Monday Meditation ~ Inner Wisdom

"Witnessing my thoughts I realize that my mind is never my authority. There is another place inside me that I can always trust where I make decisions that are correct for me."

~Elisabeth Blaikie

Some people call it intuition or listening to your "gut" instinct.  But very few people actually consult their inner wisdom when trying to make a decision or solve a problem.  Most people, including me, try to reason everything out.  Still others prefer to seek out the advice and approval of others, or look to outside influences when faced with a tough decision.  But there is also a quiet wisdom inside of each of us that can offer invaluable insight if we learn to listen to it.

Try reaching out to your own inner wisdom next time you meditate.  Ask it something small and just listen with an open heart to what it has to say.  At first, it may be a challenge, but with practice, it will become easier and easier to tap into this amazing resource all of us have within ourselves.

Live Healthy. Live Happy.
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Monday Meditation ~ Creation and Choice

You have created your fears. And you can choose to lay them to rest. You have created your dreams. And you can choose to bring them fully to life.

~ Ralph Marston

This week's meditation will help increase your own inner awareness.  Spend a few moments in a quiet, peaceful place and ask your inner voice, "How are the choices that I make manifesting in my life?"  Listen to whatever thoughts and sensations may come with a childlike curiosity and an open heart; breathing deeply without judgement.

And remember that it is OK if you don't like the answer you might be hearing.  This exercise is meant to increase awareness and sometimes that can be an uncomfortable thing to do.  But also know that once you are aware of how your choices are impacting your life, you can always make the choice to change them.

Live Healthy. Live Happy.
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Monday Meditation ~ Meditation

"Meditation has taught me that even when I judge my life as a mess I can accept that and take steps to do something about it."

~Elisabeth Blaikie

Meditation is a tool that enables your body and mind to release stress.  Maintaining a regular meditation routine can have many benefits, including:

• Improved patience
• Greater tranquillity
• Improved concentration
• Less prone to depression, worry and anxiety
• Resolution of addictions to drugs, caffeine and alcohol
• Increased self confidence
• Increased understanding and self insight
• Improved memory
• Better communication with others
• Emotional stability
• Support for major life changes such as divorce, menopause, loss of a loved one

When your body is relaxed and free of tension, it is able to heals itself more efficiently. Some of the physical benefits associated with regular practice of meditation include:

• Improved sleep and reduced insomnia
• Reduced high blood pressure
• Increased energy
• Better pain management
• Reduced migraines and headaches
• Enhanced libido
• Better weight management

Visit FragrentHeart.com for more resources on meditation, free guided meditations, and advice on how to get started or deepen your existing meditation practice.

Live Healthy. Live Happy.

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Monday Meditation ~ Acceptance

“Acceptance allows change. Acceptance includes everything, even my judgments. It allows me to be okay now, even before I reach my goals.”

        - Mandy Evans

Self acceptance is being happy with who you are NOW.   It is an agreement with yourself to appreciate, validate, accept and support who you are at this very moment, even the parts you’d like to eventually change.

Typically, we judge ourselves unfavorably with the hope it will motivate us to change. It's as if we hope that if we feel bad enough about ourselves, we will suddenly be motivated to change. Unfortunately, this never works. All it does is sap the energy and forward momentum you might have used to make positive changes. And even worse, it can become a vicious, self-defeating cycle.

You don’t have to be unhappy with yourself to actively improve those things you’d like to change.  Instead, try accepting the parts of yourself you want to change.  Accept that they are part of who you are right now with the understanding that they do not have to be part of who you are going to be. 

 Live Healthy.  Live Happy.

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Monday Meditation ~ Self Talk

"My inner critic has become a lot quieter since I began to be the witness to my thoughts."

I would like to say I have gotten rid of my inner critic completely, but she's still there, heckling away like the two old men on The Muppet Show. I am my own worse critic, always have been.  Unrealistic expectations, perfectionism, self doubt.  I can be pretty brutal to myself.

But as I grow in awareness and learn to have patience and compassion for myself (and others), I am also learning that I can listen to that inner critic with an open heart without letting it break my heart... or my spirit.  Instead of letting it erode my sense of self, I can observe the criticism, learn from it, and grow as a result of it.  The trick is staying mindful.

Live Healthy.  Live Happy.

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Monday Meditation ~ Perseverance

There is no failure except in no longer trying. There is no defeat except from within, no insurmountable barrier except our own inherent weakness of purpose.

~Elbert Hubbard                 

We've all had those days... the ones where you jut want to throw your hands up in defeat.  I've had my fair share of them too.  I've even given in to them on occasion.  But ultimately I get up, brush myself off, and keep trying.  It's not always easy to do, but it is always worth it.

Of course, that makes me think of another quote...

Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.

~Albert Einstein                  

Be flexible.  Remember that there are often many different paths you can travel to achieve your goals.  If something isn't working, don't ~just~ keep trying.  Try something new.  Be open to other options.  Be willing to ask for help and seek out advice from others.  And always listen to your own inner wisdom.  As long as you keep trying, you can achieve anything you can imagine.

Live Healthy.  Live Happy.

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Monday Meditation ~ Change

They always say time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself.

    -Andy Warhol

This morning, I was pondering what today's meditation should be when I stumbled on this quote by Andy Warhol.  I never imagined I would find what I was looking for in a quote from a pop culture icon.  You see, I was starting to get a bit complacent with my wellness routine, and though I was still doing good, I wasn't doing as good as I could.  I needed a little shot in the arm to remind me that I have to keep working at what I want to achieve. 

Getting in shape... mind, body, and spirit...  IS going to take time, but it isn't going to happen by itself.  It's going to take focus, desire and effort on my part. 

So I'll leave you with another quote worth pondering...

Inspiration can come from anywhere, even where you least expect it. 
-Gina

Where does your inspiration come from?  

Live Healthy.  Live Happy.

Gratitude

This is a work in progress, but so far, these are just some of the things I am grateful for:

My amazing husband.  I have never known such a kind and loving soul.  Thank you for sharing your life with me, for loving me when I'm not very lovable, and for believing in me.


My "kids"...  Cozmo, Baby, Leah, and Willow.  They make me smile even when I'm sad, make my life richer even when I'm broke, and have taught me over and over again what unconditional love means.  

Incredible friends who have enriched my life in so many ways.  Yes you, right there reading this.  :)  You know who you are!

My careers, both past and present.  My time spent as a teacher allowed me to enrich the lives of my students in a way few people can.  Writing for the the video game industry and as a free-lance writer... one word.  Awesome.  And being self employed, though scary at first, allows me a level of personal freedom and creativity that make each "work" day one I look forward to!

Monday Meditation ~ Abundance

Be content with what you have, rejoice in the way things are.When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you.

                                                              -Lao-Tzu

Do you want more out of life?  Sure, everyone does!  But did you know the best way to get more out of life is to recognize all of the wonderful things you already have.  The Universe is a vast and abundant place, capable of giving us everything we need.  And the way to tap into all that abundance is to be grateful for what we have, right here, right now.

A gratitude list helps helps us stay focused on what we can be happy and thankful for in the present moment. It can change our mood from one of anxiety and scarcity to one of hopefulness, excitement, and contentment.  And it's easy to do.  Simply grab some paper, a post it note, or open your favorite word processing program and start listing all of the things you are thankful for.

But what if your life is a complete wreck?  Then start small.  Sometimes it is the smallest things that inspire us the most and give us the most hope.  Maybe it's a warm smile from a loved one.  Or a nuzzle and a purr from your kitty.  Even if you are only able to recognize one small thing to be grateful for, you will have fed your spirit and opened yourself to all of the abundance life has to offer!

Live Healthy.  Live Happy.

Dreaming

Just a few of my dreams...

Creating a "Dream Board" is a great way to inspire yourself and keep you focused and motivated.  Basically, it's a poster/collage of all the things you want most in life.. things you are willing to work for.  Things that make even the tough times worth struggling through.

My board contains just a smattering of things I'm dreaming of.  More recreational time with Kirby... fun vacations... having the money to pamper myself at a day spa once in a while. :)  Being able to spoil the "kids" with nice things while we RV around the country.  I even included smaller dreams, like finally getting that Kitchen-Aid stand mixer I've been dying to mix up a batch of homemade artisan bread in!  And of course, being the computer geek that I am, I did my dream board in Photoshop instead of on a poster-board.  At least this way, I can post it on my blog, right?

Speaking of... how did a new computer not make it onto the board?  Well, at least more free time to game did. *grin*

Never forget to dream.. And don't be afraid to help manifest your dreams by putting them out there for the Universe to see.  Remind yourself every day what your looking forward to and always remember to be grateful for the things you already have.  

Live Healthy. Live Happy.

Monday Meditation ~ Learning to Soar

"A toddler will fall down many times before learning to walk. I will fall down many times both in my own eyes and the eyes of others during my life's journey.  But it is only when I let go of those limiting opinions and expectations of myself and look skyward that I will learn to fly."

Learning to fly, as a person, was one of the most important things in my life a few short years ago.  I practiced daily meditation, I fed my curiosity daily and nourished my mind and my body with things that were good for me... and was willing to let go of any limiting ideas that came my way.

Then the one thing I had never expected to happen did.  I found myself in a new city without a job and unable to find a new one.  So much of my self confidence and self identity had been tied to my career that when I found myself suddenly without one, I fell.  Hard.  Actually, truth be told, I did more then fall. I self imploded.     

The year that followed that was one of great trials.  Culminating in a devastating auto accident that left me in chronic pain and robbed me of my mobility for months.  I lost all faith in myself.  I let all of the limitations of my situation, my own shattered confidence and the opinions of others taint my vision.

They say that when you hit bottom, the only place to go is up.  Well I was there.  But I was never one to give up easily.  So I once again looked skyward.  I remembered the beautiful soul that was still inside me, filled with passion and creativity and potential.  I had been holding her back, holding onto limitations that were not part of who I was, only part of what had happened to me.  It was hard, but I decided to let go of all of the things that were holding me back and start over.  It hasn't been that long since I made that decision... but even in such a short time, it has been life-changing. 

Maybe that's why I wanted to share this particular meditation.  Because that one small decision, to let go of all the limiting ideas and expectations that we hold onto, can make such an overwhelming change for good in our lives. 

What limiting opinions and expectations are keeping you from soaring?

Live healthy.  Live Happy.