Your Elevated Life Blog

You should pray for a healthy mind in a healthy body. -Juvenal

One of the most exciting changes that could mean a breakthrough in health centers on the term mind-body medicine.

Twenty years ago, the equation was definitely body-oriented. If it was conceded that the mind plays a part in health, doctors generally had disparaging things to say about psychosomatic illness and the placebo effect. Neither seemed like “real” medicine, and no medical school curriculum taught otherwise. It was a source of dismay, in fact, that alternative approaches even existed.

What was not realized, as the mind-body connection turned into hard science, is that the polarity needs to be reversed entirely. It is the mind that dominates the body, that acts as chooser, controller, and governor. Instead of being incidental, your state of awareness plays a huge part in how your cells function.

We need to reinvent the body as a creation of consciousness — that step, which was taken thousands of years ago in Ayurveda and Chinese medicine, would clarify so many mysteries surrounding faith healing, energy work, acupuncture, Qi Gong, and spontaneous remissions of intractable disorders like cancer and rheumatoid arthritis.

So far, the breakthrough hasn’t occurred, not on a completely reliable basis, secure enough so that using the mind as healer becomes more predictable and efficacious than drugs and surgery. The reason that we don’t have mind-based therapies at every hospital are complicated. Rather than go into them, let’s ask the most salient question.

What can you and I do to promote wellness based, first and foremost, on consciousness?

To answer that question, you need specific goals, as with any long-range project.

Goal #1:  Free yourself from the past.

Goal #2: Address bad habits and addictions.

Goal #3: Find the core of the self.

Goal #4: Maintain a program for personal growth and evolution.

Goal #5: Become aware of how your environment – at work, at home, in your closest relationships – mirrors who you are inside.

I’ve tried to state these goals as objectively as possible, without leaning toward one method or another. There are countless techniques available in the American supermarket of medical and health advice.  But the reason that people come away frustrated and confused is that the specifics of what they are doing today — going to yoga class, drinking wheat grass juice, reading Buddhist sermons — becomes haphazard without an overall vision.

These five goals give you the bare outline of a vision, which you can fill in by turning each into a question:

1. What am I doing to free myself from my past?

2.  Am I honestly confronting my bad habits and addictive tendencies?

3.  Do I make choices from a secure center, knowing who I really am?

4.  Do I have confidence that I am evolving and will continue to evolve?

5.  Looking around, how does my world, including everyone I relate to, reflect what’s going on inside?

These should be approached as medical questions, because even if you aren’t asking them — especially if you aren’t asking them — your body is eavesdropping all the time. There are three levels of reflection that give feedback to you: your thoughts, your physical condition, and the external world. They are linked and fused, which is what makes holism possible.

If you could ignore your thoughts, your body, or your circumstances, letting one or two go while concentrating only on what’s left, holistic medicine, or holistic living, would be a delusion. Consciousness isn’t compartmentalized; it is whole. Your self is the hub from which everything emanates. All experience, physical, mental, and spiritual, occur in consciousness.

I think we’ve outlined a good beginning for switching the mind-body polarity. (Readers who wish to approach these issues in depth may want to look at my book, Reinventing the Body, Resurrecting the Soul.) We are immersed in a materialistic worldview, and although skepticism has been quieted somewhat by the flood of research confirming the mind-body connection, there will be resistance to seeing consciousness as central to well-being.

But even if you decide to put your faith entirely in mainstream medicine and its focus on drugs and surgery — a choice that fewer informed people make nowadays — there is no doubt that positive lifestyle changes are unassailable for preventing more and more illnesses. You can’t make such changes without confronting most if not all the goals I’ve outlined.  They are key if you want to send the best messages from mind to body.

Since you are sending such messages constantly, why shouldn’t they be the best?

About Deepak Chopra -

Time Magazine heralded Deepak Chopra as one of the 100 heroes and icons of the century, and credited him as “the poet-prophet of alternative medicine.” Entertainment Weekly described Deepak Chopra as “Hollywood’s man of the moment, one of publishing’s best-selling and most prolific self-help authors.” He is the author of more than 50 books and more than 100 audio, video and CD-Rom titles. He has been published on every continent and in dozens of languages. Fifteen of his books have landed on the New York Times Best-seller list. Toastmaster International recognized him as one of the top five outstanding speakers in the world. Through his over two decades of work since leaving his medical practice, Deepak continues to revolutionize common wisdom about the crucial connection between body, mind, spirit, and healing. His mission of “bridging the technological miracles of the west with the wisdom of the east” remains his thrust and provides the basis for his recognition as one of India’s historically greatest ambassadors to the west. Chopra has been a keynote speaker at several academic institutions including Harvard Medical School, Harvard Business School, Harvard Divinity School, Kellogg School of Management, Stanford Business School and Wharton. His latest book is “Reinventing the Body, Resurrecting the Soul.”

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Develop an attitude of gratitude, and give thanks for everything that happens to you, knowing that every step forward is a step toward achieving something bigger and better than your current situation. ~Brian Tracy

This is an antidote to victimization. It establishes that you are seen and provided for.

The more you notice the truth of this principle, the less you will believe that you are a victim.

Looking around, it’s obvious that life is orderly. A bee flies from flower to flower, eating and pollinating in accordance with a magnificent, ordered scheme.

Millions of years of evolution have exquisitely matched bee and flower so that neither can exist without the other.

Why, then, do we believe that our own lives can’t be effortlessly sustained?

One major obstacle is that we see ourselves as victim. Our bodies are subject to aging and death. Accidents are unavoidable. Catastrophe and disaster looms just around the corner, controlled by a whimsical destiny. And simply imagining the terrible things that can happen to you brings as much suffering as the events themselves.

Being a victim is the logical result of being in constant danger. If God sustains us, then surely he must reverse this whole scheme of random accidents that puts everyone in peril.  This is a tricky point, however, because we are also surrounded by abundance in Nature.

Optimists point to our green earth overflowing with life, nourishment, and beauty.

However, can a loving God really supply us with life’s good things one day and pain the next?  Most people who feel grateful to God tend to deny that he is also responsible for disease, calamity, and death. Yet an all-knowing, all-powerful deity can’t be responsible for only part of what goes on. Either he sustains everything or nothing.

Gratitude helps you to grow and expand; gratitude brings joy and laughter into your life and into the lives of all those around you. ~Eileen Caddy

The way to escape from living under a God who brings pleasure one day and pain the next is to realize that God isn’t a person.

We only call God “he” because our minds resist thinking of God as a total abstraction.

In truth, being total, God has to be abstract. You can’t wrap your mind around the All. Instead, we wrap our minds around the things we notice, and choose to believe in.

To the extent that you notice God in your life, acknowledge him with gratitude. God doesn’t need to be thanked—after all; he already has everything, including thanks.

But by choosing gratitude you are selecting a benevolent aspect of the All on which you want to focus. The purpose of gratitude is to connect you to a higher vision of life.

Whatever you pay attention to will grow.

If you pay attention to those aspects of God that demonstrate love, truth, beauty, intelligence, order, and spiritual evolution, those aspects will begin to expand in your life.

Bit by bit, like a mosaic, disparate fragments of grace will merge to form a complete picture. Eventually this picture will replace the more threatening one you have carried around inside you since infancy.

The external world claims to be real, but it, too, is an image created in consciousness and projected outward. Once you realize that you alone are the projector of reality, you will no longer be dominated by external events. You will correct the mistake that lies at the very root of victimization: a belief that the movie controls you, instead of the other way around.

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Assumptions are the termites of relationships. ~Henry Winkler

“I love you.” - What an emotional high these three simple words can bring – if they are spoken from the Heart.

The thing is, some people have a difficult time saying it comfortably without the words tripping out of their mouths. You’d think they’ll morph and turn into ogres, the way they squirm and go around beating the bush before finally saying the words. Then there are also those who openly say the words but don’t really mean it.

Nevertheless, it doesn’t matter if they do or don’t say the words. What matters is that a relationship remains honest and happy.

What are the things that make a relationship work anyway? The same factors work for all kinds of relationship.

Whether it’s a relationship between lovers, among family members, friends, office workers, and business partners, the same foundations apply for it to work. If a pillar is missing, the whole thing crumbles.

Three pillars make up the foundation. We call the three Pillars: The Relationship Tripod. Each will be discussed in length in the proceeding paragraphs.

The Companionship Leg

First, it must be understood that a relationship requires at least two people for it to exist, let alone work. You must be visible to the other person. If the relationship is long distance, you must at least feel that the other one is there. It won’t do any good to take the other’s existence for granted and count on the other to check up on you. You must also show compassion. If you keep up the show of indifference, it just spells failure. The other person needs to sense your feelings for them. Show them kindness, gentleness, sensitivity – anything that shows you care for them. It’s not that hard to say “I’m always here for you,” is it? Whoever receives this show of affection must give something back. Everyone must do his or her part in a relationship because it’s a give and take condition.

The Compromise Leg

In the end, who among us does not choose to be a little less right to be a little less lonely. ~Robert Brault

As mentioned earlier, a relationship is a give and take situation. Not all people are made alike; even if two people are so uncannily similar, there might still exist small differences that could spark an argument. This is why an agreement has to be reached on every argument, whether petty or vital. All kinds are important, especially when it comes to a relationship. Someone has to win and someone has to give in. This is why the discussion of differences is so essential. Discuss the disparity: What is the problem? Why is it a problem? Who should compromise and adjust to the problem? All these should be resolved. Conceding sometimes doesn’t make you a loser; rather, it goes to show how important a relationship is to you. “I guess you’re right.” These words could be the balm of your disputes.

The Communication Leg

Someone to tell it to is one of the fundamental needs of human beings. ~Miles Franklin

There would be no discussion of differences, no showing of affection, and no saying of words without communication. This third and last leg is probably the most vital in a relationship. It enables us to know what the other party feels and what is needed to make the partnership work. It gives us the ability to say the words that are wanted and needed. In short, the other two legs won’t happen if the last one isn’t present. Just a small act of communication could go a long way in improving a relationship.

You can do simple things like writing a small note on a piece of paper, or writing short emails at least occasionally. Do something to give truth to your existence and your relationship. Don’t take this for granted, because a lot of relationships crumble due to lack of any contact. Take the long distance relationship, for instance. A lot fail, but some succeed because they contact each other almost every day. Even business associates keep contact by sending each other progress reports.

Any form of relationship is like a box of chocolates, as Forrest Gump puts it.

Some tastes good and some don’t. Overall, the experience of having a box of chocolates gives you a good feeling because eating each and every piece of chocolate gives an experience – an experience of bitterness, sweetness, or even bitter-sweetness. You may not get every flavor that you desire in a box.

So if you are looking for a relationship that is easy on the heart and mind, get ready for the harsh reality. It entails the effort of everyone involved for it to work well.  And that includes You.

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Procrastination is opportunity’s assassin.  ~Victor Kiam

People get stuck in a lifestyle of procrastination because they believe their own excuses for not taking action.

Procrastination is the main reason that people fail to live richer and more fulfilling lives. If you’re stuck in a rut of continual procrastination, make up your mind to stop making excuses.

If you’ve been making excuses for putting things off, here’s how to take charge of your life.

First, think about all the things you’ve been postponing-at work, at home, in your personal relationships, or for your personal development.

Make a list. Now choose one thing on that list that you can do something about today.

Write down every excuse you’ve given yourself for not having done anything about it yet. Ask yourself if you have considered all the consequences of your procrastination in this area.

Do you want to live with them?

Do you have a legitimate reason for postponing this job?

You have to be honest about this for it to work.

Forget about what other people think; look in the mirror and ask the hard questions. If you have a legitimate reason for delaying action in this area, move on to another item on the list. Find something that you can make happen today, simply by deciding to make it happen.

Now do it. When you’ve completed this task successfully, your satisfaction will motivate you to repeat this process with another item on your list.

Successful people know that their accomplishments depend on two things: taking action and staying focused on their goals. People who are successful in any business or profession have an ability to make things happen. All successful people win the war against procrastination because they develop certain traits.

To defeat procrastination and get all you want out of life, we must:

• Know what we want.
• Take action.
• Be willing to make mistakes and learn from them.
• Stop making excuses!

Now go back to your list and choose another project.

Write down every excuse you’ve been giving yourself for not getting started, or for leaving it unfinished. Put as many things on the list as you can think of.

Now begin to eliminate one excuse at a time.

Ask yourself some hard questions: Why do I have to postpone this project? Is it necessary to go on postponing it? If Bill Gates were in my situation, would he postpone it? What will happen if I keep putting this off?  If I keep putting this off, when will I get it done?  Can I get started on it now?  What part of the job could I complete now?  If I postpone this job now, what other job will I tackle to make better use of my time?

As you eliminate your excuses, think of what you can do now, today to make this project happen, and do it.   Anne Frank wrote in her diary:

How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.

Make a decision to start improving your world today. Then take action adjust and take action again.  There you have it… a simple way to overcome procrastination today.  No more excuses, let’s get started right now by making our list.

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Deep within man dwell those slumbering powers; powers that would astonish him, that he never dreamed of possessing; forces that would revolutionize his life if aroused and put into action. Orison Marden

When we chose to focus on what emotions we desire to experience, as opposed to, what we want to be, do or have materially, we instantly align heart and mind and create inner harmony, and we accomplish things with ease. We are in the zone.

The opposite however, is also true; when we choose to focus on what we don’t want to happen…What could go wrong or only on want we want materially, we create misalignment between heart and mind, which causes imbalance and internal conflict which we experience first as emotional discomfort but if not corrected we will eventually experience as physical dis-ease.

This inner state of harmony or conflict we experience as emotions and feelings, we project through our actions into external experiences. Our life experiences always reflect our inner state as created by our choice of focus.

Whenever we experience anger, worry, disappointments, frustration or any other (negative) unpleasant emotions it’s always the result of misalignment between heart and mind.

Again the opposite is equally true; whenever we experience peace, gratitude, joy, or love or any other (positive) pleasant emotions it’s always the result of alignment between heart and mind.

So, how do we realign?

How do we use our focus to create more of the emotions we desire?

How do we restore harmony and balance in all areas of our lives?

How do we use our emotions as an action guide for creating more of the experiences we desire?

It seems reasonable to the Mind to begin at the beginning, so we start by choosing our focus, but the Heart must be evenly yoked if we are to create alignment, so must also choose to feel all of our emotions and judge them not. Once we have clarified our focus and we have unified our emotions we are ready to generate actions from a place of balance, which means we will be able to experience all that we desire with ease.

Well, there you have it… a short version of how we can use our focus and emotional feedback to Elevate our life experience to the level of wholeness or oneness.

You may or may not agree, but if you can just image how simple your life could be if it’s indeed as simple as we’ve presented.

Can you imagine how great this new life of co-creating by using your heart and mind would feel?

Can you image the Love, Joy and Gratitude you’d experience in each and every moment?

All meaningful and lasting change starts first in your imagination and then works its way out. Imagination is more important than knowledge. – Albert Einstein

If you can even image it… then for just this one moment at least you and I are lifted together to a higher place which exists within us… and as a result WE ARE ETERNALLY ONE!

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Deep listening is miraculous for both listener and speaker. When someone receives us with open-hearted, non-judging, intensely interested listening, our spirits expand.  ~Sue Patton Thoele~

Everyone has a story to tell. However, not everyone may be willing to listen. Sometimes, we are amazed – in an unpleasant way – over the fact that we have not been paying attention to the one speaking to us.

At some point along the story, our mind has wandered off, and we only drift back to reality when suddenly asked, “Are you still listening?”

That would be most unfortunate, since next to our visual skills, our ability to listen allows us to reap various benefits. If we listen to our mentor as he shares with us useful thoughts on life, we become good apprentices.

If we listen to our professor as he lectures about the day’s lesson, we become good students. If we listen to our boss as he explains the rationale of the company’s recent policy, we become good employees.

If we listen to our parents as they advise us regarding career choices, we become good sons/daughters. If we listen to a friend in dire need of unloading his troubles, we become good friends.

In short, listening is vital in developing good human relationships.

To maximize our listening capability, here are a few tips.

Focus.

It is but a single word, but its message conveys far more. Being focused means paying attention, and a lot of it at that. It means temporarily forgetting about other matters of consequence and lending a few minutes of your time to hear someone speak his mind out. It means giving interest to whatever it is that the speaker might want to say. It is taking his words seriously into consideration in whatever decision we are to make. It is placing his story in the context of his emotions, and trying to understand him within the events occurring in his life.

Watch out for non-verbal cues.

The message need not always lie on the words, but also in movements that the speaker makes. If we also pay good attention to the speaker’s eyes, facial expressions, and gestures, we will be able to receive the message in totality. Moreover, if the speaker realizes that we are sincerely listening, we are boosting his confidence.

Be sensitive.

A good measure of sensitivity is also essential to maintain enthusiasm in the part of the person speaking. If the person is at the peak of his emotions, do not interrupt. After all, if someone is extremely angry or anguished, it will be a form of catharsis to remain patient until he has calmed down. Unless the person is already causing bodily harm, it will do him well to let him be purged of his bad feelings.

Show unconditional openness.

We may not always agree with what someone has to say, but being there to listen may be the least we can offer. While we may have different opinions about several issues, keeping our horizons wide is a healthy attitude. With these perspectives in listening, we become open to a world of unlimited learning and diverse experiences.

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With January nearing it’s end and Valentine’s Day, rapidly approaching, we would like to share some of our favorite romantic flirting tips with you.

But first we want to tell you about this powerful new technique that almost no one knows about. It’s about attracting a new romantic partner, or bringing back the closeness and passion in dying relationships… It is now well-known that people communicate with each other on a subconscious level constantly. We are constantly communicating with and affecting each other, whether we realize it or not…

Maybe you’re having problems ‘getting noticed’ by new potential partners?

Maybe you’ve lost that connection or spark with your old partner? …Like Carrie,  before she used the Contact program…

“We are closer now than we have been in years The Contact Program has worked very well for me! And it worked faster than I expected as well. I used it for improving my relationship with my husband of 11 years, and immediately I noticed him responding to me differently. We were in a ‘rut’ so to speak and I wanted to bring back the connection and spice to our marriage. I worked with the visualizations and in some cases actually noticed he would do or say something, just as I had visualized it. That was huge confirmation for me. Our relationship is very strong and we are closer now than we have been in years. I would definitely recommend this for anyone who is looking to effect their relationship. You will be pleasantly surprised.”

Carrie, USA

It is rather difficult to be romantic without first flirting.

What exactly is flirting and how can you adapt some flirting into your own romantic moods and play? To begin, you don’t want to be too aggressive. Start with very friendly gestures and once you have gotten those moves down, and then go for the romantic flirting!

Flirting is a frame of mind:

• Be self-confident and do not be afraid to take risks.
• Be enthusiastic about romance and be positive!

Start a sexy conversation:

• Start with a simple, opening line by saying hello.
• Talk about anything at all, whatever will get the romance going.

Enjoy yourself and have fun:
• Be playful, light-hearted and above all, be spontaneous.
• Show that you can be vulnerable.

Make good use of all props:

• Always use a prop.
• Props will get the conversation started naturally. They encourage conversation and others will want to start talking to you.
• Great props are: pets, children, great jewelry, a wonderful scent, a sweatshirt with your favorite sports team’s emblem, an interesting book or magazine.

Play host:

• Take the lead by taking on the role of host.
• Do not be the passive person in waiting, but rather the lead.

Introduce yourself first:

• Move closer to the person you want to meet and introduce yourself confidently!

Listen-up:

• Everyone loves to be heard and when you are a good listener your partner will be drawn to you.

Make bold eye contact:

• Look your partner in the eye gently (no more than 2-4 seconds) and then look away. You don’t want to stare!

Pay a genuine compliment:

• Your partner will be pleased and will warm up to you more. Show a beautiful smile:
• You will look so much more approachable. Everyone is attracted to a genuine and heartfelt, smile.

So there you go! These are all ground-breakers when wanting to approach someone with romance. We must always be mindful of the fundamentals. When we just dive right in, unexpected, we can turn our loved one off.

Go slow, a step at a time and feeling confident, approach with your best romance moves.

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Discover how to attract a new romantic partner, or bring back the closeness and passion in dying relationships, using just the power of your mind…Visit the link below to watch the free video – Unlocking the Secrets to being a Superstar Lover – http://www.realmindpowersecrets.com/lover/?13152

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By entering into marriage, we take a great risk. We place our very selves… our own intimacy… into the hands of another, who, like us, is beset with defects.

A great marriage is not when the ‘perfect couple’ come together. It is when an imperfect couple learns to enjoy their differences. -Dave Meurer

Marriage, however, is a vocation; our specific pathway to Heaven.

It’s the preeminent way we are meant to Love and serve God on this earth. Its purpose goes beyond our capabilities: to nurture and protect human Love, and to unleash it on the world.

Therefore, Love for one’s spouse has to be shown in tangible, practical ways.

Your Wife

One of your wife’s greatest needs is for you to be her partner and teammate, as opposed to the roles you may be more inclined to fill: coach,  boss, referee, babysitter or “temp”.

Compliment your wife in person and behind her back. Let her know with very specific and sincere examples how much you admire her and her work inside and outside of the home. Let others know it, too, whether in her presence (like at social gatherings) or outside it (like work). You want to make it apparent to her that you notice and appreciate her  every effort, and apparent to others that… ” This man really loves his wife!”

Don’t teach your wife to nag or sulk. Yes, you read it right. You do this when you don’t pay undivided attention to her words and ideas. A woman detests having to force her way into her husband’s mind and heart; and when faced with that task, she will likely keep things bottled up until she has to explode. Unthinking males refer to this as “nagging”.

Therefore, recognize that TV, newspapers, magazines, mail, hobbies, etc. are your mortal enemies when you get home from work. Avoid them, go straight to your wife, and with eye-to-eye contact, listen to her tell you how her day has gone. Better yet, take the initiative and ask her how she’s doing at least once a week – and give her all the time and attention she needs to tell you.

Don’t try to explain or fix your wife’s hurts. She usually only wants your understanding and empathy not solutions to her problems. Do not trivialize her concerns.

Help with menial tasks around the house. It can be a form of pride to think that these jobs are beneath you. One helpful and challenging suggestion is to perform the task that either you or your wife detests the most. Doing either one will please her greatly.

The more you invest in a marriage, the more valuable it becomes. -Amy Grant

Your Husband

Don’t expect him to be perfect. It’s to be hoped that the above points will have reminded him that he’s not perfect, and that he needs to work hard to fulfill his commitment of love in marriage. Make sure you let him know, in concrete ways, that you deeply appreciate his struggle – it is very important to a man that his best and honest efforts are treasured.

Do not expect him to be like a woman. He thinks, acts, and reacts differently than you do; and believe it or not, this is a good thing! Do not fall for the contemporary caricature of men as testosterone-poisoned little boys in adult bodies incapable of commitment, personal relationships,  or any other useful societal purpose. His maleness is there for you as a complement to your femininity…in other words…as strength for you.

Lavish tenderness and care on your husband. Little matters more to a married man than the certainty of his wife’s deep affection and care for him. It’s his fixed point amid the chaotic demands of his professional life. You will express this best not by doing occasional, extraordinary things, but by unrelenting acts of simple tenderness on a regular basis.

Loving unconditionally and always putting your husband or wife first and meeting their needs is the surest way to have and keep a happy relationship.

If each of you takes these matters to Heart,  you will find that Loving your spouse unconditionally is the most romantic thing you can do… because you will be living Love where it really counts: in the ordinary things, day by day by day.

In marriage, each partner is to be an encourager rather than a critic, a forgiver rather than a collector of hurts, an enabler rather than a reformer. -H. Norman Wright and Gary J. Oliver

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I’ve been planning to write a novel for the last twenty years. I keep putting it off.  Best-selling author John Grisham wrote his first novel while working full-time as an attorney; he was as busy as the rest of us, but he found a way to accomplish his dream.

Click image to enlarge

How did he do it? He beat procrastination by forcing himself to get up earlier every morning so he could work on his book before he went to work.

Take this quiz to find out if you need to put an end to procrastination:

• Do you write down your priorities? Do some things seem less urgent when you look at them in the light of your priorities?

• Do you ask yourself which of several tasks is the most important one before you decide what task to tackle next?

• Do you accept full responsibility for missing a deadline, rather than blaming it on forces beyond your control?

• Do you focus on finishing a job on time, rather than looking for excuses to explain why you’re going to miss another deadline?

• Do you make sure people know when not to disturb you?

• Do you have a habit of turning off the phone when you need to concentrate completely on a job? Do you focus on the job at hand, rather than fretting over what went wrong in the past?

• When you’ve done your best, do you know when to wrap up a project?-Do you feel that spending more time on it will only keep you from starting your next job?

If you answered “yes” to all of the above questions, congratulations-you’re in John Grisham’s league.

If you answered “no” to any of the above questions, pick one and make a commitment to do something about it today.

Ask yourself if you have really considered all the consequences of procrastination.

Do you want to live with them forever?

Do you have a legitimate reason for postponing jobs?

And after thinking about these questions, ask yourself if you delay tasks for justifiable reasons-or if you just make excuses to procrastinate.

Here’s what I’ve learned to do:

• Always remind yourself that you have as much time as people who do great things.

• Make your best estimate of how much time a task will take.

• Write an inspirational phrase on a 3 x 5 card and use it whenever the procrastination monster pops up.

Shakespeare said, “Thoughts are but dreams till their effects be tried.”

You’ve taken the first step to defeat procrastination by reading this article; now take the next step and tackle a job you know you should have started a long time ago.

I took my next step this morning-I got up earlier than usual to start my novel.

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It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are.~e.e. cummings~

Our first and last, thereby our longest lasting relationship is the one to Self. All other relationships are affected, for better or worse, by this primary relationship. If we are not in good relation to ourselves it appears us, that everyone and everything else is to blame as far as were concerned.

Many adults (and as a result many kids) have difficulty with self esteem and poor body image. It seems that many of us lack a clear understanding of the importance of our relationship to self which means we are ill equipped to help our child. Many adults continue to blame everything and everyone around them for their lack of progress toward the fulfillment of their life dreams.

If you haven’t learned how to value yourself, it’s time you do.

Whether you’re a manager, a trainee, an actor, or a postman, you won’t be able to interact with your employers, employees, and subordinates effectively and in perfect harmony if you don’t have a great relationship with yourself first.

Be Honest about What You See in the Mirror

Take a good look at yourself in the mirror. Be honest as you list to yourself your strengths and weaknesses. Know what you really want in life and be clear about what you don’t want, as well. Your life won’t be able to take the directions it needs to take as long as you keep lying to yourself.

Don’t Be Shy about Giving Yourself a Pat on the Back

If you’ve done something right, that’s certainly nothing to be ashamed of; so go ahead and give yourself a pat on the back. Don’t measure your accomplishments according to the rewards you’ll receive from other people. As long as you’ve done your job well, that should be good enough for you. Learning how to appreciate your own accomplishments will help you appreciate other people’s work better.

Never Stop Improving

The moment you stop working on improving yourself is the moment you should start worrying. There’s no way for you to attain perfection in any aspect of your life or even your character. There will always be room for improvement and it’s for your own good to remember this at all times.

You Are Important to Others If You Believe You’re Important

People will learn to respect you and pay attention to what you’re saying if you prove to them that you’re deserving of such treatment. Naturally, the only way for you to prove that you’re worthy of it is by respecting yourself first.  Only then will you be able to truly show love and respect for others.

You’re not respecting yourself if you allow people to walk all over you. Nobody will pay attention to what you’re saying if you’re not saying anything that’s worth listening to.

Learn How to Forgive Yourself

If you don’t know how to forgive yourself for your mistakes, you’ll unconsciously be adapting the same attitude towards other people. Being a perfectionist is great in some aspects but unreasonable in others.

As long as you’re unable to accept that you’re as human as the rest of the population, you’ll find it harder and harder to accept other people’s mistakes. This will make it difficult for you to get along with others, to say the least.

Be Sensitive

Sensitivity is a talent that you can learn and develop by yourself. Sensitivity will teach you to listen to what’s not being said and to read between the lines. Before you can be sensitive to others, however, you need to learn how to be sensitive to your own wants and needs first.

Learn How to Be Happy with Yourself

Although no man is an island, you should also learn how to be happy just by being yourself and by yourself. Once you learn those things, you’ll realize that you’re having more fun with other people.

Sometimes, it’s easier to appreciate others than appreciate yourself. Sometimes, it’s easy to see the fault in others while it’s difficult to see your faults within.

Finding the perfect balance may be a challenge, but if you wish to work well with the people around you, it’s a challenge that you can overcome. And when you do you’ll know the joy that comes from simply seeking to Be Your Best Self.

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The road of life twists and turns and no two directions are ever the same. Yet our lessons come from the journey, not the destination. ~Don Williams, Jr~

Life is like a road. There are long and short roads; smooth and rocky roads; and crooked and straight paths. Some roads lead to a life of single blessedness, marriage, and religious vocation. Some roads lead to fame and fortune.

A wrong turn can lead to isolation and poverty. Crossroads can lead to happiness or sadness, victory or disappointment.

Just like any road, there are corners, detours, and crossroads in life. With four roads to choose from and with limited knowledge on where to go, which road will you take?

What guarantees do you have that will allow you to choose the right one? Would you choose or just stay where you are — in front of a crossroad?

There are no guarantees.

This is one of the most important things you need to realize about life. You will never know where a road will lead you until you take it. Nobody said that choosing to do the right thing all the time would always lead you to happiness.

Loving someone with all your heart does not guarantee that your love will be returned. Gaining fame and fortune does not guarantee happiness. There are  many possible outcomes some of which may be beyond your control.

However, you still have control over decisions that you will make and your reactions to different situations.

Wrong decisions are always at hindsight.

Had you known that you were making a wrong decision, would you have gone along with it?

Perhaps not so why would you choose a certain path when you know it would get you lost? Why make a certain decision if you knew from the very beginning that it is not the right one.

It is only after you have made a decision and reflected on it that you realize its soundness. If the consequences or outcomes are good for you, then you have decided correctly. Otherwise, your decision was wrong for you.

Take the risk: Make a decision.

Since life does not offer any guarantees and you will never know if your decision is the right one or the wrong one for you until you make it, then you might as well take the risk and decide.

It is definitely better than staying at the crossroads. While it is true that a wrong turn could get you lost, it could also be an opportunity for an adventure or it could lead to more roads.

It is all a matter of perspective. Make wise decisions. Taking risks is not about being careless and throwing caution to the wind.

Here are some tips that could help you choose the best option in the face of life’s crossroads:

1) Get as much information as you can about the situation.

You will not have the confidence to make a decision when you are armed with limited information.

Just like any news reporter, ask the 5 W’s: what, who, when, where, and why. What is the situation? Who are the people involved? When did this happen? Where is this leading? Why are you in this situation? These are just some of the questions to ask to know more about the situation.

2) Identify and create options.

What are your options in a given situation? What do you do when you think that the situation offers no options? This is the chance to create your own option.

Let your creative mind work. Entertain all ideas. Do not shoot anything down when an idea comes to your head. Sometimes the most outrageous idea could prove to be the right one in the end.

3) Weigh the pros and cons of every option.

Assess each option by looking at the advantages and disadvantages. This way, you get more insights about the consequences of each option.

4) Trust yourself and make a decision.

Now that you have assessed your options, it is time to trust yourself. Remember that there are no guarantees and decisions are best evaluated in hindsight.

Decide and believe that you are choosing the best option at this point in time.

Now that you have made a decision, be ready to face its consequences. It may take you to a place of promise or a land of problems.

The important thing is that you have chosen to live your life instead of remaining a bystander or a passive audience to your own life.

Whether you made the right or wrong decision, only time can tell. Whatever the outcome, learn from it and remember that you always have the chance to make better decisions in the future.

Keep this thought in mind:

You always have a choice between being a lost traveler or an accidental tourist of life.  Choice or “free will” is one of life’s  greatest gifts… But we only reap the benefits of “Free Will Power’ when we recognize we have Choice and Choose to use it.

In the end the quality of your life comes down to either using Your Power or Losing Your Power.

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Shocking Film Shows the Truth About Achieving Lasting Health

Over the last 20 years the world population has grown by 30%. During that same time the population of diabetics in the world has grown by 766%!

What would you think if I told you that pretty much everything you’ve ever heard on TV, the radio or in newspapers about health was wrong…

There’s a shocking film that I think you need to see that reveals some hard truths about the mainstream heath information you’re used to hearing about.

And it gives a solution that is simple, powerful and extremely effective for virtually any health challenge. All you need to do is watch the trailer on the page below to understand what I’m talking about…

http://www.rawfor30days.com/cmd.php?Clk=4556540

What If the Secret to Having Unlimited Health and Vitality Was Easier Than you Ever Imagined?

Nothing will benefit human health and increase the chances for survival of life on Earth as much as the evolution to a vegetarian diet. Albert Einstein

If you’re seeking to be healthy and energetic in your life and avoid chronic diseases like heart disease and cancer like I am then you need to watch this film.

And if you’re a diabetic or have diabetics as friend or family members then you definitely need to see this. Enjoy the trailer and after you watch it I suggest picking up a copy for yourself. It’s less than $15 to get a copy for 5 days only up until this coming Friday.

Check it out by going here:

http://www.rawfor30days.com/cmd.php?Clk=4556540

Here’s to Your Elevated Health,

EnJoy!

P.S. – The film features some top notch health experts like Dr. Gabriel Cousens, Dr. Joel Fuhrman, Fred Bisci, Ph.D., and raw food expert David Wolfe… As well as some well known health advocates and celebrities like Woody Harrelson, Morgan Spurlock (from “Super Size Me”) and Dr. Michael Beckwith (from “The Secret”)

http://www.rawfor30days.com/cmd.php?Clk=4556540

P.P.S – 20% of all net proceeds are being donated to a ballot initiative that will require all GMO’s to be labeled in the state of California (setting a precedent for the rest of the country).

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