Key Concepts: Mind Power, Practicing Gratefulness, Being Thankful, Abundance, Mary-Anne Reed, Focus

Fill up your heart & life with good things. Be grateful. Watch your abundance grow like a blossoming field of flowers. #HPSelf

WHAT ARE YOU FOCUSING ON?

Are you continually aware of where you're placing your attention? It matters. There is a saying with a rhyme that's worth remembering:

Energy flows where your attention goes.

You give your energy to your center of attention and this focus integrates into your life, your mind, your heart. Eventually, your focus-attention-energy becomes your world. Focusing on is the equivalent of filling up on.

VIEWING NATURE PROMOTES PEACE

WATCHING SUSPENSE CREATES TENSION

YOUR RESPONSES

How important are your responses to what you experience? One study that I have tweeted about says that when your responses get to 75% positive, you will experience life on a happier more successful plane. This research was conducted over 10 years ago. This is not new information yet not that many people know about it. So I would say that positive or negative responses are very important as they feed into the quality of your life.

Science is aware that the brain is affected by what we read, watch, experience. A recent article in the Washington Post reports on scientists’ concern about the teenage fixation on the Twilight and Harry Potter series. Scientists, authors and education experts are meeting at Cambridge University  to investigate how the teenage brain is affected or altered by books that invite fear and anxious emotional responses.

I would not categorize experiences that invite fear and anxiety to be among the good things. Would you?

So if you want your life to be filled with quality, you have to choose to focus on what is best. Are you aware of what pushes your buttons to keep you in a negative state vs. when you’re responding emotionally positive?

BEING GRATEFUL HELPS YOU FOCUS FURTHER

One excellent way to pay attention to the treasures in your life is to practice being grateful. Thinking about or meditating on what you are thankful for intensifies your focus by adding the component of giving. You give thanks to God (or your Higher Power or some people use the word Universe) as the supplier of all that you consider to be yours.

Once you begin actively to be grateful, which you can do casually or ritually by enumerating and thanking your Higher Power for each good thing, you open the doors to the mystical world of quantum physics where the invisible goes to work for you.

Theoretically, your mind exists beyond your physical reality and connects with this ether or quantum world, influencing what takes place in this invisible realm and then manifests physically in your life. In quantum physics, the invisible is more powerful because it is creating the visible. (Some quantum physicist theorize that invisible strings vibrating in this realm create the world we see and experience.)

MAKE A LIST

Try making this list of everything you appreciate followed by thanking your Higher Power either mentally or out loud for each thing. Such as, “Dear Lord, I thank you for my home. I thank you for my health, my car, my family, my kids, my friend. I thank you for my office, etc. etc.” Return to this list at least once a day and repeat your ritual.

GROWING YOUR ABUNDANCE

As you practice being thankful you will notice a shift in your attitude and mood. Your emotional tone will become more positive. You will find yourself feeling happier. This upbeat frame of mind reflects in your personal life and you will watch as new doors open for you. You will attract and draw more affirming people and experiences to yourself. You will find yourself more resilient, flexible, coping with stress on a higher plane.

How do I know this? I know it from my own experience and I know if from others who say the same exact thing.

Sometimes the only way to understand and believe in something is to just try it. If you thought you could change your life for the better by focusing positively and practicing gratefulness, wouldn’t it be worth giving it a go?

So focus on filling up your heart, mind, life with good things and then be grateful for them. As you do, you will see without your doing anything, that you abundance takes on a life of its own. This is similar to watering flowers and watching them bloom. You simply water and the rest works like magic.

This is not to negate taking action. Rather under the influence of a grateful heart,  you should find yourself acting with keener insight and decision. It’s all win-win!

ARE YOU DEPRESSED? Find out about how to Overcome Depression in a lively booklet that tells you everything you need to know about MOVING BEYOND DEPRESSION.

Key Concepts: overcoming stress, Gary Loper, yoga, yoga practice, health, lifestyle, calmness, peace, self control, strength, body awareness

The most important aspect of yoga is breathing. Keeping control of your breath while your body is in a difficult position. When we notice the breath has become short or non-existent, we honor the body and move to a place where we maintain breath control and still push the body.

Taking that philosophy off the mat and applying to our everyday life has incredible benefits. When we get upset, we tend to hold our breath and, while still talking or perhaps yelling, cutting off the air supply to all of our organs and blood. Breath is one of the essential fuels for our bodies to function. Without adequate oxygen, it is like driving on two flat tires. The vehicle may be drive-able for a while, but at what cost?

YOGA IS SIMPLE AND COST EFFECTIVE!

Starting our own yoga practice is very simple and cost effective. The equipment needed is minimal and yoga can be practiced anywhere.

THE BENEFITS OF AN INSTRUCTOR AND TAKING CLASSES

Although there are a number of incredible videos to practice on your own, I would strongly suggest finding a gifted yoga instructor and taking classes with them.

The energy of the group class is wonderful, and your instructor will assist you in understanding what you are doing in the best way to benefit you and your intention.

There are no perfect poses in yoga, your teacher will show you the direction to go and it is up to you to honor your body and ignore your ego. Accept the limits of your body, we are all different and have unique experiences that have led us to where we are now. Trying to do what another is doing while your body is telling you “no” will not help but probably hurt. You will feel great, alive, and wanting to come back for more, and perhaps in time your body will feel the need to be adjusted all the time.

YOGA IS NATURAL

Yoga has been derived from observing nature. Watch the animals in or around your home. They are stretching themselves many times a day. How often are you following their lead? For over 5,000 years, yoga has been the best way to bridge the gap between the body, mind, spirit and emotions to create balance and a mental state of acceptance. Yoga can assist you to achieve this acceptance and an overall sense of well-being.

YOGA IS SIMPLE AND FAR-REACHING

Yoga is more than what it appears to be. Some view it in simplicity, seeing it as another form of exercise. Yoga is far reaching, the incorporation of breath work, expansion and retraction of the lungs, stretching and elongating the muscles–it nourishes your entire being.

The techniques of yoga utilize breath work and meditation, which alleviates stress, allows one to feel a sense of wholeness, well-being and centering within the experience–one of acceptance no matter where you are in your life.

THE BENEFITS ARE IMMENSE!

Yoga teaches you to control your mind, body, and restrain the conscious state. The benefits are immense. It is proven that yoga:

• decreases stress
• increases your stamina
• improves muscle tone
• impedes the aging process
• elevates a creative energy flow.

Yoga is enlivening to your entire being! It is a way of life.

So when are you going to get started?

Gary Loper  is a ‘Bob Burg Consultant’ trained and certified by Bob Burg and his team.  Bob Burg teaches and relies on the concept that"all things being equal, people will do business with and refer business to those people they know, like and trust.”  Gary will show you how to create referral systems in any business.

Gary has dedicated his life to personal development, studied life coaching extensively; learned from some of the most exceptional motivational and inspirational speakers for the past 15 years.  He has a strong background in marketing, sales and customer service.  As well as 15 years of yoga practice and10 years as a massage therapist and energy healer.

He has been the Director of the networking group, ‘Gulfport Go-Giver Group’, helping people get the contacts they need to advance their business and achieve their dreams, and to create a cooperative and abundance-based business world. Presently, he runs mastermind groups that adhere to the Go-Giver philosophy following the 5 Stratospheric Laws of Success, from "The Go Giver" by Bob Burg & John David Mann.

You can reach Gary at Gary@GaryLoper.com or http://www.RealizedRealationships.com

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

ARE YOU DEPRESSED? Find out about how to Overcome Depression in a lively booklet that tells you everything you need to know about MOVING BEYOND DEPRESSION.

Key Concepts: stress, Gary Loper, yoga, health, lifestyle, calmness, peace, self control, strength, body awareness

Are you feeling more and more stress lately?

It seems that you cannot go anywhere without someone talking about their stresses or telling us how stressful these times are.

It is as if we are becoming programmed to believe that life is stressful.

What if there was a way to alleviate the on-going stress, would you be interested?

First, let's take a look at a tour of the outside world.  Think about: our daily events coupled with financial pressures, relationship tensions, job changes, various relocations, and chronic illness, what appears to be an overbearing escalation of negative thoughts, emotions and feelings.  It is no wonder many of us are stressed to the max.

One of the first steps is to embrace a healthy way of viewing these challenges with acceptance and as opportunities for growth, change and freedom.  History has shown repeatedly that change and innovation only happens in the midst of chaos and dark times.

IS IT DARK ENOUGH FOR YOU YET?

How do we migrate through these adversities? How do we discover the positive lessons of these occurrences?   

There are specific ways of dealing with stress. Rather than resorting to negative internalization and counter productive responses and actions—such as binge eating, drugs, alcohol, excessive television, working exorbitant overtime—there is a way to manage the stress.  It does not come in a bottle, or a pill or is not pitched on an infomercial.  But has been available for thousands of years and has been shared with us through nature.

WHAT IS THIS ANCIENT PRACTICE?

The answer is yoga. Customizable to fit into your lifestyle, yoga is the best solution I have found to alleviating the on-going stress.

I have been practicing yoga since 1996 and have benefited in many ways:

• calmness
• breath control
• strength
• connection of body and mind
• a moving meditation
• body awareness
• toning

When I have slipped away from my practice I could feel my moods shift to places I would prefer they did not go.

At the beginning of this year, 2010, I resolved to practice yoga daily and can very proudly say that I have practiced every day.  The biggest benefit has been in stress relief.

In building a new business and taming gremlins, I was feeling very stressed and I truly believe that my yoga practice has helped me keep a reign on my emotions and restored calmness in our home.

Next post, Gary Loper writes about how to go about building a yoga practice into your life.

Gary Loper  is a ‘Bob Burg Consultant’ trained and certified by Bob Burg and his team.  Bob Burg teaches and relies on the concept that"all things being equal, people will do business with and refer business to those people they know, like and trust.”  Gary will show you how to create referral systems in any business.

Gary has dedicated his life to personal development, studied life coaching extensively; learned from some of the most exceptional motivational and inspirational speakers for the past 15 years.  He has a strong background in marketing, sales and customer service.  As well as 15 years of yoga practice and10 years as a massage therapist and energy healer.

He has been the Director of the networking group, ‘Gulfport Go-Giver Group’, helping people get the contacts they need to advance their business and achieve their dreams, and to create a cooperative and abundance-based business world. Presently, he runs mastermind groups that adhere to the Go-Giver philosophy following the 5 Stratospheric Laws of Success, from "The Go Giver" by Bob Burg & John David Mann.

You can reach Gary at Gary@GaryLoper.com or http://www.RealizedRealationships.com

Key Concepts: Richard McSweeney, meditation, mental vacation, Champs-Élysées, Paris, Anne Frank, Blondi, photos, power of meditation, relaxation, peace, serenity

Come away on a mental vacation with Richard McSweeney and enjoy a moment as he meditates on two famous photos. You can use your mind to get away by meditating on other photos, natural landscapes or even objects. Let the power of mediation bring you peace, relaxation and yes even better health.

A Meditation on two Photographs in an Antique Shop Window

Have you ever found yourself stopping in front of an antique shop, gazing at an old photograph or painting?

I don't know how it has come about to be, but suddenly I am finding myself walking down some narrow quiet street in Paris, just off the Champs-Élysées. The sun is shining with a lovely warm breeze playing with the leaves in nearby trees, and the waters of a fountain. I happen upon a quaint old antique shop called "La Chanson de Vivre".

Two framed old black and white photographs standing next to each other on a shelf are gazing out at me. One is of a beautiful young girl, and the other of a noble dog. I know these two visitors from the past.

And in their gazing are they saying to me, "Meditate on us, and come to know what life for any one in any place and time can be."

And in mediation am I now finding myself.

Anne Frank was born into a particular family of a particular religious belief, and who with finding themselves in the wrong place and at the wrong time were looked upon as a threat to society.

Blondi was born into a well-favoured litter, and given as a gift to a politically very powerful man, who showed a tremendous affection for her.

The girl loved to write, and from her thirteenth birthday onwards she kept a diary. But no sooner had she begun to write, than her whole world was turned upside down.

The dog was his favourite companion; went with him nearly everywhere. But more often than not, in his mountain hideaway, she would be found patiently waiting for his return.

The young woman was confined in a hideaway behind a bookcase for almost two years; day and night living in fear of being found.
 
Betrayed!

Away from the back room; imprisoned and sent by train to a realm of hell.

Misinformed!

Away from the mountain retreat; confined to a bunker beneath a shattered city.

Died in early March 1945 by orders from on high--within days of that odious realm being liberated. And Anne believing that her entire family were no more of this world.

Died on the 30th April 1945 by orders of her beloved master--within hours of that stuffy bunker being given the light of day. And Blondi not knowing that her four lovely puppies would also be given over to the same fate as she.

A full life denied that special girl for she being born into a particular family, in a particular place, and at a particular time.

A full life denied that faithful dog for she being given as a gift to the most powerful man in the world at that time.

Anne would have loved Blondi (and her puppies); Blondi Anne, for they were of an innocence and beauty that is common to those who love from the heart. And Adolf, not knowing otherwise, might have been pleased to see how these two friends got on so well together. And Anne too, not knowing any better, would have been very happy to see how well he took care of his dog.

Wondering why life is as it is...

Oh, I find it strange living on this planet; so many difficult things to try and figure out. Incongruities are everywhere within and about me to be found.

And, I am now with having to take my leave of these two still-gazing-at-me old photographs; taking my leave of the "La Chanson de Vivre" antique shop, and returning instead to the wide open spaces of the Champs-Élysées.

Richard McSweeney living on the beautiful isle of Eire (Ireland) is a happy practitioner of the ancient art of self-originating artistry; delighting in giving written shape and form to the integrity of the individual voice. Visit his website.  

Key Concepts: Depression, Overcome Depression, National Institute of Mental Health, depression symptoms, self talk, psychiatric help, Brandt Reed MFT, Moving Beyond Depression

AN EPIDEMIC MEANS YOU ARE NOT ALONE

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE SYMPTOMS?

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO?

Brandt Reed, MFT is a licensed marriage, family and child therapist with over 25 years experience counseling clients. Having helped many clients with depression, Brandt Reed has written a lively and informative booklet, "MOVING BEYOND DEPRESSION," which is for sale on our Store.

Key Concepts: Success, Wrong Target for Success, Who We Become, Personal Development, Mark Fritz, Getting More Done

Everyone would like to achieve success, and many are on the constant search for the shortcut to success.

In fact, all over the Internet you can find people promising you the sun, the moon and the stars of success (and that you can have it fast!).

Many people have invested large sums of money in these promises and haven’t achieved the success they want…but WHY?  The “Number One Problem” for many people in achieving success is that they have the "Wrong Target."  Success is not the right target.

WHAT IS THE RIGHT TARGET?

“WHO WE BECOME” is the right target.  Success is the result we achieve based on who we become. 

In fact, “who we become” drives a success that we can be proud of, a success that makes a difference in the world, and a success that drives the legacy we would like to be behind.

Ask any successful person who has achieved long-term success, and they will say that it all started with their own “personal development”.  The more they would grow, the more opportunities would come their way.  The level of success they achieved has been equal to the size of the person they have become.

Again, the target is not success, but “WHO WE BECOME”. 

WHAT MAKES THE DIFFERENCE IN WHO YOU BECOME?

Charles ''Tremendous'' Jones said “You will be the same person in five as you are today except for the people you meet and the books you read.”  

“WHO WE BECOME” is driven by how we leverage the life experiences of others to grow faster.  We cannot experience life fast enough on our own, so we need to learn from others (the people we meet, the books we read, the video we watch, and the audio we listen to). 

Remember, the size of your “personal development actions” (WHO YOU BECOME) drives your “success” you want (WHAT YOU ACHIEVE). 

ABOUT MARK FRITZ

Mark is the author of The Truth About Things Done (Getting More Done) and Time to Get Started.  He is the founder of the international consulting company Procedor, and a visiting professor at business schools throughout Europe.   Mark is an expert on Leading Across Distances & Cultures and believes that successfully leading in today’s world starts with Leading Yourself First.  He is the author of a daily thought found on his website each day, and also now available on the iPhone with the Mark Fritz Daily Thought App.   You can learn more about Mark through the following:

Mark’s Personal Website: http://www.markfritzonline.com/

Procedor’s Website: http://www.procedor.com/

Mark’s Books: http://www.markfritzonline.com/fritz-books.htm

Mark’s Twitter Page: http://twitter.com/MarkFritz

Check out Mark Fritz's book on how to be super successful by reading about The Truth about Getting More Done.

Key Concepts: Prosperity, Serenity, Peace, Inner Peace, Joy, Gratitude, Meditation, Happiness, Happy, Ireland, Richard McSweeney, self-originating art

Happy is the one whose prosperity is....

At times I feel I am an abbey; a beautiful old stone building here on the lovely isle of Eire (Ireland) where saintly contemplative nuns day and night joyfully pray, work, and recreate.

Now, what has this got to do with helping one to be prosperous you may ask; to immediately grow in riches, and in time in wealth?

And I will give answer saying that unless you take some moments to meditate on where you have come from, where you are, and where you are going you will never be prosperous; it will be forever eluding you.

And what do I mean by prosperity? Perhaps, we may be thinking of different things. Not knowing what your idea of prosperity is, I will tell what is mine, and you can compare and contrast it with your own.

For me, to be prosperous is to be knowing that when I lay my head upon my pillow at night, I will be guided safely through to the golden dawn, and right on out into the welcoming waters of the new day. And it is to wake and know that I am greatly loved. It is to be convinced without any doubt whatsoever that I am in the new day for a special reason.

It is no accident or coincidence that a new day happens to be; that I happen to be, and that we in each other's happy company happen to be.

And what is it to be me in the new day? It is to be here a moment there a moment contemplative; grateful, joyful, and helpful.

Happy by far is the one whose prosperity is joyfulness, gratitude, and helpfulness.

Richard McSweeney living on the beautiful isle of Eire (Ireland) is a happy practitioner of the ancient art of self-originating artistry; delighting in giving written shape and form to the integrity of the individual voice. Visit his website.  

Key Concepts: Health, Diabetes, Insulin Resistance, high blood sugar, cashews, cashew nut extract, anti-inflammatory, blood-sugar absorption, anti-diabetic properties

Want a boost to your body’s ability to respond to insulin? If you’ve got diabetes or insulin resistance, here’s good news:

The researchers from the University of Montreal have discovered that cashew tree products–leaves, seeds, bark and nuts–all deflect high-blood sugar and help to stop insulin resistance. In addition, the cashew tree is anti-inflammatory.

Another study published in the journal of Molecular Nutrition & Food Research finds only cashew nut extract impacts the muscle cells by stimulating blood-sugar absorption.

“Cashew seed extract likely contains active compounds, which can have potential anti-diabetic properties," senior author Pierre Haddad of the University of Montreal said in a statement.

Up to 200 million people around the world have diabetes, a condition where the body does not produce enough insulin or the cells are unresponsive to insulin. This illness is serious and can result in heart and/or kidney disease. 

Key Concepts: Relationships, Human Behavior, Parenting, Dysfunctional Behavior, How to become your own loving parent, ACA, 12 step groups

Most of us grew up in homes where our parents were loving and kind. Not perfect and not always consistent. But we knew we were loved and protected.

Some of us, however, were not so fortunate. Perhaps just one parent was difficult, unkind even cruel, or disciplined by slapping you. Or maybe your home life was in a state of disarray where healthy boundaries were non existent. In some cases there was physical and/or sexual abuse. Or there was verbal and emotional abuse. Some children may have watched in horror as their father physically abused their mother and then found themselves victims of his violence as well.

THE CONSEQUENCES AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT

In these cases, our parents--the very people who had the responsibility to develop healthy self esteem and a sense of self worth--did not do their job. The consequences of these experiences are immense. Not the least of which is the development of feelings of shame, unworthiness, and failure in the person brought up in under these kind of circumstances.

However, this article is not about the reasons why this happened. It is about the way you can begin to undo the effects. It is about redefining yourself. It is about learning to love yourself in a healthy way.

HOW TO START

You can be transformed into a happier more functional person when you start to become the loving parent to yourself that you never had as a child. For instance, think about a child and how she or he needs to be treated–with love, care, deference, and protection. So then, that is how you need to start treating yourself.

It is not easy because it is unfamiliar to you. Here's one exercise I give my clients: look at yourself in the mirror and say "I love you". How does that feel? If it’s uncomfortable or feels silly that is exactly why you need to do it. Your discomfort is the old negative tape developed during your upbringng which continues to the present day, telling you, "I'm unworthy." But get your head wrapped around this: IT IS A LIE! Your worthiness is established at your birth. We are all worthy of love. But when we don't get that love from our parents, we falsely conclude: "There is something wrong with me. I am undeserving."

Keep looking in the mirror and telling yourself that "I love you" until it becomes true for you. Along with that begin acting in kind, generous ways to yourself. A loving parent is considerate and caring but also teaches self-discipline without the harsh criticism.

It's not easy to stop being so self-critical. Listen to your self talk. A lot of it will be negative and that’s part of the old-parent-judging-you tape. It is imperative that those negative messages are refuted by reframing it with a positive opposite thought.

REFRAMING YOUR THOUGHTS

Old Thought: I will never be any good at anything.
New Thought: I already am good at something and I can work at becoming really great at whatever I choose to do.

Old Thought: No one will ever love me.
New Thought: I can allow my Higher Power to love me. I can love myself. As I become more acceptable to myself, I will attract more loving people to me.

Initially, this is not easy. It takes work, yes hard word. But the effort is worth it as you become the loving parent to yourself – that you never had as a child – and with the benefit of adult freedom and responsibility.

SOME QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF

Asking yourself questions can be helpful. Such as:

In what ways am I abandoning myself?

In way ways am I acting like my original dysfunctional parent(s)?

How can I be more supportive of myself?

How can I show love to myself?

LEARNING MORE ABOUT IT

If you want to learn more about what it means to be a loving parent, pick up a good book on parenting. You may not have a child but in this case you are the child that needs parenting. By reading the book, you can learn about all the qualities that make for a good parent. Then begin incorporating these qualities into your behavior and become a loving parent to yourself.

It is time to be that loving parent to you. It’s a win-win for you and every one else in your life.

Key Concepts: Relationships, Human Behavior, Dysfunctional Behavior, Behavior, The Problem, The Solution, Becoming Your Own Loving Parent, Poor Parenting, Good Parenting, Psychology, Freud

It’s safe to say: Every family has its dysfunction, but some families are more functional than others.

Dysfunctional behavior started somewhere. It has been passed down from generation to generation in families. For you, it began with your family of origin. But will it end with you, or will you affect your children with your own problems?

That depends on your willingness to admit that at least some of your behavior is less than exemplary. Then you must either have or acquire the ability to change this behavior.

IT ALWAYS COMES BACK TO FREUD

Every since Sigmund Freud brought psychology to the forefront over 100 years ago, the identification of the individual and family as dysfunctional has hit the public with a steady wave of books, research material, articles, even films. (See our post on "Is ACA right for you?")

However, this blog is not about focusing on the problem of dysfunction but rather the solution.

WHAT IS THE SOLUTION?

Through the 12-step programs including AA, ACA, NA. Alanon and many similar groups, millions of people have discovered a path of moving from dysfunctional and unwanted behavior into a more functional, desirable and happy life by applying one principle.

What is this principle?

THE SOLUTION IS TO BECOME YOUR OWN LOVING PARENT

It’s simply turning the problem on its head. Since poor parenting is the cause of dysfunctional living, the solution is to get yourself some good parenting.

That means you detach psychologically from thinking of your parents of origin as your parents. Instead you cultivate within yourself a loving version of you as both your father and mother.

While chasing down this solution, other inherit problems will pop up such as, "If my parents were poor at what they did, how then do I discover good parenting?" Or "I have one good parent, do I have to throw away that parent too?" "Can I still be involved with my parents?"

Read about answers to these questions and more in our next blog about how to become your own loving parent.