New Year, New Hope Part II

I'm going to get right down to it. Here they are my goals. Hey be brave put yours in writing too. Keep them with you, read them reread them and know and feel what it is like to achieve them. Then take a small step everyday to make them happen.

1. Freely speak to other about my abilities and services I can offer them.

2. Be fully present in the work that I do now and do it to the very best of my ability.

3. Be more active, at least 3 times a week. Enjoy it! Make it fun and something I will stick with.

4. Continue to provide private tai chi lessons on a regular basis.

5. Be aware of my eating. Do not eat out of boredom, stress or lack of sleep.

6. Feel NO guilt for taking the time to meditate.

7. Love freely, with passion and without restraint those people that are in my life.

8. Make no excuses for following my desires and dreams because those are the things that I love to do. If you love to do something the rest will follow.

There are others but hopefully by just listing these few it will inspire you to write yours down, make them your own and live your life to the fullest.

Happy New Year! Be Safe and have fun!

New Year New Hope Part I

"Never give up on something that you can't go a day without thinking about." Tony Robbins

To me this is the perfect way to start the New Year. What have you thought about all 2010 and didn't make happen? Does it still consume your thoughts? Make a plan to do something no matter how small, each day to accomplish that goal. Stop beating yourself up over not getting it done in the last year, however commit yourself to making it absolutely happen this year.

Now by putting it down on paper and making that goal very specific, you have already started to put the universe in motion towards your goal. Read that goal every day as many times as you like but at least once! Think about that goal! Feel what it feels like to have accomplished it! Envision it in your mind! Know that you have achieved that goal and then go on about your day.

I'm going to go a step farther though and share my goals with you. I want as many people to know what it is that I love to do and want to do for them. That is one of my goals to help as many people as possible but I’m going to get more specific. If by sharing I am able to motive you then that's exactly what I'll do.

Part II tomorrow.....Goals!

Thinker or Doer?

Growing up and as I continue to grow I haven't really been a big talker. I mean sure to my REALLY close friends and family it's a bit different. I believe the large part of my life has been as an observer. But there have been people that have viewed my silence as complacency. I could not disagree more.

I have been also labeled as a 'thinker' someone who soaks it all in just to mull it over for hours later. I have to say though that this 'thinker' is changing gears into 'sharer' and 'doer'; someone that has taken the value of personal experiences and those shared with others and found the lessons. These lessons change what I do and have guided me to share and help others do the same.

So someone may not be a loud life of the party but they may be enjoying themselves none the less. Interact with the 'thinker' in your life you may be pleasantly surprised at what comes up.

Physical Body

Well, my physical body is trying to fight something off. With a sore throat and headache it's hard to concentrate on anything else.

But I have read and think that this book can be extremely helpful when dealing with things that ail you. Have a look; there is even an iPhone app for it too!

Happy Holidays!

I am grateful for my wonderful family and friends. I am thankful for the freedom I have to express myself, for a wonderful partner that is open and accepting of me, for a great job that makes a difference.

What are you thankful for? Take this holiday season to express your gratitude.

"What you think about and thank about you bring about"-Dr. John Demartini

I am grateFULL!!

Kindness

I just have to say...there is NO shame in giving kindness to the people that you come across. It doesn't some how make you a weaker person. Of course this was sparked by the unkind behavior witnessed and experienced at the local mall just this afternoon. I don't understand why it is so difficult for others to show that they actually care about the rest of the human race.

Here's my thoughts and I am certainly guilty of this too...We get wrapped up in ourselves, our lives, and the stuff that we have to do and ignore others and behave poorly to the people around us. If we can just stop and recognize how we are behaving the people around you will reflect your calm, appreciation and kindness. So take a breath, remember the spirit of the giving season and give kindness to each other.

A sight to see!

We had a wonderful early Christmas Eve with our daughter. The seeds of our teachings as parents are evident in her actions and appreciation. It is wonderful to see the young woman she is becoming. The future IS bright!!

Our hard work and her development are really coming to fruition and it is fantastic. I will do my best to cherish these next two and a half years before college.

Becoming a parent should not be a light undertaking. But when you see what you have been teaching really start to come from your children without your prompting, then you know you have done your job :-)

Full of Love!

Transition

In the last three months I have started a major transition in my life. I am learning to reach out more to my friends, family and even strangers. It can be scary at first to share your thoughts and feelings with people that you know but take the risk and share with total strangers. Ok, now I don't recommend spilling your life history with someone that you just happen to bump into at the grocery store. But I do recommend sharing a smile with a total stranger.

You benefit from giving joy and they benefit from getting it. I have never been more at peace and happy in my life and that is something that I want to share with people that I come in contact with every day. Now it’s not all rainbows and butterflies, I feel the waiting game just as much as the next person. If you are the slightest bit sensitive, intuitive, feeling whatever you want to call it you have probably felt it too. This incredible shift that began over the summer is now beginning to quietly simmer. I came across this wonderful video that I would love to share. It's for anyone that is feeling a transition coming or in the midst of one and need a bit of inspiration.

Enjoy!!

Breathe

Sorry, totally distracted by the cool lunar eclipse tonight. It was really awesome to see. Hope you got to see it too!

Take a breath enjoy the cool night air and marvel at the universe.

Fun!

I don't have to tell you that life can be serious. I for one have a tendency to be one of those serious people. So what I have done is surrounded myself with fun loving, happy go lucky, wonderful people. These fantastic people, my partner included help me to NOT take myself too seriously.

On top of surrounding yourself with light hearted, caring, funny story telling, giggly people you should do something each day that is fun for you. It can be as small as watching a funny movie, having a tickle fight with your kids, playing with your dog or making a whole day of it and going to an amusement park. The truth is as adults I think sometimes we forget to have fun. We are so busy worrying about bills, jobs, kids, school, and the future that we forget what it's like to have FUN.

Laughter is fantastic medicine, do it loudly and often! It all starts with a smile. Enjoy your day and have fun! I've included a link to something I have been wanting to try, Laughter Yoga. Ok, I know is sounds silly. The mere thought of it makes me smile so why not?!? It could really work and keep me and you having fun!! Check it out.
http://www.laughteryoga.org/

You create it!

There are several people that I have met in my life that believe that life happens to them, not having any control over their own future. This couldn't be further from the truth. You create your life. What you do, say, think about and are grateful for create your experience.

The tough part is that many people think about what they DON'T want. But what they don't realize is that is exactly what they will attract because that is what they think about the most.

Imagine now the things, events and type of people you DO want in your life. Hold these wonderful thoughts in your mind and you will have them in your life.

Now

Life comes at you hard and fast and sometimes it's difficult to keep up. If you can relax into the day's events, restrain yourself from always looking forward try to stay in the moment. By enjoying each experience while you're having it instead of constantly looking to your future you will learn more, enjoy more and appreciate more. Really! It will all be because you are more present.

Sure it can be tough especially if you are in a situation you want to be out of. But you wouldn't be going through it unless there is something to learn. If you pay attention now you may not have to repeat the lesson in the future.

Think of the wonderful things that you want for your future i.e. career, family, money, health, well-being and do one thing a day to work towards those goals. Then let the stress of the future go.

Be in the now.

Energy Exchange

Is it me or does everyone have an odd feeling when shaking someone's hand?

Ok, so I was taught that when being introduced to a male whom you've never met that the female offers her hand first. I have always offered a firm handshake and can't stand dead fish handshakes. But really this is a bit beside the point.

Here's my dilemma, I find that the exchange of energy can be overwhelming sometimes and just odd at other times. During this time of year with work holiday parties, and family gatherings with loved ones, new friends and new acquaintances shaking hands, hugs and other personal space invaders are to be expected.

Something to remember while you greet all these folks is to say to yourself "You keep your energy and I'll keep mine". Whether you’re sensitive or not it can be draining. So keep a smile on your face and your energy to yourself. You will feel better at the end of the evening. Go mingle!

Being wrong is all right

A little bit more about me, I was conceived in the land of chaos but born into the kingdom of perfectionism. What does this mean exactly?! Well, I find that order, lists and routines were really how I found comfort over the years. With that said I have great discomfort when confronted by something I did wrong or in error. I pride myself on a job well done. To not have lived up to my own dysfunctional, unattainable standards i.e. perfection I beat myself up and get bummed out.

I am learning that my ego has been running my life however functional or dysfunctional that may be. Here's what my spirit has to say to that; it's ok to be wrong. To be wrong means that I don't know it all and I will continue on in this life and maybe the next to learn more.

I don't know it all, I'm not perfect and that's totally ok. I'm here as a student and a teacher, there is plenty more to learn and know. I just have to let go of my want to control it all including my desire for perfection then all the knowledge will begin to flow in.

Nurture your Body, Nurture your soul

Ok, so I don't know about you but I have a tough time with this one! I use and abuse my body and in turn it gets pretty angry with me. So in an effort to NOT be at war with my physical self, I am making peace with my mental self.

I have been learning to calm my mind so my body wants to eat less out of stress and comfort and more for nutrition and well being. Well, and of course enjoyment. I enjoy food but I am also coming to the understanding that life is about choices. I have to be consciously aware of the ones I am making regarding my eating habits if I want to change them.

The more at ease I am in my mental state the easier it is to make good food choices. I have great family and friends who I am grateful for. Being grateful perpetuates the calm mental state which helps me to not over eat. Wow! Why didn't I discover this sooner!!!!???

So then my healthy body and my healthy mind keep the cycle going. :-)

People Watching

So if you are like me at all and as I said in the beginning we are.......I LOVE to people watch. I especially like it this time of year.

People come in droves to the local mall. They are busily going about their errands. The mother and her children, the father and his teenager, the tweens texting while walking in groups. But there is something else I would like you to notice about them.

What is it about them that is just like you? Their excitement with the shopping, stress of trying to get it all done, aggravation of not being able to get the exact product they were hoping for and down right frustration with other people around them. If you take a moment to notice that what you see in them is also in you it may allow you to be more compassionate.

Understanding that they are you and you are them, smile at the people around you. Treat them with kindness and compassion because you would want the same thing for yourself.

The Joy of Giving

"Even something as simple as wrapping a gift can be a meditation. Do everything with thought and precision, and meditate on the joy of giving."

It doesn't matter what's under the paper just so long as it's a gift given with joy and love. Give love and you will get love this holiday season. In fact do that EVERY season! There shouldn't have to be a major holiday to appreciate and show your love to your friends and family.

Like attracts like and by giving of your love you will attract people into your life that are willing to love and appreciate you.

Clear your space clear your mind

Cleaning out your home creates space and clears mental clutter too.

Many people attribute their sense of accomplishment to the amount of stuff they posses. To some it has to be the best of whatever they collect and to others it is just the amount of stuff that they collect in general. Pictures I don't believe fall in the same category, they are their own animal.

At first the stuff can be a way to ear mark events in your life. The first set of candlesticks your parents gave you when you moved out. Or it could be stuff that used to be someone else's, a relative or even a friend. But to have a home filled with stuff can make it challenging to live in the 'now'.

Your stuff should not be a substitute for love. A healthy loving relationship with yourself and other people should not require you to fill any space in your heart or house with stuff. Your acquisition of objects should be for the pure joy and or use of that object, not to sit in a drawer or cupboard unused or unappreciated.

Your children are part of your meditation

Funny thing about kids, we were all there once right?!

I NEVER thought for a moment that I would be on the receiving end of the sideways glances, the eye rolling, scoffing, slammed doors, cussing and down right frustration from a teenager. I know now why babies are SO cute. It's so you bond with them, love them and want to nurture them. You are fully invested by the time they are teenagers and you won't kill them.

I have had to dig my spiritual heels in as a stepparent so I don't get so off center and lose myself in their drama. Being a parent, step or otherwise is work. Don't let anyone tell you different. You may even get your heart broken. Here's the thing, I have stuck to my spiritual guns and demanded patience from myself. However, I know by leading by example, I can show them the wonderful human beings they are and will continue to grow to be.

They will be willing to love, sacrifice and nurture other human beings. Really, that's what it is all about, LOVE. I love them.

The Rat Race

Well, some of us might call it multitasking.

In the professional sense it has been adopted as the way a person should be able to do multiple tasks at the same time. But have you ever thought that if you do just one task at a time, devoting your attention to it, how much better that task would be? How much more quickly you could get it done if you just focused? I know I'm guilty of not focusing and spinning my wheels.

Think about it, we scurry around trying to get all of these things done as fast as possible so that we can 'relax'. But when we don't complete those tasks we berate ourselves and don't allow ourselves to enjoy the free time we have created.

Try this little meditation. You can do it in your car sitting in traffic or sitting behind your computer overwhelmed by all your emails.

Breathe in and say, "What I have is enough."
Breathe out and think, "What I am is enough."
Breathe in and say, "What I do is enough."
Breathe out and think, "What I have achieved is enough."

Taken from Barbara Ann Kiper's "Self meditation"
**** ok, so I do a lot of reading!!!
But that's why I want to share with you. I have used this and it is a WONDERFUL way to center.

The Gift of Fear

Hi, I'm Christi! Well here goes my first bit of insight. Yup, I'm jumpin' right in with it.

I am you and you are me. We are all going through this experience of life as human beings. We all have our things we are meant to be and meant to do. I believe that I am meant to share. Share my thoughts, experiences, insights, discoveries, daily epiphanies and love with you.

I am clairvoyant and clairaudient. There I said it! Phew! Don't let it scare you, it has scared me enough for the both of us for most of my life. But there's a funny thing about fear it can be a gift.

Fear is an amazing force. I have done things to both beat it and submit to it. This blogging endeavor is in spite of my fear. Fear of rejection, fear of failure, and fear of the unknown. But I'm excited to reveal my thoughts you to. I don't claim to be able to do any extraordinary things with my gifts, I am still learning. Of course that can change. The more that I open up to you and share I am told the more it will be honed. That's both exciting and scary...see here comes that fear again.

I have attached a link to a book that you may or may not be familiar with. It's good!

So welcome to my inner ramblings. May they provide us both with joy, knowledge, love, excitement, growth and comfort.