are not considering my point of view. Oddly enough, that story is also the story we ourselves are actually acting out. We are refusing to see the others’ point of view; maybe because it puts our own sense of self at risk. And, in the end, all our conflicts can boil down to winning and losing. Today, consciously begin to change the way you look and deal with the conflict in your life. Allow yourself to instead of letting your ego lead you, let compassion guide you. Today, let go of your perspective long enough to feel another person’s pain-to have compassion for them. Release your need to be right or to win. Take responsibility for yourself and your feelings by acknowledging that in reality no one has the power to "make" you feel anything, except you. Today, set your intentions to use the conflict in your life as an opportunity to grow. Use the conflict as an opportunity to learn to accept other people's limitations and to take care of yourself without feeling indignant, bitter, or self-righteous. If you can do that, you can grow, and move through the pain toward compassion.

Just for today, the kinder I am to others, the more kindness I attract. Divine peace and harmony surround me and dwell within me. I feel tolerance, compassion and love for all people including myself. I now create a wonderful new day and a wonderful new future. I am safe. It is only change and everything is working out for my highest good. And so it is.

Your stories are keeping you sick

We all have created a narrative to our lives, filled with stories from our past, which we repeat over and over again, making them our reality, even if the stories are fictional, created by our monkey minds and our fears. Nonetheless, we have allowed those stories to define who we are in the present and those stories keep us stuck from moving on with our future. Today, take some time to listen to the running narrative that you tell yourself and others. Is it serving you any purpose today? Is it keeping you mired in the past. Is it completely negative? And why have your chosen to use those stories to define who you are right now. Then, set your intentions to stop telling yourself and everyone else about your stories, about your suffering, your pain and ultimately how you are a helpless victim to your circumstances. Those stories do not define you unless you continue to let them. Today, change or let go of those stories that really don't serve you any longer and create new positive ones in their place. Your stories define who you are, change them up and you'll start to change your life.

Just for today, I recognize that it is my mind that creates my experiences and that I am unlimited in my own ability to create the good in my Life. I do not fix my problems. I fix my thinking and my problems fix themselves. I have the power to create all that I wish for with my mind and my thoughts. I am truly someone special. I say out to every negative thought that enters my mind. 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. As I change my thoughts, the world around me changes. And so it is.

Practice the Pause

Anger is our body’s response to a perceived threat. It triggers the body’s fight-or-flight response, during which our heart rate increases, we become tense and adrenaline is released. As a result, we often spiral into reaction mode in order to protect ourselves. Although we tend to view anger as a negative emotion, I have come to learn that anger itself is a valid emotion, just like happiness or sadness. And it does, in fact, serve a valid purpose. Anger sends a message to our body and brain that something painful within us has been triggered and is asking to be acknowledged. However, since most of us do not feel comfortable with anger, we avoid it or act inappropriately since we have never been taught how to deal with our anger in a constructive and healing way. And, because 2021 will be filled with social unrest, you and I will undoubtedly be triggered by many people, places and things. And although goodness will eventually prevail, you and I need to learn better, more constructive ways of dealing with our anger. And, we can begin today. Today, begin to appreciate the importance of pausing before you react-of stepping back, going inward, and instead of reacting in explosive ways, begin instead to explore where the triggers for your behaviors and reactions stem from. When you experience that old familiar feeling of anger or frustration bubbling up inside you, don’t react. Instead of erupting like a volcano pouring out hurtful words and reactions, try pausing for a moment. Today, take some space to reflect and name the emotions that surface—maybe fear, resentment, shame and explore underneath the anger. Our conditioned responses and behaviors are our defense mechanisms, the coping strategies we learned to protect yourself in the world. Today, acknowledge that you’ve always done the best that you knew how to based on what you learned growing up, and you’re now doing your best to change. Remember, every step you take brings you closer to personal freedom. Today, practice the pause. Pause before judging. Pause before assuming. Pause before accusing. Pause whenever you’re about to react harshly, and you’ll avoid doing and saying things you’ll later regret.

Just for today, it does not matter what other people do or say. What does matter is how I choose to react and what I choose to believe about myself. I choose happiness and peace no matter what they say, do or think. I release the need to judge or criticism anyone, including myself. We are all living the best way we know how. I am safe and I accept that everything is always working out for my highest good. And so it is.

New Moon in Capricorn

We have a New Moon in Capricorn and its message to you is that you are strong enough to handle whatever comes your way. It's energy will help you overcome your current challenges. And, no matter what challenges you may be experience that just like the Capricorn Seagoat has the talent and skill to climb to the tallest mountain and swim to the deepest depths of the ocean, you too have the ability to overcome any hurdles that are sent your way. Today, amidst great social unrest and uncertainty, remember that you have made it through lots of difficult times in your life and you will make it through these hard times. Remember that despite the doom and gloom that there is always things for you and I to be grateful for. And, remember that however long the dark night is, the dawn will always come.

Just for today, I am a capable person. I can handle anything that comes my way. Whatever happens, I know that I can handle it. I have the power, the strength and the knowledge to handle whatever comes my way. I am safe, divinely guided, protected and loved. Out of this situation only good will come and everything is always working out for my highest good. And so it is.

Lessons

Tomorrow we will experience our first new moon of this year. It carries with it potent energy that will ask us to process and to let go of all of the trials and tribulations of last year so that we can all move forward-stronger, wiser and more authentic. Today, allow yourself to begin to process all the lessons that you learned during 2021. Today begin to allow yourself to process your lessons and to consciously see how far you've come and how in truth you are very different than you were at this time last year. Hard times teach us lessons, make us stronger, and give us a deeper sense of self, even if we struggle and suffer throughout the growth process. And, the truth is that most of us will experience hard choices, stressful events, and difficult situations, which will impact us in one way or another for the rest of our lives. Some of those events can even leave you feeling like you want to give up, curl up and hide or at least hide your head in the sand and pretend that nothing is wrong. Today it is time to confront your struggles head on and to stop trying to numb them out or ignore your pain by putting on a happy face. Today instead allow yourself the opportunity to feel and to process every thought and emotion. You cannot move forward until you process your past and then let it go. You and I cannot go back any longer- only forward. Today give yourself the space and time to feel everything, to process it, to integrate it and then you will be able to move forward without regret but with gratitude in your heart and a new appreciation for the good times that undoubtedly lie ahead for you and for me.

Just for today, I am willing to learn something new about myself. I am willing to see how and where I need to change. No matter how old I am, I can always learn more and I do so with confidence. I look towards my future with hope and optimism. Life supports me in every possible way and everything is always working out for my highest good. And so it is.

Strength from sensitivity

I've always been accused of being too sensitive, too feeling. I've continually heard, "just get over it; “don’t be so sensitive;” or that I should “"toughen up” and grow a thicker skin. Although I have heard this advice so much over my life, I have never seen it make anyone happy and I've watched countless people being taken down by their need to show how strong and together they are. Perhaps, you too have been advised to become tougher or perhaps you take great pride in walling off your emotions and then telling everyone in your life that they "should" get tougher-they should stay in their minds like you do and avoid emotions at all cost-because that makes you feel strong. Today, no matter how much you pride yourself in your thinking and your avoidance of emotion, no matter how much you've judged other people for their feelings, it is time for you to actually feel your feelings and know that in reality that is what makes you strong. Today, do not try to have a thicker skin because in doing you end up just bottling your feelings up inside, pushing away how you feel in hopes it looks like you are being strong. In some way it is like trying to avoid your own shadow. You believe it’s gone because it’s behind you, but it’s totally visible to anyone else who cares to look.

Today, do not try to be any stronger than you are; recognize and acknowledge your feelings and know that your sensitivity in reality gives you strength, power and true wisdom. And, ignoring them keeps you stuck and unable to move forward. Today, recognize that you are strong enough to handle your challenges, wise enough to find solutions to your problems and capable enough to do whatever needs to get done. And recognize that by acknowledging your feelings you will gain the strength to stop surviving and begin thriving.

Just for today, I listen to my feelings and I am gentle with myself. I know that all my feelings are my friends. I am safe when I express my emotions. I can remain serene in all situations. I am safe and secure in my world. Life supports me in every possible way and everything is working out for my highest good. And so it is.

Inner Wisdom

Tuning into your intuition during troubled times can be difficult. With so much noise, information, and clutter within the world, your thoughts can often be clouded with distractions. Adding to all that noise is your own self doubt, your ego and your brain that prevents you from trusting your intuition. Your brain and ego are powerful forces that can drown out your quiet inner voice-the voice that can tell you exactly what you need to know and to do, if you would only listen. Today, begin to trust what you know, and be willing to trust it enough to act upon it. Trust that your assessment of the things in your life is accurate, that your feelings are valid, that your observations are not all in your head. Trust that you know what is true for you. And then, trust that you have enough courage to take action on what you know. In truth, YOU always know what you need and how to proceed next, but fear can creep in causing you to second guess yourself. Today begin to know that you can never make a wrong decision because you can always “right” your decision down the line. Know that whatever you are experiencing now is an opportunity that has presented itself to you, which means on some level you are ready for it. Trust in your truth. Have unwavering faith in yourself and know that your intuition always wants to guide and support you in every moment.

Just for today, I trust my intuition. I am willing to listen to that small still voice inside of me. And when I do, I hear all the answers to all the questions I shall ever ask. I trust my inner wisdom and I make decisions with ease. My intuition is always on my side and always knows what is best for me. I am safe and out of this situation only good will come. All is truly well in my world. And so it is.

Let yourself be surprised

It is no secret that life is full of surprises, when you least expect them. And, while some of us thrive in those conditions, many of us suffer and struggle because we have the need to be in control of everything. However, that need to control everything and feel like you know what is coming next is in reality limiting your life. Today begin to acknowledge that Life is truly about the next surprise and that you have a choice on how you respond and react to those surprises. You have a choice to continually suffer and struggle in the face of surprise or whether you welcome and embrace it. Life will surprise you if are open to possibilities, without knowing how things will unfold. While having some expectations can be good to have, being bound by them can limit your life since something better could unfold in your life that you cannot even imagine. Struggle ensues when you expect life to develop in a particular way and suffering results from your resistance to what “IS” happening. That doesn’t mean you are ambivalent or do not care. Rather you are less attached to outcomes, resulting from your passive state of anticipation. Today, just remain open to the possibilities and recognize that in reality life is a series of surprises. Don't be in such a rush to figure everything out. Today embrace Life and allow it to surprise you.

Just for today, I recognize that this is a day of delightful surprises. I eagerly await each moment. I recognize that Life is an exciting surprise. I awaken in the morning looking for positive experiences and I find them in the most unexpected places. I express gratitude for all the good in my life. Each day brings me wonderful new surprises. I am safe. It is only change and everything is working out for my highest good. And so it is.

Self Judgement

We all judge ourselves at times and often we don’t even realize we’re doing it. It can feel natural to narrate your day with a cruel inner monologue that assesses and judges everything you do as insufficient, just not good enough. We all are our toughest critics and all our self judgement sets us up to feel like the whole world is judging us too. Today, consciously listen to your inner dialogue, to your self talk so that you can hear how hard you are on yourself and how that judgement is stopping you from growing and from having the relationships and the life you desire. Today, listen to your self talk and begin discover the real reasons and the fears that are driving you when you are berating and beating yourself up. Listen to yourself to uncover the lies that are in truth under your self-critical thoughts. Then offer yourself the empathy and the understanding that you want from other people. By becoming your own best friend, your biggest supporter, you will no longer fear judgement from others and no longer need excessive and continual approval from anyone.

Just for today, I release the need to judge and criticize anyone, including myself. We are all living the best way we know how. I monitor my self talk, making certain that it is uplifting and supportive of myself and others. I am my own best friend. Other friends may come and go but I am always here with myself. I am safe and I am in the process of making positive changes in every area of my life. All is truly well in my world and everything is working out for my highest good. And so it is.

Hate can never win

Yesterday and perhaps most of last year it may have seemed that hate won. That hate had somehow taken over our country and normally good, intelligent people had decided that hate gave them more power than love. We however saw the power of love emerge out of the incredible chaos that yesterday hate had created. And as we awaken to a new day, as our country awakens from its four year slumber filled with hate and anger, we too can awaken to the fact that hate only destroys and is never the foundation of growth or forward motion. In fact, hate cannot produce anything positive whether it’s us doing the hating of ourselves, or whether we’re hating on other people, things, places… it just is not possible. Hate produces more hate, plain and simple. So, today begin to be the light in your world by stop hating on yourself. If you and I let go of our hate for ourselves, our government, other people, our own lack of progress, whatever hate we’re projecting, we can begin to find more peace and love in our world. If we let go of hate, beginning with ourselves, then we will begin to create a ripple effect from our loving hearts. Today, let go of your fear and return to love because we cannot hate ourselves into the version we want to become or to create the world that we desire.

Just for today, I let go of all fear and doubt and Life becomes simple and easy for me. I recognize that it is my mind that creates my experiences and that I am unlimited in my own ability to create the good in my life. I have faith in the unlimited loving power of the Universe. I am safe and Life supports me in every possible way. All is truly well in my world and everything is always working out for my highest good. And so it is.

Change....

Part of the real beauty of life is that it’s unpredictable. Nothing is permanent, everything changes; and of course, a lot of things can happen that will transform who you are and have an impact on your life. The problem is that we need to cultivate the ability to truly accept whatever comes our way and embrace it. And that is exactly what 2021 is and will be all about-revolutionary change and allowing yourself to make those changes. And those revolutionary changes are being fueled by the planet Uranus. Uranus is a revolutionary planet that brings sudden insights and innovation. It is a boundary breaking planet which will push you and I to see beyond our previously conceived limitations. Today, once again allow yourself to be open to change. Be open to shake up your routines that are actually keeping you in a rut. If you have a relationship that feels oppressive, a job that feel soul-crushing or a stagnant social life, you are being called to change those things, to reinvigorate your life. Most likely you've been feeling the need to change for a long time. Today allow yourself to act on your inner knowing and set your intentions to change. Today, listen to your intuition and allow it to help you to let go of who and what you were so that you can create a new life that is much more in alignment with who you are today.

Just for today, I am willing to see where and how I need to change. I choose to believe that it is easy to change a thought or behavior pattern. I trust my intuition and make decisions with ease. I am willing to step out of my comfort zone and experience life in a whole new way. I am safe, divinely guided and protected. Everything is always working out for my highest good. And so it is.